Gardening Terms

Abnormal plant growths caused by insects, mites, fungi, or bacteria that result in swelling or distortion of tissues. Learn more.

Microscopic mites that induce gall formation on leaves or buds of plants. Learn more.

Tiny wasps that lay eggs in plant tissues, producing characteristic galls, especially on oaks. Learn more.

The haploid phase in a plant’s life cycle that produces gametes. Learn more.

The art and process of creating functional and aesthetic outdoor planting spaces. Learn more.

A record kept by gardeners documenting planting dates, conditions, and observations. Learn more.

The genetic makeup of an organism that determines its hereditary potential and characteristics. Learn more.

A permeable fabric used in landscaping to separate soil layers and prevent weed growth. Learn more.

The process by which a seed begins growth into a seedling under suitable conditions. Learn more.

The percentage of seeds that successfully sprout under specific conditions, used as a measure of seed viability. Learn more.

A class of plant hormones that stimulate stem elongation, germination, and flowering. Learn more.

Damage that removes bark around the circumference of a stem, interrupting nutrient flow and often killing the plant. Learn more.

A root that encircles the trunk or other roots, restricting growth and transport. Learn more.

Smooth and hairless. Learn more.

Describing a bluish-green or gray waxy coating on leaves or stems. Learn more.

Joining plant tissues from two plants so they grow as one. Learn more.

A sharp tool designed for making clean cuts during grafting procedures. Learn more.

Chewing insects that feed on leaves and stems, occasionally causing severe defoliation. Learn more.

Crops grown specifically to be incorporated into the soil to add organic matter and nutrients. Learn more.

A vegetated roof system that improves insulation, absorbs rainwater, and supports urban biodiversity. Learn more.

Common name for green-colored aphids that infest soft shoots and transmit viruses. Learn more.

A structure with transparent walls and roof for controlled plant cultivation. Learn more.

Another term for Botrytis cinerea, a fungal disease producing fuzzy gray growth on decaying tissues. Learn more.

Wastewater from sinks or showers that can be reused for irrigation after treatment. Learn more.

The reuse of lightly used household water (from sinks, showers, etc.) for irrigation or flushing. Learn more.

Low-growing plants used to cover soil for aesthetics and erosion control. Learn more.

Water located beneath the Earth’s surface in soil pore spaces and rock formations. Learn more.

An artificial light source used to support photosynthesis indoors. Learn more.

A fungal disease of guava trees caused by Fusarium oxysporum, leading to yellowing and wilting. Learn more.

Exudation of sticky sap or gum from bark, often caused by fungal infection or mechanical injury. Learn more.

The collective term for all carpels or female reproductive organs in a flower. Learn more.

A defoliating moth (Lymantria dispar) whose caterpillars feed on the foliage of many tree species. Learn more.