Plant Care & Growing Glossary

A succulent native to Mexico, prized for its thick leaves, rosette form, and sharp spines; very drought-tolerant.

An underwater landscape arranged with aquatic plants, rocks, and driftwood — a core part of the aquatic-plant hobby.

Planting with the base set shallow, often used for caudex plants to prevent rot and improve airflow.

Moving a root-bound plant into fresh soil and a new pot, typically every 1–2 years.

The mother plant from which offsets or cuttings are taken for propagation.

When aquatic or epiphytic plants root and establish onto driftwood, rock, or substrate.

A cutting taken from a mother plant, sold either before or after it has rooted.

A solid fertilizer that releases nutrients gradually, feeding plants over a long period.

Crossing different varieties or plants to create new cultivars.

Succulents that store water in a swollen trunk or root base (caudex), such as Pachypodium and Adenium.

A small offset growing from the base or leaf of a mother plant; easily propagated by division.

Propagation by cutting a stem and rooting it in soil.

Injecting carbon dioxide into the water to boost aquatic-plant photosynthesis.

Reducing light intensity with shade cloth to prevent leaf scorch.

The submerged leaf form of aquatic plants, often differing in shape and color from emersed leaves.

Plants that store water in their leaves, stems, or roots; drought-tolerant and watered infrequently.

Growing plants inside a glass container; well suited to humidity-loving plants.

Stretching of stems into thin, weak growth due to insufficient light or airflow.

Cutting back overgrown aquatic plants to maintain their shape and layout.

Decay of roots caused by overwatering or poor drainage.

A root-bound condition where roots fill the pot and slow growth; a sign it's time to repot.

Pre-blended growing medium suited to a plant's needs.

Managing unrooted caudex plants or cuttings to encourage rooting; temperature, humidity, and airflow are key.

Discoloration and tissue damage to leaves caused by intense direct sun.

A terrarium combining water and land areas, suited to ferns, epiphytes, and aquatic plants.

Patches of tissue lacking chlorophyll that form patterns; rare variegated plants fetch high prices.

Seedlings grown in plug trays, sold with established roots for easy planting.

Plants shipped without soil, with roots exposed; common for imported caudex plants.

Growing from seed, or a plant raised from seed.

Dried sphagnum moss with high water retention, used as a potting medium for orchids and epiphytes.

Giving water to plants; frequency varies by species and season, and overwatering causes root rot.

The soil used to plant in; blends of akadama, kanuma, pumice, and more, matched to the species.

A growth form with leaves radiating from the base, common in agave and succulents.

A compact, dwarf growth habit; common in varieties suited to bonsai or small pots.