Plant Basics

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...

Succulents make an ideal house plant because most are resilient and require little care and attention. With over 60 families and 300 genera there are many different varieties to choose from, each...

The peat moss used in gardening is actually decomposed sphagnum moss. Peat moss retains moisture without becoming soggy. It is also sterile so does not harbor plant diseases, which makes it well...

Since milk is chock-full of vitamins and minerals, it is only natural to wonder if plants would get an extra boost if hydrated with it instead of water. Milk is full of protein and fats, which...

The crown of thorns plant, also known as the Christ plant, is as unique as it is popular. It is a succulent that originates from Madagascar and comes from the plant genus Euphorbia. With its woody...

If lime green algae begins to cover the surface of your pond, it most likely indicates your pond has a healthy crop of filamentous algae. Also called blanket weed, filamentous algae is common in...

For the most part, soapy water affects plants beneficially. Reusing your gray water can be good for the environment, and it contains nutrients as well as fertilizing ingredients for your plants....

Bouvardia plants are shrubby, clustered and have very fragrant, tubular, white flowers. The plants can grow up to 4 feet tall, and the flowers bloom during summer to early winter. With the right...

Water hyacinths provide beautiful blooms, but also present many problems. The water hyacinth is fast-growing, which can quickly cause navigation issues for boats and other water vehicles. Because...

Angel wing, or cane, begonias are among the oldest and easiest grown types in the family. Although they grow in various sizes, all feature sturdy bamboo-like stems and bold, pointed angel...

Planting a pineapple at home is a simple process, and to begin, all you need to do is buy a pineapple. The stem of the plant is the part which is rooted in the soil. You cannot just rip the stem...

Propagating plants from cuttings is a relaxing and fun hobby. Plants created by taking stem cuttings will grow true to their parent plants and usually have a better start on life than those grown...

New growth stems of bamboo, sometimes referred to as shoots, arise from the ground at the base of bamboo stems, or culms. As long as the shoot is undamaged and alive, cuttings or divisions with...

The bald cypress has a life span of hundreds of years. It grows up to 150 feet in height and 12 feet wide. Its growth rate depends on the nutrient supply, water depth, availability of light and...

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,...

Philodendron are a type of plant native to tropical South America, and popular as an indoor or office plant because of their hardiness in low light conditions. Some varieties are climbing, like...

Hardy bamboo is an exceptionally tough, fast-growing and easy plant to grow. It makes an excellent privacy screen. The harvested bamboo poles are strong and attractive, and can be used for light...

Sedum thrives in full sun but happily tolerates partial shade. It is drought resistant and grows well in poor, dry soil. It blooms each year with minimal care, growing at a stately, but never...

Pond gardening is a fun and different way to grow beautiful plants. Water gardening is fun because it combines the fun of the water with the art of traditional gardening. Thousands of pond plants...

The bee balm plant is also known as bergamot. It got its name because of its similarity to the scent of bergamot oil derived from the Italian bergamot orange. The plant is used to make oswego tea,...

Simple, ordinary aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is turning out to be a true miracle pill. It has a long list of remedies for your health, and aspirin has also shown to be beneficial for your...

The Alameda plant, or Arctostaphylos pallida, is a perennial shrub that is on the threatened list in the United States, and on the endangered list in California, according to the United States...

Grass can invade your perennial beds no matter what steps you take to prevent it. Proper soil preparation, solid bed edging and even weedcloth do not seem to deter crabgrass, Bermuda grass and...

Seltzer water is sparkling water, which has carbonation. Everyone knows that plants need water in order to be able to grow, but does seltzer water help plants grow? It is important to look at the...

The agapanthus plant, also known as the lily of the Nile, produces clusters of blooms in blue, white or violet. Blooms generally appear from late spring to early fall. The name agapanthus is Greek...

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a cluster of hydrogen and oxygen molecules. In nature, hydrogen peroxide is found in rainwater and is very beneficial for natural vegetation. The tap water we normally...

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...

For a natural and inexpensive way to reproduce a plant, you can take cuttings from an overgrown plant. They are generally taken from the stem, making them easier to root. Leaves and roots are...

Green beans contain enzymes that eventually destroy nutrients within the beans and change the color of the seeds. To preserve the color in green bean seeds, this enzyme action must be slowed or...

The Variegated-Shell Ginger plant is an easy-to-grow tropical plant. This tall, dramatic plant can be grown in landscapes or in pots. Its strikingly variegated leaves of green and yellow...

Irrigation systems are a must for any greenhouse as these types of plants greatly benefit from consistent moisture. Gardeners haul water, run hoses or collect rainwater, but if their greenhouse...

Trident maple bonsais (Acer buergeranum) are popular decorative plants because they can easily be shaped. The bonsais are very adaptive to containers and, as such, they make an excellent exotic...

Peace plants, with their attractive glossy large leaves and white flowers, are a natural choice for house or office plants. Found in the low-growing ground covers of tropical rain forests, they...

Because vinegar is acidic, it can be used to increase the acidic content of soil. Vinegar will provide a natural treatment that releases iron into the soil, which is especially important in areas...

When sprouting wheatgrass, it is common to find mold also trying to sprout on the wheatgrass. One way to help avoid or get rid of mold is by using a product called Citricidex. Citricidex is a...

Also referred to as air plants, Tillandsia thrives in many areas, including warmer southern climates. Tillandsia plants attach their roots to trees and rocks, and receive nutrients and moisture...

The hardy umbrella plant grows stems that are 2 to 4 feet high. The leaves on top of the stems fan out like an umbrella. The plant will produce a beige flower if it is cared for properly. The...

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 ...

The Hindu Rope plant is a flowering perennial that can be grown either outdoors or in the home. It produces fragrant pink and red flowers that attract humming birds, bees and butterflies. It...

Weeping willows are beautiful and unique trees that add presence to any landscape. You can purchase weeping willows bare-root or planted in a bucket from a nursery. If you already have a weeping...

Vriesea splendens holds its green-red color and leaves year-round, and it is very easy to maintain. Vriesea plants do not require soil, although planting them in soil is fine also. In nature,...

A plant rooter is a water-holding container that allows you to place the stem end of a plant cutting in water so that it will develop roots. You can place the newly rooted plant in a flowerpot...

The peace lily is an easy plant to care for that thrives in a home or office. Peace lilies are inexpensive plants with beautiful white blooms, and they're effective for cleaning toxins from the...

Air plants belong to the genus Tillandsia. These fascinating plants native to the Americas collect the water and nutrients they need from the air through structures on the leaves called trichomes....

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...

Hanging plants add a lot of character to any property, but they require a good deal more care than standard potted plants. This is because of the excess air that circulates into the soil, which...

Aquatic plants by definition live on or in the water and are referred to as hydrophytic plants or hydrophytes. Aquatic plants help with water filtration and minimize algae growth. Types of aquatic...

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...

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...

Adding sugar to your plants that are not healthy and are on the verge of dying is actually one of the best things to do to try and save your plants. The natural nutrients found in the sugar water...