Plant Basics

Identifying a plant may seem like a daunting task. However, if you break the plant down into more manageable pieces you will begin to notice small features that can help you make a positive...

You can make money off of Agave. Agave, or century plant, are a plant that is closely related to the lily, but if you've ever seen an agave, you know you aren't going to be picking it and placing...

Bamboo is a plant of the grass family and grows rapidly in certain outdoor locations. Short, curled bamboo is sold in small pots for placement indoors as lucky charms. Some people face problems...

Calaloo is a native plant that grows in the Caribbean Islands and it originated with the African slaves. In 1839, Captain Geoffroy imported it to Europe. Calaloo, called Indian spinach or Chinese...

What do you think of when you hear the word "groom?" First thoughts might be of a bridegroom, of someone who tends horses, of the process of preparing a dog for show, or of the perfect...

Seeds, however large or small, contain all the parts of an adult plant and enough food to nourish it through the beginning stages of development. The germination process varies depending upon...

Seed packets can be saved for future planting; however, germination rates drop significantly each year of storage. Most seed packets provide a packaging date and the anticipated germination rate...

Classified as grass, bamboo sprouts easily and requires minimal care with species that thrive without soil. As a renewable resource, it is used for food, architectural material and fencing to name...

Venus flytraps are fascinating carnivorous plants grown by both curious first-time plant buyers and established gardeners. Determining whether a flytrap is sick, dead or dormant isn't hard, as...

Oh those pesky, awful little fungus gnats--they look like fruit flies, but they live in over-watered houseplant soil and thrive on rotten plant roots. Using Mosquito Dunks or watering with BT,...

With old man Winter bearing down on us quickly, it's time to find solace in plants indoors. Whether it is in our homes or offices, it's great to have a plant. Especially if they are low...

Watering plants with juice that you might otherwise throw away seems like a good way to avoid waste, but consider the effects and alternatives. You could end up harming your plants.

All green plants need light. The type and amount supplied to your African violet will determine whether or not the plant will grow to be healthy and attractive. There are two light types:...

If you need to know how to treat a sick infected plant, it's very easy. For some people who cannot have animals, plants become their pets, but the plants can become ill just as a pet can. If you...

African violets are lovely house plants that don't require a lot of upkeep, but occasionally they need to be repotted. Why? 1. If you purchased the plant anywhere other than from a greenhouse,...

Tending growing things is something that many of us take great delight in. Nothing is more fun than acquiring yet another plant to take care of. Problem is, plants are expensive and some types are...

Plants have many different parts that perform different functions. The root is the part that grows underground, gathering nutrients and water from the soil. The stem of a plant is the main...

Fall gardening clean -up is one of the best ways to get a jump on having your soil ready for the next planting season.

Coral reefs are living ecosystems with an abundance of marine animal and fish species. Plants such as turtle grass, algae and mangroves are an important element vital to the survival of the...

Some plants can benefit from the use of caffeine, depending on what type of caffeine you use. Other plants can be harmed due to the amount of caffeine you use, the acidity of the soil and the...

Bugambillias are very special plants once their roots are well attached to the soil. They stand for a very long time because they have a really strong structure system. Another feature of...

Black pepper is the most popular spice in America. Every home has a pepper shaker or pepper mill on their table. Fresh black pepper has a better pungent fiery flavor than the ground pepper you...

Ecosystems are dynamic. Change occurs constantly to adapt to stresses and pressures in a process referred to as ecological succession. Over time, ecosystems reach a state of stability or climax....

An ecosystem is a natural unit that consists of all the living and non-living components within it. It includes plants, the wildlife that depend upon them for habitat, and the non-living parts...

Carnivorous plants can trap, dissolve and digest invertebrates and, in rare cases, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. They accomplish this through a wide variety of methods. Carnivorous...

Make money selling plants and flowers if you are in a financial crunch, or even if you just have an abundance of greenery. Selling anything is helpful to get some fast money, but many people do...

Using natural fiber in your hanging basket will insure a better healthier plant. Hanging plants are a beautiful addition to your outdoor rooms. You can grow green plants, plants that bloom or...

Sometimes you acquire house plants as gifts, clippings or maybe an inheritance, and you end up not knowing anything about the plant except that it looks good. Identifying house plants by photo can...

Killing poison ivy with household items is a great way to save money on commercial poison ivy spray. It works great too! It only takes a few minutes to mix, and will make enough to wipe out a...

Buy fresh flowers. You are worth it!. Red Roses brighten a room and give off lovely scent. Placing flowers in the correct places is important and when you have no one to send them to, send them to...

What do plants require to grow? It would be better if you begin to nurture the plants which are easy to manage common plants like fenugreek, coriander, beans and lentils. These invariably sprout...

Once plants are in the ground or in containers, the most important item they need for survival is water. However, due to chemical treatments and additions, tap water is not always the best choice...

Germination is the process of a seed sprouting and growing. Planting seeds is a fascinating way to observe the entire germination process from start to finish. Start the process by planting a...

Just eating a banana has become a thing of the past. There are many uses you can get out of your banana's peel. Here are a few interesting things a banana peel can be used for.

Tip layering is a simple propagation process that usually takes place naturally, but you can help nature by performing a few simple steps. Tip layering occurs when a branch touches the ground and...

We love to grow & harvest them. We love to decorate them. We love to display them. What we don't love is the length of time it takes for a gourd to dry to the point it is ready for paint or...

Many common plants contain the natural form of cyanide, cyanic glucoside. Its presence may be the product of evolution, as it deters animals and insects from consuming the entire plant. Most...

You've planted that beautiful shrub or tree in your yard a couple of years ago, but now it has gotten seriously overgrown... How in the world do you get that overgrown tree looking it's best so...

Plants can make seeds and from those seeds, new plants grow. This basic process of reproduction is one of the great stories that has shaped our planet. What is a seed? It is a packet of food...

Pain-relieving herbs are both widely available and widely used today. These powerful and natural remedies have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. Pain-relief herbs provide...

When the weather warms and the days grow longer, trees, plants and shrubs begin to grow and with it comes the need to prune them. Pruning is one of the most important aspects in keeping your...

Clematis Montana is a flowering vine that produces white or pink flowers in the spring and early summer. It is a very low maintenance plant that doesn't really require major pruning unless the...

Plants add beauty and curb appeal to a home. Most varieties of plants are simple to care for, needing only sun, water, and occasional doses of food in order to grow and be healthy. Sometimes,...

When you try to raise a plant indoors, you face challenges if you want to make sure it keeps on growing. Plants in nature have adapted to the soil composition, the changing light, temperature and...

Water gardens are a popular landscape feature in many parts of the world. Ornamental water plants add interest as well as habitat for water gardens hosting fish. Water plants are divided into four...

Whether you are growing a few ornamental plants as focal points in your yard or raising an entire bed of flowers, proper soil cultivation is the key to raising healthy plants that produce abundant...

About 24 percent of men and 18 percent of women in the United States smoke, according to the American Heart Association. The effects of smoking on human beings are well-documented and correlate to...

The lotus plant, or Nelumbo nucifera, is an aquatic plant found primarily in freshwater ponds, lakes, lagoons and swampy areas of Southern Asia, the Middle East, Australia and New Guinea. The...

According to the University of California, there are literally thousands of aquatic plant species that live in freshwater habitats around the globe. Many of these species are widely distributed...

Brugmansia, commonly called Angel's Trumpet, is a flowering plant native to South America. It is a member of the Solanaceae family, which includes nightshade, potato, tomato and mandrake....