Dracaena is a genus of flowering plants with more than 170 species, including some too big to be grown indoors. The name comes from the Greek word drakaina, the feminine form of “serpent”. The plants trace back to Africa, Madagascar, and Southeast Asia,...
Avocados are delicious and nutritious (said Captain Obvious). They’re also remarkably easy to grow in Southern California yards. The plant hails from Mexico, which also gave us the poinsettia and the zinnia. Persea americana dates back thousands of years and was...
Southern California’s mild climate offers the perfect environment for native and exotic blooms and, by extension, pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These tiny creatures facilitate plant reproduction and garden health. In return,...
Artichokes are cool-season perennials. In California, they’re typically planted in the fall and produce buds in the spring after they overwinter. They require cool weather to form buds, a chilling period known as vernalization. The plants thrive in mild winters...
Love ’em or hate ’em, there’s no denying the nutritional punch and distinct flavor of Brussels sprouts. Glucosinolate compounds are responsible for their bitterness and intense aroma. When roasted, Brussels sprouts develop a sweet, caramelized flavor...
“It takes a licking and keeps on ticking.” Timex adopted this slogan for wristwatches in the ’60s. Snake plants don’t have a slogan, but they should. The plant is almost indestructible. The snake plant is tailor-made for forgetful gardeners and...
