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Classified as invasive in many regions, H. matronalis is especially vigorous in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the US. Hesperis matronalis Dame’s rocket, Hesperis matronalis, is a fragrant, edible member of the Brassicaceae family of plants, which includes arugula, broccoli, and mustard. Native to Europe and Asia, it was originally brought to the United States as an ornamental plant. As with many introduced varieties, its seed spread beyond garden borders and naturalized in surrounding woodlands and meadows....

by Jennifer Poindexter Are you looking for a new tree to add to your home or landscape? Some varieties of trees work for both indoor and outdoor use. Regardless of where you’d like to grow your tree, I have the perfect option. Have you considered growing a lemon cypress tree? This tree can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Many people consider it a favorite when used as a Christmas tree....

By Matt Gibson Philodendrons are a great house plant to grow even if you don’t know much about gardening and haven’t had much success growing things in the past. Philodendrons are often recommended to beginning gardeners or kid gardeners, as they are nearly impossible to kill off. They are available in trailing/climbing types, meaning that if you provide a trellis or railway, that they will wrap around it for support. There are also stand alone, vertical philodendron species....

It’s almost too exquisite-looking to eat, but eat it we do. It makes a perfect substitute for broccoli or cauliflower in any dish, and its slightly sweet, nutty flavor makes it a favorite among kids. Brassica oleracea var. botrytis ‘Romanesco’ If there was ever a piece of art that accidentally manifested itself as a vegetable, it would be Romanesco broccoli. It’s always tucked next to the broccoli and cauliflower at the grocery store, and every time my young son and I walk by it, we can’t help but stop and stare at its intricate swirls and whorls....

By Julie Christensen If you’re looking for a vigorous, fast-growing vine for trailing in pots or in beds, sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) just might be the ticket. Sweet potato vines are tropical plants that thrive in rich, moist soil. They tolerate a variety of soil Ph levels and grow in both full sun and partial shade. Best of all, sweet potato vines produce large, exotic leaves that come in a variety of colors, from neon green to black to pink or purple....

By Jennifer Poindexter Are you in the market for an easy-to-care-for plant that purifies the air in your home or office space? The ZZ plant could be what you’ve been searching for. The zamioculcas zamiifolia plant (ZZ plant for short) is a great choice for those who are new to gardening, caring for houseplants, or have an all-around brown thumb. It consists of gorgeous green foliage that has a waxy finish which makes it a great choice for natural décor in your home....

The good news is that once you know the best gardening practices, it’s not too hard to avoid most problems. And if disease pathogens do attack, this guide will help you to control or eliminate them. Whether you’re frying it, roasting it, steaming it, or digging into it raw, broccoli is fantastically flavorful, not to mention good for you. Maybe it’s all in my head, but I swear it tastes even better when I’ve grown it myself....

Flowers Thinking of adding a Phalaenopsis Orchid to your indoor or outdoor plant collection? These popular orchids can be a bit picky about their maintenance needs, but bloom profusely when properly cared for. In this article, gardening expert Melissa Strauss examines everything you need to know about this particular orchid species, including their maintenance and care. By Melissa Strauss Last updated: January 4, 2023 | 19 min read Some of the most common orchids grown indoors are Phalaenopsis orchids....

Cultivation and History Close your eyes for just a moment and think of a carrot. What do you see? Daucus carota sativus You’ve probably never tasted a really excellent carrot, unless you’ve grown one yourself. Homegrown carrots are crisper, fresher, and come in a much wider variety of flavors, colors, and shapes than what you can buy in the average supermarket. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

But marjoram deserves its own spot in your kitchen garden for when you need something a little more elegant with a milder flavor. Origanum majorana If oregano is the star of the kitchen show, marjoram is the smart-but-quiet sidekick waiting off in the wings. Often confused with its more popular cousin, marjoram is a stand out herb in its own right. With a sweet, woodsy flavor, it reminds me of a mild, sweet sage with a camphor aftertaste....

When life gives you lemons, plant a tree to grow more! With proper Meyer lemon tree care, lemons are a succulent delicacy that you can grow in your own home, no matter where you live. Meyer lemons are less acidic than the traditional grocery-store ones. This gives them a sweeter flavor that chefs and lemonade drinkers go crazy for. The tree itself is lively and colorful with its plentiful yellow-orange fruit and vibrant, evergreen foliage....

Poinsettias are one of the most popular holiday plants, synonymous with Christmas décor and festive cheer. If you want it to thrive at the festive time, then here’s a detailed Poinsettia Care Tips & Growing Guide to help you out! Botanical Name: Euphorbia pulcherrima Common Names: Mexican flameleaf, Poinsettia, Christmas star USDA Zones: 9–11 Here are the best types of Poinsettias you can grow indoors Pests and Diseases Poinsettias are prone to whiteflies, mealybugs, powdery mildew, thrips, and gnats....

What is star fruit? You’ve come to the right place. The star fruit is a rich source of vitamin C, B9, B6, B2, and dietary fiber. It also contains various minerals, such as potassium, zinc, phosphorus, and iron. It’s a low-calorie fruit, with only 31 calories per 100 grams. And the star fruit tree is beautiful, too! Table of Contents A mature tree can produce as much as 200 to 400 pounds of fruits every year....

When you think about plant cultivation, you probably visualize plants growing in nutrient-rich soil. But with hydroponics, you don’t use soil. Rather, the plants are fed by a water-based mineral nutrient solution. However, they still need a growing medium, that is, material to grow in, also known as the substrate. The best growing medium for a hydroponics system will depend on the type of system you choose. The most common choices of growing media are;...

Pests can be a nuisance and eliminating them on time is essential for your plant’s good health. Thankfully, we have all the details about Common Houseplant Bugs and How to Get Rid of Them for you! Check out our awesome natural pesticide recipe here Common Houseplant Bugs and How to Get Rid of Them 1. Aphids Aphids are small sap-sucking insects and can wreak havoc on the plants by feeding on stems and foliage....

Information Fiddle leaf figs are popular houseplants, but they can also be a bit difficult to care for. One common problem they have is curling leaves. In this article, gardening expert and houseplant enthusiast Madison Moulton walks through 11 reasons why your fiddle leaf fig may have curling leaves, and how to fix it! By Madison Moulton Last updated: August 28, 2022 | 6 min read If you’re a fan of Fiddle Leaf Figs, you’ve likely collected a couple since their explosion in popularity a few years ago....

If you’re looking for herbs to grow inside, then this is for you! In this post, I share my list of the best indoor herbs so you can have all of your favorites ready to go when you need them, any time of the year. If you live in a cold climate like I do, then you might be wondering how you can keep your favorite herbs alive indoors through the long winter months, or even year round....

The thing about groundcovers is, you can easily damage them while stepping on or walking over them. So, what’s the solution? Well, do not worry! We have some of the Best Walkable Ground Covers for you! Here are the best shade-loving Ground Covers for you Best Walkable Ground Covers 1. Portulaca Botanical Name: Portulaca grandiflora Size: 8-10 inches tall and 10-14 inches of spread Sun Exposure: Full Sun This sturdy sun-loving plant has crepe paperlike blooms in salmon, red, orange, white, yellow shades with needle-like green foliage....

Just because you live in a house or apartment with little natural sunlight doesn’t mean you’re destined to a space with no greenery. Rest assured you can still liven up your space with some of these large low light houseplants. While most plants have better growth the more light they receive, the 18 plants covered in this article will grow to a substantial size even when they have minimal light exposure....

This type of layout can be used to break up expansive areas, structured for framing and borders, or scaled down for a smaller space, depending on the aesthetics of the surrounding landscaping and structures. What exactly is a “mass planting?” In this method, specimens are grouped together to create fullness and depth using sweeping installations, often of the same or similar species, or a small selection of well-matched plants. This can be achieved in many ways....