Glossary

Home and Garden Glossary

Last updated: April 2026

This glossary defines common terms used in home gardening, indoor plant care, home decor, and DIY home improvement. Use it as a reference when you come across unfamiliar language in our articles or anywhere else.

We update this page regularly as we add new terms.

A

Aeration The process of creating small holes in lawn soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach grass roots more effectively. Aeration is typically done in spring or autumn using a garden fork or a mechanical aerator.

Aggregate Gravel, pebbles, or coarse material mixed into soil or concrete to improve drainage and structure. In gardening, aggregate is often added to pots to prevent waterlogging.

Annual A plant that completes its entire life cycle — germination, growth, flowering, seed production, and death — within a single growing season. Examples include marigolds, sunflowers, and basil.

Aspect The direction a garden or window faces. A south-facing aspect receives the most sunlight in the northern hemisphere. Aspect determines which plants will thrive in a given spot and how a room is lit throughout the day.

B

Bare-root plant A plant sold without soil around its roots, typically during its dormant season. Bare-root plants are cheaper than potted equivalents and establish well if planted correctly in late autumn or early spring.

Biennial A plant that takes two years to complete its life cycle. In the first year it produces leaves; in the second it flowers, sets seed, and dies. Foxgloves and hollyhocks are common biennials.

Biophilic design An interior design approach that incorporates natural elements — plants, natural light, wood, stone, and water — into living spaces to improve wellbeing and connection to nature.

Bolting When a vegetable or herb plant prematurely produces flowers and seeds before it is ready to harvest. Bolting is typically triggered by heat or long daylight hours and makes leafy plants like lettuce and basil bitter and unusable.

Bottom watering A watering technique where you place a pot in a tray of water and allow the plant to absorb moisture through the drainage holes from below. This encourages deep root growth and prevents overwatering.

C

Capillary action The natural movement of water upward through fine spaces in soil against gravity. Capillary action is what allows plants to draw moisture upward from lower layers of soil.

Cloche A transparent cover, typically made from glass or plastic, placed over plants to protect them from frost and extend the growing season. Garden cloches can be bell-shaped for individual plants or tunnel-shaped for rows.

Cold frame A low, unheated outdoor structure with a transparent lid used to protect plants from cold weather. A cold frame acts like a mini greenhouse, warming the air inside by trapping sunlight.

Colour temperature In lighting, colour temperature measures how warm or cool a light source appears, expressed in Kelvin (K). Bulbs at 2700K produce warm yellow light suitable for living rooms and bedrooms. Bulbs at 5000K produce cool daylight-white light suited to kitchens and workspaces.

Companion planting Growing two or more different plants close together for mutual benefit. Classic examples include planting basil near tomatoes to repel pests, and growing marigolds alongside vegetables to deter aphids.

Compost Decomposed organic matter — food scraps, garden waste, and plant material — used to enrich soil. Compost improves soil structure, drainage, and nutrient content. It is one of the most effective and affordable soil amendments available.

Coping The top layer or cap of a wall, typically made from stone, brick, or concrete. In landscaping, coping refers to the material used to finish the edge of a raised bed, patio wall, or pool surround.

D

Deadheading The practice of removing spent or faded flowers from a plant to encourage continued blooming. Deadheading redirects the plant’s energy from seed production back into flower production.

Deciduous A plant that loses its leaves seasonally, typically in autumn, and regrows them in spring. Most deciduous plants are dormant in winter.

Drainage The ability of soil or a container to allow excess water to flow away from plant roots. Poor drainage leads to waterlogged soil and root rot, which is the most common cause of houseplant death.

Drywall A building material made from gypsum plaster pressed between two sheets of paper, used to make interior walls and ceilings. Also called plasterboard or gypsum board. Most interior walls in modern homes are made from drywall.

E

E-E-A-T Stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. These are the four qualities Google uses to assess the quality and reliability of online content and the people who create it.

Ericaceous compost A type of compost with a low pH (acidic) specifically formulated for acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons, blueberries, azaleas, and camellias. Standard compost is too alkaline for these plants.

Espalier A technique of training trees or shrubs to grow flat against a wall or trellis in a specific pattern. Espalier maximises fruit production in small gardens and creates a dramatic visual feature on bare walls.

Evergreen A plant that retains its leaves throughout the year rather than dropping them seasonally. Evergreens provide year-round structure and colour in the garden.

F

Fascia board A horizontal board running along the lower edge of a roof, covering the ends of the roof rafters. Gutters are typically attached to the fascia board. Damaged fascia boards allow water ingress and should be repaired promptly.

Fenestration The arrangement and design of windows and doors in a building. Good fenestration maximises natural light, ventilation, and views. Interior designers consider fenestration when planning furniture layout and window treatments.

Fertiliser Any material added to soil or applied to plants to supply nutrients essential for growth. The three main nutrients in fertiliser are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), shown on packaging as an NPK ratio.

Frost date The average date of the first or last frost in a given location. The last spring frost date tells you when it is safe to plant tender crops outdoors. The first autumn frost date tells you when to bring tender plants inside or harvest remaining crops.

G

Germination The process by which a seed sprouts and begins to grow into a seedling. Germination requires the right combination of moisture, warmth, and sometimes light, depending on the plant species.

Greige A colour that sits between grey and beige — a warm neutral widely used in contemporary interior design. Greige reads as both sophisticated and liveable, making it one of the most popular wall colours in quiet luxury interiors.

Grow light An artificial light source designed to support plant growth by providing the full spectrum of light that plants use for photosynthesis. LED grow lights are the most energy-efficient option for indoor gardening.

Grout The material used to fill the gaps between tiles on floors, walls, or surfaces. Grout is available in a wide range of colours and in sanded or unsanded formulations depending on the tile gap width.

H

Hardening off The process of gradually acclimatising seedlings grown indoors to outdoor conditions before transplanting them into the garden. Seedlings are moved outside for increasing periods each day over 7 to 14 days.

Hardscape The non-living elements of a garden or outdoor space — paths, patios, walls, decking, and fencing. Hardscape provides structure and defines the layout of an outdoor area.

Herbaceous Referring to plants with soft, non-woody stems that die back to the ground at the end of the growing season. Most perennial garden plants are herbaceous.

Humidity The amount of water vapour present in the air. Most tropical houseplants prefer humidity levels of 40 to 60 percent. Standard indoor air, especially in centrally heated homes, often drops below 30 percent in winter.

Humus The dark, organic component of soil formed from the decomposition of plant and animal matter. Humus improves soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability.

I

Indoor-outdoor living A design approach that blurs the boundary between interior and exterior spaces — typically through large glass doors, consistent flooring materials, and coordinated planting and furniture.

Integrated pest management (IPM) A sustainable approach to pest control that combines biological, cultural, and physical methods to minimise the use of chemical pesticides. IPM focuses on long-term prevention rather than short-term eradication.

L

Layering A propagation method where a branch or stem is encouraged to develop roots while still attached to the parent plant. Once roots have formed, the new plant is separated and grown independently.

Leaching The process by which water carries nutrients downward through the soil, sometimes removing them beyond the reach of plant roots. Leaching is more common in sandy soils and heavy rainfall areas.

Lux A unit of measurement for illuminance — the amount of light reaching a surface. Indoor light levels typically range from 50 to 500 lux. Most plants need at least 1,000 lux for healthy growth.

M

Microclimate A small area with a climate that differs from the surrounding region. A south-facing wall, a sheltered courtyard, or a frost pocket in a low-lying garden are all microclimates. Understanding your microclimates helps you plant more successfully.

Mulch A layer of material applied to the surface of soil to retain moisture, suppress weeds, regulate soil temperature, and improve soil structure as it breaks down. Common mulch materials include bark chips, straw, grass clippings, and compost.

N

NPK ratio The three numbers on a fertiliser label indicating the percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A 10-5-5 fertiliser contains 10 percent nitrogen, 5 percent phosphorus, and 5 percent potassium.

P

Perennial A plant that lives for more than two years, typically dying back in winter and regrowing from the roots each spring. Perennials are a cost-effective long-term investment in a garden border.

Pergola An outdoor garden structure consisting of vertical posts supporting an open lattice or cross-beam roof. Pergolas provide partial shade and a structure for climbing plants such as wisteria, roses, or grapevines.

pH A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of soil on a scale from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral. Below 7 is acidic; above 7 is alkaline. Most garden plants prefer a pH between 6 and 7.

Photosynthesis The process by which plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen. Photosynthesis is why plants need light — without sufficient light they cannot produce the energy needed to grow.

Pinching out Removing the growing tip of a plant stem to encourage bushy, branching growth rather than tall, leggy growth. Pinching out is commonly done with basil, fuchsias, petunias, and young tomato plants.

Propagation The process of creating new plants from an existing one, either by seed, cutting, division, or layering.

R

Rendered wall A wall with a smooth, flat coat of cement or lime plaster applied over brickwork or blockwork. Rendered walls are common in contemporary exterior design and can be painted in any colour.

Rhizome A horizontal underground stem from which roots and shoots grow. Many garden plants spread via rhizomes, including irises, ginger, and some grasses.

Root rot A condition caused by overwatering or poor drainage in which the roots of a plant begin to decay. Root rot is the most common cause of houseplant death and is usually fatal if not caught early.

S

Softscape The living elements of a garden design — plants, grass, trees, and shrubs — as opposed to the hard structural elements.

Stud A vertical wooden or metal framing member inside a wall, typically spaced 40 to 60 centimetres apart. Screws and fixings anchor securely into studs; drywall alone will not hold significant weight.

Substrate The material in which a plant grows. For houseplants, this is typically a potting mix. For aquatic plants, it may be gravel or specialised aquatic soil.

Succession planting Planting the same crop in small batches every 2 to 3 weeks rather than all at once. This staggers the harvest and ensures a continuous supply rather than a single glut.

T

Tender plant A plant that cannot survive frost and must be brought indoors or given protection during cold weather. Tender plants are often tropical or subtropical in origin.

Terracotta A type of unglazed, fired clay used for plant pots, tiles, and decorative items. Terracotta pots are porous, which allows air and moisture to move through the walls — beneficial for plant roots but requiring more frequent watering than glazed or plastic pots.

Tilth The physical condition of soil in terms of its texture, structure, and suitability for growing plants. Good tilth describes soil that is fine, crumbly, and easy to work — ideal for seed germination and root development.

Topiary The art of clipping trees and shrubs into geometric shapes, animals, or other forms. Common topiary plants include box, yew, and privet.

Transpiration The process by which plants release water vapour through small pores (stomata) in their leaves. Transpiration drives the movement of water and nutrients up through the plant from the roots.

V

Variegated Describing a plant with leaves that contain more than one colour — typically a mix of green with white, cream, yellow, or pink. Variegation is caused by a lack of chlorophyll in certain cells.

Ventilation The movement of fresh air through a space. Good ventilation prevents mould growth in homes, reduces excess humidity around plants, and helps regulate indoor temperature.

W

Wabi-sabi A Japanese aesthetic philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. In home decor, wabi-sabi translates to natural textures, handmade objects, visible wear, and an acceptance of things that are unfinished or aged.

Waterlogging A condition where soil or a container holds too much water, preventing oxygen from reaching plant roots. Waterlogged roots die quickly. Waterlogging is prevented by good drainage, appropriate watering frequency, and the use of pots with drainage holes.

Weed Any plant growing in a place where it is not wanted. Most weeds compete with cultivated plants for water, nutrients, and light. Regular shallow hoeing is the most effective low-effort method of weed control.

Is a term missing?

If there is a gardening or home decor term you want us to define, contact us at: Email: contact@everydayhomegarden.com

We add new terms to this glossary every month.