PLANTS

Killer whales are intelligent creatures, and scientists have recently discovered a new behavior among the species.

Orca Whales Seen Giving Each Other Exfoliating Kelp “Massages”

New research suggests orcas may be using kelp to connect with each other and even exfoliate.

Crunchy. Leafy. Exploding with flavor. (Just kidding.)

Why Is It Called “Iceberg” Lettuce?

Let’s explore the origins of America's most disrespected lettuce.

Here‘s how to make sure your avocados are ripe and delicious.

How to Tell If an Avocado Is Ripe

Not sure if your avocado is ripe? Learn easy ways to check, tricks to speed up ripening, and the best ways to store it without ruining the taste.

What Are Those Tiny Spots on Apples?

The little pinprick spots on apples, pears, and potatoes are called lenticels, and they’re very important.

This Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Mocktail Is a Magic Trick in a Glass

This color-changing blue butterfly pea flower mocktail is floral, fresh, and totally booze-free.

Why Are the Blue Ridge Mountains Blue?

It’s more than a poetic name: the Blue Ridge Mountains really do appear blue, thanks to the human eye and Earth’s atmosphere.

Quiz: Poisonous Plant or Indie Band?

Botany or badass band? See if you can tell the difference.

They might seem icky, but we can‘t live without them.

Fly Migration Is Essential to Our Ecosystem, Study Finds

Flies aren’t just decomposers—they’re also pollinators and pest predators. Researchers shows it’s time to appreciate these misunderstood insects.

Plums are only one of the fruits that the grafted tree can grow.

Temple University Welcomes Tree Bred to Grow 40 Different Fruits

Artist Sam Van Aken grafted a tree that grows dozens of fruit varieties from a single trunk.

A new device might make it easier for you to have a green thumb.

New Device Could Allow Your Houseplants to Communicate When They’re Stressed

Researchers have created a sensor that monitors plant stress, which could one day be a game-changer for anyone with a black thumb.

A backpacker enjoys the view in Chugach State Park near Anchorage, Alaska.

The 10 U.S. Cities With the Most Green Space

From Chesapeake, Virginia, to Anchorage, Alaska, these cities offer plenty of parkland.

Introducing the Woolly Devil, the Newest Plant Discovered in Big Bend National Park

The woolly devil—a recently identified plant species—has researchers intrigued because it belongs to a brand new genus.

You must be a lucky one of you find a four-leaf clover.

Why Are Four-Leaf Clovers Considered Lucky?

While the shamrock mainly has religious ties, the four-leaf clover—often mistaken for the same plant—is often associated with luck. We explain why.

A map of the 63 National Parks in the U.S.

1 Fact About All 63 U.S. National Parks

From Acadia to Zion, the U.S. has some pretty majestic national parks. Here’s one fun fact about every single one—plus a map so you can see where they all are.

This flower arrangement LEGO set is made of 1161 pieces.

LEGO Is Hosting a Free Fake Flower Arrangement Workshop for Valentine’s Day

If every plant you touch dies, LEGO’s online flower arrangement workshop may be more your speed.

If you see frost, it's a sign to back off.

Can You Still Mow Your Lawn in the Winter?

When it comes to cold-weather lawn care, this is one chore that can definitely wait until spring—with a couple of exceptions.

Watch a Mushroom Play a Keyboard Through Electronic Sensors

Discover how Bionic and the Wires are turning fungi into electronic musicians.

The corpse flower‘s name comes from its nasty smell.

Tune Into a Livestream of a Blooming Corpse Flower in Sydney

Catch the blooming of Sydney‘s corpse flower without being exposed to its infamous odor.

Why Is It Called a “Manila” Envelope?

There’s a surprising connection between the capital of the Philippines and mailing important documents.

There‘s a time and place for black tea (left) and herbal tea (right).

Decaffeinated vs. Caffeine-Free Tea: What’s the Difference?

“Caffeine-free tea” isn't actually tea at all.

Those little packets keep your flowers fresh.

What’s In Those Little Packets That Come With Bouquets of Flowers?

Three ingredients in the “flower food” packet stapled to the cellophane around your bouquet can help the blooms stay vibrant.

Kiss your pets under some artificial mistletoe.

7 Holiday Plants That Are Toxic to Pets

Traditional Christmas plants like poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe can be dangerous for pets.

Christmas trees are an essential part of the holiday.

How Did Evergreen Trees Become a Christmas Symbol?

Discover the origins of the Christmas tree tradition that brings joy to millions each season.

The squirting cucumber can blast its seeds dozens of feet from the parent plant. The stem and fruit of the plant have been colored green in this image.

Solved: The Mystery of the Squirting Cucumber’s Powerful Projection

The little gourd can shoot its seeds nearly 40 feet via "ballistic dispersal”—but until now, the mechanism behind the plant’s power and proliferation was poorly understood.