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
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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
Red Oak VS White Oak: A Beginner Botanist’s Guide
Red Oak VS White Oak: A Beginner Botanist’s Guide
You might think that an oak is an oak, and there’s nothing else to it – but as a beginner botanist or curious naturalist, you might start to take a second look at those trees, however, and notice that they are all different. Red and white oaks are not just individual trees, but separate groups that contain different species. Fortunately, there's an easy way to tell them apart...
How Do Carnivorous Plants Digest Insects?
How Do Carnivorous Plants Digest Insects?
Carnivorous plants are fascinating, getting their nutrients from insects rather than the soil like other plants. It might leave you wondering just how the plants digest their insect prey – learn more in this article.
Parts of a Plant and Their Functions: Introduction and Basic Terminology
Parts of a Plant and Their Functions: Introduction and Basic Terminology
Part one of an in-depth series. Getting your hands dirty in the garden or diving into botany can be a much richer experience when you understand the various parts of a plant and their functions.
Featured in Environment
What Is a Plant Sanctuary?
What Is a Plant Sanctuary?
You’ve probably heard about wildlife sanctuaries, which are swaths of land dedicated to providing habitat for certain species of wildlife. Lesser known, however, are plant sanctuaries. These sanctuaries serve the same purpose, but on a more foundational scale.
Understanding Beech Leaf Disease
Understanding Beech Leaf Disease
The fate of the American Beech tree hangs in the balance, but the resilience of nature and the determination of those invested in its preservation offer a glimmer of hope.
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?
Featured in Gardening
Ginseng Look-Alikes
Ginseng Look-Alikes
In this guide, you will learn how to identify the different ginseng lookalikes in the native habitat of your crop, allowing you to avoid painful rashes and crop loss when pulling unwanted plants from your wild simulated patch.
Venus Flytrap Care 101
Venus Flytrap Care 101
The Venus Flytrap is a common impulse buy at many grocery stores and plant nurseries, with the plant’s unique carnivorous features enthralling many children and adults alike and inspiring the creative minds of many writers and movie directors in popular culture. Unfortunately, not many people understand how to care for the Venus flytrap, leading to the plant’s early demise and an unfair reputation for being a difficult plant to care for.
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...
Featured in Microgreens
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.
The Benefits of Microgreens
The Benefits of Microgreens
You might be surprised that microgreens come packed with benefits. In this article, learn about the top 5 common benefits of eating and growing microgreens.
The Ultimate Guide to Buying and Selecting Microgreens Seeds
The Ultimate Guide to Buying and Selecting Microgreens Seeds
Not only are they easy to grow, but they also pack a nutritious punch. However, before you start sprouting your first seed, you'll need to know how to select the right seeds and determine the correct amount to use for your growing setup.
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...
New England Botanical Gardens to Visit This Year
New England Botanical Gardens to Visit This Year
New England has a range of habitats, making it a prime place for nature enthusiasts to spend their time. Unfortunately, it can also be a little difficult to find information about New England botanical gardens. In this list from HerbSpeak, explore several botanical...
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.
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