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Kale is super, but maybe you’re in search of something else that’s leafy and green, with a little extra crunch and a touch of bitterness. Something more delicate than radicchio, but less tough than cabbage. Cichorium endivia Lately, I’ve been looking for a way to perk my salads up a bit. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good salad, but there are days when I worry that if I have to stick my fork into another baby spinach and arugula mixture, my taste buds will fall asleep....

If you already grow hardy hellebore, or are considering planting it, read on to learn how to gather seeds for the propagation of new plants. Hellebore, Helleborus spp., is a flowering perennial that blooms long before the arrival of spring. A member of the Ranunculaceae family, it’s available in colors ranging from yellow and green to red and pink, and even purple or black. Blooms may be seen peeking through the snow as early as January in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9....

Leaving some flowers unharvested towards the end of the growing season to self-sow is essential to ensure another round of calendula plants for the next season. But the rest can be put to good use. Calendula-infused oil is a must-have in my herbal apothecary or first aid kit. I gather enough flowers throughout the growing season to infuse for use in my favorite herbal serums, creams, balms, and salves. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

And since it’s so quick to grow, you can start with a small specimen and soon you’ll be up to your ears in newly propagated spiderwort, making increasing your resident population of houseplants easy on the wallet. If you’re going for an indoor jungle vibe with your houseplant decor, tradescantia – also known as “spiderwort” or “wandering dude” – is a fantastic plant to have on hand. It has two winning characteristics that make it the perfect plant for indoor gardening fun: it’s both easy to propagate and a fast grower....

In this article, we offer thirteen delicious and attractive types of okra from which to choose, to introduce this plant to your outdoor landscape. And once you’ve made your selections, you can read more about growing okra in our detailed guide. Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus, is a flowering annual that bears edible pods and grows in all USDA Hardiness Zones. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....

These soft-skinned fruits break down quickly and their mineral elements can be harnessed in a few different ways, such as drying them to make slow-release chips or brewing a batch of fertilizer tea for liquid applications. A fascinating and sustainable practice, composting turns household waste like banana peels into rich, nutritious materials to feed plants. When added to a compost or food waste bin or worm farm, they contribute mounds of richly fertile materials thriving with living organisms that are perfect for creating healthy, vibrant soil....

Ferns are quite popular, thanks to their easy to grow and low-maintenance nature. Here are some rare and unique Indoor Ferns that Climb that you can grow for that awesome look in your rooms! Read about the best hanging ferns here Spectacular Indoor Ferns that Climb 1. Climbing Maidenhair Fern Botanical Name: Lygodium microphyllum The other names of this climbing fern include snake and small-leaf climbing fern. It has gray-green leaves and does well in shade to full sun....

While the species plant, Ceropegia woodii needs no improvement, there are nonetheless several fascinating varieties and cultivars, with different leaf shapes and colors, that fans of this succulent will undoubtedly find utterly beguiling. String of hearts, also known as “rosary vine” or “chain of hearts,” is a fabulous vining houseplant that looks like it is straight out of a fairy tale. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

When she and my dad moved from our childhood home to a more sedate neighborhood, she dug up every single one and gave them to us, storing a few in giant trash bags for months until they could be collected. When I consider the best daffodil companion plants, I think of the way these vivid yellow flowers draw kindly people to me. I am fortunate to live on a plot of land of more than an acre, and each spring a succession of daffodils shoot up and burst forth in glorious gold, yellow, deep orange, and cream....

Curly Spider Plant Care is easy as long as you know how to take the right care of it. Read ahead to know everything and more! If you want a spider plant with curled-up foliage, then this is it. The plant looks great in hanging baskets and tabletops and makes quite an impressive impression with its leaves. Let’s have a look at Curly Spider Plant Care. Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum ‘Bonnie’...

The process isn’t difficult, but you do need to do some advance planning. Here’s what we’ll cover so you’re prepared to make the best picks for your garden: Believe it or not, there’s a right way and a wrong way to buy a rose to plant in the garden. I know. It seems like you just go to the store, check out the tag, and pick the one that looks best....

People love to grow flowers, ferns, herbs, vegetables, sometimes fruits like lemon and strawberries in containers. Not many people decide to create a succulent container garden, but if you’re in those few people who want to dedicate their space to grow these incredible plants, this post is for you. Have a look at the stunning indoor succulent garden pictures here Why Should You Grow a Balcony Succulent Garden? Because they’re low maintenance–Growing other plants is difficult, but anybody can grow succulents....

Cephalocereus senilis If you are looking for a unique specimen for your houseplant collection, let me introduce you to Cephalocereus senilis, aka “old man cactus,” so named for its covering of white “hair.” We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. However, the similarity stops there because beneath the cuddly cuteness of old man cactus lie sharp spines, the modified leaves of desert cacti....

While these species are not ones you’d place into the “low maintenance houseplant” category, as a plant parent, you may find their stunning foliage and fascinating daily rhythms worth the slightly increased efforts required to keep them thriving. Marantaceae family (Ctetanthe, Goeppertia, Maranta, and Stromanthe spp.) If you’re on a quest to add a houseplant with striking foliage to your collection, look no further – you can take your pick from an array of gorgeous leaf patterns among the prayer plants....

They add a striking vertical interest and vibrant contrast, and come in a variety of vivid colors including burgundy, mauve, orange, peach, pink, red, white, and yellow. Swiss chard is an attractive and tasty member of the beet family that gives us nutrient-dense leaves with sweet, earthy flavors. A favorite of leafy green fans, this vegetable is a nutritional powerhouse that’s typically eaten fresh when the leaves are small and tender....

If you want to improve your interior without splurging a lot of money, grow these large foliage houseplants. The look of stunning huge leaves can be new focal points. Also, a tall indoor plant with big leaves and can make a small room look bigger by drawing eyes vertically and creating an illusion of an enlarged interior. 1. Giant Bird of Paradise Bird of paradise can give an extraordinary look to your living room with its big banana-like foliage and excellent 5 to 6 feet height....

To make sure these partnerships are successful, however, the companions need to have similar growing requirements in terms of sun exposure, water needs, and soil type. The marigold is often suggested as a beneficial companion plant in the veggie garden. But marigolds (Tagetes spp.) can be paired with more than just vegetable crops – they can find successful partnerships with culinary herbs, other annual flowers, and even perennials. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

Of course, furniture isn’t the only element that’s important in creating the right outdoor atmosphere. However, because it will take up the most space, it should be one of your first considerations. You may think you don’t have enough space to create an outdoor oasis, but, trust me, you do. I’ve created beautiful, Zen-like spots in everything from a tiny deck to the patio of a small cottage garden. Having even a sliver of a spot to get out of the house and breathe the air can help you de-stress and unwind from your busy life....

It’s true that some amazing traits of this yellow blossom made it tantalizing enough to carry across the Atlantic Ocean – and we’ll explore that together in this article. Helianthus tuberosus There are a couple of common misconceptions you should quickly forget when first adding this sunny and brilliant plant to your yard. A quick rundown: it’s not from Jerusalem, and it’s most definitely not an artichoke! On the other hand, there are two things that you absolutely should remember: it’s not only a beautiful flower, but its roots (called “tubers”) make for a delicious food crop, too....

In USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9, depending on the variety, the beautiful vegetables can be grown as cut-and-come-again leafy greens or as tight, compact heads that can be up to seven pounds in weight at maturity. Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis It loves chilly weather, is essential for making kimchi, and isn’t as fussy as some other brassicas. Say “hello” to napa cabbage. Also known as Chinese cabbage, this plant is perfect for growing when many other leafy veggies have already given up the ghost....