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Is there a single word that can be used instead of the phrase «give tender loving care»? As in
«Tom gives tender loving care to his plants.»
I am looking for a word to be used in relation to taking care of plants, as in the above example.
asked Aug 14, 2017 at 11:08
1
Tom NURTURES his plants.
Merriam-Webster has the following example sentence, which is close to what you want to say:
You have to carefully nurture the vines if you want them to produce good grapes.
Davo
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answered Aug 14, 2017 at 11:27
LouelLouel
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1
На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать грубую лексику.
На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать разговорную лексику.
ухаживать за растениями
заботиться о растениях
I’m sure many people love to take care of plants, and some even speak with them.
This is also a good activity to teach your children how to take care of plants.
Bring out the need to take care of plants, to feed animals.
Gardening is a profession after all as good as being a pharmacist he’ll take care of plants instead of people pouah!
Озеленение — тоже профессия Столь же хорошая как фармацевт, он будет заботиться о растениях вместо людей
In the future, such systems may be useful for automatic farms, where robots themselves will take care of plants, responding to their needs for light, water or nutrients.
В будущем подобные системы могут пригодиться для автоматических ферм, где роботы сами будут ухаживать за растениями, реагируя на их потребности в свете, воде или питательных веществах.
Play in an enormous open world, repair the licensed machines in your backyard workshop, grow animals, cultivate fields, harvest orchards and take care of plants in the greenhouses.
Играть придется в огромном открытом мире, ремонтировать технику в мастерской, выращивать животных, возделывать поля, собирать урожай в садах и ухаживать за растениями в теплицах.
Orange Tree is a fruit tree care game for people who like to farm, take care of plants and grow, harvest fruit.
Orange Tree- игра для тех, кто любит вести хозяйство, ухаживать за растениями, выращивать их и собирать урожай.
I like to take care of plants…
How to take care of plants.
They take care of plants and pick tomatoes using special lifts.
They take care of plants, pick up the garbage on the islands, and clean the territories.
We should take care of plants and animals, because
Hobbies: I love to read and take care of plants.
If you take care of plants in accordance with the recommendations, but you can not stop the twisting of the leaves, it is probably caused by a bacterial infection, the source of which is the seeds.
Если вы ухаживаете за растениями в соответствии с рекомендациями, однако прекратить скручивание листьев вам не удается, то, вероятно, это вызвано бактериальной инфекцией, источником распространения которой являются семена.
I also take care of plants.
How to take care of Plants?
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Plants, both indoors and out, are lovely additions to any décor. They are generally easy to take care of and maintain, and will thrive when given proper care and treatment. Whether you’re unsure of how to care for your plants or you just want to make sure you’ve done your homework, read on to Step One for information on properly caring for indoor and garden plants.
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1
Give your plants plenty of light. One of the primary concerns for house plants is making sure they get enough light. Keeping your plants on a side-table in your living room may look good, but if it is too far from a window, your plant may not last long. Look up the sun requirements for your specific plant, and move them to a location that matches those requirements. Keep in mind that windows facing the south side of your house will receive the most light, while windows facing the north side will receive the least amount of light. Basic sunshine guidelines are as follows:
- Plants that need ‘full sunlight’ should be placed somewhere that gets 4-6 hours of direct light per day.
- Plants that need ‘partial sunlight’ should be placed somewhere that gets 2-3 hours of direct light per day.
- Plants that need ‘shade’ should be placed somewhere that gets 1 hour of direct sunlight per day.
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2
Water your plants regularly. Getting the proper balance of water for houseplants can be tricky: too much water, and the roots will start to rot because of poor drainage, and too little water and they’ll dry out. The specific amounts of water needed will vary from plant to plant, as some like to be very wet all the time while others (like cacti and succulents) only need watering once every few weeks. However, most plants will thrive when watered 2-3 times a week. Use a spray bottle or small watering can, and add enough water each time so that the soil is moist without being muddy.
- Stick your finger in the soil up to your 2nd knuckle to see how wet it is; if your finger comes back dry, you need to water your plant. If it is wet at all, then hold off on watering for a day or two more.
- Always use warm water for your plants, as cold water can shock the roots and cause damage to the plant.[1]
- Give your plants a deep watering about once a month. Place them in the sink and let the water run through them. This will help keep salts from building up on the surface of the soil.
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3
Fertilize your plants every few weeks. Fertilizer is a soil additive that supplies plants with nutrients. It is particularly important to fertilize indoor plants every 2-3 weeks, because there is no organic matter being added to the soil naturally like there would be outdoors. Most fertilizers come with a 3-number series, such as 10-20-10; these numbers refer to the amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium the fertilizer contains. Because every kind of plant requires different amounts of those three minerals, the type of fertilizer you need to use will vary. However, starting with a ‘middle ground’ fertilizer such as a 6-12-6 or 10-10-10 mix should be good enough for most plants.
- Spray or sprinkle the fertilizer directly onto the top of the soil, according to the package directions.
- Liquid fertilizers can be mixed with water in your watering can. To apply, simply water your plants.
- You don’t need to mix the fertilizer into the potted soil, as it will dissolve and incorporate into the mixture on its own over time.
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4
Clean dust off your plants. Indoor plants will become coated in a thin layer of dust over time. This dust takes away from the plants’ natural beauty, and it also makes it harder for them to grow by clogging the ‘pores’ on the leaves. As a result, it is important to clean off any dust you notice on a regular basis. Depending on the size of your plant, there are two different general cleaning methods: wipe them off with a cloth, or rinse them in the sink under running water. If you choose to wipe down your plants, mix a small amount of warm water with a bit of dish soap or plant soap, and dip a clean rag into the mixture before carefully wiping down the leaves. If you run them under water, just turn on warm water in your sink and carefully rinse each leaf with your hands or a clean dish rag.
- Rinsing down your plant under running water works best for smaller plants. Make sure not to get too much water into the pot itself, though.
- There are brands of plant cleaning spray on the market that you can use to spray the dust off your plants.
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5
Move your plant away from air vents. Moisture levels inside of houses tends to be lower than moisture levels outside of houses. As a result, it is common for houseplants to become dried up due to a lack of humidity. Although regular watering can help prevent this, a bigger issue causing this is placing your indoor plants near air vents. Whether the heater or the air conditioner is the one working, the constant air flow will dry out the leaves of the plants and cause them to die off. To solve this problem, move them away from any vents in the room. You can also incorporate a humidifier into your décor nearby to add moisture to the air.[2]
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1
Make sure your plants are getting enough water. Caring for plants in a garden relies heavily on the natural elements and environment in proximity. As a result, the amount of watering you need to do is dependent on what the weather and soil is like in your area. It’s generally a good rule of thumb to water your plants 2-3 times a week either by hand with a watering can, or with a sprinkler system. The soil of your garden should be damp without being soggy, and not so dry that it is crumbly and dusty.
- Check the ideal watering amounts for each plant, as some varieties prefer lots of water while others require very little.
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2
Weed your garden regularly. Weeds can spring up overnight and ruin a perfectly lovely garden. Weeds aren’t only an eyesore, they also take up valuable growing space and use nutrients in the soil that could otherwise go towards growing your garden. As a result, you should try to pull weeds whenever you see them pop up. Grasp each weed as close to the ground as you’re able, and then pull it straight up. doing this will increase the likelihood of pulling out the root system and slowing the growth of future weeds.
- You can use weed killers in your garden, but most aren’t plant-specific and will kill all surrounding plants (not just the weeds).
- Check for weeds growing underneath the canopy of a plant or bush.
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3
Mulch your garden every few months. Mulch is a type of organic compost that is added to the top of your garden soil to prevent weeds from growing and to trap moisture. Mulching will also add nutrients to the soil as it mixes in over time, helping your plants to grow even larger. You can purchase mulch at most garden supply stores. Simply add a layer of mulch 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) thick over the entirety of the topsoil in your garden.[3]
- Be careful not to cover up the base of your plants with mulch, as this will inhibit their growth. This is especially important for small trees and bushes.
- You can add a layer of organic compost as a substitute for garden mulch, if you want. Keep in mind that compost will not prevent weeds like mulch will, although it is beneficial to your plant’s growth.
- For permanent plantings, you can lay down landscape fabric over the soil to act as a weed barrier. Using this in combination with mulch will reduce weeds to almost nothing.
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4
Cut off any dead or diseased plants. Plant disease can spread quickly through a garden, if not contained. The same is true for a plant that is injured; if you don’t remove the dying limbs, it can continue to spread to the rest of the plant. Whenever you notice plants that are browning, dry, brittle, or otherwise sickly looking, use a pair of gardening shears to cut off the branches from the base. Throw these branches away rather than leaving them in your garden as compost, because if they do contain a plant disease, it can still spread to nearby plants.
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5
Deadhead your flowers. The term ‘deadhead’ refers to the practice of cutting off the dead flower heads on a plant. This will stimulate new growth, and remove the brown and dying flower. To do this, simply use a pair of gardening shears to snip the flower just below the bud. Over the next few days, you should notice a new bud begin to form and bloom.
- To encourage the growth of leaves, cut flower buds before they bloom. This will conserve the plant’s energy.
- This applies to most types of flowering plants, like marigold, celosia and zinnia.
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6
Fertilize your plants once a month. Outdoor plants get more nutrients from their surrounding environment than do indoor plants, meaning that they need to be fertilized much less. Find a fertilizer that meets your plants specific mineral requirements, or choose an ‘average’ fertilizer such as a 6-12-6 or 10-10-10 mixture from your local nursery. Spray or sprinkle the fertilizer onto the plants once every 4-5 weeks, according to package directions.
- Mix the fertilizer into the top few inches of soil. This can help reduce harmful runoff of fertilizers into waterways and other areas. If fertilizer is left on top of the soil, the nutrients will enter the air instead of the soil.
- Consider organic options for fertilizing. Most nutrition contained in chemical fertilizers is wasted because it is released faster than plants can use it. Furthermore, they only provide three nutrients. Mature organic compost or organic mixes provide more micronutrients. Organic compost will release these nutrients over a long period as plants need them.
- If you’re unsure as to what fertilizer to use, ask your local nursery worker for help.[4]
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1
Add drainage to poorly draining soil. If your garden patch or potted plant constantly has a pool of water sitting on top, then the soil is poorly draining. This is bad, because the buildup of water can cause the roots of the plant to rot, killing the plant over time. To remedy this, carefully dig out the plant and a clump of the surrounding soil; place the plant on a tarp or in another clean pot. Mix compost or peat into the soil. Replace your plant in its original location.
- If all of your soil is poorly draining, you can dig it up and mix in sand to help increase the drainage.
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2
Move plants that are placed too closely together. If you got a bit over-enthusiastic and planted several plants near each other when they were small, you may have been surprised when they grew up and began competing for space in your garden or indoor pot. Plants that are put too close together will not grow as large, since there are not enough nutrients to be shared between them. Simply dig up the offending plants, and relocate them to a new garden plot or pot that has more room. Fill in the empty space with fresh gardening soil.[5]
- Always use store-bought gardening soil rather than soil from your yard, as the soil from your yard contains insects, plant diseases, and weeds that will spread to your plant in its new location.
- You can tell that plants are too close if they are growing into each other, or if their primary stems/branches become tangled.
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3
Avoid adding too much mulch. While mulching is beneficial for adding nutrients and blocking out weeds, adding too much mulch can be problematic for a garden. This is because the mulch will not only block out weeds, but will also prevent new growth from your plants from breaking the surface. Never add more than a 2-inch thick layer of mulch to your garden. If your garden isn’t growing after you’ve mulched, take off 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of mulch and wait a few weeks for improvement.
- If you add mulch too high on the base of a stem or tree, it will cut off valuable sunlight and prevent growth. Move mulch off the base of the stems and tree trunks in your garden.
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4
Cut off any dead or diseased plants. Plant disease can spread quickly through a garden, if not contained. The same is true for a plant that is injured; if you don’t remove the dying limbs, it can continue to spread to the rest of the plant. Whenever you notice plants that are yellow, browning, dry, brittle, or otherwise sickly looking, use a pair of gardening shears to cut off the branches from the base.
- Throw these branches away rather than leaving them in your garden as compost, because if they do contain a plant disease, it can still spread to nearby plants.
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5
Avoid over-watering your plants. Although you may think you’re watering your plants correctly, if they begin to turn yellow and droop, you’re probably giving them too much water. Most plant’s don’t need to be watered daily, in fact they do better when given a lot of water every few days. Only water your plants when the soil is dry at least 2-inches deep. If you water every time the top of the soil looks dry, you are almost guaranteed to over-water your plant. If you are having difficulty giving too much water to indoor plants, try switching to a spray bottle for watering your plants, rather than using a watering can. Spray bottles make it much harder to add too much water, since very little is released at one time.[6]
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6
Make sure you don’t plant your plants too deeply. If your plants are slowly dying and wilting for no known reason, you may have buried them too deeply. The roots of the plant need to be relatively close to the surface, so that they can extract all the nutrients from the topsoil and have access to the sun. Carefully dig up your plants, and replant them so that the root ball is just-at or just-below the surface of the soil. If the root ball is partially exposed, spread a thin layer of mulch over the top to protect it.
- When transplanting a plant from a pot to the garden, keep the soil level at the same depth that it was in the original pot.
- If your roots are mostly above the surface, your plant will die as well. You want the roots to be level with the garden topsoil.
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Add New Question
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Question
Is this helpful for all varieties of plants?
It covers the basics of care for most plants; however, certain plants have very specialized adaptations, therefore requiring more intensive care and unique methods of culture. Cold hardiness, heat tolerance, drought resistance and soil pH are important factors of which to be aware.
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Question
Why do plants need sunlight?
I am Cat Dog
Community Answer
Plants need sunlight for photosynthesis. They need sunlight for this process so the plants can get energy.
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Question
Does it matter how much water you use to water plants?
Every type of plant has different watering requirements. If you bought your plant from a store, it should come with a small card that tells you how often to water your plant. If not, you can always look up the watering requirements of your specific plant, as well as specific care instructions.
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Re-pot indoor plants every year to account for increased growth.
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Do not use inorganic pesticides.
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About This Article
Article SummaryX
To take care of indoor plants, make sure they’re getting at least 4-6 hours of sunlight every day and avoid positioning them near air vents. Also, water the plants regularly and fertilize them every few weeks to keep them looking their best. For outdoor plants, keep the area around them free of weeds and add a layer of mulch every few months to keep the soil stays moist. Lastly, don’t forget to remove dead or dying foliage regularly to keep your plants healthy and prevent the spread of disease! For tips on maintaining proper soil drainage, read on!
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Last updated:
February 2, 2023
Are you a nature lover?
If you are, being able to talk about nature in English would certainly be beneficial.
Since there are over 160 nature words on this list, regardless of your language level, you’ll definitely pick up some beautiful nature vocabulary!
You’ll learn how to describe landscapes, weather conditions, various types of plants, geological features and climate change patterns.
Let’s get started!
Contents
- Describing Landscapes and Geological Features
- Describing Weather Conditions
- Describing Plants, Flowers and Trees
- Gardening Tools Used to Take Care of Plants
- Beautiful Landscapes in Nature
- Ancient Geological Features in Nature
- Climate Change Vocabulary
- The Best Way to Practice Nature Words in English
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Describing Landscapes and Geological Features
Geological features are landscape characteristics found in nature that are not plants or animals.
- Lush — used to describe plants and flowers that are healthy and growing well
- Grassy — used to describe meadows and fields that have a lot of grass or green plants
- Floral — used to describe gardens or landscapes that have a lot of flowers
- Vivid — something that’s bright or colorful
- Abloom — used to describe flowers or groups of flowers that are blooming
- Vibrant — something that’s bright and eye-catching
- Dense — used to describe plants that are growing close together and are hard to see through because they’re so thick
- Earthy — something that contains or looks like soil or dirt
- Diversified — used to describe a garden or landscape that has a lot of different plants
- Dry — without water
- Bare — without plants
- Dead — used to describe plants that are no longer living
- Oversaturated — used to describe plants that have had too much water or rain
- Flooded — used to describe landscapes that are covered in water due to overflowing rivers or lakes
- Flowering — used to describe when flowers first start appearing on plants
- Budding — used to describe the first stage of flowering
- Hilly — a landscape containing a lot of hills
- Mountainous— a landscape containing lots of mountains
- Wavy — used to describe water with rough waters
- Rolling — used to describe a landscape with a lot of hills that resembles (looks like) ocean waves
- Stormy — used to describe a lot of rain, lightning, thunder and wind
- Misty — a landscape that has a light haze of rain in the air; oceans and waterfalls often produce mist
- Frigid — extremely cold
- Desolate — a bare landscape where few plants are growing
- Untouched — a landscape that has not been changed by human beings
- Pristine — a lush landscape that appears untouched or “picture-perfect”
- Tropical — a landscape that’s warm with jungle plants and palm trees; common on islands near the equator
- Arid — a dry landscape that receives very little rain
Describing Weather Conditions
- Sunny — a lot of sunshine
- Humid — a lot of moisture in the air
- Stifling — so hot that one is uncomfortable
- Gloomy — cloudy and gray weather
- Rainy — a lot of continuous (ongoing) rain
- Dry — little to no rain
- Cloudy — a sky mostly covered in clouds
- Foggy — used to describe a landscape with a lot of fog (a light cloud at the ground level)
- Clear — no clouds or rain
- Crisp — describing a cool temperature
- Cool — slightly cold or chilly
- Windy — a lot of wind
- Breezy — a similar meaning to windy, but a breeze is less strong than wind
- Wet — the landscape after a lot of rain
- Fair — weather that’s clear and warm
- Mild — pleasant or not too warm
- Still — no wind
- Overcast — a lot of clouds in the sky, but little to no rain
Describing Plants, Flowers and Trees
Small and Skinny Plants
- Bush — a plant that grows close to the ground; it expands widely and has leaves
- Shrub — another word for bush
- Hedge — similar to bush but often trimmed to be rectangle-like; these often surround houses or are used to create a boundary or fence
- Grass — a plant that grows widely in fields and meadows; it’s also common on household lawns
- Moss — a soft plant that grows on rocks and trees; it looks like a green carpet
- Mushroom — a fungus that grows in dark places; some can be eaten and others are poisonous
- Herb — a variety of plant that’s used for flavoring food (basil, cilantro, mint, etc.) or as medicine or tea
- Fern — an ancient (very old) plant whose leaves look like feathers
- Reed — a plant that looks like tall grass and grows in wetlands and swamps
- Bamboo — a plant that looks like long stalks of wood and grows in tropical places
- Ivy — a plant with five-pointed leaves that grows close to the ground and climbs trees and buildings
- Poison Ivy — a type of ivy that causes extreme itching and a rash, if touched
Main Parts of Plants
- Seed — what plants grow out from
- Root — the part of the plant that remains underground and absorbs water
- Stem — the part of the plant that grows upward and holds the flower up
- Stalk — another word for a stem
- Leaf — the green part of the plant that absorbs sunlight
- Petal — the colorful parts of the flower
- Bud — the first stage of plant growth that’ll flower and bloom
- Thorn — a part on the stem of a flower or plant that’s prickly and sharp
- Branch — the part of the tree that grows out from the trunk
- Twig — a small branch
- Bark — the outer skin of a tree
Pretty and Common Flowers
- Daffodil — a flower with small yellow petals
- Rose — flowers with thorns and bright red petals
- Dandelion — a weed that has yellow flowers
- Daisy — a flower that has white petals around a yellow top
- Lily — a medium-sized flower whose petals can be all different colors
- Tulip — common in many gardens, and famous in Holland; they can be multiple colors and are associated with Easter
- Sunflower — a big flower with bright yellow petals and a brown center
Now that you know all the basics, try practicing your plant vocabulary!
Typical Tall Trees
Two common types of trees are deciduous and evergreen.
Deciduous trees shed (get rid of) their leaves during a specific part of the year, typically autumn or fall, and evergreen trees keep their leaves all year.
Not all trees fall into these two categories though, as you’ll see in this shortlist.
- Palm tree — (neither deciduous or evergreen) a tropical tree with large, featherlike leaves and sometimes coconuts
- Cactus — (neither deciduous or evergreen) a plant that grows in the desert with thorns or thistles (pointy, sharp spines)
- Maple — a deciduous tree with three-pointed leaves
- Oak — a deciduous tree with acorns
- Birch — a deciduous tree with thin, white bark
- Willow — a large deciduous tree with thin leaves and curtain-like branches
- Poplar — a medium-sized deciduous tree with teardrop-shaped leaves
- Pine — an evergreen tree with needle-like leaves and pinecones
Gardening Tools Used to Take Care of Plants
- Gardener — someone who maintains a garden
- Flower pot — a container where one or more flowers grow
- Vegetable garden — a garden that specifically grows vegetables
- Weed — a plant in a garden that’s not desired
- To weed — (action verb) to pick and remove the weeds from the garden
- Shovel — a tool used to dig in the ground
- Pail — a cylindrical (circular) container for carrying water
- Watering can — a container specifically used to water plants
- Shears — a tool used to cut through or trim plants
- Rake — a tool used to gather trimmed plants or fallen leaves from the ground
- Hoe — a single-bladed tool used to dig out weeds
- To sow — (action verb) to plant seeds
- To mow — (action verb) to trim the grass, often with a lawnmower
- Lawnmower — the machine used to mow the lawn; it can be gas-powered or hand-pushed
- Wheelbarrow — a single-wheeled cart for carrying gardening materials
- Shed — a small shelter in a yard that stores gardening materials or other outdoor objects and tools
Beautiful Landscapes in Nature
- Bay — where the sea curves inward to create a body of water with the coast on three sides
- Lake — a small body of water inland; lakes are often freshwater
- Sea — a large body of saltwater
- Ocean — a larger body of salt water; there are five oceans: Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic and Southern
- River — a flowing stream of water
- Creek — a thin river
- Waterfall — when water falls from a higher point like a cliff to a lower point
- Canyon — an arid and rocky valley surrounded by cliffs
- Glacier — a large expanse (area) of ice around the polar regions of the Earth
- Meadow — a large field with grasses and flowers
- Forest — a landscape with dense plants and trees
- Mountain — a big elevation in the Earth; mountains are often rocky, snow-covered or volcanic
- Hill — a small elevation in the Earth
- Plain — a flat expanse of land; plains are often grassy
- Marsh — an expanse of land that regularly floods and remains saturated
- Island — an expanse of land surrounded by water on all sides
- Peninsula — an expanse of land surrounded by water on three sides
- Savanna — an arid field in a tropical region; there are a lot in Africa
- Valley — an expanse of land between mountains or hills
- Desert — a dry landscape often covered in sand or rocks; not many plants grow here
- Tundra — a dry landscape in cold climates
- Cliff — a steep mountain-like formation; these are common along coasts
- Cave — a tunnel or chamber underground
- Beach — a sandy expanse of land near bodies of water
- Field — an expanse of land where grasses and other plants are common
Don’t forget to practice your landscape vocabulary!
Ancient Geological Features in Nature
The word geology is a noun that means the study of the Earth and its physical processes.
This list of vocabulary also has words that describe significant events that impact human activity and are caused by the Earth.
- Bedrock — large expanses of flat rocks
- Sedimentary rock — rock that’s moved by water or wind
- Igneous rock — rock that’s made directly from lava or magma
- Metamorphic rock — sedimentary or igneous rocks changed by extreme heat
- Crater — a large, circular hole or indentation in the Earth; usually formed by a volcano
- Erosion — when water or air breaks away at rocks
- Fossil — old remains from a plant or animal that died a long time ago
- Gem — a precious stone often used for jewelry
- Geyser — when hot water sprays up from under the Earth
- Hot spring — a pool where water is warmed by underground Earth processes
- Mineral — a solid material made by the Earth
- Seismic activity — the movement of the Earth’s plates created by natural processes
- Earthquake — when seismic plates shift, causing the Earth to shake and split
- Volcano — a mountain formed by eruptions and lava
- Magma — hot fluid under the Earth
- Lava — when magma surfaces from underground
- Eruption — when lava or magma spews from the Earth at the top of a volcano
- Tsunami — a giant wave often caused by an underwater earthquake
- Fossil fuel — a natural fuel burned by humans to run things like cars, airplanes and electricity
Climate Change Vocabulary
Climate change is a noun that describes global weather patterns and temperatures that have changed due to the impact of human activity.
- Atmosphere — layers of gases in the sky that encase the Earth
- Ozone — a layer of oxygen above the Earth that protects us from the sun
- Carbon dioxide —what we exhale when we breathe; we also create this by burning fossil fuels
- Emissions — these are produced when we burn fossil fuels; they commonly come out of cars, power plants and factories
- Ecosystems — a community of plants and animals that depend on each other for survival
- Habitat — a place where an animal lives
- Extinction — when all members of an animal species die
- The Greenhouse Effect —when emissions get stuck under the Earth’s atmosphere and warm the planet
- Pollutant —something that pollutes or damages the Earth
- Non-renewable resource — a resource that can only be used once; an example would be natural gas
- Renewable resource — a resource that can be used over and over again; an example would be wind
- Coal — ancient plant matter now in rock form that can be burned for fuel
- Oil — a liquid found in the Earth that can be burned for fuel
- Solar energy — a form of energy that uses the sun’s rays
- Wind energy — a form of energy that uses wind
- Drought —when a landscape is dry for an extended period of time
- Ice caps — another word for glaciers in the polar regions of the Earth
While some of these words are pretty complicated, practicing climate change vocabulary is important if you want to take about current events that involve the environment.
And if you’re up for a challenge, try practicing all of the nature words together!
The Best Way to Practice Nature Words in English
Long-term memory is where knowledge and vocabulary words stay for long periods.
That means that once a word is in your long-term memory, you should be able to use that word a week from now, a month from now or even a year from now.
To move words from your short-term memory to your long-term memory, you should make words meaningful for you.
- When learning a new word, try using it in a full sentence and write that sentence down in a notebook. In many cases, you can use several words that are related to each other to help you remember their meaning.
- To take your practice a step further, try going for a walk in nature. As you’re walking, create sentences and descriptions of what you’re seeing.
- Better yet, write these sentences down or bring a voice recorder with you! This is a great way to use nature words and record the descriptions you’re creating to review again later.
Your English nature word vocabulary is growing into quite a beautiful garden!
Take care of the seeds you just planted, and watch your nature vocabulary flourish!
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There’s something about bringing the green from the outdoors to the indoors that brightens up our homes and workplaces.
As I write these very words, I am taking a look around to count the houseplants I have on my writing desk and all around the room. Right now, I am fortunate to have a sunroom in my apartment, a safe place for houseplants to perk up and do their thing.
But I wasn’t always so lucky. My last apartment had exactly four (that’s right, four) windows, and they all faced directly east. It struck me as an inhospitable environment for houseplants, a dark and cool dungeon that offered them little invitation and support.
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It took some hunting and some research, but I found an impressive roster of plants that could thrive in my dimly lit apartment.
Most importantly, I learned about the bare minimum that houseplants need to survive indoors. And I adopted some basic practices to keep these guys safe and happy.
I’m here to tell you about a great selection of houseplants that anybody can grow, and we’ll go over the basics on care and maintenance. When you’ve got a better understanding of these practices, you’ll practically see your thumb turning green before your very eyes.
Caring for Your Plants
We’ll get into the details later to explain why this works, but first, repeat after me:
“Everything in moderation.”
Ah, that felt good. It is a truism that applies to all aspects of our life (except cake, you always need more cake!), and it most certainly applies to plant care. All plants require water, light, and food, but the trick to success is to practice moderation.
Additionally, let’s think about the native climate for the majority of our houseplants. It is typically a tropical area. Our goal is to imitate that environment as closely as possible without going overboard. Just like The Price Is Right, the rules are the same here.
Start with the Soil
“Soil” is a bit of a misnomer when it comes to the growing media used for indoor plants. The best growing media is soil-less and is a combination of equal parts peat moss, vermiculite/perlite, and compost.
On Watering
Most of the time, people are concerned they aren’t watering enough, when in fact they are watering far too much! Plants don’t want to have “wet feet,” a friendly term for when their roots are absolutely saturated from sitting in a puddle for days.
The most accurate assessment of a plant’s need for water is accomplished by testing its weight. Pick up the container of the plant and see how much it weighs; the lighter it is, the more it needs a drink. Unless noted otherwise, most houseplants would prefer being slightly dry than soaking wet.
That means a watering schedule of once or twice a week is suitable for most plants, where you water the plant thoroughly but infrequently. When I water my houseplants, I will pour water onto the soil at a slow, deliberate pace, until the water starts escaping from the drainage holes of the container. That’s your signal to stop watering!
During winter months, a plant typically only needs watering a few times a month.
Placing a tray underneath the potted plant’s container is the best way to catch that excess water and prevent a mess. These can be bought for a few dollars, if you want a plain and unadorned plastic tray. Alternatively, you can purchase more decorative trays for more money.
Purchasing a simple spray bottle is also helpful for houseplants. A light misting once or twice a day is usually beneficial. Remember that we’re trying to duplicate the natural environment for these plants, and that means humidity and misting!
Some plants want more water, and some want less… but that’s what this guide is for!
Brighten Up!
Light is just as important as water. All plants need light to carry out their necessary biological processes. I’m looking at you, photosynthesis!
Although all plants need some light to grow, some plants require a lot less than others. Think again of their native habitat and imagine the dark undergrowth where these plants thrive. They receive heavily filtered light but still keep on kicking.
Houseplants typically require high light (six or more hours a day), medium light (four to six hours a day), or low light (less than three hours a day). Plants will either require bright or direct light (sunlight from a south-facing window) or indirect or filtered light (sunlight through a curtain or light from a bulb).
If plants don’t get the light they need, they won’t necessarily die, but they will stop producing new growth.
Fertilizing Time
Although plants carry out photosynthesis to process the sugars they need to survive, they also need a more direct form of food to carry out growing processes. Providing fertilizers to your houseplants helps ensure they will remain happy and healthy.
The food can be delivered via a granule that breaks down over time, or it can be added more directly via a water soluble fertilizer. Granules generally need to be applied once every few months, while water soluble fertilizers should be applied every two weeks or so. Read the directions on a specific fertilizer to see what is recommended.
The Right Temperature, Good Air Flow, and the Best Face
Aim to keep the plant in a warm environment with some air circulation, and rotate its face!
Almost all houseplants need a minimum temperature of 55ºF to survive. Keep plants away from areas of cold drafts in the winter. The warmer it gets for houseplants, the happier they are!
Airflow is crucial to maintaining a healthy house plant. This can easily be achieved by running ceiling fans in your home to keep the air circulating. Still air, on the other hand, can cause a host of ailments in your houseplant. That’s why all greenhouses have those giant fans running.
Use a cloth to wipe down the leaves of houseplants occasionally, to prevent the white buildup and coating of dust that can impact their health.
If your plant is in a sunny location, it’s important to give it a small rotation regularly to ensure even growth. If you imagine the “face” of your plant is facing the main light source, turn the plant one-quarter turn each week to help guarantee even growth.
Now that we have a general familiarity with what houseplants need and how they need it, let’s get to business and start picking out our plants!
The Plant Roster
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
General Knowledge
A gorgeous plant that is happy as a clam in just about any corner of the house.
Commonly known as mother-in-law’s tongue, the snake plant has a striking form and a variety of colors to choose from. It produces “pups,” baby snake plants that can be separated from the mother plant and potted up to fill the rest of your house. When conditions are optimal, the snake plant will push up a delicate stalk with white flowers on it.
Snake plants can remove toxins from the air, a feature shared by several other plants in this guide.
Light
Although they can survive in fluorescent lighting conditions, snake plants appreciate more direct light
Water
Snake plants can handle drying out between watering. Once or twice a week is enough, and once or twice a month during the winter months is suitable for this tough plant.
Fertilizer
Fertilize once in the spring with a 20-20-20 fertilizer, like the Jack’s All-Purpose Fertilizer listed above.
Find our complete growing guide here.
2. Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
General Knowledge
A personal favorite, dumb cane features a large and in charge leaf. There are several varieties available, but this speckled green-and-white one is the most ubiquitous.
Dumb cane forms a very attractive, upright shape that fills in an otherwise empty area. Its common name “dumb cane” is attributed to the throat-numbing effect it has when ingested, making it impossible for a person to speak. A word to the wise: don’t eat it!
This plant is readily available at most garden centers.
Light
The large leaves of the dumb cane are sensitive to too much direct sunlight, so filtered light is ideal for these plants. Some specific cultivars might require low light, so check the tag that comes with yours.
Water
Aim to keep the soil moist, but not wet, watering once or twice a week depending on the heat. If the soil is not dry an inch below the surface, it does not need to be watered.
Fertilizer
Use a water soluble fertilizer twice a month, or apply a granule as directed.
Find more information on growing dumb cane here.
3. Peace Lily (Spathyphillum)
General Knowledge
The peace lily is a dark-leafed plant that produces an iconic white “flower.” It is actually a specialized leaf bract, or a modified leaf.
Its broad leaves form an attractive and lush foliage that’s far from boring, and the beautiful white flowers act like a bold exclamation mark demanding attention.
The peace lily is an air-purifying powerhouse of a plant and removes an array of toxins from the air. It adapts to many growing situations gracefully.
Light
Tolerant of low light but at its best in a medium light setting.
If a peace lily receives adequate light it will produce the beautiful tall white flowers it is known for. If the peace lily is in a more heavily shaded environment, it will not produce these flowers but still maintains healthy and attractive foliage.
Water
Peace lilies prefer to be more dry than wet. If the soil is not dry to the touch, do not water the lilies!
Another sure method is to watch for the leaves to start going limp. This is an indication of a lack of water, but because the peace lily prefers dry over wet, it’s safe to wait for this visual cue.
Fertilizer
Apply twice a year, using a granule fertilizer.
Read more about growing and caring for peace lilies here.
4. Pothos (Epipremnum)
General Knowledge
Practically indestructible, the pothos plant is without doubt the most common plant in my home. My fiance delights in propagating new plants from single cuttings taken from a host plant.
Developing a trailing habit, pothos will grow in soil or directly in water, so it opens up a new option for decorating that steps away from the standard container.
Light
Will grow in almost any lighting condition. Pothos is at its best in a medium light environment, but will survive under fluorescent lighting alone.
Water
Very infrequently. Allow the pothos to dry out between waterings, and alternate between light drinks and deep ones.
Pothos is susceptible to root rot, so the less watering the better – just don’t let the leaves dry out and shrivel!
Fertilizer
Use a water soluble fertilizer once a month.
Learn more about growing pothos plants here.
5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
General Knowledge
A very popular choice, the spider plant produces dozens of little “babies,” tiny clones of itself that can be repotted to form a veritable army of white-and-green plants.
An ideal choice for bathrooms and kitchens, the spider plant thrives in bright light and soaks up atmospheric moisture quite contentedly.
Light
Bright light is ideal for a spider plant. These do not prosper in a shady environment.
Water
A few steamy showers a week is enough for most spider plants to thrive on, but if your plant is in a different room you’ll only need to water once a week or so. Water when the soil is dry.
Fertilizer
Apply four times a year, using a water soluble fertilizer, but avoid fertilizing in the winter.
Read more about growing spider plants here.
6. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
General Knowledge
One of the funkiest looking plants out there, don’t bother with a ponytail palm if you aren’t a fan of a wild hairstyle.
The trunk of the ponytail palm resembles an elephant’s foot, and the long and spindly green leaves that erupt from the surface look like a freeze-framed fountain.
Although I love the wild look of the ponytail palm, my interest lies primarily in the fact that these things thrive on neglect. Seriously, the one above my computer desk hasn’t been watered in over a month and it seems perfectly content.
Light
Ponytail palms love the light, and they’ll take a lot of bright light. They do not like too much shade, but will maintain their present form in these conditions without producing new growth.
Water
Infrequently at most. The ponytail palm stores water in its trunk like a cactus (they are actually a variety of succulent), and only requires water once every three or four weeks.
Fertilizer
Use a fraction of the recommended amount of an all-purpose fertilizer for a ponytail palm, maybe 1/10th of the suggested ratio.
Read more about growing ponytail palms here.
7. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
General Knowledge
One of my favorite plants, the rubber plant offers a bold burgundy color to its foliage that stands apart from the other plants in this guide. It is a plant that is very tolerant of abuse, great for the more hands-off of indoor gardeners among us.
New growth on these guys can be a sharp red color as the new leaf begins the growing process. If you’re looking for a bold and unique-looking houseplant, the rubber plant is the one for you.
Light
Lots of light, but indirect. Put the rubber plant near a sheer curtained window for optimum light exposure.
The dark burgundy leaves are a result of lots of light exposure. With too little light, the plant will develop green foliage instead.
Water
Keep the soil moist during the spring and summer, but begin to taper off during the winter months. The leaves of the rubber plant enjoy a good misting.
Fertilizer
Once a month during the spring and summer with a water soluble fertilizer is ideal.
8. Aloe (Aloe vera)
General Knowledge
I have many fond memories of aloe plants. When I was a child, if I scraped my knee or developed a sunburn, I knew my cure was only an aloe leaf away.
Besides being medicinal marvels, aloe is also a very easy plant to take care of. If you’ve got a sunny and warm area, aloe will thrive and produce its iconic sharp-thorned green arms.
Light
Direct sunlight, and lots of it!
Water
Sparingly but thoroughly. Aloe needs to drain completely between watering, otherwise root rot can set in.
Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings, and don’t be afraid to wait a few days even after that.
Fertilizer
Use a general-purpose fertilizer diluted to about 50% of its recommended strength, once a month from March to August.
Read more about growing aloe vera plants here.
9. Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
General Knowledge
Yes, even orchids are on this list!
The moth orchid is the most common orchid you’ll find in big box stores and garden centers. It’s a relatively easy plant to take care of, and is forgiving of a few hiccups in your quest to prompt it to rebloom.
If you’re a patient person and can wait a year or more for an orchid to rebloom, then pick one of these guys up and give it a shot.
Light
This type of orchid prefers a little less light, of the indirect variety. I keep mine in the back room where it gets light from skylights and that’s all.
Once you find the best space in your home for these orchids, they’ll be happy to flower and keep on growing.
Water
Minimal watering, once a week at the most.
In the wild, orchids will absorb water atmospherically through their roots. When potted, we only need to give them a quick drink once a week or so.
Their roots should be spongy and light-green in color.
Fertilizer
Once a month during the spring and summer, and none during the winter. Use a water-soluble fertilizer.
Time to Fill Your House with Greenery
Armed with our guide, it’s time to get planting! Using an appropriate potting medium and well-draining pots, you’re well on your way to indoor gardening success.
Whether its in a sunny window or the moist confines of your bathroom, you’re sure to find a plant that’s perfect for your space.
If you’re a pet-lover or you have children running around the house, please note that not all of the recommended plants on this list are appropriate, as some are potentially toxic if ingested or may cause a rash. These include snake plant, dumb cane, peace lily, pothos, and the rubber plant. Please check out our list of the best non-toxic houseplants for more suggestions.
We’d love to hear about your successes and favorites in the houseplant category. Leave us a comment!
Product photos via Espoma, Sun Bulb, JR Peters, and Osmocote. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. With additional writing and editing by Allison Sidhu.
7 tips for keeping your plants alive
Warner Brothers
Not everyone is born with a green thumb but thankfully there are tips, hacks, and tricks to keep your plants alive and thriving. Understanding the needs of your plants will lead to reduced stress, cleaner air, and a happier environment.
If you want to be a plant parent, here’s everything you need to know about taking care of plants.
Get the right plant.
Pixabay
No matter how positive your vibes are, you can’t grow an orange tree in Alaska. Some plants are doomed at your doorstep, not because you lack green instinct, but because they’re a bad fit.
Kerry Meyer, who holds a masters in horticulture from The University of Minnesota, uses the «right plant, right place» mantra to choosing plants, according to her post in Proven Winners. Even if miniature roses look great for the ‘gram, they wilt if they stay indoors. Ask your local garden center for a plant that will bloom in your climate and with your lifestyle. If you’re terrible at remembering to water your plant, cacti and snake plants will cherish your neglect. Always mention if you have pets; cats may become ill from lilies or daffodils.
Let there be (not too much) light!
Flickr/decor8 holly
Expert gardener Marie Iannotti explained the subtleties of the labels, “full sun, partial sun, dappled sun, and shade” for The Spruce. «Full sun» could mean a backyard in Texas, but «partial sun» could apply to areas with blinds or hallways. If your apartment never sees the sun, HGTV asserted that shade lovers like ferns will prefer your cave style of living. You could find kinship with spider plants who shrivel and burn in direct sunlight.
Change is bad.
Shutterstock
Plants are sensitive to change. They’re slow to adapt to new environments, so if they’re doing fine, changing the lighting or the height of the plant is a no-no. Remember if you’re planning on growing a giant plant baby to start it off in a location where it will fit when it gets big.
If you need to transfer your plant to a new location or apartment, SFGate suggests easing the plants’ transition by «slowly allow[ing] them to be exposed to the elements, until you leave the plant outdoors overnight and move it to its new location permanently.» When you finally get into a good routine, hire a plant-sitter to keep it up when you’re out of town.
The plant chooses the pot.
Shutterstock
Choosing the right size and type for your plant container will help it grow in the right direction, literally. Like snails, plants outgrow their homes. Landscape designer Lauren Dunec for Houzz warns that in too-small pots, plants’ “growth will be stunted, roots will become pot-bound, and the soil will dry out quickly.” When a plant’s roots grow out of its drainage hole, or it’s overflowing on top, it’s time to move up.
But if you want to grow your baby dracaena in a teapot, go ahead, as long as there’s drainage to keep roots from drowning. After you drill or poke holes in your chosen pot, Shifrah Combiths from Apartment Therapy sings the praises of adding coffee filters to «keep the dirt from leaking out.» Another option is to add large rocks at the bottom of the pot to allow water to filter through more freely. Never combine different plants in one pot.
Use the good dirt.
Thomson Reuters
Common dirt could contain weed seeds, fungi, or pests. Potting soil from your local garden center contains a mixture of materials that can include peat moss and organic matter, suggests certified Garden Designer Madaline Sparks for Real Simple. When you pot your plants, make sure the dirt is slightly moist so the roots can begin working.
Cut the dead stuff.
Wikimedia
To keep leaves growing, The Flower Shop Network says you must trim dead ends. The process of pruning using scissors, pruning shears, or your hands can even be therapeutic. Bid goodbye to anything that’s brown or spotted. A layer of dust on forgotten leaves blocks out sunlight, so regularly spritz plants with water and wipe down with a dry cloth.
Don’t over-water your plants.
Christopher Craig/Flickr
According to HGTV’s Basics Guide, this is the most common mistake beginners make. Some plants, like succulents, only need watering once a month. Parlor palms and creeping fig like their soil as dry as possible. Avoid drowning by reducing hydration in the cold winter months. For proper watering technique, water the base, not the leaves, to stimulate growth. Test the water for a lukewarm temperature; cold water can shock and damage the roots.
Plant parenting can be tricky, so check in on them every day.
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Indoor plant care guides
Plant care guides full of tips & tricks to help you take care of your plants
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Plant guides
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Posted on: March 16th, 2023
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#1
Dear Teachers,
Namaskar.
What do you call a person who takes care of plants in a park, waters them and mows the grass there as his job?
I think I have had an enlightening moment with the word «gardener» today.
Many thanks in advance.
-
#3
Ah, thanks a ton, heypresto! I have always believed so but today I found that the Oxford Dictionary defines «gardener» as a person who tends and cultivates a garden as a pastime or for a living. MW also talks in terms of a garden only. «Gardener» doesn’t even have an entry as a noun proper in the OALD but is mentioned as a derived noun under the verb «garden», defined as » to work in a garden». The examples given are «My wife’s a keen gardener» and «We employ a gardener two days a week».
M-W is no different, nor does the WR dictionary have «gardener» defined as a noun.
All this confused me.
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#4
A small park may consist of a lawn and a few flower beds. The person responsible might be a local gardener doing it for a living A large park might need quite a few people to maintain it — generically park maintenance staff, perhaps, but it will depend on their responsibilities and aspirations what they call themselves or what their job is called by the boss