Growing Plants

The Hawaii State flower, the yellow hibiscus (also called Ma'o Hau Hele, or Hibiscus brackenridgei) and the Noni (Morinda citrifolia) are two of the best-known of the many hundreds of plants...

With its jungle-like foliage, Monstera deliciosa, a relative of split leaf philodendron, makes a beautiful houseplant or, in tropical areas, a garden plant. The Monstera deliciosa requires little...

Generally only older Aloe vera plants---those that have been established for four years or longer---bloom. And generally only very happy plants that receive excellent care bloom. When Aloe vera...

If the leaves of your houseplants look dusty and dull, follow these simple steps to get them looking clean, shiny, and beautiful again.

Most gardeners begin Aloe vera plants by taking a "pup" or cutting from a mature plant. However, Aloe vera can be cultivated from seed. The process of reaching a mature plant just takes a bit...

The akparata tree, better known as the "akee apple," is the national fruit of Jamaica. The tree produces fleshy, oval leaves and four-lobed red fruit. The fruit should never be eaten before it is...

Whether you are starting seedlings indoors or need an additional light source for your houseplants, fluorescent light bulbs provide the needed types of light rays for healthy plant growth....

The idea of a carnivorous plant may surprise some people, but those who have experienced the beauty of purple pitcher plants have grown accustomed to the idea. With a stunning red-purple color,...

The pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii) is a small-growing palm admired for the graceful, feathery fronds atop its upright, slender trunk. Usually seen growing in clusters of many trunks, pruning...

The cat's whiskers plant is a shrub-like plant that belongs to the mint family. It can grow to be 2 feet tall and its width is 3 to 4 feet. The plant attracts hummingbirds and butterflies because...

The agave plant is a desert succulent used to make tequila. It is commercially farmed throughout the desert regions of the United States. It is also grown privately, either for personal use or for...

The Kwanzan cherry tree is primarily an ornamental tree. It is a small tree that bears beautiful clusters of pink flowers in the spring and golden yellow leaves in the fall. It likes full sun and...

Most people know the Aloe vera as a plant with leaves that contain a medicinal gel which can help heal burns. There are actually over 250 varieties of aloe, most of which are native to Africa....

Venus flytraps are beautiful, exotic and fun plants to have around, and they even earn their keep--your African violets certainly won't take care of stray bugs the way a Venus flytrap will. But...

"Palmetto" can refer to two plants in the United States: a tall, trunk-forming palm (Sabal palmetto) or a clustering, shrub-like palm called the saw palmetto (Serenoa repens). Other species of...

The staghorn fern, also known as the elkhorn, is a unique fern with fronds that grow on one side of the plant, making them perfect for decorative wall mounts. Another interesting thing about...

What we call wheatgrass and wheat berries are actually the seedling form of wheat and its seeds, respectively. Wheatgrass has numerous common household uses, and its health effects have been...

Despite an rumor circulating on the Internet that microwaved water kills plants, there's no evidence that microwaved water has any negative effects. The rumor started with a supposed experiment...

The colorful snapdragon is a beautiful addition to any garden. This majestic flower adds height and texture, quickly enhancing the visual appeal of the garden. What is more, the aroma of the...

Hellebores plants are a small, flowering plant that is a member of the buttercup family. It is designed to grow best in colder temperatures, and has one of the longest growing and germination...

Pogostemon patchouli plants are native to the Philippines and Indonesia, but are now also grown throughout tropical Asia and in Brazil. Patchouli is harvested for its essential oil. Patchouli oil...

The Easter cactus is a beautiful flowering plant that is in the same family as the popular Christmas cactus. They are harder to find as the plant can take 12 months to develop and produce blossoms...

Growth can be defined as an irreversible or permanent change of an organism, either in size or volume, with simultaneous gain in dry weight. The growth of any plant is influenced by a large number...

All plants require consistent watering, but all water is not created equal when it comes to plants. Some tap waters contain additional chemicals, like chlorine or water softeners, that can harm...

Light is essential to plant growth, yet plants do not need every light wavelength in order to grow and some wavelengths are more vital than others. The most important wavelengths needed for plant...

Growing plants inside can be a rewarding experience. Bringing the outdoors in adds a fresh feeling to any living space. If you have flowering plans inside they can be especially beautiful. If your...

Tea plants originated in the Himalayan mountains and in parts of China. The plants are tropical in nature and variously prefer high altitudes and lowland subtropical climates. In all, 45 countries...

Citronella oil is used to help repel mosquitoes. The name alone will call to mind the popular candles used to repel mosquitoes. Many people think that planting citronella will help control the...

Hostas come in several colors including blue, green, yellow and white, and are content in either sun or shade. The lily-like plant blooms from June to October but may not flower for several reasons.

The mandevilla is an exotic flowering plant with trumpet-shaped flowers varying in colors from red to pink, yellow to white. These plants like to twine their vines on a trellis or other structure...

Bamboo is a plant that comes in over 2,000 varieties. Technically a grass, it is a native plant of China and can be used for a variety of craft projects, baskets and screens. Some varieties are...

Cannas have lush, large tropical foliage and beautifully colored flowers. Depending on the cultivar, canna foliage can be also be colorful, ranging from green to purple to striped. Cannas are...

Aloe plants comprise several hundred species, and are hardy and easy to keep as houseplants. You can start aloe plants from seed, from offshoots, or by dividing adult plants. Aloes like full,...

Exotic Angel Plants are a brand of indoor tropical plants cultivated by Hermann Engelmann Greenhouses. Identified by their bright red angel tags, these houseplants are in stores across the U.S....

Fortune plants are thought to bring good luck to the area where they are located, be it in a home bedroom or in an office. The lucky plant can make a room feel more cheerful, regardless of whether...

Aloe plicatilis, or the fan aloe, is a tree-like evergreen plant that is a member of the family Aloaceae. It is characterized by having multiple fan-like stems or branches that are grayish-green...

Known as the princess flower, Tibouchina plants grow beautiful, eye-catching purple flowers with yellow stamens, hence its name. The plant grabs the attention of passersby and gardeners alike. The...

I love Jalapeño’s if it’s for Pico or if I just want to cut some up for me eggs, but I never thought about growing some due to the face I like in a townhome and don’t have much room. I was...

Fluorescent lighting can be used to grow a variety of plants indoors when the weather outside is not ideal for growing. They can provide the same quality light as natural light for photosynthesis...

Timothy grass was introduced into North America by early settlers and has spread far across the continent. It is a very desirable feedstock for cattle, horses, smaller livestock and pets. It is...

Approximately 290 species of Vrieseas exist, and they have grown popular due to their easy care and adaptability to cultivation. Vrieseas are medium-sized plants native to rainforests and have...

The caladium is an ornamental tropical plant native to South America. Its dark green leaves can be swirled with white, pink and red, depending on the variety. Easy-to-grow and suited for growing...

If the weather or temperature is not ideal outside for growing your plants, grow them indoors. Plants need the proper environment to grow in, and proper lighting is just one of the aspects of a...

Biogas occurs when organic material, such as manure or even simple kitchen waste, breaks down because it has been deprived of oxygen. The mixture that develops is about 70 percent methane and 30...

Sodium bicarbonate is more commonly known as baking soda. It has been used for many different purposes, including for its benefits to plants. Baking soda is used to keep mold from growing on...

The desert rose is a beautiful desert plant designed to withstand the driest, hottest climates. It is closely related to the oleander plant and is a pretty flowering shrub. The desert rose...

Lilac bushes are hardy plants, but must be carefully cultivated when propagated from seeds. Purchase or collect seeds in the fall, and store them in a cool place over the winter. When spring...

Avocados are a wonderful fruit, but they can cost up to a dollar a piece in the grocery store. Growing your own avocado plant can be a rewarding project. Avocado house plants can eventually become...

Leonotis leonurus, also called lion's tail, is a bright green and orange shrub that can add a beautiful dimension to a garden. Lion's tail blooms late in the year, in the fall or early winter....

Chlorophytum, or spider plant, is an easy-to-grow decorative houseplant. Originating in South Africa, it can be kept in a hanging pot and is capable of handling low moisture climates. It's a quick...