Author Archives: Heather Arndt Anderson

Don’t Be Fooled By These Ridiculous Online Seed Scams

If you spend any time shopping for plants online, you may have noticed some pretty kooky-looking items sliding into your algorithms lately: ultraviolet strawberries,… Read More

Growing Sprouts Like a Crunchy 1970s Hippie Has Never Been Easier

I first started eating like a hippie toward the end of high school. For the first few months of my senior year, I subsisted… Read More

More Than Just Meatballs and MELLTORP: Check Out IKEA’s Houseplants

I’m sure you already know that there’s a whole lot more to IKEA than dorm furniture and a lingonberry-laden cafeteria. For starters, they have… Read More

Goth up Your Garden with These Gorgeous Black Flowers

Black flowers have the power to cast an instant spell over anyone who gazes upon your garden—one that warns passersby that your grail overfloweth. Read More

Soothing Lotions and Creams for Gardeners Who Hate Wearing Gloves

I’ve been a fairly serious gardener for more than a quarter century and have never enjoyed wearing gardening gloves during any of that time. Read More

Have You and Your Houseplants Listened to Mother Earth’s Plantasia Yet?

Though scientists now understand that plants exhibit behavior in ways somewhat similar to “very slow animals,” in the early 1970s the notion of… Read More

How to Fill Your Home and Garden with Lots of Plants for Next to Nothing

To me, there is no thrill like a cheap thrill. I love finding deep discounts of pretty much any type. (Seriously, one time I… Read More

The Headbanger’s Ball Goes Green With These Heavy Metal Houseplants

I was one helluva teenager; an exquisite, angry little ember moshing around obstinately in combat boots and torn fishnets, Revlon Blackberry lipstick on my… Read More

Follow This Fall Garden Cleanup Guide, Then Chill All Winter Long

The change of seasons from summer to fall evokes so many cozy, hygge things: fire-side apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes, boots and nubby… Read More

Plant a Pumpkin Spice Latte-Inspired Garden That Looks Good Enough to Drink

Pumpkin Spice Latte (a.k.a. #PSL) season is nearly upon us, but even if you don’t drink the stuff, that doesn’t… Read More

The 9 Hottest Botanists (a.k.a. “Hotanists”) in History

I know when you think of Sunset, you think “America’s Oldest Lifestyle Magazine” and “Venerable Record of Living in the West,” and you’d be… Read More

How to Be a Lazy Gardener and Still Have an Amazing-Looking Yard

In the most O. Henryian irony, being a garden writer for Sunset magazine means I barely have any time to work in my garden. And… Read More

From Fern Mania to Houseplant Hoarding: Plant Trends Through the Decades

Just like any other aspect of our culture, our taste in plants is subject to change by the decade. What we grow is dictated… Read More

Begonias Are Back (and Grandma’s Other Favorite Houseplants Are Next)

We only recommend things we love. If you buy something through our site, we might earn a commission. Covered in bright orange, red, or pink… Read More

These Gorgeous Water Features and Garden Fountains Add Splash to Any Yard

Add a little water music to your yard with the just-right idea from our gallery of water features Read More

These Edible Herbs Not Only Taste Awesome—They Keep Weeds Away

If you hate pulling weeds in your garden, remember: Herbs taste good, while most weeds do not, so why not grow herbs to outcompete the… Read More

Trader Joe’s Houseplants: A Power Ranking

  As a longtime Trader Joe’s shopper, I know all too well that the store can be pretty hit or miss on some… Read More

Spooky Plants to Decorate with This Halloween

We only recommend things we love. If you buy something through our site, we might earn a commission. Whether you love Halloween or are… Read More

These Water-Wise Container Plants Make It Look Easy (and Make It Look Good)

From agave to lavender, water-wise gardeners have plenty of container plants to choose from  Read More

Make Your Own Mini-Biodome With These DIY Terrariums

In these mad-for-crafts times, terrariums are hotter––and easier––than ever. Create your own tabletop garden in 30 minutes or less Read More