Comprehensive Plant Database
Search and filter by soil pH, sunlight, functional traits, ecology, and safety
covering every plant type.
| Name | Scientific | Family | Form | Height | pH | Zones | Sun | Water | Difficulty | Conservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acorn Squash, Des Moines Squash, Pepper Squash | Cucurbita pepo | Cucurbitaceae | herb_non_graminoid | 1.5-3 feet (45-90 cm) | 6–6.8 | 3a-11b | Full Sun | Provide 1 inch of water weekly at the soil base. Avoid overhead sprinkler irrigation to reduce powdery mildew susceptibility. | LC | |
| Carpet Bugleweed, Bugle, Blue Bugle, Carpenter's Herb | Ajuga reptans | Lamiaceae | herb_non_graminoid | 3-6 inches (up to 9 inches in bloom) | 4.5–6.8 | 3a - 9b | Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade | Water moderately until established; tolerates brief dry spells once rooted but performs best with consistent moisture in well-draining soil. | LC | |
| Giant Allium, Ornamental Onion, Giant Onion | Allium giganteum | Amaryllidaceae | herb_non_graminoid | 3-5 feet (90-150 cm) | 6–7.5 | 4a-9b | Full Sun | Water moderately during spring growth; requires dry soil conditions during summer dormancy to prevent bulb rot. | LC | |
| Aloe Vera, True Aloe, Medicinal Aloe, Barbados Aloe | Aloe vera | Asphodelaceae | succulent_leaf | 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) (foliage); up to 3 feet (90 cm) in flower | 6.5–8 | 9a-11b | Full Sun, Partial Sun | Employ the 'soak and dry' method: saturate root zone completely, then allow medium to become 100% dry before re-watering. Reduce watering by 70% in winter. | LC | |
| Blood Amaranth, Purple Amaranth, Red Amaranth, Grain Amaranth | Amaranthus cruentus | Amaranthaceae | herb_non_graminoid | 4-8 feet (120-240 cm) | 6–7.5 | 2a-11b | Full Sun | Low to medium. Once established, requires little supplemental irrigation except during severe hot dry spells. | LC | |
| Arugula, Garden Rocket, Roquette, Eruca | Eruca vesicaria | Brassicaceae | herb_non_graminoid | 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) | 6–7.2 | 3a - 11b | Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade | Maintain even moisture with 1 inch of water weekly. Inconsistent moisture induces premature bolting and leaf bitterness. | LC | |
| Garden Asparagus, Edible Asparagus, Sparrow Grass | Asparagus officinalis | Asparagaceae | herb_non_graminoid | 4-6 feet (120-180 cm) | 6.5–7.8 | 3a-9b | Full Sun, Partial Sun | Deep watering during dry spells, especially during the fern-recharging summer phase; mature crowns tolerate drought. | LC | |
| Chinese Astilbe, False Spirea, False Goat's Beard | Astilbe chinensis | Saxifragaceae | herb_non_graminoid | 1.5-3 feet (45-90 cm) | 5.5–6.8 | 4a-9a | Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade | High. Requires consistent moisture. Foliage scorches quickly if allowed to dry out in full sun. | LC | |
| Indica Azalea, Southern Indica Azalea, Satsuki Azalea | Rhododendron indicum | Ericaceae | shrub | 3-6 feet | 4.5–6 | 6a - 9b | Partial Sun, Partial Shade | Shallow root system requires consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 times weekly during dry spells. Mulch heavily with pine bark or pine needles to retain moisture and maintain soil acidity. | LC | |
| German Bearded Iris, Flag Iris, Common German Iris | Iris germanica | Iridaceae | herb_non_graminoid | 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) | 6.5–7.5 | 3a-9b | Full Sun | Low. Drought tolerant once established. Water primarily during active spring growth and late-summer root establishment. | NE | |
| Beet, Beetroot, Table Beet, Garden Beet | Beta vulgaris | Amaranthaceae | herb_non_graminoid | 1-1.5 feet (30-45 cm) | 6.5–7.5 | 2a-11b | Full Sun, Partial Sun | Uniform watering (1 to 1.5 inches weekly); fluctuating soil moisture causes woody, cracked, or irregularly zoned roots. | LC | |
| Bell Pepper, Sweet Pepper, Capsicum | Capsicum annuum | Solanaceae | herb_non_graminoid | 30-90 cm (12-36 inches) | 6–6.8 | 9-11 (grown as annual in zones 2-8) | Full Sun | Provide consistent moisture, approximately 1-2 inches per week. Mulch to stabilize soil moisture and reduce blossom end rot. | LC |