Plant Identification Guides

Some plants are annuals, going through their entire life cycle in one growing season, and some are perennials, returning each year and multiplying. But there is more to the classification of plants than this.

By using plant guides that identify plants by common and botanical names, and individual characteristics and growing habits, we're able to select the appropriate plants for our gardens. Here is a breakdown of the basic types of plants available.

Plant Identification Guides A-E

Air Plants
These plants take in all their nutrients through their leaves rather than their roots. They use the roots to attach themselves to host surfaces. They still need water to survive.

Butterfly Plants
By adding an assortment of butterfly plants that provide the elements needed, you can attract and keep them in your garden.

Carnivorous Plants
Plants that use various techniques for luring insects, arachnids and crustaceans as their source of nutrition are carnivorous.

Christmas Plants
Christmas plants bring wonderful fragrance, color and tradition to our celebration of this festive holiday.

Creeping Plants
These creeping plants grow differently from other types of plants, growing out rather than up, spreading along the ground and taking root as they travel. There are many varieties to suit all sorts of growing conditions.

Deer Resistant Plants
There are some deer resistant plants that we can grow to keep deer out of our gardens.

Desert Plants
Desert plants have adapted to the extreme heat and dry air of the desert through their ability to collect and store water. The variety of desert plants is second only to tropical rain forest plants.

Drought Tolerant Plants
Drought tolerant plants don't get as thirsty as many garden plants and can withstand dry conditions.

Edible Plants
Any plant you can eat, including vegetables, herbs, fruits and some flowers and leaves.

Evergreen Plants
An evergreen plant is one that retains its leaves year round, as opposed to a deciduous tree that drops its leaves seasonally.

Plant Identification Guides F-J

Grassland Plants
Grasslands can be found in many areas throughout the world, with each having its own distinct set of native grassland plants and flowers. These native plants are easily adapted to home gardens in the region.

Groundcover Plants
Any plant that covers the ground and spreads across it is a groundcover. Groundcovers are used to replace lawn areas. Farmers use groundcover crops to prevent erosion of plowed fields. They are also used in garden beds to tie elements together. They also inhibit weed growth.

Herb Plants
Herbs are generally plants that are utilized for their savory, medicinal or aromatic qualities.

Plant Identification Guides K-T

Poisonous Plants
Whether it is the entire plant or only parts of it, plants that pose a risk of illness, injury or death to either animals or humans is a poison plant.

Rainforest Plants
The list of plants that grow in a rainforest is a long and varied one. From the delicate looking orchid to the trees so massive that their huge waxy leaves can be used as an umbrella, the rainforest has an almost infinite variety to offer.

Shade Plants
Many plants thrive in partial to full shade and produce abundant flowers. Some plants are shade tolerant, but prefer some exposure to the sun. This is a distinction that should be noted when placing plants in the garden.

Succulent Plants
These are plants with thick, water-storing leaves, stems or roots that have allowed them to adapt to dry regions. They can collect and hold moisture from fog, mist and dew.

Plant Identification Guides U-Z

Water Pond Plants
Plants that live in water or at the water's edge are considered water pond plants. They may be native to water or have adapted to living in water.

Weed Plants
It helps to understand what weeds are, how they grow, and where they thrive in order to get them under control.

With a basic understanding of the types of plants available, you can now select the plants you want for your garden and home.