Elephant Bush Care
Elephant bush is a great beginner succulent. Not only is it a keystone species in its native habitat, but it is a beautiful way to add a little green to your daily routine.
Elephant Bush Care
Recent Articles
View All by Most Recent
American Ginseng – Panax quinquefolius (Plant Profile)
American Ginseng – Panax quinquefolius (Plant Profile)
Ginseng has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant, known across the globe for its powerful properties, but did you know that ginseng is also native to the Western world?
Unfortunately, this plant is endangered and facing extinction in the wild, so learning about the plant, its habitat, and the significance of its situation is critical to conservation efforts.
Elephant Bush – Portulacaria afra (Plant Profile)
Elephant Bush – Portulacaria afra (Plant Profile)
There’s a beautiful succulent that is gaining popularity with houseplant enthusiasts. You might have heard of it, with its cute, rounded leaves and a beautiful stem that pops with color. The elephant bush, or Portulacaria afra, is native to South Africa from the Little Karoo of the Western Cape, into the thickets of the Eastern Cape.
Featured in Botany
Venus Flytrap – Dionaea muscipula (Plant Profile)
Venus Flytrap – Dionaea muscipula (Plant Profile)
The Venus Flytrap is a carnivorous plant that has captured the love of many quirky houseplant owners. Unlike other carnivorous plants, these plants developed a unique snapping-mechanism to trap unsuspecting prey once they have been felt on the inside of the sticky traps with a set of trigger-hairs.
It is no wonder why these plants are becoming more popular as houseplants, even though they are a challenge for many indoor gardeners; Charles Darwin himself fell in love with these plants, calling these plants “one of the most wonderful plants in the world.”
Types of Carnivorous Plants
Types of Carnivorous Plants
Do you know how many carnivorous plants are known? You might be surprised by the answer! Read more to learn about the different types of carnivorous plants discovered in the world so far.
Ancient Plants from the Dawn of Time
Ancient Plants from the Dawn of Time
Millions of years ago, plants were the foundation of life as we know it today. So which ones are still around, and which are extinct? The answers might surprise you.
Featured in Environment
Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
You should always try to use refined sugar in hummingbird feeders. This is the regular, pure white table sugar you can purchase at any grocery store. This sugar is pure sucrose, which mimics nectar when combined with water.
What Is Ecological Planting?
What Is Ecological Planting?
Ecological planting is a transformative approach to land restoration that everyone can participate in. The focus of this growing movement is to utilize the resilience and genetic diversity of native flora to restore ecosystem relationships, creating healthier habitats for resilience in the face of change. But, what exactly does that mean?
How to Use iNaturalist
How to Use iNaturalist
The naturalists of today may not spend most of their time sailing the seas and looking under crude microscopes, but there is still plenty to explore in the world. With the advancement of science comes an advancement in technology - which further aids science. While...
Featured in Gardening
Is Mandrake the Same as Ginseng?
Is Mandrake the Same as Ginseng?
Is Mandrake the Same as Ginseng? No, mandrake is not close to ginseng either in composition or genetics. Don’t be fooled by names like ‘ginseng ficus’ or ‘human root’, as these common names largely serve to confuse between the two plants. Mandrake, like any good...
Why Is American Ginseng so Valuable?
Why Is American Ginseng so Valuable?
For centuries, American ginseng has been in the spotlight for mountain foragers and market specialists. Now, it is in the spotlight for conservationists who are striving to protect it from an irreversible decline.
Why is Picking Ginseng Illegal?
Why is Picking Ginseng Illegal?
American ginseng is an unassuming plant native to the deciduous forests of the United States. This plant has captured the imagination of many people across the globe for centuries, unfortunately, which is a problem for its wild population. Why is Picking Ginseng...
Featured in Microgreens
Growing Microgreens for Profit
Growing Microgreens for Profit
Microgreens are the perfect urban farming solution to making a profit in a small space. Adaptable to small closet spaces or spare bedrooms, they don’t take up much room or require a lot of overhead, and they can produce delicious, intense flavors.
Are Microgreens Still Profitable?
Are Microgreens Still Profitable?
Interested in getting into the microgreens market, but worried if they’ve lost their popularity and profitability? Learn what you need to know here.
Best Growing Mediums for Microgreens
Best Growing Mediums for Microgreens
What is the best growing mediums for microgreens, and how will it affect your overall yield? Do certain microgreens need certain soils? There are a lot of questions.
Fortunately, however, there are also a lot of answers despite indoor urban farming being a relatively new concept in agriculture.
Featured in Reviews
Nasami Farm: Native Plant Nursery Spotlight
Nasami Farm: Native Plant Nursery Spotlight
Tucked neatly at the base of the Berkshire mountains of western Massachusetts, Nasami Farm is a unique native plant nursery with a wide reach. What makes this nursery so special? Let’s take a look:Spotlight: Native Plant Nursery in Massachusetts As a local plant...
(Top 20) Plants Safe for Cats and Dogs
(Top 20) Plants Safe for Cats and Dogs
Keeping houseplants is a hobby that is on the rise in recent years. The more time you spend at home, the more you want to fill your home with beautiful foliage. In fact, plants are great at helping reduce the stress we experience on a daily basis. But what do you do if you also have pets?
How to Choose the Best Hummingbird Feeder
How to Choose the Best Hummingbird Feeder
Spring and summer are right around the corner, and for many of us that bring an exciting, migratory flurry of color and energy known as hummingbirds. Choosing the best hummingbird feeder can be the difference between attracting entire families of hummingbirds to your yard and attracting one or two.
Get Planty with HerbSpeak Emails
Take a break and photosynthesize a little. With monthly emails from HerbSpeak delivered right to your inbox, you can develop your botanical literacy in a way that is fun and accessible.
Life is plantier with HerbSpeak. Subscribe to email alerts today and stay up-to-date with the latest learning.