Plant Basics

Tropical palm plants are a popular choice for indoor planters. They require slightly more care and attention than other houseplants, but are still relatively easy to grow. However, palm plants...

Geraniums are as beloved for their fragrance as they are for their attractive, often velvety leaves and colorful blooms. Many geraniums have a pleasant, rose-like odor that emanates from the...

If you're fortunate enough to live where eucalyptus can be grown, you may have thought about preserving some branches to use in dried floral arrangements or wreaths. In order to keep leaves...

According to Cornell University (CU), Ribes are a very diverse genus with hundreds of varieties that differ in plant size and form. Commonly known as gooseberries and currants, Ribes species (in...

The leaves of plants make all the food that most plants need. They contain a substance called chlorophyll, which makes the leaves look green and which aids in photosynthesis.

Stevia is a plant with a sweet taste that is commonly processed as a natural sweetener, used as a calorie-free alternative to aspartame to sweeten teas and other bitter food and drink. Stevia...

Indoor houseplants can harbor damaging bugs such as aphids, mealy bugs, scale, red spider mites and thrips. After inspecting your plants and determining which type of bug they contain, take...

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....

Stellaria media (L.), better known as common chickweed, is a wild plant found in cool, humid conditions, and some forms of the plant can flower all year long. While considered a weed in some...

Aloe vera is a succulent plant that has been used for thousands of years to topically treat burns, wounds and other skin conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic. The fresh leaf is the best source...

Stevia is a plant that has been used for centuries for the natural sweetening agents contained in its leaves. The stevia plant originated in South America, but have been exported to countries...

Though aloes are native to Africa they are grown all over the world. You can grow aloes indoors or outdoors if you live in a climate that does not freeze. There are more than 250 types of aloe and...

There are more than 250 different species of aloe plant throughout the world. Many aloes are native to Africa. The plants have a broad range of sizes from tiny plants that do not grow above an...

Foliage plants are decorative plants often loved for their ornamental leaves instead of their flowers. They come in different shapes, cover a wide range of colors and can even grow without...

According to Garden Crossings, phlox has become a commonly used perennial in gardens and landscaping. Its bright colors and long life makes it a beautiful staple for surrounding the perimeter of...

According to the website Enchanted Learning, a plant's leaves individually can convert sunlight, water and carbon dioxide into the sugars and starches needed for the plant's survival. To ensure...

The Herb Robert, also known as red fox geranium, is a type of wild plant that has the potential to spring up in your flower bed like a weed. The red fox geranium is a distinctive-looking plant and...

Flowering plants are wonderful additions to any home or garden. They can be kept outside or inside and require minimal upkeep. However, if not properly cared for, their leaves can become yellow or...

Identifying plants and seeds can come in handy for gardeners and plant enthusiasts. It can also be of extreme importance in the case of identifying a plant or seed that a child or beloved pet has...

Alocasia and Colocasia belong to the plant family known as Araceae. But they have major differences.

The main causes of mold on leaves of potted flowers are insect infections and fungi. Maintain your garden by frequently inspecting leaves for signs of pests and carefully monitoring how much water...

Some plants have different colored leaves like red or yellow, but most plants have green leaves in varying shades. Chlorophyll is a collection of molecules inside each green leaf that provides its...

Photosynthesis provides a plant with a means of producing its own food from water, carbon dioxide, light and minerals. This process occurs in the chloroplasts, located in the green portions of the...

When the nights are getting cooler and the days are getting shorter--we all know fall is right on the horizon. While fall can be a beautiful time of year with warm, sunny days, brightly colored...

Plants are one of five kingdoms or classifications of life on the planet, the classes being Monera, Protoctista, Fungi, Animalia and Plantae. Botanic Gardens Conservation International estimates...

Hawaii does not have any poisonous snakes or insects, but there are few poisonous plants found in Hawaii. As a precaution, never eat or taste any fruits, seeds, flowers, leaves or roots of a plant...

Plants can often be identified based on their leaves. Although it is not always possible to determine the exact species, it may be surprisingly easy to use leaf characteristics in order to figure...

Fruits and vegetables are not the only parts of plants that humans can eat. Leaves are commonly consumed in the form of lettuce, Swiss chard, spinach and other leafy greens. Edible roots are...

Plants produced from cuttings can save time and effort over plants produced from seed and ensure that favorable characteristics are included in new plantings. Always use a sterile, soilless mix;...

If you have a large space that needs to be filled in your landscaping and want a conversation piece, then the Gunnera plant may be just what you need. Gunnera plants are tender perennials in zones...

This tropical plant is a native to Peru and often called Angel's Trumpets because of the trumpet shaped flowers. This beautiful shrub reaches heights from 6 to 20 feet. Its fragrant white to red...

Pineapple plants are easy to care for, and do not require special care like many other fruit-bearing plants. Even if your pineapple plant does not produce a fruit, it is still an appealing...

Growing plant cuttings is also known as plant propagation. It is an economical way to get new plants without having to make a new purchase. Many gardeners use plant cuttings to fill in spaces in...

Several criteria are used to classify plants. Historically, flower morphology has been the primary determinant of classification, but biochemical and genetic data are increasingly important. The...

The lush green leaves of ferns make them an appealing addition to your home or garden. Learn a few simple home remedies for taking the best possible care of your ferns and you will be rewarded...

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...

The Venus Flytrap is one of the most well known plants in the world due to its unusual designation as a carnivorous plant. Very few plants are capable of rapid movement, but the Venus Flytrap is...

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...

It is important to know what type of house plant you have in order to give the plant the finest care. If you do not know the proper watering instructions for your plant, you can easily over- or...

The best clippings for flowers and house plants are stem clippings. A younger shoot on the plant is best, as the younger shoots will root better than older, firmer shoots. A good-sized clipping...

Many tomato plants have a common fungus on them and they are quickly overwhelmed by it. Their leaves turn yellow, they have spots on them and they have a kind of grey/brown on part of their leaves...

Sometimes your real plants will collect dust. And even wiping the leaves with a damp cloth will only have them dull again. If you would like your real house plants to look vibrant and new here is...

Maintaining a Peace Lily, whether it's being grown indoors in a container or in an outdoor garden requires a few basic rules to follow in order to keep it healthy and productive. These simple...

Most houseplants that are healthy when you buy them, and receive proper care after you bring them home, won't be subject to insects or disease. But, sometimes even in the best of circumstances,...

Your houseplants need to have clean leaves so they can better absorb light to produce some of their own food. That process is called photosynthesis. Indoor plants don't get cleaned by the wind...

I had given my cousin Joyce a Don Juan Rose and she called me this morning to tell me she had Black Spot. The last few fews we have had rain storms every day. Black Spot thrives where humidity...

Philodendrons can be considered Gods gift to gardeners with brown thumbs. Individuals who have proven time after time that they don’t have the ability to keep and maintain live plants can feel...

A plant showing signs of leaf discoloration or leaf spots may indicate that your plant has a bacterial leaf disease. This can be fatal to your plant and any neighboring plants until the disease is...

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 add leaves and grass to compost heaps or compost bins in this free video clip on composting.