PLANTS

Mysterious seeds are showing up in mailboxes in at least seven states.

Did You Get a Packet of Seeds in the Mail From China? Don't Open It

The seed packets, which have been mailed unsolicited to residents in at least seven states, have not been approved by agricultural officials and might be harmful to local plant life.

Compost is delicious trash salad for your soil.

Vermont Just Banned Residents From Throwing Food Scraps in the Trash

The state has expanded its trash pick-up services to accommodate the new policy, but many residents are already composting pros.

A stand at the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey.

Herb vs. Spice: What’s the Difference?

Simon and Garfunkel sang about herbs, not spices—but that’s not the only difference between the two.

This corpse flower is ready for her closeup.

Barnard College’s Corpse Flower Just Bloomed for the First Time Ever—Watch It Here

The corpse flower smells similar to rotting flesh, dead fish, or Camembert cheese that’s been left out all night.

The phrase 'green thumb' has an interesting history.

Why Are Gardeners Said to Have a ‘Green Thumb’?

If our hands turn into a mess of smeared dirt when gardening, how come we have green thumbs? Why not green fingers?

Spearmint and peppermint have slightly different uses, but either one makes a great addition to any herb garden.

Peppermint vs. Spearmint: What’s the Difference?

They’ll both leave your mouth feeling minty fresh, but one type of mint might do a better job than the other.

What Are Those Sprouts That Grow on Potatoes? (And Are They Safe to Eat?)

If you found an old potato in your kitchen drawer covered in sprouts, read this before tossing it in the trash.

If your plants are low on water, this herb garden from GardenByte will send an alert right to your phone.

This Indoor Herb Garden Monitors Your Plants' Health, Sends Alerts to Your Phone, and Even Recommends Recipes

The planter from GardenByte can grow up to 39 plants at one time and will send notifications about your herbs to your phone.

10 'Nuts' That Aren't Actually Nuts

Impress your botanist friends by knowing that peanuts are really legumes and cashews come from colorful “apples.”

Marina Denisenko, iStock via Getty Images

Last Wild Grove of Wollemi Pines, the Endangered ‘Dinosaur Trees,’ Saved From Australia's Wildfires

Wollemi pines have lived on Earth for 200 million years. And without quick action from firefighters, the species' last wild population would have been wiped out for good by wildfires in Australia.

Afternoon Map: The Most Endangered Plant in Each State

This illustrated map showcases the many beautiful, unusual plant species under threat in the United States.

Margarita Khamidulina/iStock via Getty Images

Keep Houseplants Happy With This Plant Store's Virtual Consultations

If your marimo moss balls are looking mopey or your succulents seem sad, the Sill plant store's experts can help.

Sorry, Plant Parents: Study Shows Houseplants Don’t Improve Air Quality

An examination of decades of studies demonstrates that plants don't do much to filter contaminants from the air.

What’s the Difference Between Forests, Woods, and Jungles?

The differences between forests, woods, and jungles aren't exactly an apple trees to orange trees kind of comparison.

Venus Flytraps in Peril: Why Everyone's Favorite Carnivorous Houseplant Is Under Threat

The Venus flytrap is a favorite houseplant, but its ubiquity hides a world of threats. Now, some scientists think they have a solution for saving it.

Free art director/iStock via Getty Images

Fall Foliage Is Running Late This Year

Fall leaves might end up being even more brilliant than last year, but you’ll have to be a little patient.

Strawberry with Penicillium sp. mold, Rudolf Blaschka, 1929

Rotting Fruit—Made of Glass—Is the Focus of a New Exhibition at Harvard

Instead of showcasing more attractive crops, 'Fruits In Decay' at the Harvard Museum of Natural History displays the diseased fruits that don't make it to market.

Doctors at a British Hospital Are Now Prescribing Houseplants for Depression

Houseplants aren’t just for decor anymore. One clinic is England thinks horticultural therapy could improve your mental health.

Michigan Is Taking a Cue From Bob Ross and Planting Thousands of Happy Little Trees

Bob Ross made a living painting “happy little trees,” but in Michigan, his legacy has been transferred from the canvas to real-life happy trees in nature.

5 Hide and Seek Champions of the Natural World

Until recently, all of these plants and animals were assumed missing or extinct. Now, they're making a glorious comeback.

7 Things You Can Do Right Now to Help Save the Amazon Rainforest

Feeling frustrated and powerless while the Amazon fires rage on in Brazil? Here’s what you can do from afar.

Why Do Cats Eat Grass? Scientists Might Have Figured It Out

Cats have a long list of mysterious behaviors, but now we know why some of them feel compelled to munch on the lawn.

London’s Patch Plant Hotel Is Like a Kennel for Your House Plants

Whether you're the owner of ficus or a succulent, the plant experts at the Patch Plant Hotel in London will provide it the care it needs while you're away.

Has Tobacco Ever Been Cultivated as a Food Source?

People have been growing tobacco for thousands of years, but never as food. That doesn't mean it can't be used as a protein source in the future.

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