Articles on Plants, Trees, Flowers, Mushrooms, and More! - PlantSnap

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15+ Different Types of Cherry Trees (Cherry Tree Varieties)

15+ Different Types of Cherry Trees (Cherry Tree Varieties)

Cherry trees can be used in many different ways. Their wood makes for spectacular tables, jewelry boxes, and chests. Their bark has been important to indigenous peoples for its medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Obviously, their varied and delicious fruits can...

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20+ Different Holly Tree Types (Full Holly Varieties List)

20+ Different Holly Tree Types (Full Holly Varieties List)

Holly is a plant that permeates pop-culture. Whether you’re singing a holiday classic with your grandmother, walking along some neighborhood hedges, or brewing a cup of Yerba Mate to start your day, holly, also known as the plant genus Ilex, is often nearby when you...

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30+ Different Types of Moss (And Most Common Moss Species)

30+ Different Types of Moss (And Most Common Moss Species)

Moss is a ubiquitous plant that often goes underappreciated and overlooked. As one of the first land plants, moss was able to spread across the entire globe. It's now found on every continent including Antarctica, thanks to its ability to grow in Earth's harshest...

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Perennial Vegetables to Grow in North America

Perennial Vegetables to Grow in North America

Imagine harvesting fresh veggies from your garden each summer without putting in the effort to start your garden from scratch. Perennial vegetables allow just that! Perennials survive the winter and return to produce again the following summer. Here, we’ve highlighted...

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40+ Different Types of Daisies (And What They Look Like)

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...

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5 Leaf Vine (The Virginia Creeper Vine with 5 Leaves)

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...

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10 Surprising Purslane Benefits

10 Surprising Purslane Benefits

Purslane is a common herb that’s renowned for its medicinal benefits. Its scientific name, Portulaca oleracea, literally means “herbal purslane” and describes the plant’s edible and medicinal properties. In fact, humans have been using purslane for millennia, and now...

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50 Different Types of Roses (How Many Types Are There?)

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...

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Different Types of Palm Trees (And Palm Tree Varieties)

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...

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Holly Leaf History

Holly Leaf History

Holly has integrated itself so well into mainstream culture, you may find yourself wondering how it came to be such a staple. In western society, the often immediate association with holly is the red and green decor of Christmas time, as popularized by the classic...

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50+ Types of Ferns (Indoor and Outdoor Species of Ferns)

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...

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Understanding Fungi: Characteristics & Function

Understanding Fungi: Characteristics & Function

Fungi are a fascinating, abundant, and necessary part of our planet. Although they may seem like a basic form of life on our planet, they are actually incredibly complex and there is still a ton we’re learning about them. Many people know fungi just as the mushrooms...

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30+ Different Types of Ivy (And Ivy Varieties)

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...

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100 Different Types of Succulent Plants (and Species)

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...

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How to Get Your Yucca Plant to Flower

How to Get Your Yucca Plant to Flower

Yucca is a common succulent closely related to agaves. There are over 40 species of the spiky plant that grow throughout North America including the US, Mexico, and even one species in Canada! Additionally, they are common in parts of Central America and the...

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How To Use the Aloe Vera Plant

How To Use the Aloe Vera Plant

Have you ever spent too much time in the sun, only to find yourself as red as a lobster the next day? The discomfort of a bad sunburn can last days and might be one of the worst setbacks to enjoying a relaxing weekend at the beach. Luckily for us, there’s a plant that...

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How Are Plant Cells Different Than Fungi Cells?

How Are Plant Cells Different Than Fungi Cells?

On the cellular level, how are plants and fungi different? Plantae and Fungi are two of the three main kingdoms in the domain Eukaryota (the third group is Animalia, which includes you and me). Many fungi grow in a way that’s similar to plants. They inhabit similar...

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5 Easiest Perennial Flowers to Grow in Your Garden

5 Easiest Perennial Flowers to Grow in Your Garden

One of the most enjoyable things for a gardener is seeing a flower bloom in spring that was planted years before. These types of flowers, called perennial flowers, come back year after year. These types of plants make a great choice for a beginner gardener because of...

read more
Weird Plants of Baja California

Weird Plants of Baja California

I had the joy of driving the entire length of Mexico’s Baja California last fall. Starting in San Diego, we followed Highway 1 and found many of the bizarre and beautiful plants of Baja California.  The whole way, my eyes were glued to the landscape. Desert plants are...

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Top 3 Coolest Carnivorous Plants

Top 3 Coolest Carnivorous Plants

Along with light, water, and air, plants need nutrients which are usually found in the soil. However, some soil contains almost no nutrients important to plants such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Bogs and fens are two environments that have very poor soil,...

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Tree Identification 101: What You Need to Know

Tree Identification 101: What You Need to Know

Despite being gigantic, trees can be surprisingly difficult to identify. While tree identification might be easier than grass identification, it's no walk in the park (...although that might be a good place to practice). Let's start with the basics. If you already can...

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4 of the Most Fascinating Native Hawaiian Plants

4 of the Most Fascinating Native Hawaiian Plants

Hawaiian plants are some of the most beautiful and unusual curiosities in the world. Like many islands, Hawaii is full of plants that are isolated and don't exist anywhere else. There's also a rich cultural history surrounding the use of these plants (known as...

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How to Identify Deadly Plants That Could Kill You

How to Identify Deadly Plants That Could Kill You

Whenever you’re out foraging for edible plants or tasty mushrooms, there’s a risk of picking and eating the wrong plant. Making a mistake while foraging for wild plants can kill you - so it’s important to know what you’re doing! In some cases, eating the wrong parts...

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Everything You Need to Know About Acacia Trees

Everything You Need to Know About Acacia Trees

First things first, what is an acacia tree? When you hear the word Acacia, do you think of umbrella-shaped trees in the African Savanna? Or maybe shrubs in the dry American Southwest? Or even the Australian outback? Acacias are a group of trees and shrubs with over...

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Jungle Botany: A Beginner’s Guide

Jungle Botany: A Beginner’s Guide

The rainforest is a treasure trove for plant lovers, whether you’re a newbie or you already have experience with jungle botany. Your first step into a tropical forest can be a bit overwhelming. There is a staggering amount of diversity to take in. It’s also often hard...

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Everything You Need to Know About Reishi Mushrooms

Everything You Need to Know About Reishi Mushrooms

Reishi mushrooms have long been used as medicine. Also known as the Ling Zhi mushroom, these fungi grow on the sides of trees. In the wild, reishi mushrooms prefer to grow at the base of maple or hemlock trees. IDENTIFY NEW PLANTS WITH PLANTSNAP These mushrooms are...

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Why Do Cacti Have Spines? 4 Reasons Cacti are Spikey

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...

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Do All Plants Use Photosynthesis?

Do All Plants Use Photosynthesis?

Have you ever wondered do all plants need sunlight in order to survive? Though this may sound like a silly question, it turns out there are quite a few plants that can live with no light at all! Plant leaves are nature’s solar panels. They excel at converting carbon...

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Helpful Tips for Tree Leaf Identification

Helpful Tips for Tree Leaf Identification

Just like how knowing the names of neighbors makes you feel part of a community, identifying the trees in your yard or on nature hikes can similarly make you feel more connected to your local landscapes. But how do you start identifying trees? Botanists use everything...

read more
Intro Guide to Identifying Wild Berries

Intro Guide to Identifying Wild Berries

Eating wild berries while out on a walk or hike is a summer delight. These juicy treats quench thirst on hot days, can be baked into decadent pies, and are packed with healthy vitamins and antioxidants. If you want to dive into foraging, there is no better place to...

read more
How To Visit a Plant Nursery Like a Pro

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...

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Most Popular Cactus Trees 

Most Popular Cactus Trees 

Whether you’re interested in cacti for their historical, religious, and medicinal aspects, or simply looking for a low-maintenance house plant to set on your windowsill, there is plenty to learn from this strange and spiky plant. While some species of cacti grow tall...

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Seasonal Tips for Tropical Plant Identification

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...

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How to Find Morel Mushrooms (and Avoid False Morels)

How to Find Morel Mushrooms (and Avoid False Morels)

Most tasty mushrooms fruit in summer and fall. Morels, however, come out at the beginning of spring.   Where, Oh Where, Are These Tasty Treats?   Mushroom hunters can be very secretive people. Don't be offended if they avoid telling you their favorite...

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How to Look for Gourmet Mushrooms In the Wild

How to Look for Gourmet Mushrooms In the Wild

Mushrooms are one of the most highly sought after wild foods. Some of the world's tastiest gourmet mushrooms are only found in the wild, and we haven't figured out how to cultivate them yet! People all over the globe spend hours and hours “hunting” for wild gourmet...

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Urban Foraging For Beginners (Tips & Tricks)

Urban Foraging For Beginners (Tips & Tricks)

For most people living in an urban environment, fresh produce and edible plants are something you buy at stores. We operate under the assumption that farmers sell their crops to suppliers, who then transport it to cities, and then, somewhat miraculously, these...

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How to Find Chanterelle Mushrooms and Cook with Them

How to Find Chanterelle Mushrooms and Cook with Them

Oh, lovely, lovely mushrooms. Chanterelles are some of the most coveted mushrooms by chefs, along with truffles and morels. Did you know that all chanterelles in the world are harvested from the wild? We haven't figured out a way to farm these kinds of mushrooms....

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Florida Plant Identification for Beginners

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...

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How to Be Smart While Foraging for Food

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...

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Hawaiian Flower Identification for Beginners

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...

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How to Identify the 10 Most Common Fruit Plants

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...

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Guide to Identifying Tree Fungus (and the 3 Most Common Types)

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...

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Vine Plant Identification 101

Vine Plant Identification 101

Vines make an excellent addition to many gardens, indoor or outdoor. They can also pose threats to native vegetation by becoming extremely invasive and choking out other plants. No matter the type of vine, it’s nice to be able to identify the most common ones. That’s...

read more
History of the Poppy Flower

History of the Poppy Flower

The history of the poppy flower is a rich one. The popular plant is not only famous for its pretty flowers, but also for its use in the production of a highly addictive drug called opium. It also allows us to produce some of the most important medicine in the world,...

read more
What Is the Best Rope Plant?

What Is the Best Rope Plant?

Plants have provided humans with some of the most important tool-making materials since the dawn of man. Indeed, wood and other plant products are an absolute necessity when going about our daily lives. We often take for granted just how many tools and materials are...

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How To Get Started Urban Farming

How To Get Started Urban Farming

Urban farming is a growing movement around the world. Grandmothers, children, teachers, and punks alike can be found babying a pepper plant or picking off rosemary leaves for dinner. Plants and food connect us deeply to our homes and our communities. But when it comes...

read more
Vine Plant Identification 101

Vine Plant Identification 101

Vines make an excellent addition to many gardens, indoor or outdoor. They can also pose threats to native vegetation by becoming extremely invasive and choking out other plants. No matter the type of vine, it’s nice to be able to identify the most common ones. That’s...

read more
5 Great Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

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...

read more
Is a Plant-Based Diet Healthy?

Is a Plant-Based Diet Healthy?

There are many arguments for which kind of diet is healthiest. Many people opt for a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, while others choose to follow an Atkins or a raw food diet. No matter the type of diet one chooses to abide by, one thing is certain: avoid processed...

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Intro to the Most Common Wedding Flowers

Intro to the Most Common Wedding Flowers

There’s a lot that goes into planning a wedding celebration. When it comes to wedding flowers, it can be difficult to know where to start. What’s popular? What’s cliche? What buds will add vibrancy to the occasion and which ones will droop away before the day is over?...

read more
The Ultimate Guide to Growing Iris Flowers

The Ultimate Guide to Growing Iris Flowers

Irises are gorgeous flowers and a great addition to any outdoor garden. The iris family is enormous, but most people grow just a few of the most common domestic irises. These gorgeous flowers come in a variety of colors - that’s probably why they’re named after the...

read more
What Is Plant Therapy?

What Is Plant Therapy?

Plant therapy - it might sound like a new fad, but in fact, the practice is ancient. Engaging with plants can have a relaxing, peaceful effect on many people. For individuals struggling with mental illness and depression, plants can help to generate positive emotions...

read more
Mosquito Repellent Plants For Your Garden and Skin

Mosquito Repellent Plants For Your Garden and Skin

When the weather warms up and the water stands still, mosquitos are sure to follow. Whether you’re spending time on a tropical island in Indonesia, hiking through the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota, or planning an epic backyard garden, mosquitos can turn an...

read more
Sunscreen Plants That Really Work

Sunscreen Plants That Really Work

One of the most important tools used during the summer is sunscreen. To prevent skin damage caused by the sun’s harmful rays, we slather on a thick layer of the stuff before a day at the beach, going on a hike, or an afternoon at the ballpark. However, many people are...

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Introduction To Using Chinese Herbs

Introduction To Using Chinese Herbs

Originating in ancient China, traditional Chinese medicine has evolved over the ages. It stretches back thousands of years the first written example dating back to 168 BC. Practitioners use a variety of body and mind practices and herbal remedies for both treatment...

read more
Why the Lotus Flower Is a Plant Celebrity

Why the Lotus Flower Is a Plant Celebrity

The lotus flower is one of the most sacred and iconic plants in the world. The striking flower is a symbolic staple for some of the most prolific cultures and religions throughout history. It's safe to say that for thousands of years, the lotus has been a plant...

read more
Top 3 Dangerous Jungle Plants

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...

read more
How to Stock Your Pantry by Drying Herbs

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...

read more
Top 5 Lavender Plant Uses

Top 5 Lavender Plant Uses

If you’ve ever walked past a lavender plant, you’ll know that the smell of lavender is one of the richest, most soothing scents there is. Lavender is a fragrant herb laden with small, purple flowers. It’s perhaps one of the most well-recognized scents, and it’s...

read more
History of the Poppy Flower

History of the Poppy Flower

The history of the poppy flower is a rich one. The popular plant is not only famous for its pretty flowers, but also for its use in the production of a highly addictive drug called opium. It also allows us to produce some of the most important medicine in the world,...

read more
Intro to the Most Common Wedding Flowers

Intro to the Most Common Wedding Flowers

There’s a lot that goes into planning a wedding celebration. When it comes to wedding flowers, it can be difficult to know where to start. What’s popular? What’s cliche? What buds will add vibrancy to the occasion and which ones will droop away before the day is over?...

read more
The Ultimate Guide to Growing Iris Flowers

The Ultimate Guide to Growing Iris Flowers

Irises are gorgeous flowers and a great addition to any outdoor garden. The iris family is enormous, but most people grow just a few of the most common domestic irises. These gorgeous flowers come in a variety of colors - that’s probably why they’re named after the...

read more
Why the Lotus Flower Is a Plant Celebrity

Why the Lotus Flower Is a Plant Celebrity

The lotus flower is one of the most sacred and iconic plants in the world. The striking flower is a symbolic staple for some of the most prolific cultures and religions throughout history. It's safe to say that for thousands of years, the lotus has been a plant...

read more
Alpine Plants To Look For When Hiking

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...

read more
Top 3 Dangerous Jungle Plants

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...

read more
What’s So Great About the Jasmine Flower?

What’s So Great About the Jasmine Flower?

Jasmine has been cultivated and prized by humans for millennia. The showy plant is famous for its beautiful white flowers and rich fragrance. Many people have heard of the flower, or maybe even have a friend named Jasmine. But, not many people know of the importance...

read more
5 Easiest Perennial Flowers to Grow in Your Garden

5 Easiest Perennial Flowers to Grow in Your Garden

One of the most enjoyable things for a gardener is seeing a flower bloom in spring that was planted years before. These types of flowers, called perennial flowers, come back year after year. These types of plants make a great choice for a beginner gardener because of...

read more
8 Edible Flowers That Taste Great In Salads

8 Edible Flowers That Taste Great In Salads

Whatever time of year it is, we can’t help but think fondly of warm sunshine, fresh produce, and summertime salads. Before we know it, flowers will be blooming along the boulevards and bursting out of buckets at your local farmer’s market, ready to be added to a...

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What’s So Special About the Hibiscus Flower?

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...

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Best Plants to Give as Christmas Gifts

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...

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Top 10 Flowers to Grow for a Winter Garden

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,...

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What Plants to Look for After Wildfires? Wildflowers!

What Plants to Look for After Wildfires? Wildflowers!

Wildfire seasons are becoming longer and more intense throughout western North America. As climate change continues to make such extreme weather events more common, it is important to know what to expect from land that has previously been burned. And it's not all bad!...

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Top 5 Lavender Plant Uses

Top 5 Lavender Plant Uses

If you’ve ever walked past a lavender plant, you’ll know that the smell of lavender is one of the richest, most soothing scents there is. Lavender is a fragrant herb laden with small, purple flowers. It’s perhaps one of the most well-recognized scents, and it’s...

read more
Intro to the Mint Plant (and the Top Mint Plant Uses)

Intro to the Mint Plant (and the Top Mint Plant Uses)

Not all of us have a green thumb, but some plants are so ubiquitous that you can’t help but encounter them in everyday life. Mint is one of those plants. It’s probably in your toothpaste, or in a pot nearby as you walk down the street. There are a lot of reasons you...

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How Do Pineapples Grow?

How Do Pineapples Grow?

The pineapple is a tropical fruit that travels far in our modern age. Whether you live in the fjords of Iceland or the open prairies of Nebraska, chances are there are little pineapple cubes in your fruit cup, frozen bags of it in the freezer section of the grocery...

read more
How To Get Started Urban Farming

How To Get Started Urban Farming

Urban farming is a growing movement around the world. Grandmothers, children, teachers, and punks alike can be found babying a pepper plant or picking off rosemary leaves for dinner. Plants and food connect us deeply to our homes and our communities. But when it comes...

read more
Vine Plant Identification 101

Vine Plant Identification 101

Vines make an excellent addition to many gardens, indoor or outdoor. They can also pose threats to native vegetation by becoming extremely invasive and choking out other plants. No matter the type of vine, it’s nice to be able to identify the most common ones. That’s...

read more
5 Great Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

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...

read more
The Ultimate Guide to Growing Iris Flowers

The Ultimate Guide to Growing Iris Flowers

Irises are gorgeous flowers and a great addition to any outdoor garden. The iris family is enormous, but most people grow just a few of the most common domestic irises. These gorgeous flowers come in a variety of colors - that’s probably why they’re named after the...

read more
What Is Plant Therapy?

What Is Plant Therapy?

Plant therapy - it might sound like a new fad, but in fact, the practice is ancient. Engaging with plants can have a relaxing, peaceful effect on many people. For individuals struggling with mental illness and depression, plants can help to generate positive emotions...

read more
Mosquito Repellent Plants For Your Garden and Skin

Mosquito Repellent Plants For Your Garden and Skin

When the weather warms up and the water stands still, mosquitos are sure to follow. Whether you’re spending time on a tropical island in Indonesia, hiking through the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota, or planning an epic backyard garden, mosquitos can turn an...

read more
Introduction To Using Chinese Herbs

Introduction To Using Chinese Herbs

Originating in ancient China, traditional Chinese medicine has evolved over the ages. It stretches back thousands of years the first written example dating back to 168 BC. Practitioners use a variety of body and mind practices and herbal remedies for both treatment...

read more
Can Dogs Eat Bananas and Other Fruits?

Can Dogs Eat Bananas and Other Fruits?

Most dogs really love food. We train them using food, we shoo them away when they beg for food, and they eat all sorts of things that aren’t great for them. But what about when your dog is begging for you to share a bit of fruit? Is it ok to share a banana,...

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Benefits and Uses of the Sage Herb

Benefits and Uses of the Sage Herb

Sage, or Salvia officinalis, is a part of the mint family Native to the Mediterranean region, the sage herb is a perennial plant that has naturalized across the globe and can grow to two feet tall. Its leaves are fuzzy with an oval shape. Different varieties range in...

read more
What’s So Great About the Jasmine Flower?

What’s So Great About the Jasmine Flower?

Jasmine has been cultivated and prized by humans for millennia. The showy plant is famous for its beautiful white flowers and rich fragrance. Many people have heard of the flower, or maybe even have a friend named Jasmine. But, not many people know of the importance...

read more
How to Stock Your Pantry by Drying Herbs

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...

read more
Why Do People Love The Jade Plant?

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...

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Cool Examples of Moss Graffiti and Plant Art

Cool Examples of Moss Graffiti and Plant Art

The hustle and bustle of the city can be contagious. Everyone’s got somewhere to be, something to do, and people move quickly along the streets and avenues lined with multi-story buildings, apartment complexes and neighborhood shops. But nearby, many cities...

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Cuttings: The Magical Way to Grow Plants

Cuttings: The Magical Way to Grow Plants

Fall is here! The sweaters are warm! The pumpkins are spiced! And leaves are falling from their trees! While many regular gardening activities are winding down, it is the perfect time to begin starting new plants from cuttings.  Many of the plants you see every day...

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How to Identify Succulents with an App

How to Identify Succulents with an App

Ok, we get it. Pintrest (and the rest of the internet) loves succulents. Whether you’re just catching onto the trend now, or you’ve been building succulent terrariums since before it was cool, you probably would like to know exactly what is in your succulent garden....

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Dog Safe Plants and How to Make a Dog-Friendly Garden

Dog Safe Plants and How to Make a Dog-Friendly Garden

If you love both dogs and gardening, you probably have already asked yourself: are there dog safe plants out there? Given some dog’s propensity to much on leaves and sniff around in the dirt, you might even want to take it a step further: creating a dog-friendly...

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Helpful Tips for Tree Leaf Identification

Helpful Tips for Tree Leaf Identification

Just like how knowing the names of neighbors makes you feel part of a community, identifying the trees in your yard or on nature hikes can similarly make you feel more connected to your local landscapes. But how do you start identifying trees? Botanists use everything...

read more
Intro Guide to Identifying Wild Berries

Intro Guide to Identifying Wild Berries

Eating wild berries while out on a walk or hike is a summer delight. These juicy treats quench thirst on hot days, can be baked into decadent pies, and are packed with healthy vitamins and antioxidants. If you want to dive into foraging, there is no better place to...

read more
How To Visit a Plant Nursery Like a Pro

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...

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Most Popular Cactus Trees 

Most Popular Cactus Trees 

Whether you’re interested in cacti for their historical, religious, and medicinal aspects, or simply looking for a low-maintenance house plant to set on your windowsill, there is plenty to learn from this strange and spiky plant. While some species of cacti grow tall...

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Seasonal Tips for Tropical Plant Identification

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...

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How to Find Morel Mushrooms (and Avoid False Morels)

How to Find Morel Mushrooms (and Avoid False Morels)

Most tasty mushrooms fruit in summer and fall. Morels, however, come out at the beginning of spring.   Where, Oh Where, Are These Tasty Treats?   Mushroom hunters can be very secretive people. Don't be offended if they avoid telling you their favorite...

read more
How to Look for Gourmet Mushrooms In the Wild

How to Look for Gourmet Mushrooms In the Wild

Mushrooms are one of the most highly sought after wild foods. Some of the world's tastiest gourmet mushrooms are only found in the wild, and we haven't figured out how to cultivate them yet! People all over the globe spend hours and hours “hunting” for wild gourmet...

read more
Urban Foraging For Beginners (Tips & Tricks)

Urban Foraging For Beginners (Tips & Tricks)

For most people living in an urban environment, fresh produce and edible plants are something you buy at stores. We operate under the assumption that farmers sell their crops to suppliers, who then transport it to cities, and then, somewhat miraculously, these...

read more
How to Find Chanterelle Mushrooms and Cook with Them

How to Find Chanterelle Mushrooms and Cook with Them

Oh, lovely, lovely mushrooms. Chanterelles are some of the most coveted mushrooms by chefs, along with truffles and morels. Did you know that all chanterelles in the world are harvested from the wild? We haven't figured out a way to farm these kinds of mushrooms....

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Florida Plant Identification for Beginners

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...

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How to Be Smart While Foraging for Food

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...

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Hawaiian Flower Identification for Beginners

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...

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How to Identify the 10 Most Common Fruit Plants

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...

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Guide to Identifying Tree Fungus (and the 3 Most Common Types)

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...

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Vine Plant Identification 101

Vine Plant Identification 101

Vines make an excellent addition to many gardens, indoor or outdoor. They can also pose threats to native vegetation by becoming extremely invasive and choking out other plants. No matter the type of vine, it’s nice to be able to identify the most common ones. That’s...

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How to Plant an Excellent Pollinator Garden

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...

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What Is a Borage Flower?

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...

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Are Crabapples Edible? Are They Really Apples?

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'...

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Why Do People Love the Rose Flower?

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...

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The Ultimate Guide to Peace Lily Care

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...

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Can You Use Aloe Vera for Acne?

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...

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What Is the Mosquito Plant?

What Is the Mosquito Plant?

The last time you were at a barbeque or outdoor function did you get eaten alive by mosquitos? If not, there were probably repellants of some kind. Repellants for mosquitos can take many forms. Some are chemical, like bug sprays, Tiki Torches, and ‘foggers.’ Others...

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How to Find Morel Mushrooms (and Avoid False Morels)

How to Find Morel Mushrooms (and Avoid False Morels)

Most tasty mushrooms fruit in summer and fall. Morels, however, come out at the beginning of spring.   Where, Oh Where, Are These Tasty Treats?   Mushroom hunters can be very secretive people. Don't be offended if they avoid telling you their favorite...

read more
How to Look for Gourmet Mushrooms In the Wild

How to Look for Gourmet Mushrooms In the Wild

Mushrooms are one of the most highly sought after wild foods. Some of the world's tastiest gourmet mushrooms are only found in the wild, and we haven't figured out how to cultivate them yet! People all over the globe spend hours and hours “hunting” for wild gourmet...

read more
Is It Safe to Grow Your Own Medicinal Herbs?

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...

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Urban Foraging For Beginners (Tips & Tricks)

Urban Foraging For Beginners (Tips & Tricks)

For most people living in an urban environment, fresh produce and edible plants are something you buy at stores. We operate under the assumption that farmers sell their crops to suppliers, who then transport it to cities, and then, somewhat miraculously, these...

read more
How to Find Chanterelle Mushrooms and Cook with Them

How to Find Chanterelle Mushrooms and Cook with Them

Oh, lovely, lovely mushrooms. Chanterelles are some of the most coveted mushrooms by chefs, along with truffles and morels. Did you know that all chanterelles in the world are harvested from the wild? We haven't figured out a way to farm these kinds of mushrooms....

read more
What Is Subsistence Farming?

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...

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Most Popular Edible Flowers (And How to Eat Them)

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...

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How to Identify the 10 Most Common Fruit Plants

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...

read more

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