Plant Basics

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...

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...

Preparing bareroot nursery stock sets you on the path to growing a healthy garden. Bareroot stocks are popular among gardeners, because they are often less expensive then container grown plants....

From the day the dove returned to Noah with an olive branch (a symbol of peace), humans have had an ongoing love affair with the olive tree. Best suited to grow in Mediterranean climates, olive...

Taking stem cuttings is an efficient and inexpensive way to propagate a new plant, and is easy enough for beginning gardeners. With just a few basic tools, you can replicate a plant that you've...

French lavender plants are perennials that thrive in warm climates, yet can be brought indoors during winters in zones outside of 8 through 10. Blooms begin in midsummer and produce gorgeous...

White licorice plants have long, green leaves, grow to 1 to 2 feet tall and wide and do not produce flowers. They are most often used to offset other plants and for edging around gardens. The...

The hardy kiwi differs from the kiwifruit in size and flavor. Kiwi fruit do not grow as well in North America as they do in Asia, but amateur horticulturalists and the average home gardener are...

Wild fennel is delicious, but is so prominent across most of this country that it's considered by some to be a weed. Like dandelion greens, it can be delicious when harvested and treated by...

Campanula alpina is a biennial plant that takes its name from the bell-shaped flowers it produces. A biennial plant takes two years to grow from the seed to full bloom before dying. Biennials last...

One of the most important factors for successfully growing vegetables is the acidity or alkalinity of your soil. If your soil is too acidic, then not enough nutrients will be available for your...

Epsom salt is a non-toxic substance with many purposes. Epsom salt is typically used for sore muscles and healing wounds, but according to the Epsom Salt Council, it is also useful in the garden....

A plant stand is a table or shelf made to hold indoor or outdoor potted plants. Build a corner plant stand or standard plant stand with one or more tiers to hold numerous plants, and if the plants...

Exotic and ornamental, Staghorn ferns, also known as Elk horn, Antelope or Antler ferns are epiphytic perennials or "air" plants that grow attached to tree trunks, branches, walls and rocks. Found...

Growing stevia from seeds requires a bit of preparation and some attention to your newly planted seeds, but with planning and preparation, you can produce successfully germinated stevia plants...

Staghorn ferns are odd-looking but fascinating plants. Native to the tropics of Australia and New Guinea, staghorn ferns are epiphytes, which means they take nourishment from a host. Although the...

It's easy to grow pineapple plants and fruit from the leafy tops cut from store-bought fruit, but it does take time. You can expect a well-established plant in a few months, and it will grow...

Have you ever been walking around outdoors and come upon a seed pod at your feet? Perhaps you took your dog to run around at the park, and later noticed some kind of pod sticking in its fur. Many...

Depending on the type of plant you are growing, you may need a more acidic water, or more basic. The pH scale starts at 0, which is the most acidic, something like battery acid, and ends at 14,...

A Currant is a delicious, versatile berry fruit. The red, pink and white currants originate from three European species. Black currants are from both the European and Asian species. Currants will...

Bamboo palms are indoor plants that contribute to a tropical feel in homes. With proper care, bamboo palms can grow up to 6 feet. Be sure your palm gets plenty of indirect sunlight, moist soil,...

You can cut a tree, shrub or plant to root if you want to multiply your hedges or fruit trees. Most commercial garden operations use propagated stems to create a unique array of...

Most people associate wintergreen for its minty flavor, used in items such as chewing gum and toothpaste. However, it is not widely known that the wintergreen plant has a multitude of medicinal...

During the winter months, homeowners are concerned about protecting their outside plants from the effects of the cold. Protecting gardens from frost damage takes time and consideration. It is best...

Wheat grass is full of vitamins and minerals, and has a reputation for curing and preventing disease. While there is a debate on just how healthy wheat grass really is, there is no denying that it...

Flies are bothersome pests to any household plants, especially jasmine. The flies lay their eggs on the underside of leaves and feed on the plant's juices. This can cause rapid deterioration of...

Over 200 types of thistle plants exist in the world, with most of these in the northern hemisphere. Considered a weed by botanists, thistles are potentially invasive, especially the well-known...

It is hard to imagine a more exotic flower than the tall, striking bird of paradise, also sometimes known as the crane plant. The flower does, in fact, resemble a water bird having a slender blue...

Growing plants in a greenhouse can offer you and your family valuable vegetables, herbs and even fruits for an entire year. Greenhouses are built to retain warmth in the winter and keep cool in...

Liquid Karma is a concentrated growth catalyst for plants. It contains fermented compost solution, amino acids, vitamins and plant extracts that stimulate plant growth. It also contains humic acid...

If you live in the South, planting asparagus in the fall will make sense, because the young plants of this perennially popular favorite thrive in cooler climes, and would almost certainly perish...

The ficus bush, also referred to as the weeping fig, is an indoor plant that can be seen in homes and offices everywhere. Though the bush is void of flowers, the dark green foliage complements any...

Daylilies are strong flowers known for blooms that last one day, hence the name. They have developed a strong ability to adapt to their growth environment. These flowers thrive in an area where...

Staghorn ferns grow on the bark of trees in their native habitats in Africa, Asia and South America. They are known as epiphytes--air plants--because they grow without soil. You can simulate this...

Aloe plants come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are known as tree hybrids and can grow to several feet high, while other varieties such as aloe vera can be grown in pots on windowsills....

Aloe vera is a perennial succulent plant that grows well indoors with a lot of sun and can be grown outdoors in mild climates (USDA zones 10-11). Aloe requires little care other than occasional...

The Spathoglottis orchid is a beautiful orchid that is recognized by its palm-like leaves and spiked flowers. They can be yellow or purple in color. The Spathoglottis orchid can be grown anywhere...

Aloe vera plants, also known as Barbados aloe, are succulents native to South Africa that are commonly grown in warm or desert climates. While aloes don't tolerate frosts, they are otherwise a...

Agave plants are a type of succulent. The century plant is one of the better recognized and common agave plants, but there are many more varieties and they come in a range of colors, forms and...

Transplanting plants from pots to garden soil requires care, whether the plants are vegetable seedlings, flowering perennials, or shrubs. When you are moving the potted plant to sandy soil, extra...

Italian cypress is most famous for its ability to grow up to 60 feet tall. The planting process is not particularly difficult, but the Italian cypress does require much attention after planting....

Florida gardeners enjoy good weather, healthy soil and a long list of fruit trees that grow happily in the state. The sunshine state enjoys a hardiness zone rating of 8b to 11, making for an...

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...

Rhododendron is a genus that has more than 1,000 species of shrubs and trees. Popular rhododendrons include azaleas, blueberries, mountain laurels and heathers. These types of plants generally...

Have you ever gone to the fair and been amazed at the huge pumpkins? You can learn to grow equally huge pumpkins by following a few basic procedures. Pumpkin growing has become a fun competition...

Mealybugs are small insects that can do major damage to your plants if you don't take measures to get rid of them. The mealybugs look like small white cotton balls. When they attach themselves to...

Pond plants, like regular plants, require oxygen to grow and thrive. Although oxygen is present in pond water, water that is not kept clean and properly aerated cannot provide the oxygen levels...

Anthurium podophyllum, also known as flamingo flower, is native to the Mexican gulf coast. The plant has white flowers and lobed leaves with a leathery texture. The leaves sprout from stems and...

Tobacco seeds require a balanced amount of potassium nitrate for strong germination. Most regular soils may be deficient in the necessary potash requirements for a vigorous germination, which will...

Astilbes are long wispy flowers that come in shades like pink, red and white. These perennial flowers bloom in the spring and summer months. Their fern-like foliage adds a whimsical element to...