Gardening Terms

A predatory beetle commonly used in biological control of soft-bodied pests. Learn more.

Shaped like a lance; longer than wide and tapering toward the tip. Learn more.

the immature, feeding stage of an insect that undergoes complete metamorphosis. Learn more.

plural of larva; immature insects undergoing complete metamorphosis. Learn more.

relating to the larva stage of an insect. Learn more.

A devastating disease caused by Phytophthora infestans, leading to dark lesions and rapid plant collapse. Learn more.

A milky or colored fluid produced by specialized plant cells. Learn more.

A device used to perforate the soil with small holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach roots. Learn more.

A propagation method where a stem forms roots while still attached to the parent plant. Learn more.

Liquid that drains through soil or compost, carrying dissolved materials, nutrients, or pollutants. Learn more.

The loss of soluble nutrients from soil as water percolates downward. Learn more.

The upper layer of soil where minerals and nutrients are dissolved and carried downward by water. Learn more.

The main organ of photosynthesis in most plants, typically flat and green. Learn more.

Rapid browning and death of leaf tissue caused by fungi, bacteria, or environmental stress. Learn more.

The larva of various insects that tunnels between leaf layers, creating visible trails. Learn more.

A fungal disease or composted leaf product; in tomatoes, it refers to Passalora fulva infection. Learn more.

Decomposed leaves used as a soil conditioner and mulch. Learn more.

Viral diseases of crops like potatoes and grapes that cause upward leaf curling and yield loss. Learn more.

Necrosis of leaf edges due to water stress, sunburn, or bacterial infection. Learn more.

Circular necrotic lesions on leaves caused by fungi or bacteria, often surrounded by yellow halos. Learn more.

a small leaflike part of a compound leaf. Learn more.

insect larvae that live between leaf surfaces, feeding on internal tissues and creating tunnels or blotches. Learn more.

Describing spindly, elongated growth usually due to inadequate light. Learn more.

A pod-type fruit characteristic of the pea family that splits open along two seams. Learn more.

The lower of two bracts enclosing the flower of a grass floret. Learn more.

A small pore on stems or fruit that allows gas exchange. Learn more.

A long-stemmed, woody vine that climbs other plants to reach sunlight. Learn more.

The amount of light energy received per unit area, influencing photosynthesis and plant growth rate. Learn more.

An organic polymer in cell walls that provides rigidity and resistance to decay. Learn more.

a thin outgrowth at the junction of a leaf and leaf sheath, common in grasses. Learn more.

Calcium-containing materials applied to raise soil pH and reduce acidity. Learn more.

A low-growing ground cover planted under crops to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Learn more.

A soil with a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay, prized for gardening. Learn more.

A rounded or pointed projection, often one of several divisions on a leaf or petal. Learn more.

rounded or pointed divisions of an organ such as a leaf or petal. Learn more.

A small cavity or compartment within an organ, such as the chambers of an ovary or anther. Learn more.

Small scale-like organs at the base of the ovary in grass flowers that aid in flower opening. Learn more.

a caterpillar that moves in looping motions due to missing middle legs, such as inchworms. Learn more.

A long-handled pruning tool used to cut thicker stems and small branches. Learn more.

A group of plant bugs (Lygus spp.) that feed on developing buds and fruit, causing deformation. Learn more.