In collaboration with Liana, Stephanie & Jessica.
Welcome to the Houseplant Addicts Dictionary! As a plant addict, we are all familiar with terms and phrases used in our house plant community! But what about the terms we are unsure of? What if we’re new to plants? We hope our dictionary will benefit all that utilize it!
Have you ever heard someone talking about ‘propagation’ or properly ‘amending’ soil? How about reading phrases such as ‘FLF’ or ‘NOID’? Do you understand or know what these common terms or phrases mean? We decided that it is time to create a reference or a ‘dictionary’ of all the common terms and phrases (slang included) of common lingo used amongst houseplant enthusiasts from all over the world.
A
Adventitious Root- A root produced from the stem, and not from true root tissue.
Aerial Roots– Roots that develop on the stem above ground. Often seen with Monsteras.
Check out our Monstera Madness Tee in our store!
Amend / Amending Soil-Materials added to soil to enhance and condition soil to improve its quality.
Annuals– A term commonly used with outdoor gardeners. It is a plant that undergoes its complete lifecycle in one year.
Aphids– Small sap and fluid sucking insects that can infest & destroy your gardens and houseplants.
Areola– Common term used with cacti growers/collectors. In cacti, the hair-cushions from which spines, flowers and offsets are produced.
Me So Thorny & Free Hugs are just a couple of our favorite cactus themed merch in our store!
B
Bird of Paradise (BOP) – A tropical plant from South Africa that is a member of the banana family. Often abbreviated as BOP in the houseplant community.
Butt Chug – Slang term used in the houseplant community where a potted plant is placed in a container of water allowing the soil from the drainage holes to absorb the water from the bottom up. Ideal for succulents . Also known as Bottom Watering.
Be sure to check out our ‘Butt Chug’ merch line in our shop. HouseplantAddicts.com
Bone Meal– A mix of finely ground animal bones & other waste from a slaughterhouse that is used as an organic fertilizer for plants. It is a source of phosphorus and protein for plants.
Blood Meal – A powder made from blood from a slaughterhouse that is used as an organic fertilizer that is high in protein and nitrogen.
Biennials -Plants that only develop leaves, flower and bear fruit, then die in their second year.
Bog – A wetland made of peat, dead plant material, and sphagnum moss. Term often used in the carnivorous plant community when creating an ideal growing environment for carnivorous plants.
Bulb: A structurally a short stem with fleshy leaves or leaf bases that function as food storage organs during plant dormancy.
Bulblets: Small offset bulbs formed from a parent bulb that are underground.
C
Callus-Scar tissue that develops in places that are cut or damaged. Common term used when propagating plants.
Carnivorous Plants– Plants that kill and digest animal matter, mainly insects.
Chonk– Slang word used in the houseplant community to describe the thickness and fullness of a plant. Can refer to the leaves, steam or trunk of a plant. It can also be used to describe a piece or cutting of a plant that contains a node.
Cuttings / Clippings – The act of cutting or clipping a piece of a mother plant for the purpose of rooting for propagation. A common practice in large growing facilities. Note: It is often frowned upon in the houseplant community when individuals ‘steal’ cuttings from shops, gardens or private properties. Also known as ‘Proplifting’
Charcoal: An amendment often added to soil to help get rid of impurities & repel insects. Ideal to help absorb excess water to help prevent root rot.
Chick Grit: A coarse and gritty potting medium commonly used in succulent and cacti plants. Chick Grit can be found at any local feed store
Our What up Succa! line in our shop is perfect for any succulent lover!
D
Diatomaceous Earth– Also known as diatomite or kieselgur/kieselguhr. A naturally occurring soft sedimentary rock that is easily ground into fine powder and used to help prevent certain houseplant pests such as fungus gnats, flea beetles, roaches or house fleas. Also known as D.E. in the houseplant community.
E
Epiphyte– Plants that grow on other woody/tree like plants without harming them. Most common epiphyte in the houseplant community is an orchid.
F
FLF – A common abbreviated term used in the houseplant community for the houseplant Ficus lyrata, also known as a Fiddle Leaf Fig.
Fertilizer– A substance that can be chemical or natural that is added to the soil for nutrient value for plants.
Fish emulsion – an organic liquid plant fertiliser made of byproducts for the fish oil and fish meal industry.
How To Use Fish Emulsion With Houseplants
Forcing– Causing a plant to bloom out of season. Commonly used when growing plants indoors with grow lights.
G
Grow Lights-A light bulb that contains white, blue or red lights to simulate and supplement the natural light spectrum given from our sun in order to grow plants indoors.
H
Hardy/Hardiness- The ability of a plant to survive adverse growing conditions such as extreme heat or cold without protection.
Hardiness Zone – A geographical zone where certain plants grow best in that specific climate.
We recommend this great read! Gardening 101
Hoya-holic – A slang term used in the houseplant community to describe an individual who has an obsession with collecting/obtaining Hoyas. Also Hoya-head is commonly used.
Humidity – The act of adding moisture into the air to provide a better environment for your plants. Many ‘plant parents’ will take their plants into their bathroom while they shower for a natural way to give their plants humidity. You can also use a humidifier or oil diffuser to add humidity to your air, thus beneficial to your houseplants.
Herbaceous Perennials– Also simply known as ‘Perennials’ . A term commonly used with outdoor gardeners for a plant that dies back each Fall but returns every Spring.
I
Indirect Sunlight- When natural light from the sun passes through a window, window shade, leaves or another type of transparent medium (like a greenhouse screen or plastic) before reaching the plant.
Insecticide– A type of pesticide that is specially formulated to kill, harm, repel or mitigate harmful insects.
Internodes – Internodes are the sections of stem between nodes.
K
Keiki – A common term used by orchid growers when an offshoot from the stem forms another orchid.
L
LECA Pebbles – an acronym for lightweight expanded clay aggregate, is made of 100% natural clay that’s been heated. It’s used as a growing medium in hydroculture.
Loamy Soil – A soil that contains silt, sand, humus and clay that is considered to have good drainage as well as nutrients. It has a high pH and calcium and is dark in color, soft, dry and crumbly. It is best to add amendments such as mulch, compost or manure for added improvement to the soil for your plants.
Low Light Plants – Plants that need little light and can survive off artificial light from typical household light bulbs. You know you have low light when the lighting is dim yet comfortable enough to read a book. Think office, desk, or cubicle plants. If you have a dark corner, or dark area of your home, adding a plant or two is a great way to add a little happiness and cheer!
Lumens– A measure of light that is given off from a light bulb or grow light. Often measured in Watts.
Layering– A form of propagation by laying cuttings of plants with the node facing downwards on top of the soil in order to root. The cutting is usually held in place with a bobby pin.
Leaf Cuttings – A form of propagation for certain plants that only a leaf could be used without a node in order to grow a new plant. Example: snake plants, africian violets
M
Moss Pole – A tool used to mimic the natural growing conditions of climbing aeroids. Usually made of wood wrapped in moss or wiring formed in a cylinder filled with moss. The moss on a moss pole keeps the plant wet as it grows around it and attracts its aeroid roots.
Medium Light – Could refer to either partial, indirect, soft or filtered light. Generally when a plant is required to receive sun during the day for only a few hours.
Mealy Bugs – Small (1/16 inch) soft-bodied wingless insects that are covered with a white, waxy, fluffy material. These pests feed by sucking sap out of the plants tissues.
Check out our great resource article “Top 5 Most Common Houseplant Plants”
N
Node / Nodes – The area on the stem of a plant where the buds, leaves, and branching twigs originate from.
NOID – no ID. Many growers name their plants. NOID refers to plants without a name.
Neem Oil – a natural and alternative way to get rid of insects, such as fungus gnats.
Nematodes – A nematode is a microscopic parasite closely related to roundworms and threadworms. While some types of nematodes do cause sickness and diseases in humans and animals, beneficial garden nematodes do not.
Beneficial nematodes work by actively seeking out and attacking pests that harm plant life. They’re excellent for use in lawns, in gardens, your houseplants and around trees and shrubs. They need generally moist conditions to facilitate their movement.
O
Orchid Bark– A potting medium for epiphytic plants such as bromeliads and orchids. It is made of Fir bark and provides excellent drainage. Can also be added to potting soil mix to aid in aeration and drainage.
Offsets- A young plant that has grown and rooted while still attached to the mother plant. When separating offsets make sure to carefully find the main root attached to the mother plant and remove any dirt to help make it easier to make a clean cut with sterile and clean scissors. Commonly seen with Pileas, Sansevierias and Philodendrons.
Offshoots- A young plant that grows out of the mother plant on side shoots at ground level. When separating offshoots, make sure to water the mother plant well the day before, this will allow her to be well hydrated before cutting off the offshoot. Make sure your scissors are clean and sterile. Commonly seen with Begonias and Spider Plants.
P
Perlite – A soil amendment composed of crumbled amorphous volcanic glass. Aids in water retention and allows better drainage.
Petiole- the stalk to joins a leaf to a stem
pH – The measure of the acidity and alkalinity in a plant’s soil. pH levels range from 0 to 14 and for the majority of houseplants the optimal pH range is between 5.5 and 7.0.
Plant Parent – A common term used in the houseplant community when one is proudly responsible for the care and nurturing of their plant collection.
#PlantParentProblems
Plant Nerd– A person who is interested in growing, learning, collecting plants of all varieties.
We love Plant Nerds!
Propagate / prop / prop – The process by which we grow new plants. Though many methods exist the most common are through water or soil. Propagation can be done using cuttings, leaf, seeds or using other plant parts.
Proplifting – The act of stealing plant cuttings. Often used by people who take fallen/broken plant parts from stores or nurseries without permission.
Also see Cuttings / clippings
While it is easy to “steal” cuttings or clippings in public or random places, it is NOT something to brag about, let alone even participate in. Just be a good person. Do not steal from others. Ask. That’s all you have to do. Ask the owner if they are willing to gift you a cutting.
Peat Moss – High pH level moss used for certain plants. Formed from dead fibrous materials and living materials that naturally decompose in peat bogs. Most of the peat moss used in the United States comes from peat bogs in Canada.
Pruning – to trim a plant by cutting away dead or overgrown branches and stems. Pruning is often used to get fuller, bushier plants.
Pumice– A type of soil amendment that is a lightweight volcanic rock that when added to soil it provides excellent drainage and air circulation. Ideal for cacti and succulents.
Peduncles – the stalk bearing a flower or fruit, or the main stalk of an inflorescence.
R
Rhizome – Similar to and often confused for roots. A stem that grows underground, usually straight and horizontal. A rhizome has nodes and can put off roots underground which cause the plant to spread, commonly found is invasive plants such as bamboo, mint, poison ivy and many others.
Roots – The underground part of a plant’s botanical structure that absorbs water and nutrients from the soil. Range in size and color.
Root Porn– A slang term used in the houseplant community when proud plant owners show off healthy, strong and thick roots.
Repot– The act of removing a plant from its current pot into a new or bigger pot while adding fresh soil.
Runners – An above ground stem-like growth that extends outward from the host plant’s growing point. Runners will root and create new plants, they can also be harvested and used for propagation.
S
Scale – Scale insects are small (1/8-1/2 inch) oval shaped immobile insects that fix themselves to our plants to feed on their sap and nutrients. This pests appearance is that of a shell or dark bump on the plant.
Check out our great resource article “Top 5 Most Common Houseplant Plants”
Soil Horizons – The naturally occurring layers of soil in earth’s soil.
Check out this great reat: Composting and Soil 101
Spider Mites – a plant-feeding mite which looks like a tiny spider and is frequently a serious garden and greenhouse pest. Spider mites thrive in dry conditions. They feast on plants by sucking the nutrients from plant cells in the leaves and stems. Spider mites often infest a houseplant without us noticing until we see their signature spider-like webs appear on the plants stems and underneath foliage.
Check out our great resource article “Top 5 Most Common Houseplant Plants”
Springtails-A beneficial and common insect that plays a very important role in the agriculture community. They aid in decomposition, cycling of nutrients and formation of soil structure. They play a role in the overall health of the soil. Many houseplant enthusiasts will purchase springtails to not only improve the soil, but also the plant health as well.
Subshrubs – a dwarf shrub, usually one that is woody only at the base.
Subtropical Plants – Plants that grow in the regions of the Earth slightly further away from the equator band than the tropics. Often require similar care to tropical plants but can usually withstand mildly cooler temperatures.
T
Thrips – Small slender blackish brown insects with fringed fragile wings and asymmetrical mouthparts. Range in size from 1/50 – 1/25 of an inch long. Thrips feed off plant sap and can be a serious pest of ornamental and food plants when in large numbers. Thrips swarm on warm still summer days.
Top Soil – The second horizon in a soils profile, usually the top 5 – 10 inches of the earth’s soil. Topsoil is composed of mineral particles, organic matter, water, and air.
Check out this great reat: Composting and Soil 101
Training – if you have an out of control plant that is growing all over the place or if you plan on training your plant to grow a certain way, you would “train” your plant. You can utilize a moss pole, trellis, etc.
Transplant – the act of moving a plant from one growing medium into another. Usually from cuttings propagated in water into a soil mix.
Trellis – a framework of light wooden or metal bars used as a support for creepers, and trailing plants usually fasten to a wall or climb nearby trees/structures.
Tropical Plants – Term that encompasses all plants that grow in the geological band around the equator between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Considered to be houseplants that love and thrive on humidity! They can tolerate a regular watering schedule. Some use a humidifier, however, it isn’t necessary.
Tuber – a very thick underground part of a stem or rhizome, like a potato, which is a food reserve for the plant. It is also where the buds appear to form news plants.
V
Variegated – When a plant’s leaves and stems bear different colored zones. There are several types of variegation both natural and forced. Most commonly caused genetic mutation that occurs in plants.
Show me your variegation and I will show you mine!
Vermiculite – a yellow or brown mineral found as a by-product of mica and other minerals, used as a moisture-retentive medium for growing plants in place of regular soil.
W
Wet Feet – this could mean watering from the top or bottom and allowing the water to sit in the dish for longer than necessary. Instead, empty the water from the dish after a few minutes. You don’t want your plants sitting in water for too long!
Worm Castings – The excrement of earthworms. Used to fertilize plants or amend soil, highly sought after and one of the best organic fertilizers.
Woody Plants – Plants with hard rough stems that often have a wood like physical appearance. Woody plants have buds that survive above ground in winter. The opposite of woody plants is herbaceous plants.
White Flies – Small 1/16 inch long soft bodies insects that resemble moths with white powdery wings. Closed related to aphids these pests suck sap from plant parts. They may become abundant in vegetable gardens and ornamental flower beds, especially during warm weather if infestations are not addressed early.
If you know of any terms or phrases we should add, please reach out and let us know!
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