Hornworms are a common pest in the garden if you grow tomatoes or other nightshade plants. These caterpillars can devour an entire plant within days but because of their size and life cycle, they're also easy to find and control—naturally. Here are four ways you can get rid of tomato hornworms and tobacco hornworms without resorting to chemical sprays ..read more

Mother of thousands is unique in the world of succulents as it has the ability to grow baby plants on the edges of its leaves. That makes it super easy to propagate and, like most succulents, simple to care for—even for beginners. Here's how you can keep yours happy ..read more

Meet your garden's new best friend: the braconid wasp. This beneficial insect doesn't look like a wasp, isn't aggressive, and often goes unnoticed, but look more closely and you've probably seen its work. The tiny wasp is notorious for parasitizing caterpillars, aphids, and other pests, making it an important part of your biological pest control army. Learn how to attract more parasitoids to your garden simply by planting the right plants ..read more

A productive fall garden starts long before fall—it starts in summer. Once you pull out the last of your early-season crops and make space in the garden, start seeds for a new round of leafy greens, root crops, and other vegetables that thrive in cooler weather. With good timing, you'll continue to harvest in fall and even through winter ..read more

They aren't called aphid lions for nothing! Lacewings are known for being very aggressive in the garden, but luckily, they're on your side. They have a voracious appetite for aphids and other insects, and will happily destroy an entire population of pests—saving your plants while maintaining the natural balance in your garden. Want to attract more lacewings and make sure they stick around? Here's how ..read more

Ladybugs get all the glory when it comes to natural pest control, but somewhere out there, ravenous hoverflies are working overtime to destroy aphids and other pests on your plants. These beneficial (yet often overlooked) flies are not only efficient predators, but important pollinators too. This is how you can get more of them into your garden ..read more

What is perlite? "Air for the soil" is what I call it, and it's the next best thing to compost for improving soil structure. This natural mineral and soil amendment helps circulate air between the roots for strong, healthy plants, and it has many benefits for houseplants as well as outdoor plants ..read more

At the end of a long, dry winter, your plants need a deep clean. Here's why you need to shower your houseplants every season (not just in spring!) and the best way to wash them, indoors or out. Plus, I reveal a little trick to keeping your houseplants watered for weeks on autopilot ..read more

Sometimes small is better—and what it lacks in size, the baby rubber plant makes up for in beauty. This petite houseplant doesn't grow more than a foot tall and wide, so it'll fit on nearly any windowsill or bookshelf. It's also easy to care for—even for a tropical. Here's how you can help your Peperomia obtusifolia thrive at home ..read more

Banana plants are often seen as wild-looking trees that give off lush jungle vibes in a landscape, but they can also be grown successfully in containers outside or as houseplants inside. The trick is giving them conditions they love (hint: plenty of sun) and choosing the right varieties for your space and climate ..read more