Lawn and Garden

Yard and lawn care is an important part of maintaining a home. Learn about landscaping and get yard tips and advice from the experts at HowStuffWorks.

Learn More / Page 9

Leatherleaf fern is a type of foliage from the Far East. It is available all year around. The glossy, triangular fronds are often used for elegant arrangements and corsages, and they can also be pressed. Learn about care and uses for these ferns.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Their blooms are very beautiful, but growing orchids is not difficult. Find orchid history, photos, and tips for growing orchids at HowStuffWorks.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Let leaves take centerstage in a lush, lovely foliage garden -- no flowers need apply. Foliage carries a garden through the seasons, long after the flowers have faded to a memory. Use our foliage garden ideas and garden photos to get inspired!

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Advertisement

Recreate a stunning natural scene in your garden with these rock garden ideas. The dainty scale of the plants allows for great versatility in design, adapting to just about any size the grower desires. See great ideas and dazzling photos of rock gard

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

When you create a habitat garden, wildlife like birds and butterflies enjoy it too. Birdsong and brightly colored butterflies not only add beauty to the environment, but also make the garden seem like a natural refuge. Get inspired with habitat garden ideas.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

No matter what climate you happen to live in, there are garden plants that can thrive there. Our natural garden ideas and garden photos will help you select just the right thing for your plot of ground.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Balance formal and informal in your garden and create a spot of English countryside with a formal carpet bed, an avenue of pleached limes, an ornamental pond and fountain or a well-filled perennial border. Read more about English gardens.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Advertisement

A wide open expanse of bright green grass is harder to create than it may look. We'll show you not only how to get started and choose the right seeds, but also how to plan for movement and accents on your lawn.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Hoya, also known as wax plant and porcelain flower has fragrant starlike flowers borne in thick clusters. It is very easy to care for but may take a few years to bloom well. Read more.

By Larry Hodgson

Living stones mimic the rocks that are their natural habitat. Learn about this unusual house plant, its flowers, and how to grow it.

By Larry Hodgson

House plants can fill your home with the color and beauty of the outside. This extensive article covers all aspects of house plant care, including lighting, watering, temperature, fertilizing and preventing diseases and pests.

By Larry Hodgson

Advertisement

Baby tears plant looks good draping out of its container but can also maintain a moundlike shape with pinching. It does well in humid climes but prefers well-circulated air. Learn why to use it in a terrarium.

By Larry Hodgson

Wandering Jew plant is related to spiderwort, obvious with its stems that trail and pointy leaves. Leaves, striped on top, have burgundy bottoms. Learn how to keep them looking their best.

By Larry Hodgson

Asparagus fern is an attractive plant with star-shaped flowers that turn into pretty red and purple berries. Learn how to grow the asparagus fern in the garden and as a house plant.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

The calamondin orange tree is an indoor or outdoor dwarf tree. Beyond its ornamental value, the tree produces bitter fruit that is nevertheless a culinary hit. Learn how to care for this citrus plant and reap the health benefits!

By Larry Hodgson

Advertisement

Jade plant is a thick-stemmed succulent plant with fleshy leaves edged in red. It's very easy to care for and will survive even under quite adverse conditions. Read about this African native.

By Larry Hodgson

Earth star, or star fish, plant has rosettes of tough, prickly edged leaves with stripes in various greens. In the middle it bears small, unimpressive flowers. Read about these easy-to-care-for bromeliads.

By Larry Hodgson

Mother-in-law's tongue, or dumb cane, has toxic sap that can cause a painful loss of speech if ingested. This easy-to-care-for house plant produces thick green stems with white to yellow marbled leaves. Read more.

By Larry Hodgson

False aralia, also known as threadleaf and finger aralia, is a small tree with coppery leaflets joined in a fingerlike pattern. Read more about this easy-to-care-for house plant, its growth, and preferences.

By Larry Hodgson

Advertisement

Golden barrel cactus, or mother-in-law's cushion, forms a single, large globe. Its ribs are lined with hooked spines. It needs little nourishment but prefers full sun. Read about this special plant and its care.

By Larry Hodgson

Japanese aralia is a fast-growing shrub with leathery leaves. It is quite demanding to the point where touching newly formed leaves can permanently damage them. Read about this brightly colored house plant.

By Larry Hodgson

Rubber plant usually has just one single trunk but can be pinched back to encourage more to grow. It has thick, leathery leaves often with a red mid-vein. Read more about this demanding house plant.

By Larry Hodgson

Oxtongue is a succulent with thick leaves that are often covered with white wartlike protuberances or white spots. After a cool winter rest it bears tall stems with pink, yellow, or red flowers. Read more.

By Larry Hodgson

Advertisement

Purple passion vine has clambering branches and toothed leaves that are completely covered in purple hair making it look soft and velvety. It is easy to care for but do not overfeed it. Read more.

By Larry Hodgson

Snake plant grows over one and one-half foot high. Its leaves come in green- and yellow-striped varieties. Given preferential light, it will bloom nicely scented flowers. Learn why snake plant is easy to grow.

By Larry Hodgson