Gardening Terms

The natural environment in which a plant species lives and grows. Learn more.

The process by which large habitats are broken into smaller, isolated patches, often due to human activity. Learn more.

The process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. Learn more.

A plant adapted to grow in saline conditions such as salt marshes. Learn more.

Gradually acclimating seedlings to outdoor conditions before transplanting. Learn more.

A geographic zone defined by minimum temperatures to guide plant selection. Learn more.

A dense, compacted subsurface soil layer that impedes water and roots. Learn more.

Non-plant elements of landscape design such as paths, walls, and patios. Learn more.

A pruning cut that removes part of a shoot to stimulate branching below. Learn more.

An electric mat used to gently warm soil or trays to improve seed germination and root growth. Learn more.

A cultivar maintained through open pollination over generations, often valued for heritage traits. Learn more.

A traditional seed variety passed down through generations, often open-pollinated and non-hybridized. Learn more.

A non-woody plant that dies back to the ground after flowering. Learn more.

Non-woody plants that die back to the ground each year. Learn more.

A collection of preserved plant specimens used for scientific study. Learn more.

A plant or flower possessing both male (stamens) and female (carpels) reproductive organs. Learn more.

The improved or increased function of hybrid offspring compared to parents, often seen in growth or yield. Learn more.

The scar or mark on a seed where it was attached to the ovary wall or funiculus. Learn more.

Covered with coarse, stiff hairs. Learn more.

A stem that is tubular inside, lacking solid tissue in the center. Learn more.

Structures sharing a common evolutionary origin, even if functionally different. Learn more.

a sugary liquid secreted by sap-sucking insects such as aphids or scales. Learn more.

the caterpillar stage of the hawk or sphinx moth, recognizable by a horn-like projection on its tail end. Learn more.

The use of gardening and plant-related activities for therapeutic purposes. Learn more.

A raised bed technique built over woody debris to enhance moisture retention and fertility. Learn more.

A clear plastic cover placed over seed trays to maintain high humidity for germination. Learn more.

Stable, decomposed organic material that contributes to soil structure and fertility. Learn more.

Progeny from crossing different varieties or species, often denoted as F1 in cultivation. Learn more.

The process of crossing different species or varieties to produce hybrid offspring with specific traits. Learn more.

A method of growing plants in nutrient-rich water without the use of soil. Learn more.

An instrument used to measure relative humidity, useful in greenhouses. Learn more.

Describing materials that absorb moisture from the air. Learn more.

A floral structure formed by the fusion of the basal parts of the calyx, corolla, and stamens. Learn more.

The stem portion of a germinating seedling below the cotyledons and above the root. Learn more.