A little less jargon.
A lot more understanding.
Your friendly A–Z of the words that make plant care make sense.
A
Acclimation
The gradual adjustment of a plant to a new light, temperature, or humidity environment.
Aeration
The availability and exchange of air within the root environment.
Aerial root
A root that develops above the growing medium rather than entirely inside it.
Aroid
A plant belonging to the Araceae family, which includes many familiar indoor foliage plants.
B
C
Chlorosis
A loss or reduction of normal green coloration, commonly seen as yellowing tissue.
Coco coir
A horticultural material processed from coconut husks and sold in forms such as pith, fibers, and chips.
Compost
Organic material broken down through decomposition; also a word used regionally for prepared potting media.
Controlled-release fertilizer
A fertilizer designed to release nutrients over time, often using coated granules.
D
E
F
H
I
L
M
N
P
Perlite
A lightweight, heat-expanded volcanic material used in horticultural growing media.
Petiole
The stalk that connects a leaf blade to the plant’s stem.
pH
A measure describing how acidic or alkaline a solution or growing environment is.
Potting mix
A prepared growing medium designed for plants in containers.
Propagation
Producing new plants from seeds or plant parts such as cuttings and divisions.
Pumice
A porous volcanic rock used as a mineral ingredient in growing media.
R
Rhizome
A modified stem, commonly growing horizontally at or below the surface, that can store resources and produce shoots and roots.
Root bound
A condition in which roots have densely occupied a container and may circle around its shape.
Root rot
A general term for decay and failure of roots, often associated with prolonged wetness and disease organisms.
V
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