Plant Basics

Simply put, beans are seeds. The small nuggets you know as lima beans, soybeans and other varieties are actually the seeds of those bean plants. Bean plants produce pods that contain several...

Citrus fruits are wonderful, natural gifts to the taste buds and the human immune system. Citrus fruits satisfy millions around the world due to their eclectic ability to have delicious sweet or...

Purple fountain grass is an ornamental grass grown mostly as a way to fill in empty areas of landscaping. This grass grows quickly during warm months and can reach an average height of 24 to 48...

It is possible to water plants with alkaline water or tap water, but extra care needs to be taken to keep the plants healthy. When plants are watered repeatedly with alkaline water, they become...

Layering trees is the process of forcing a tree to grow new shoots on one or more of the limbs. Once the new shoots are established, they are usually harvested through cutting and planted to begin...

All plants require light in order to grow. Some seeds require periods of light and dark in order to germinate. Having a good light system is important to successfully starting seeds.

The time of year to start your vegetable garden depends on where you live. Purchase a gardener's encyclopedia and talk to local gardeners to best plan a planting calendar. Most importantly, learn...

Seeds are the building blocks of any garden or landscape. Knowing the differences between different types of plants and seeds can make all the difference when it comes to the look, feel and taste...

Honeydew melons are a member of the cucurbit family, which includes cantaloupes, watermelons, squash, pumpkins and cucumbers. Cucurbits are vine plants with hollow stems covered with spiky...

Citric acid is a mild organic acidic compound and preservative occurring naturally in high content in most fruits and vegetables. Citric acid is used in a wide variety of applications such as...

Seed producing plants propagate through sexual reproduction; the combining of a single male and a single female cell to produce a single organism. This organism within the seed remains dormant...

Double potting is the technique of placing a plant in its growing container into an oversized decorative pot, also known as a cachepot. This serves multiple purposes: • It eliminates the need to...

An indoor plant are mainly for decorative purposes but also are used for health reasons to purify air. Indoor plants are also known as houseplants.

Purple martin gourds, also known as Lagenaria, are large pear-shaped gourds that, when properly cured and dried, make ideal housing for purple martins. According to Birds & Blooms, if cured...

In order for your holly plants to bear fruit, you must have a male holly nearby in order to pollinate the plants. While it is not required that the male holly be the same species in order to...

Blue oat is an ornamental grass that offers steel-blue foliage. It reaches a height of 2 feet and a width of 3 feet, and it resembles blue fescue. Blue oat grows well in U.S. Department of...

Bonsai plants are miniature trees and shrubs that are trained to grow in various designs. Bonsai is a carefully learned art form that requires extensive study to master. It is no surprise that as...

The rubber ficus or Ficus elastica is one of the easiest plants to care for. It requires very basic care that requires little work. However, this type of plant is very vulnerable to changes in...

Planting a garden is a rewarding, educational experience. After all your hard work planning, planting and cultivating your garden, it is disappointing when your plants become unhealthy. Yellowing...

Though seeds might appear to be relatively simple on the surface, they are a rather complex structure. There are two types of seeds, a monocot seed and a dicot seed.

Fungal diseases on a plant can be a serious problem if left untreated. Plants that are infected with fungus will quickly wilt and potentially die. Knowing how to identify and quickly isolate the...

Miracle-Gro has been a favorite of gardeners for some time now and with good reason. Miracle-Gro has been proven to aid the growth of your plants and enhance the overall health and appearance of...

An aphid is a small green insect that feeds on sap from plants. It is also referred to as plant lice. Aphids collect on the undersides of leaves and cause leaves to wilt or yellow. An aphid will...

Native to South America, the amaranth plant was held sacred by ancient civilizations such as the Incas and Aztecs. Its cultivation has now spread around the world, and its grains and leaves are...

Hydroponic plants are plants that are grown without the use of soil. They are grown in trays that provide water and nutrients in the form of a water-soluble film. Although hydroponic plants can be...

Many species of oxalis are lovely additions to the garden and landscaping. If your garden is graced with oxalis stricta (yellow wood sorrel), however, enjoyment can turn into frustration. The...

Plant lovers are sometimes discouraged from caring for a large garden because watering a large area becomes a tedious chore. The solution is an efficient watering system that is rigged to...

Maintaining the proper cultural practices for lawn and garden care aids plant development and growth. You can make your plants grow better by choosing the best growing areas, soil types, watering...

It may look like it is from another planet, but the sundew plant is found all over the world. Known by its Latin name, Drosera, the sundew plant has approximately 130 species. While very beautiful...

Solanum integrifolium, the pumpkin tree plant, is also known as pumpkin-on-a-stick or pumpkin bush. It is a decorative plant with fruit that resembles miniature pumpkins. It is used for Halloween...

Sea minerals are derived from ocean water that is collected and allowed to dry. The remaining residue is high in several minerals such as sodium, magnesium and potassium. These minerals are...

There are many different plant fertilizers available to help gardeners add nutrients to the soil. One type of fertilizer that is growing in popularity is liquid fertilizer. Liquid fertilizer comes...

Three different species of plants are called bittersweet: American bittersweet, Oriental bittersweet and woody nightshade. Both American and Oriental bittersweet plants are part of the...

Throughout the centuries, juniper berries have been widely used in medicinal preparations; as a spice, game seasoning, moth repellent and air freshener; in jam and tea; and to make gin. Today, a...

Bananas are a nutritious and healthy fruit, which can be prepared and eaten in various ways. Plantain and sweet bananas are two different forms of this fruit. We eat the fruit banana in the raw...

Hydroponics is a technique for growing plants without soil. Although its origins are ancient, advances in the 19th century laid the groundwork for modern developments.

One of the best ways to make plants grow is to ensure they have been placed in an environment best suited to their needs. A healthy plant makes for a happy person. It does not take much to ensure...

Soil and plant care are integral to a healthy garden. There are a few basic things that need to be done to keep your plants and flowers alive.

Chinese bamboo plants have long been considered to be lucky in the home environment--often utilized in Feng Shui as a representation of both wood and water elements. Many people will adorn the...

Coffee plants can be grown at home with a little patience and knowledge. Using the fruit directly from the plant for planting is the best method, but this is impossible without an adult coffee...

The kalanchoe plant is a succulent perennial that is most commonly presented and displayed during holidays. The kalanchoe harbors thick foliage that resembles the feel of smooth rubber. The small,...

Asiatic Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum), also known as Dwarf Jasmine or Small-Leaf Confederate Jasmine, is a vigorous ground-cover plant. Grown in the warmest climates in the United States,...

The dwarf chenille plant is a relative of the common chenille plant. The dwarf chenille, a ground-hugging, fine-textured plant, grows no more than several inches tall. It forms a thick canopy of...

The Lustgarten weeper is more commonly known as a Kousa dogwood. It is a deciduous tree that will reach a height of 20 feet. It has dark green leaves that turn scarlet in fall and produces large...

Imagine that the company you work for is moving to Phoenix, Arizona and wants you to come along. While you are excited about the opportunity, you are hesitant because you possess an award winning...