Plant Basics

Wild turnip is a close botanical relative of its more popular, cultivated counterpart. In appearance, wild turnip is nearly identical to cultivated varieties of the plant. Because of its...

Elderberries have been used for their medicinal purpose for thousands of years; some people believe they can help prevent and treat certain illnesses, particularly viruses. There are also many...

Elderberries can grow in many climate conditions and are often found in areas where the soil contains a lot of moisture, such as along bodies of water. Once an elderberry bush is planted in the...

Strawberries have seeds on the outside, according to Sustainable Gardening the Oregon Washington Master Garden Handbook. Strawberries are an example of an aggregate fruit where a single flower...

Hanging plants provide the aesthetic beauty and environmental benefits of potted plants without using precious counter or shelf space. By locating a ceiling joist in a sunny corner and installing...

Planter boxes add a decorative element to decks, patios and entryways. Whether you are growing ornamental plants or vegetables in your planters, filling them with the proper soil and amendments...

We expect leaves to turn brown, yellow or orange in the fall. However, leaves on both indoor and outdoor plants can also turn brown at any time because the plants need a little extra care.

Juniper berries grow on common juniper shrubs, which are 4 to 6 feet tall and are found all across America. When ripe, the berries resemble blueberries due to their small size and deep blue color....

Hanging baskets are containers that hold plants that are hung up to use vertical growing space. They hold plants such as geraniums, petunias, burro tails and fuchsias. Soil can be heavy,...

The schefflera plant requires little care, making it a favorite among houseplants. It does not include direct sunlight but a bright indirect light. Watering takes place only after the soil dries...

With their heart-shaped leaves and reddish orange, papery pods, Chinese lanterns make a unique focal point in the flower bed. Although Chinese lanterns are perennials, they rarely live longer than...

Asian plants, including the ancient Durian, thrive in different climates. Each plant grows in different locales, from the Southeastern rainforests to southern Russia. Some prefer lush, tropical...

Entomologists sort scales into three groups: hard-sided, soft-sided and mealy bugs. While mealy bugs are not considered a threat to plants, hard and soft-sided scales can do a lot of damage to...

The Showboat Philodendron is a hybrid plant that is similar to a Xanadu Philodendron. It is an evergreen plant and is sensitive to cold. The lobed leaves are smaller than most philodendrons and...

Mandevillas are tropical, woody vines from Brazil. They produce a profuse amount of 4-inch pink or red fragrant blossoms with snowy white and gold centers every summer and sporadically throughout...

Heirloom plants are non-hybrid and often open-pollinated, making them prized in the garden because their seeds are usually viable and produce plants true to the parent. Heirloom plant varieties...

Black bamboo, Phyllostachys nigra, is a native of China. It has slender hollow grass stems that eventually turn jet black and glossy. Black bamboos are a favorite in contemporary planting and...

Kids love to get their hands dirty. Teaching kids how to grow a plant is a great way to show them how to complete a task, take care of a living thing, and be proud of the work they have done....

Though the Taiwanese bonsai variety known as the money tree plant won't exactly sprout dollar bills, it is an attractive and easy-to-maintain addition to any home and is also reputed to bring its...

Having house plants can make you feel a little closer to the outdoors while you bask in the comfort of your home. Keeping your house plants healthy is important, though, or they may detract from...

Plumbers warn against putting tea leaves down sinks, toilets and garbage disposals because they can cause clogs and the tannins can damage the garbage disposal motor. Put your spent tea leaves to...

Huechera, commonly known as coral bells, combine the tall floral spikes of a hosta with the ruffled variegated foliage of a begonia. Huechera have been bred to produce a dizzying variety of...

A beautifully landscaped yard provides a restful get-away from a long work day. When properly planned and artfully executed a landscaped property is normally worth more to potential buyers than...

The most prevalent plant species on Earth take up water from soil through a system of roots. Two exceptions to this are nonvascular plants and epiphytes, which either absorb rain water or sap...

Pachira aquatic is commonly known as the Chinese money plant tree or Malabar chestnut but its origins are in South America, not China. It was not introduced to Asia until the latter half of the...

The yellowbell plant is a climbing shrub that produces butter-colored blooms. It is also commonly known as the golden trumpet and is native to Brazil. The plant is best grown outdoors and grows...

Many plants require a fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen in order to grow and produce properly. Fertilizers that are purchased from a garden center may be expensive. They also contain chemicals...

Around 800 species of ficus trees are in existence as of 2009. A common indoor ficus, F. benjamina, is also called the weeping fig. Being that they are an indoor plant, figs do not suffer from...

Hydrangeas are so easy to grow and make a statement in the garden. If you happen to have a neighbor with a particularly attractive hydrangea ask if you can take a cutting. This way you will know...

Bamboo plants, commonly sold as lucky bamboo, are notoriously easy to care for and are a favorite among people who lack any sort of a green thumb. Even though these plants don't require much...

Sansevieria trifasciata is also call mother-in-law's tongue, snake plant, devil's tongue, good luck plant and lucky plant. This perennial plant produces stiff, leathery, long sword-like leaves....

The Flowering Maple plant is also know as Abutilon and is not really a maple tree, but gets the name because the shape of its leaves resemble a maple. They are generally a house plant, but can be...

Whether you start your own seeds or buy seedlings from a nursery, they must be taken care of both before and after they are planted in the ground in order to thrive. Seedlings are more susceptible...

Seed spacing is an important consideration when planning any garden. Space too close together, and you'll waste money on seeds and inhibit plant health; space too far apart, and you'll get a thin...

Starting vegetables and flower plants from seed is more cost effective than purchasing nursery seedlings. You also have a greater choice of plants when you choose to plant from seed. Most seeds...

Carnations, also known as Dianthus or pinks, are prized in cut flower arrangements because of their large array of colors and sizes. There are large bloomed carnations that grow a single flower...

Arisarum proboscideum, also known as the mouse plant, or mouse-tail plant, is a perennial plant with spade-shaped leaves, purple flowers, and a stem that resembles the tail of a mouse. While they...

The mass cane plant is native to Africa and New Guinea. It has broad leaves that generally have a yellow stripe down the center. It is sometimes referred to as a corn plant, although a true corn...

Trees are magnificent plants that never stop growing. Everyone has wondered one time in their life, how old is that tree, it is so big. There a few ways to determine the age of a tree and are...

An African violet is a lovely accent for home or office. Easy to take care of, its blossoms can be enjoyed in every season; send a plant as a gift for any occasion. Perhaps you would like to give...

Brassica plants include mustard, collards, kale, broccoli, turnips, cauliflower, and cabbage. The Bassica rapa variety completes its life cycle in roughly 35 days. Because of this rapid...

Cacti are members of the succulent family of plants, and as such have some special requirements. Most (but not all) cacti require a sandier, coarser soil. Fewer nutrients and less moisture are...

The tomatillo plant or Physalis ixocarp is a type of vegetable that is native to Mexico. The tomatillo is a member of the same family of plants to which potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants and peppers...

A Nellie Stevens Holly Tree is primarily used to create privacy hedges around property lines. When planted properly, they produce deep green leaves and ornamental red berries and reach heights to...

Watering plants has been the subject of debate among gardeners since agriculture began. Especially in modern times, with the ability to change water composition and temperature at will, there are...

Restoring a damaged plant to health provides a challenge for even the most experienced gardeners. Outdoor plants can be damaged from cold, weather or bugs. Indoor plants can suffer damage from...

The Desmodium plant, more commonly known as Beggar's lice, is a weed that's actually a member of the legume family. It's most commonly found in Florida and Texas, although it can also be found in...

Crinums (Crinum sp.) have large trumpet-shaped flowers that are red, pink, rose or white. The plants, which are hardy in zones 8 to 11, bloom in the summer in the cooler zones and year round in...

Some types of mushrooms can be frequently found growing in circles, which are commonly known as "fairy rings." Mushrooms are the fruiting part of the fungus, which actually grows underground and...