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The Gardener’s Guide to Perennial Vegetables for a Home Greenhouse
One of the best things about being a gardener is being able to reap what you sow. Vegetable plants in particular are some of the most reliable crops to grow in the garden. But, in many places, winters are just too cold and they can succumb to the frigid weather. Even...
30+ Different Types of Lavender (And Other Varieties)
Lavender is a highly popular plant thanks to its rich, calming aroma. The plant has been cultivated for hundreds of years and is used in a variety of ways, but it’s mainly known for its fragrant flowers and leaves. It’s a perfect plant to use in aromatic herb gardens,...
15 Different Arborvitae Types, Varieties, and Care
Arborvitae trees are a favorite of residential and commercial landscapers across cold and temperate climates in North America. You’ve certainly seen arborvitae trees walking around your city or neighborhood, where they are planted as privacy hedges or landscaping...
20+ Types of Oak Tree (Different Species of Oak Trees)
Oak trees are beloved and well-recognized trees around the globe. With over 500 living species, interesting facts and relationships are as abundant as the squirrel-forgot acorns beneath the ground. Today we'll be exploring different types of oak trees, detailing their...
How to Care For Your Money Tree Plant (Full Care Guide)
With large palmate leaves giving off a tropical vibe combined with a cleverly braided trunk, the money tree is more than just a symbol of prosperity. It’s a beautiful (and quite popular) houseplant. Additionally, it is known to be one of the easiest indoor trees. Here...
15 Different Types of Coconuts (Dwarf, White, and More!)
When one thinks of a tropical beach, they usually picture a palm tree hanging over clear blue water. Indeed, coconut palms are common sights on tropical beaches around the world. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, coconut palms bear fruit abundantly, and coconut...
100+ Different Types of Bushes and Shrubs
Bushes and shrubs are woody, perennial plants that can take a variety of shapes, colors, and forms. The difference between a shrub and a tree is rather ambiguous. In fact, some trees have “dwarf” varieties that look much more like a bush than a tree. In general, a...
50 Indoor House Plants (Best Indoor Plants for Home)
Just like pictures, paintings, and art, indoor house plants add an interesting flavor to any room. Unlike paintings or pictures, though, plants add life to your home and can even purify your air. Identifying which plans will work best in your home can be difficult,...
15+ Different Types of Redbud Trees (All Varieties)
A redbud tree is a small, deciduous tree or shrub in the genus Cercis. Found in the pea family (Fabaceae) along with legumes and beans, redbuds have the flower and seedpod forms that are typical for the family. Redbud species are native to temperate zones around the...
15 Different Types of Lantana (All Lantana Varieties)
Lantanas are flowering shrubs and members of the plant genus Lantana (pronounced lan-TAYN-uh). Known for having plentiful, showy flowers and long blooming season lantana plants will spruce up any garden with perennial blooms. Not only that, but they are extremely low...
40+ Different Types of Moths (Everything Moth Species)
Moths are much more interesting than you may think. They can be gorgeous, colorful, massive, and important pollinators. They can also be huge pests, harming agriculture and forestry. It would take many lifetimes to learn everything there is to know about moths,...
20+ Types of Thank You Flowers
When you want to show appreciation for someone, the gift of flowers always seems appropriate. And it’s true that any type of flower will have an impact. However, there are certain types of flowers that are associated with gratitude. If you need a reason to express...
13 Different Types of Cedar Trees (All Cedar Tree Varieties)
Cedar trees are a beloved and well-known type of tree. And while there is often confusion between common and botanical names between the types, there is no debate on how beautiful and useful these trees are. Cedars have supported communities as we've evolved,...
30 Different Types of Lemons (All Lemon Varieties)
Lemons have an extremely large number of uses. Their juice is used in drinks and desserts; their rind is used whole as a garnish; they can be distilled for their lemon oil. According to the National Agriculture Statistical Service, the United States farms roughly...
Top 15 Plants for a DIY Nursery
Plant nurseries are places where plants are propagated and grown to a certain age or size. Just like a nursery fosters and nurtures children, plant nurseries do the same for young plants! If you are a hobby gardener, starting a DIY nursery is a great way to take your...
What Is a Borage Flower?
In fields around the world, often dotted along the edge of forests there is a large, brilliantly blue flower: the borage flower. This spectacular plant has amazed people from around the world for centuries. Its color and many uses make it an ideal crop. Today, let’s...
What Is Plant Blindness? How Is it Related to Climate Change?
What would you say this is a picture of? Obviously, it seems like the right answer is a bison. The bison is front and center. It is the most engaging object in the photo. Notice, however, that the bison is a very small part of the photo. In fact, it...
Intro to the Fungi Life Cycle
What are fungi? Some of these organisms are too small to see with the human eye. Some, like the honey fungus, are amongst the largest organisms on the planet. Fungi are all around us, in bread, in beer, and even in the walls of your home. This diverse class of...
Seasonal Tips for Tropical Plant Identification
A trip to the tropics is a must-do for any nature-loving person. The biological diversity will blow just about anyone's mind. No matter what time of year you go, you’re bound to see some pretty amazing plant and animal life. But, there are certainly some seasonal tips...
Can You Use Aloe Vera for Acne?
Aloe vera is a succulent that is a popular treatment for various skin conditions, particularly sunburns. In addition, people use aloe vera to treat acne. This practice shows some great promise. Studies have found that aloe vera is effective in combination with more...
7 of the Coolest Savanna Plants
When thinking of the savanna, lions, elephants, and zebras might first come to mind. These are the animals that end up on nature documentaries and become the stars of an African safari expedition. But what about the plants, shrubs, trees, and flowers that each of...
Florida Plant Identification for Beginners
Florida is a state teeming with biodiversity. With the nickname “The Sunshine State,” Florida must have loads of sun-loving plant life - and indeed it does! Although there are thousands of plant species native to the state, a handful of them are quite characteristic...
Hawaiian Flower Identification for Beginners
Hawaii is a fascinating place for all kinds of biology. This tropical paradise is made up of volcanic islands. These islands appeared in the ocean with no life whatsoever. In the beginning, the Hawaiian islands were simply mounds of lava rock. All native species on...
How to Identify the 10 Most Common Fruit Plants
Most people can easily tell apart apples from bananas, and oranges from blackberries. But, how easy is it to identify the plants they come from? To find out, here’s a guide on how to identify the 10 most common fruit plants. Before we begin, let’s go over some basics...
Guide to Identifying Tree Fungus (and the 3 Most Common Types)
What’s growing on that tree? This is a question you may have asked yourself once or twice on a walk around your neighborhood, in the park, or out in the wilderness somewhere. If you’ve ever wondered about an odd-looking growth on a trunk, stump, or branch, you’re not...
5 Great Anti-Inflammatory Herbs
Inflammation is important. It is a phenomenon that helps the body repair damaged tissues. It helps the body combat foreign invaders like bacteria and fungi. Without inflammation, we wouldn't last long. But inflammation can also cause serious problems. Chronic...
What Are Digestive Plant Enzymes?
What are digestive plant enzymes? To answer this, we have to first ask: what are digestive enzymes to begin with? You may have learned about enzymes in a biology class at some point, but we’ll give you a refresher. Organisms need energy to function. But, where does...
What is a Monkey Puzzle Tree?
Archibald Menzies, one of the great British naturalists, brought this other-worldly tree to the U.K. in 1795. Shortly after its arrival in the U.K., British lawyer, Charles Austin, remarked that "It would be a puzzle for a monkey to climb that tree." Because the...
Alpine Plants To Look For When Hiking
The alpine zone is a region or biome of that world with high-altitude conditions. It is an incredible ecozone to explore and learn from. However, anyone who has been caught in an unexpected wind gust or summer storm in the region knows that these environments can be...
Top 3 Dangerous Jungle Plants
Organisms in the jungle are in intense competition with each other. Natural selection from that competition has lead to the creation of some pretty wild plants and animals. It’s no wonder that you find the most bizarre and colorful birds, the biggest trees, and some...
40+ Different Types of Daisies (And What They Look Like)
Perhaps you’ve been to the plant nursery recently and been intimidated by the huge amount of daisy-like flowers available in the seed section. There are so many different types of daisies! Or maybe you’ve been walking around your neighborhood and discovering...
5 Leaf Vine (The Virginia Creeper Vine with 5 Leaves)
The 5 leaf vine is a common plant that is native to the eastern part of North America. Its compound leaves and growth form look similar to many other plants that can be found growing near the 5 leaf vine. Specifically, many poisonous plants with irritating foliage...
50 Different Types of Roses (How Many Types Are There?)
Roses are woody plants in the genus Rosa known for their showy flowers. There are over 150 species in the genus and thousands of cultivated hybrids. There are so many different types of roses! But enough numbers, roses are a symbol of romance and beauty! They have...
Different Types of Palm Trees (And Palm Tree Varieties)
Along the beach, in the humid warmth of a dense forest, swaying in a vivid hammock daydream - palms are an evocative and distinct family of plants. Even if you’ve never been to a tropical region of the planet, chances are you can envision their swaying green fronds...
50+ Types of Ferns (Indoor and Outdoor Species of Ferns)
By definition, a fern is a vascular, flowerless plant with leafy fronds that produce spores for reproduction. Whether they add depth and dark green accents to your garden, spruce up a terrarium, or just remind you of scenes from Jurassic Park, ferns are truly...
30+ Different Types of Ivy (And Ivy Varieties)
Unless you are reading this from the Saharan desert, chances are that ivy is somewhere nearby. It grows on office buildings, homes, trees, fences, and bridges. It turns sharp concrete corners of the city into something greener, causing mischief, and is a connective...
100 Different Types of Succulent Plants (and Species)
The perfect house plant for an individual lacking a green thumb is a succulent! These desert-loving plants are endemic to many places around the world, and they are generally very easy to take care of. Today, let’s take a deep dive and look at 100 different types of...
50+ Different Types of Melons (Melon Kinds, Names, & Facts)
The world of melons is vast, confusing, and interesting. This is partly due to the fact that melons have been cultivated by humans for over 5,000 years. Today, let’s take a deep dive into many of the different kinds of melons. IDENTIFY NEW PLANTS WITH PLANTSNAP What...
Interesting Plants Found in Temperate Deciduous Forests
There are some incredibly interesting plants found in temperate deciduous forests. Historically, these forests covered a vast expanse across the northern hemisphere, including the eastern parts of North America, Europe, and a huge swath of Asia. Although the amount of...
15 Different Eucalyptus Tree Types (And Classifications)
Life History of the Eucalyptus Genus Eucalyptus trees, also known by its common name, gum trees, are almost entirely Australian. Indeed, these are the trees that koalas eat and spend their lives in. In fact, only a few of the 700+ species recognized by science live...
A Gardener’s Guide to Perennial Identification
As a plant geek and gardener, I get asked 'what are perennials?' all the time. Usually, plant identification is tricky and full of inconsistencies and surprises. Luckily, perennial identification is straightforward. The concept of a perennial plant is easy to grasp!...
5 of the Most Poisonous Tropical Rainforest Plants
Plants, unlike animals, can’t run or hide when predators come looking for food. Instead, many plants have evolved to be extremely poisonous. Poisonous plants have evolved chemical defenses to make their leaves unpalatable to potential herbivores. The leaves can simply...
Top Mugwort Uses (and Where to Find It)
Some plants seem to have traveled through time, alongside Homo sapiens every step of the way. Wherever we explore, live our lives, and build societies, some plants are right there too - quietly providing support throughout the generations. Mugwort is one of those...
A Slightly Obsessive Guide to Raspberry Identification
If you came to this page for an easy answer for identifying the raspberries in your neighborhood, you may want to turn around. Raspberries present botanists with some of the most challenging identification problems in the world. As a layperson, using the simple term...
Top 5 Most Beautiful Cactus Flowers
Having become one of the most popular house plants, often because of their purported ease to care for, there’s another reason to appreciate these funky plants. In contrast to their globular shapes and spikey flesh, cactus flowers display an unparalleled beauty. Beyond...
100 Different Types of Succulent Plants (and Species)
The perfect house plant for an individual lacking a green thumb is a succulent! These desert-loving plants are endemic to many places around the world, and they are generally very easy to take care of. Today, let’s take a deep dive and look at 100 different types of...
50+ Different Types of Melons (Melon Kinds, Names, & Facts)
The world of melons is vast, confusing, and interesting. This is partly due to the fact that melons have been cultivated by humans for over 5,000 years. Today, let’s take a deep dive into many of the different kinds of melons. IDENTIFY NEW PLANTS WITH PLANTSNAP What...
A Gardener’s Guide to Neem Oil Uses
Neem oil is something of a panacea for gardeners. Neem oil uses range from killing unwanted insects, to preventing powdery mildew, to getting rid of nematodes. It's a great, natural first line of defense against most of the common garden diseases and pests. ...
15 Different Eucalyptus Tree Types (And Classifications)
Life History of the Eucalyptus Genus Eucalyptus trees, also known by its common name, gum trees, are almost entirely Australian. Indeed, these are the trees that koalas eat and spend their lives in. In fact, only a few of the 700+ species recognized by science live...
Bees and Agriculture: A Love Story
If you remember much from elementary school, you know bees are important. One of planet earth’s beloved beneficial pollinators, these busybodies transfer pollen between plants, increase yields of crops and create the tantalizingly sweet and earthy elixir known as...
You Should Be Excited About Grassland Plants!
Grassland plants don't get enough attention from conservationists, writers, filmmakers, or policymakers. Most people know next to nothing about grasslands, other than the obvious fact that they are grassy. I'm here to show you that grasslands are dynamic places full...
What Is the History of Botany?
Botany boasts one of the richest histories of all the natural sciences. However, few people understand it’s history. What is the history of botany?
The 5 Most Famous Botanists in History
Botany is the study of plants - everything from plant anatomy, to ecology, to ethnobotany. By its modern definition, botany is a field that originates from the 18th century. Scientists started to create different classifications of plants and rigid systems by which to...
Easy-to-Understand Angiosperm Lifecycle Example
Angiosperm lifecycles - sounds a bit intimidating if you’re not an aspiring biology teacher. No need to worry. Let’s break it down with some definitions and easy-to-understand examples. Before long, you might even become a neighborhood expert at spotting angiosperms...
What Is Plant Blindness? How Is it Related to Climate Change?
What would you say this is a picture of? Obviously, it seems like the right answer is a bison. The bison is front and center. It is the most engaging object in the photo. Notice, however, that the bison is a very small part of the photo. In fact, it...
Why Do People Love the Rose Flower?
The rose flower: poets write of it, lovers smell bouquets, gardeners grow it. Arguably the most famous flower in popular culture, roses are displayed on street corners, in artwork, on clothing, and placed carefully in a vase on the kitchen table. The presence of roses...
Intro to the Fungi Life Cycle
What are fungi? Some of these organisms are too small to see with the human eye. Some, like the honey fungus, are amongst the largest organisms on the planet. Fungi are all around us, in bread, in beer, and even in the walls of your home. This diverse class of...
What’s So Special About the Lily Flower?
What do you know about the lily flower? You may have seen it in a vase, a front yard, or perhaps a botanic garden. If it was in the summertime, you may have noticed the enormous, colorful six-petaled blooms that makes this flower famous. Maybe you even have a friend...
Florida Plant Identification for Beginners
Florida is a state teeming with biodiversity. With the nickname “The Sunshine State,” Florida must have loads of sun-loving plant life - and indeed it does! Although there are thousands of plant species native to the state, a handful of them are quite characteristic...
How to Be Smart While Foraging for Food
Foraging is a fun way to gather your own food from nature - all for free! One of the beauties of the natural world is the bounty of food just waiting to be collected and eaten. This bounty is not just for animals like deer or squirrels. Us humans can take advantage of...
Best Echinacea Uses (And Where to Find It)
Echinacea, also known as coneflower, may be the most widely used herbal plant native to the United States. Even folks who know nothing about herbalism have likely heard of echinacea. Indigenous peoples use echinacea for a variety of illnesses and have for hundreds of...
Most Popular Thank You Flowers
Saying thank you can feel like a big undertaking. Maybe a mentor has helped you blossom in your career or a friend lent you some extra support in a time of need. In any case, giving thank you flowers can be a meaningful way to let someone know that you feel grateful...
Top Mugwort Uses (and Where to Find It)
Some plants seem to have traveled through time, alongside Homo sapiens every step of the way. Wherever we explore, live our lives, and build societies, some plants are right there too - quietly providing support throughout the generations. Mugwort is one of those...
Top 5 Most Beautiful Cactus Flowers
Having become one of the most popular house plants, often because of their purported ease to care for, there’s another reason to appreciate these funky plants. In contrast to their globular shapes and spikey flesh, cactus flowers display an unparalleled beauty. Beyond...
7 Beautiful Flowering Trees and How to Identify Them
Flowering trees are everywhere - on the sidewalk, in your backyard, in parks, and deep in the forest! Flowering trees are types of angiosperms, a group of plants characterized by bearing flowers and fruit. These traits are not shared by gymnosperms, which include...
Easy-to-Understand Angiosperm Lifecycle Example
Angiosperm lifecycles - sounds a bit intimidating if you’re not an aspiring biology teacher. No need to worry. Let’s break it down with some definitions and easy-to-understand examples. Before long, you might even become a neighborhood expert at spotting angiosperms...
Top Yarrow Uses (and Where to Find It)
Yarrow, among sage, lavender, and echinacea, is one of the most useful herbs in the northern hemisphere. This plant is something of a shapeshifter- able to grow in mountains and deserts and more urban areas like highways and cities. It comes in all colors and packs...
How to Plant an Excellent Pollinator Garden
Whether you think of the charismatic fuzz of a bumblebee, the thrum of a hummingbird, or delectable treats from honeybees, the approximately 200,000 species of pollinators come in all shapes and sizes, and all have different habitat needs. That’s where a pollinator...
What Is a Borage Flower?
In fields around the world, often dotted along the edge of forests there is a large, brilliantly blue flower: the borage flower. This spectacular plant has amazed people from around the world for centuries. Its color and many uses make it an ideal crop. Today, let’s...
Are Crabapples Edible? Are They Really Apples?
We've all sunken our teeth into a tiny crabapple, hoping it would be tasty. Then, almost always, it is a nasty, sour experience that we don't want to repeat. Can something that intensely puckering be healthy for humans to eat? In fact, the Old English word 'crabbe'...
Why Do People Love the Rose Flower?
The rose flower: poets write of it, lovers smell bouquets, gardeners grow it. Arguably the most famous flower in popular culture, roses are displayed on street corners, in artwork, on clothing, and placed carefully in a vase on the kitchen table. The presence of roses...
The Ultimate Guide to Peace Lily Care
Peace lilies are wonderful house plants for anyone. From beginners with no experience to people with enough plants to stock a nursery, peace lilies deserve a space in your home. First of all, they are one of the best indoor air cleaning plants. Studies by NASA have...
What’s So Special About the Lily Flower?
What do you know about the lily flower? You may have seen it in a vase, a front yard, or perhaps a botanic garden. If it was in the summertime, you may have noticed the enormous, colorful six-petaled blooms that makes this flower famous. Maybe you even have a friend...
Most Popular Edible Flowers (And How to Eat Them)
Imagine, 75% of the calories consumed by humans come from just 12 plant and 5 livestock species. Humans regularly cultivate only 200 species of plants for food, out of the nearly half-million that exist. With over 400,000 species of flowering plants alone, there must...
Hawaiian Flower Identification for Beginners
Hawaii is a fascinating place for all kinds of biology. This tropical paradise is made up of volcanic islands. These islands appeared in the ocean with no life whatsoever. In the beginning, the Hawaiian islands were simply mounds of lava rock. All native species on...
A Gardener’s Guide to Neem Oil Uses
Neem oil is something of a panacea for gardeners. Neem oil uses range from killing unwanted insects, to preventing powdery mildew, to getting rid of nematodes. It's a great, natural first line of defense against most of the common garden diseases and pests. ...
St. John’s Wort Uses And Gardening Tips
Cheery yellow blooms and powerful medicinal properties make St. John’s Wort a beloved plant in any herbalist garden. Botanically known as Hypericum perforatum, this plant is native to parts of Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. Today it can be found all over the...
Borage Flower (Starflower) Gardening Tips and Uses
Borage flowers provide delightful splashes of blue for your garden. They attract loads of pollinators, have edible leaves and flowers, and are a medicinal herb. All around, borage, also sometimes called starflower, is a top choice for gardeners around the world. It is...
Best Echinacea Uses (And Where to Find It)
Echinacea, also known as coneflower, may be the most widely used herbal plant native to the United States. Even folks who know nothing about herbalism have likely heard of echinacea. Indigenous peoples use echinacea for a variety of illnesses and have for hundreds of...
Top Lemon Balm Uses
Lemon balm has been used as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments for hundreds of years. It was first utilized around central Europe and the Middle East several millennia ago. Since then, its utilities have expanded to its inclusion in food, beverage, and more....
How to Plant an Excellent Pollinator Garden
Whether you think of the charismatic fuzz of a bumblebee, the thrum of a hummingbird, or delectable treats from honeybees, the approximately 200,000 species of pollinators come in all shapes and sizes, and all have different habitat needs. That’s where a pollinator...
Coffee Grounds in Garden Care (How And Why To Use Them)
For many people, coffee is the best way to start the morning off right. But you may not realize that the coffee grounds you make each day can be a helpful addition to the garden. You can cleverly incorporate grounds into garden care in a variety of ways, helping your...
How To Visit a Plant Nursery Like a Pro
So you’re ready to invest in some plants! That’s an exciting place to be and there are endless directions to go. Whether you are starting a brand new garden, filling in a balcony pot, or adding to last year’s landscaping efforts, it’s probably time to head to a...
Why Do People Love the Rose Flower?
The rose flower: poets write of it, lovers smell bouquets, gardeners grow it. Arguably the most famous flower in popular culture, roses are displayed on street corners, in artwork, on clothing, and placed carefully in a vase on the kitchen table. The presence of roses...
Components of a Quintessential English Garden
First appearing in the early 18th century, the English garden is a distinct style of landscaping that can still be found throughout the world today. It is a romantic, pastoral style that carves out space in nature. It also idealizes people’s presence within nature. At...
Is It Safe to Grow Your Own Medicinal Herbs?
Humans have been using the plants from our local landscapes as remedies for millennia. Many people have found western medicine ineffective for their ailments and turned to naturopathy and homeopathy. While not the cure for everything, these approaches have their...
What’s So Special About the Lily Flower?
What do you know about the lily flower? You may have seen it in a vase, a front yard, or perhaps a botanic garden. If it was in the summertime, you may have noticed the enormous, colorful six-petaled blooms that makes this flower famous. Maybe you even have a friend...
What Is Subsistence Farming?
Subsistence farming, or subsistence agriculture, is when a farmer grows food for themselves and their family on a small plot of land. Unlike other types of farming, subsistence farming is focused more on survival. There is very little or no emphasis on trading and...
How To Plan and Start Growing an Herb Garden
Diving into the world of herbs is fascinating. Herbs can be used in a variety of ways - culinary, medicinal, and as companion plants. They’re pollinator-friendly additions to the garden and often add color while also being functional. Growing an herb garden isn’t...
What Is Terrace Farming?
People around the world have discovered clever ways to farm in tough conditions. Their land could be too dry, too wet, too hot, or prone to insects or damaging storms. If the land is too steep, people might try terrace farming. Cultures in Peru, Japan, the...
How to Stock Your Pantry by Drying Herbs
Though picking fresh herbs for each meal is ideal, that's not always possible. The winter will spell the demise for much all of your annual herb garden. Even perennial herbs will stop growing fresh, fragrant leaves. Though you can grow many herbs indoors, this...
Why Do People Love The Jade Plant?
The jade plant, otherwise known as Cassula Ovata, is a popular succulent shrub native to South Africa. In their native habitat or other similarly arid environments, they can grow to up to 10 feet tall. Similar to cactus and aloe plants, jade has evolved to...
Houseplant Identification 101
It can be soothing to care for houseplants and help them grow. But it’s hard to take good care of your houseplants if you don’t know what they are. Not all plants are created equal, and the ideal care for one plant will quickly cause another to wither. That's why...
Tips to Grow an Indoor Herb Garden
I hate having to throw out fresh culinary herbs that have started to wilt and die. Unfortunately, dried herbs just don’t have the same aromatic flavor. The best way to make sure you always have fresh herbs available is to grow them yourself! A mint plant in your...
What’s So Special About the Hibiscus Flower?
The hibiscus flower is one of the most recognizable flowers due to its color, size, and overall beauty. Keep in mind that hibiscus is an entire genus of plants, and there are actually over 300 species! Of all the different species of hibiscus, they are mostly found in...
Top 7 Mosquito Repellent Plants
Looking forward to spring and summer, it’s time to start thinking about the downsides of warmer weather… mosquitos. As much of a downer as these biting bugs can be, they’re a fact of life for warmer months. But did you know that there are mosquito repellent plants?...
How to Take Care of an Airplant
Airplants have become incredibly popular indoor house plants over the past few years, spreading like wildfire across social media platforms and boutique flower shops alike. Whether you’re an interior designer or you're just looking to spruce things up around the...
What Is That Plant Growing On Power Lines?
Power lines might not seem like the ideal place for a plant to call home, but curious observers throughout the Americas might see strange, spiky plants that rest upon power lines like party decorations. So what is that plant growing on power lines? Never fear,...
Best Plants to Give as Christmas Gifts
As we all turn our gaze towards the holidays, it’s fun to start thinking about gifts for our loved ones. Since plants can help stave off seasonal depression and improve air quality, they are a great Christmas gift. But what are the best plants to give as Christmas...
Top 10 Flowers to Grow for a Winter Garden
Winter can be a tough season for a lot of us. Less sun and colder temperatures make life seem to come to a halt. Many plants drop their leaves and go dormant until the spring. For others, winter is just another season for growing! Certain plants, even edible ones,...
Call the Botanist! How to Save Your Dying Plants
It's surprisingly emotional to watch a plant die in front of you. You can't ask your plant what's wrong, and sometimes a remedy actually makes it worse. We're here to help you save your dying plants - and save yourself from the stress of killing (yet another)...
5 Houseplants That Produce the Most Oxygen
Houseplants can change your home’s atmosphere in more ways than one! Choosing houseplants that produce the most oxygen can greatly help improve your indoor air quality. We all rely on plants to create breathable air. Our lungs breathe the oxygen that plants produce...
How to Care for Your Plants When You Leave for Vacation
With the holidays coming up, many of us are facing hectic travel schedules. How do we care for our plants when we leave for vacation? Of course, the exact answer to this question depends on two major factors: How long will you be gone for vacation? What sort of...
Why Do Cacti Have Spines? 4 Reasons Cacti are Spikey
Walking through the desert, it doesn’t take long to realize that just about everything is sharp. Large and small, strange and familiar, most cacti have spines. But why? Cactus spines aren’t just nature’s way to make the desert a rougher place to be. They serve several...
Guide to Growing Snake Gourds (and the Best Recipes for Them)
Image by Health Jade Snake gourds might be the most distinctive and delicious crop most home gardeners have never heard of. Getting its name from the serpentine growth habit, this long, slender squash is a great choice for gardeners and home chefs who are...
40+ Different Types of Daisies (And What They Look Like)
Perhaps you’ve been to the plant nursery recently and been intimidated by the huge amount of daisy-like flowers available in the seed section. There are so many different types of daisies! Or maybe you’ve been walking around your neighborhood and discovering...
5 Leaf Vine (The Virginia Creeper Vine with 5 Leaves)
The 5 leaf vine is a common plant that is native to the eastern part of North America. Its compound leaves and growth form look similar to many other plants that can be found growing near the 5 leaf vine. Specifically, many poisonous plants with irritating foliage...
50 Different Types of Roses (How Many Types Are There?)
Roses are woody plants in the genus Rosa known for their showy flowers. There are over 150 species in the genus and thousands of cultivated hybrids. There are so many different types of roses! But enough numbers, roses are a symbol of romance and beauty! They have...
Different Types of Palm Trees (And Palm Tree Varieties)
Along the beach, in the humid warmth of a dense forest, swaying in a vivid hammock daydream - palms are an evocative and distinct family of plants. Even if you’ve never been to a tropical region of the planet, chances are you can envision their swaying green fronds...
50+ Types of Ferns (Indoor and Outdoor Species of Ferns)
By definition, a fern is a vascular, flowerless plant with leafy fronds that produce spores for reproduction. Whether they add depth and dark green accents to your garden, spruce up a terrarium, or just remind you of scenes from Jurassic Park, ferns are truly...
30+ Different Types of Ivy (And Ivy Varieties)
Unless you are reading this from the Saharan desert, chances are that ivy is somewhere nearby. It grows on office buildings, homes, trees, fences, and bridges. It turns sharp concrete corners of the city into something greener, causing mischief, and is a connective...
100 Different Types of Succulent Plants (and Species)
The perfect house plant for an individual lacking a green thumb is a succulent! These desert-loving plants are endemic to many places around the world, and they are generally very easy to take care of. Today, let’s take a deep dive and look at 100 different types of...
50+ Different Types of Melons (Melon Kinds, Names, & Facts)
The world of melons is vast, confusing, and interesting. This is partly due to the fact that melons have been cultivated by humans for over 5,000 years. Today, let’s take a deep dive into many of the different kinds of melons. IDENTIFY NEW PLANTS WITH PLANTSNAP What...
Interesting Plants Found in Temperate Deciduous Forests
There are some incredibly interesting plants found in temperate deciduous forests. Historically, these forests covered a vast expanse across the northern hemisphere, including the eastern parts of North America, Europe, and a huge swath of Asia. Although the amount of...
15 Different Eucalyptus Tree Types (And Classifications)
Life History of the Eucalyptus Genus Eucalyptus trees, also known by its common name, gum trees, are almost entirely Australian. Indeed, these are the trees that koalas eat and spend their lives in. In fact, only a few of the 700+ species recognized by science live...
A Gardener’s Guide to Perennial Identification
As a plant geek and gardener, I get asked 'what are perennials?' all the time. Usually, plant identification is tricky and full of inconsistencies and surprises. Luckily, perennial identification is straightforward. The concept of a perennial plant is easy to grasp!...
5 of the Most Poisonous Tropical Rainforest Plants
Plants, unlike animals, can’t run or hide when predators come looking for food. Instead, many plants have evolved to be extremely poisonous. Poisonous plants have evolved chemical defenses to make their leaves unpalatable to potential herbivores. The leaves can simply...
Top Mugwort Uses (and Where to Find It)
Some plants seem to have traveled through time, alongside Homo sapiens every step of the way. Wherever we explore, live our lives, and build societies, some plants are right there too - quietly providing support throughout the generations. Mugwort is one of those...
A Slightly Obsessive Guide to Raspberry Identification
If you came to this page for an easy answer for identifying the raspberries in your neighborhood, you may want to turn around. Raspberries present botanists with some of the most challenging identification problems in the world. As a layperson, using the simple term...
Top 5 Most Beautiful Cactus Flowers
Having become one of the most popular house plants, often because of their purported ease to care for, there’s another reason to appreciate these funky plants. In contrast to their globular shapes and spikey flesh, cactus flowers display an unparalleled beauty. Beyond...
50+ Different Types of Melons (Melon Kinds, Names, & Facts)
The world of melons is vast, confusing, and interesting. This is partly due to the fact that melons have been cultivated by humans for over 5,000 years. Today, let’s take a deep dive into many of the different kinds of melons. IDENTIFY NEW PLANTS WITH PLANTSNAP What...
Top Bay Leaf Benefits
If you’ve ever accidentally chomped down onto a bay leaf, chances are you won’t forget it. Its bitter taste can be an unpleasant shock to your tastebuds (and not recommended by health professionals) but is also a clue - the bay leaf is a powerfully beneficial plant...
The History of Thyme (Plus Uses of Thyme)
Thyme is a beloved herb for many human beings on planet earth. This is as true today as it has been throughout history. Thyme is a perennial evergreen plant that weaves its way throughout our stories and rituals. It has shaped our lives in ways we may not even...
Rhubarb Benefits, Uses, and the Holy Grail of Pie
A traditional summer delicacy for some and a culinary curiosity for others, rhubarb has a reputation for both its tangy flavor and mystique. Although it rarely makes its way to the table, it adds both taste and nutrition when it does. Rhubarb even boasts an array of...
St. John’s Wort Uses And Gardening Tips
Cheery yellow blooms and powerful medicinal properties make St. John’s Wort a beloved plant in any herbalist garden. Botanically known as Hypericum perforatum, this plant is native to parts of Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. Today it can be found all over the...
Borage Flower (Starflower) Gardening Tips and Uses
Borage flowers provide delightful splashes of blue for your garden. They attract loads of pollinators, have edible leaves and flowers, and are a medicinal herb. All around, borage, also sometimes called starflower, is a top choice for gardeners around the world. It is...
A Gardener’s Guide to Perennial Identification
As a plant geek and gardener, I get asked 'what are perennials?' all the time. Usually, plant identification is tricky and full of inconsistencies and surprises. Luckily, perennial identification is straightforward. The concept of a perennial plant is easy to grasp!...
Top Uses for Ginseng
[Disclaimer: Nothing in this article should be taken as medical advice. Be sure to consult with a physician before incorporating any new treatment - herbal or otherwise.] Perhaps you love its aromatic, earthy flavor in meals or tea or you’ve seen it...
How to Use Andrographis (For Health Benefits)
When it comes to preventative health care and holistic remedies, plants continue to shape our perspective on surviving and thriving. Through millennia, our scientific understanding of medicine and treatment has made wild leaps and bounds. All progress is deeply rooted...
Best Echinacea Uses (And Where to Find It)
Echinacea, also known as coneflower, may be the most widely used herbal plant native to the United States. Even folks who know nothing about herbalism have likely heard of echinacea. Indigenous peoples use echinacea for a variety of illnesses and have for hundreds of...
You Should Be Excited About Grassland Plants!
Grassland plants don't get enough attention from conservationists, writers, filmmakers, or policymakers. Most people know next to nothing about grasslands, other than the obvious fact that they are grassy. I'm here to show you that grasslands are dynamic places full...
Top Mugwort Uses (and Where to Find It)
Some plants seem to have traveled through time, alongside Homo sapiens every step of the way. Wherever we explore, live our lives, and build societies, some plants are right there too - quietly providing support throughout the generations. Mugwort is one of those...
Nettle Tea Benefits (and How to Brew It)
Between its notorious sting and worldwide range, most people have at least heard of stinging nettle. But nettle’s incredible health benefits truly reel in the plant’s fanbase. Nutritious and simple to prepare, nettle tea is a great way to enjoy everything the plant...
Top Lemon Balm Uses
Lemon balm has been used as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments for hundreds of years. It was first utilized around central Europe and the Middle East several millennia ago. Since then, its utilities have expanded to its inclusion in food, beverage, and more....
Top Yarrow Uses (and Where to Find It)
Yarrow, among sage, lavender, and echinacea, is one of the most useful herbs in the northern hemisphere. This plant is something of a shapeshifter- able to grow in mountains and deserts and more urban areas like highways and cities. It comes in all colors and packs...