If you’ve been hanging around the planty corners of the internet lately, you’ve probably noticed something: there’s a particular surge in interest in Anthuriums in our community over the last couple of years! These beautiful and dramatic houseplants are so beautiful, and more and more plant parents in our Growing Joy community have been asking about them. So when I met the Cass, aka plantaddicted_cass, the Anthurium Queen, at the Southeast Plant Show, I knew instantly that I wanted to bring her story to you. She radiated joy. She lit up when she talked about her plants. And she’s here to share with you her obsession with anthuriums, how many thousands of plants she now grows, propagates, sells, nurtures, and laughs about. Time to prop!

In this episode, we learn:

[02:12] Meet Cass aka the Anthurium Queen
[04:17] How she uses humor to heal and share with the world her passion for plants
[05:14] How she fell in love with Anthuriums
[07:19] Plant fails and the messy truth behind her collection
[08:12] Experimenting with soil mixes and learning the hard way!
[09:01] How Cass’s plant hobby became a business
[11:09] What are some anthurium care tips?
[11:46] Easy Anthuriums for beginners!
[13:22] Why Bird’s Nest Anthuriums might surprise you!
[13:57] How to understand Anthurium light needs
[15:09] Wind River Chimes
[16:50] Manukora
[18:27] How to keep Anthuriums happy and lightly moist
[19:04] Cass’s “muscle milk” fertilizer secret
[20:20] How to propagate Anthuriums from seed
[24:32] Harvesting the berries and collecting seeds
[25:23] How to germinate fresh seeds in moss or tree fern fiber
[26:24] When and how to separate the seedlings
[27:23] Potting up baby Anthuriums for the first time
[28:25] What is Cass’s “tote life” growing system for high humidity?
[29:57] How to acclimate seedlings to room conditions
[32:38] What are the biggest mistakes people make when trying this at home?
[33:15] How to rehab struggling Anthuriums and check for pests
[34:26] What is Cass’s favorite airy substrate mix?
[35:45] Where can you find Cass online?
[37:11] Upcoming Anthurium Society and plant expo events!
[39:42] Maria’s wrap-up: Cass’s story proves plants can truly transform lives
[40:02] Try Palm Street with Maria’s link for up to $55 in coupons
[41:16] Free resources for plant parents and how to connect with Maria online

Mentioned in our conversation:

Growing Joy Episode 219: How to Care for Alocasias, Ep 219
Enjoy up to $55 in new user savings on Palm Street!
International Aroid Society
The BIG Plant Expo

For Cass's anthurium propagation tips,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Follow Cass:

Instagram
Facebook
TikTok
Cass's Coloring Book

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Manukora

Go to manukora.com/bloom to get $150 off the starter kit that includes their 850+ Manukora honey jar, 5 honey travel sticks, a wooden spoon, and a guidebook. Promo runs until December 2nd.

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

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Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

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