Plant Basics

Privet hedges are popular, fast growing landscaping shrubs. They are versatile and give the gardener the options to have perfectly manicured hedging, stately well-trimmed trees, fantastic...

The magnolia is a shallow-rooted shrub that requires full sun and a temperate climate. Magnolia bushes feature shiny, dark green leaves and fragrant flowers in shades of white and purple. Although...

Thuja arborvitae is popular for its fast growth, but that very trait means you will need to prune it regularly if you want to maintain a particular size or shape--especially if you are growing it...

Mold in potting soil deprives the plants of the nutrients found in the soil. This can lead to root rot and kill the plant. Mold often has the ability to grow in multiple climate settings and ...

Although asparagus fern has the word fern in its name, it is not technically a fern. The asparagus fern gets its name from its foliage, which resembles the foliage of the asparagus plant. The...

Pomegranate plants are actually small fruit-producing trees that can grow to a height of 20 to 30 feet but are generally 12 to 16 feet in height. It produces white or scarlet flowers and fruit...

When you trim your hibiscus plants will depend in part on where you live and what kind of weather you have. Spring is the most common season for pruning but small upkeep can take place throughout...

Most plants need fertilizers made up of three main food elements--nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potassium--necessary for growth. Plant foods are sold in a variety of forms including organics,...

Plants depend on light to grow. The quantity, quality and duration of light affects the health and growth of all plants.

Banana plants are grown in frost-free or tropical areas of the world for their fruit. In places that experience freezing winter temperatures, banana plants are used as an ornamental plant in the...

The idea that plant growth is affected by different types of music has been popular for a long time. Controlled scientific studies have not been able to prove any difference in plant growth when...

Growing your own fruits, vegetables and herbs is economic and beneficial to your health. Watching flowers and shade trees grow can prove equally rewarding. Your climate zone and the type of plant...

The Brazilian firecracker (Russelia equisetiformis) is a colorful, fast-growing plant native to Mexico. Cultivated mainly in the southern United States, the Brazilian firecracker is commonly grown...

San Pedro cactus is a spiny succulent that grows in the desert and is known in both North and South America as a primary source of the psychedelic substance mescaline (along with the peyote...

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...

Biotechnologists use tissue cultures to grow cell lines, increase production of certain plants, and perform medical research on diseases. In order to culture, or grow, cells from a tissue sample,...

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...

Bamboo is one of the most versatile wood producing plants on earth. Technically, it is a type of fast growing grass that is commonly mistaken for a tree. Animals first used the plant as a major...

Carbon dioxide is the source of the food that plants make for themselves through photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into...

Maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum) is a finely textured fern that can be used in shade gardens or woodland areas. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, the palmately divided fronds of the...

Gibberellic acid is a growth regulator found in plants. It is used in commercial agriculture to improve plant development, stimulate flowering and increase fruiting.

Gibberellic acid is a hormone found in some plants. It is essential for germination of seeds and growth of plants as well as for flower and fruiting.

Auxins are an important class of plant hormones, that have diverse and complex biological effects. By definition, a hormone is a compound that is made in one part of an organism, but has its...

Stunted growth can occur in virtually every type of plant and can be attributed to a number of causes. Occasionally, plant growth is intentionally stunted, as is often the case with house plants.

All plants need nutrients to grow and, given good soil, sunlight and water, most are able to make their own food through photosynthesis. Fertilizers provide extra helpings of substances that...

Sphagnum, or sphagnum moss, creates vast carpets of living material over bogs and swamps around the world. Peat, a byproduct of the sphagnum moss growth, coexists with sphagnum in some areas to...

There are thousands of plant species in the world, and science has yet to uncover the exact chemical makeup of all of them. However, scientists do understand the basics of plant structure and...

For indoor and outdoor plants to be healthy, they must receive the correct amount of water. Overwatering is the number one plant killer. How do you know if they're getting too much? Check the...

Phosphorus is an element which is absorbed by plants through the soil. It is a part of the photosynthesis cycle, which allows plants to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen.

Rather than going to the nursery and purchasing more plants why not take your prize plant and clone it - making many from one. Propagation allows you to reproduce a specimen plant, one with all...

When a gardener puts a protective covering over the soil surrounding a plant, the material is called mulch. Mulch can be any type of natural or manmade material such as grass clippings, manure,...

The bay tree, Laurus nobilis, is a large, attractive evergreen tree that gives us the culinary leaves known and loved by cooks everywhere. The California bay can also be used for cooking. Here...

There are over 150 species of viburnum. These flowering shrubs can range from 2 to over 30 feet in height! Chances are good that your viburnum will need pruning at some time. Fortunately, pruning...

Pruning fruit trees begins with the removal of all diseased, damaged and dead branches. This is done in the spring when the new buds first become soft. Further pruning is done at this time to...

That gorgeous houseplant you bought at the nursery is growing like a weed. The problem is that it is growing straight up, and is beginning to look a little leggy. Don't worry: All your plant needs...

Learn how to grow and care for bamboo in this free gardening clip about controlling bamboo growth.

There are so many things that affect the growth of a plant that diagnosing the cause of stunted growth isn't always clear cut. And, not all growth problems are the result of insects or disease....

Houseplants can get a big growth boost by being put outside for the summer, as well as add interest to your porch or deck. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth transition from indoors to outdoors.

Crape Myrtles, while easy to properly prune, are often done incorrectly. Incorrect pruning causes knots to form on the tree. This article will show you how to stimulate growth, control shape and...