Plants & Yard Ideas

Don’t show up to your next holiday party empty-handed.

These are my seven best tips for keeping my pets from destroying my plants (and for keeping my plants from harming my pets).

Terry Crews teams up with Drew and Jonathan Scott and upgrade a friend's backyard.

Plus a new holiday item shoppers are loving.

They're pretty easy to care for, too.

Add some drama to your garden.

There are some plants that actually want soil that never dries out.

It’s hard enough making any big move, but add in actual living things like pets and plants, and the stress of moving gets even tougher to handle. You might already be thinking about how to keep pets happy during the journey to a new home, but have you considered the well-being of your botanical friends, too? Here are some great strategies for making sure your plants survive the long trip to a new home and stay happy and healthy along the way. Prep your plants.

Good for gifting or home decor.

This family's yard redo offers multiple hangout spots that help them take full advantage of their outdoor space.

Even your plants can be merry and bright.

Every time my mother would finish "editing" a plant like this, she'd say with her signature sparkle smile, "See? Look at how happy it looks now!"

Paint rescued the front door AND the concrete steps in this budget-friendly refresh for fall.

If this fall chore is on your to-do list, you need to read this.

Just because summer's gone doesn't mean there isn't time to hang outside.

When your houseplants get burnt, there's no aloe vera gel to reach for. Here's how to prevent sun scalding and what to do if it happens.

It will keep your plants healthier.

Disneyland and Walt Disney World are big on illusion. The masterminds—Disney calls them “Imagineers”—behind the theme parks even invented a paint color that was designed to make things visually disappear. They call it “Go Away Green,” and you don’t have to run a theme park to take advantage of its mysterious cloaking powers. In fact, we’ve found some super close matches to Go Away Green so you can try a paint color that’s similar!

A plant pro dishes on the right lights to buy and how to use them to keep your plants healthy this winter.

From roses and lilies to zinnias and peonies, here's what some of the most popular flowers symbolize, and the states and countries they represent.

They're scent-free and safe for pets and allergies.

The "before" was the perfect blank canvas.

I am gearing up to finish a few garden projects….one of which is a deck that we dug the footings for last fall. I have gone back and forth on the way to finish the deck. Do I do pressure treated wood that I stain (cheap), or do I invest in a hardwood that will be less maintenance (expensive)?I have obsessed so much that I even had an architect friend write a whole article about the pros and cons of all the decking options.

It can either keep your plant alive or not.

Are you tired of it getting dark at 5 PM every day? I know I am, but we’re in luck: this year’s Winter Solstice fell on December 21st, which means that the days are getting longer, and that summer will come again, and that this is a perfect time to start thinking about sunny days and outdoor projects. Here are 10 of our favorite outdoor-space transformations from 2012.TOP ROW:1. Before & After: Bare Patio Turned Luxurious Cabana2. Jane and Justin’s Backyard Before & After3.

These $3 plant food spikes keep my houseplants thriving.

Gardens are destined to be charming little spaces, the type where you’re surrounded by life and charm as you sit down to sip tea and read a weathered paperback book. If you’re reading this thinking, “That doesn’t sound like my garden,” you might just need a little touch of antiquity. Make it your mission this weekend to scout out thrift stores, flea markets and antique shops for something old and quaint that you can repurpose for your outdoor space.

Enjoy alfresco wine nights, outdoor dining, and patio hangs all year long.

It's almost time to deck those halls!

The lightweight essential to always pack.

If you’re exploring indoor trees for your home but aren’t sure where to begin, trust us when we say that the Pachira Aquatica is the tree you want. It is virtually kill-proof, relatively tidy, and grows as large (or as small) as you want. They are also pretty much immune to the most common cause of black thumbs: over-watering (hey, we’ve all been there).

Don't forget to water this one — it can fight back.

Pasta water, too.

These guys are so cute that you can definitely keep them out all year long!

If you’re looking for a way to add more plants to a room, this might be your ticket!

Bring a bit of autumn to your home garden.

This 1957 ranch's warped garage looks way more sophisticated after a major upgrade.

Be the proud plant parent Instagram deserves!

If you do it right, they'll even fruit.

This outdoor space went from a dead patch of grass to a cozy boho-style family hangout.

It's the chemical-free way to combat spider mites, aphids, silverfish, ants, roaches (and more of your other favorite bugs) at home.

It sounds bizarre, but it totally works.

Time for a second look.

Last week, I showed you how you can make natural pesticides for your plants. While these sprays pose less risk than the toxic ones, they also rid your plant of beneficial insects like the ladybug. Unlike most pesky bugs you want to purge from your garden, ladybugs pose no harm and are beneficial to your plants by feasting on a few of your plant’s nemeses such as aphids, mealybugs, leaf hoppers, scales, and mites.

So you’re in the market for something tropical to make your home feel bright and beachy all year round. A palm sounds like it would fit the bill, but which one?

Meet Audrey III, IV, V and VI.

If you're not into the trendiest house plants, then here are a few you need to know.

Out of all the cool houseplants, useful herbs, and indoor trees available, grass isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind when you’re looking to fill your indoor spaces with living greenery. But even though this type of plant is usually related to backyards and landscaping, grass makes for a great indoor container garden option that can be both decorative and useful and is quite easy to grow.

Hanging a planter is an easy 10- to 15-minute DIY project—here's the best way it do it, with a few tips and tricks thrown in for good measure.

Here's what you need to know, before you start building.

Some of your houseplants are just as eager for outside time as you are. Here's how to do it right.

This bummer space got a beautiful new look.

The low maintenance plant has been spotted at Aldi for $10.

Your porch is begging for a seasonal makeover!

With these, there's plenty of sunlight to go around.

Some clever additions make this standard-issue balcony feel like a custom cozy retreat.

Live out your indoor jungle dreams with these quick tips.

"The whole setup with the repotting of the plants took me less than three hours," this renter says.

They come in their own hanging pot ready to live on any (and every) hook in your home.

Care for a backyard art studio?

Unlike standard silent discos that bring quiet to the dance floor, this silent disco allows the unheard to finally sing.

Love your new plant but hate the plastic saucer? You may want to hit the thrift store to level things up.

This balcony is small but mighty.

If you’re planning on listing your home anytime soon, you may want to consider how these four tech-inspired upgrades can be incorporated into your home's open-air spaces. 

Make your garden smell like a bakery.

This hack serves double duty.

Never be without water, no matter where your day takes you.

Yes, you can even cultivate trees in your living room.

Plant parents, rejoice!

They can be quite the conversation starter.

They really make a statement.

It factors in your room size and whether you have pets.