Skip to main content
Cayla Leonard

Cayla Leonard

Contributor

Cayla Leonard is a writer from North Carolina who is passionate about plants.  She enjoys reading and writing fiction and poetry of all kinds, playing dungeons and dragons, and putting together jigsaw puzzles.

Send all editorial inquiries HERE.

Elephant ear plant leaves

Elephant ear plant care guide: What you need to know

Elephant ear plants are large, leafy, and lovely, so it's no wonder they're such popular houseplants. Here's what to know about caring for them.
Quaking aspens in fall

6 beautiful, fast-growing trees you should plant in your yard

Trees are wonderful to grow, but they can also take a long time. If you're getting impatient, why not try one of these fast-growing trees instead?
White bacopa flower

Plant your bacopa now for a sweet-looking display through spring and summer

Bacopa is a beautiful plant with trailing stems that look great in containers and in gardens. Here's what you need to know to grow it for yourself.
Red and green rubber tree in a gray pot against a white background

How to propagate your own stunning rubber tree plant from a cutting

Rubber tree plants are small, indoor trees that are great for desks and windowsills. Here's how to start a rubber tree plant from a cutting.
Mulberries ripening on the bush

The complete guide to growing and caring for mulberry trees

Mulberries are delicious but difficult to find in grocery stores. Luckily, they're easy to grow! Here's what you need to know about growing mulberry trees.
Dark red and white nemesia flowers

Caring for nemesia, a cute and colorful perennial for your flower garden

Want to add colorful nemesia flowers to your home or garden? This nemesia care guide has answers to all your questions, from planting to pests.
A pair of morel mushrooms

How to grow morel mushrooms at home and save yourself tons of money

Here's everything you've ever wanted to know about morel mushrooms, as well as a guide on how to grow and care for them.
A propagation station in a wooden frame with three glass jars and plant cuttings.

Is your propagation station breaking the law? Everything you need to know about plant patents

Propagation is an easy way to fill your garden, but some plants are illegal to propagate. Here's what to know about plant patents and other legal protections.
Fiddle-leaf fig beside stairs

How to treat brown spots on fiddle-leaf figs to get your plant back in tiptop shape

Let's walk through how to treat brown spots on fiddle-leaf fig leaves and return your plant to a beautiful green.
Two cucumbers growing from a vine on the ground, with a yellow flower in front

Is a cucumber a fruit or a vegetable? The answer might surprise you

Most people know by now that tomatoes are technically fruits, but what about cucumbers? Here's what we know about this staple fruit/vegetable.
Pink carnation flowers

How to care for carnations, a gorgeous flower for your garden

Carnations are beautiful, and they're remarkably easy to grow. If you're looking to fill your garden with carnations, this is the care guide for you.
A tulip in a vase with water beads

Can you grow plants in water beads? Here’s what you need to know

Water beads are a fun and colorful way to grow plants hydroponically. If you want to give this method a try, here are the plants you should use.
A field of lavender flowers

How to grow lavender from seed to keep your garden and your home smelling fresh

Keep your garden and home smelling fresh by following this simple guide for growing lavender from seed.
A striped zucchini growing on the vine

The best (and worst) zucchini companion plants

Planning your next garden and not sure what to plant beside your zucchinis? This guide to zucchini companion plants has everything you need to know.
A person harvesting a yellow bell pepper

The best (and worst) pepper companion plants

Want to know what the best companion plants for peppers are? This guide has all the info, from which plants work best to which ones you should avoid.
Cucumbers and tomatoes growing together

The best (and worst) cucumber companion plants

From fruits and vegetables to flowers and herbs, these are the best cucumber companion plants for you to grow - and the ones you should avoid.
Bright red montmorency cherries on a tree

What to consider when planting a cherry tree

Grow your own cherries to make sure you always have fresh fruit on hand. Set your fruit garden up for success with this cherry tree growing guide.
Top down view of several potted plants together in a box

5 easy indoor plants anyone can grow

If you're looking to start gardening, but have had trouble in the past, then start with this list. Any beginner can care for these easy indoor plants.
Dwarf Japanese maple tree

The complete guide for caring for your Japanese maple

Japanese maple trees are beautiful and easy to care for. To keep yours healthy and happy, here is everything you need to know about Japanese maple care trees.
Banana tree with ripe fruit

How and when do bananas reproduce? We have answers to all your questions

This is everything you need to know about banana reproduction, whether you want to grow your own or are just curious.
An assortment of succulents in pots

These incredible indoor succulents are our favorites

When it comes to picking succulents for your home, the amount of options can be overwhelming. To help make your choice, here are our favorite indoor succulents.
Bonsai tree in purple rectangular pot blooming purple flowers

The dos and don’ts of caring for your bonsai tree

Bonsai trees are beautiful and relaxing, but how do you care for them? This guide will answer your questions so you can keep your bonsai tree happy and healthy.
A collection of various houseplants

The 5 best tall indoor plants you can get to create a lively space

Do you have a room that needs a burst of greenery? Add these five tall indoor plants to your collection to fill your home with foliage and flowers.
Purple and blue hydrangeas

Make sure your hydrangeas have the best blooms by pruning them properly

How to prune your hydrangeas this summer to ensure the best blooms
Dark pink bougainvillea flowers along a fence top

Bougainvillea is gorgeous – here’s how to care for it

Bougainvillea is a stunning tropical plant that comes in vines, shrubs, and trees. If you want to add this plant to your garden, here's what you need to know.
Closeup of a southern magnolia flower

6 popular magnolia tree and shrub species for your yard

Magnolia trees are stunning and popular plants. No matter what your climate or yard is like, one of these six magnolia trees is sure to be a great fit.
Hand in a brown and white glove holding a pile of Epsom salt next to an evergreen tree

What is diatomaceous earth – and why does your garden need it?

Diatomaceous earth is a useful garden tool, keeping many pests away from your plants. Want to get started using it for yourself? Here's what you need to know.
Several houseplants including a money tree and a cactus on a window sill

A complete money tree care guide

Money trees are beautiful trees that symbolize good luck. This guide will help your money tree thrive by answering all your questions about money tree care.
Spider plant

Spider plant care: Everything you need to know

Spider plants are hardy plants that can withstand a lot, but how can you ensure yours is thriving? Here's everything you need to know about spider plant care.
Close up of dark and light green dracaena leaves

How to propagate dracaenas from cuttings

If you've been gifted a dracaena cutting or need to prune your own, here's what to know about propagating dracaena.
Avocados growing on a tree

Are avocados vegetables or fruits? We have your answers

Are avocados fruits or vegetables? Here's what we know
Person watering a plant using a white jug

How to make plant food that’s better than store-bought

Here's how to feed your plants well with our simple homemade plant food recipe.
5 different succulents planted in clay mugs

How much sunlight should your succulents have?

Do succulents need full sun, or can they thrive in the shade? Here's what you need to know
A metal bucket labeled compost, laying on its side against a blue background. Food scraps spill out of it.

Can you get rid of that terrible compost stench?

Most compost smells are avoidable and easily fixable, so no one needs to suffer through smelly soil. We list the causes and solutions.
Mother of thousands plant with plantlets

Plants don’t have to be difficult to propagate — these are the easiest to start

These plants are simple to propagate -- and will thrive no matter how new at it you are