To enrich your knowledge about all things plant, sometimes, the internet and YouTube alone may not be enough. You need at least one gardening book to ignite your passion, nurture your skill, and level up your gardening game. From horticulture books to xeriscape books, we’ve collected all the essential gardening reads to transform your garden into a non-stop paradise. So grab your notes and make sure to add these helpful gardening reads to your wish list!
Table of Contents
Must-Have Horticulture Books
The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible, 2nd Edition by Edward C. Smith
Goodreads Rating: 4.3 out of 5.0
As the name suggests, the first horticulture books we got here offer a wealth of knowledge and expertise, from soil preparation and crop selection to pests management. With lots of illustrations and a beginner-friendly approach, The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible would be an interesting and worth-buying investment.
The Flower Gardener’s Bible: A Complete Guide To Colorful Blooms All Season Long by Lewis Hill & Nancy Hill
Goodreads Rating: 4.2 out of 5.0
If you’re more into flowers, this book is definitely made for you! Packed with expert advice from choosing the right flowering plants to designing eye-catching arrangements that last throughout the season, it’s no wonder why this book made it to the top 100 horticulture books online.
The Pruning Book: Completely Revised and Updated by Lee Reich
Goodreads Rating: 4.3 out of 5.0
Still have no idea about how to do the right pruning for your beloved plants? Among many horticulture books out there, this book surely will be your lifesaver. In this book, Reich offers clear and comprehensive guidance on how to properly prune trees, shrubs, and vines (and many more), accompanied by helpful illustrations and diagrams.
The Well-Tended Perennial: The Essential Guide To Planting and Pruning Techniques, 3rd Edition by Tracy DiSabato-Aust
Goodreads Rating: 4.25 out of 5.0
Calling out all the perennial lovers, if you’re in the middle of a hunt for some horticulture books that match your hobby, this book is worth reading. The Well-Tended Perennial equips readers with all the knowledge and techniques to create a thriving perennial garden.
The Organic Gardener’s Handbook of Natural Pest and Disease Control by Fern Marshall Bradley, Barbara W Ellis, and Deborah L. Martin
Goodreads Rating: 4.19 out of 5.0
Pests and diseases are the worst enemies for any plant lovers, but thankfully, there are valuable horticulture books out there that cover these problems. Packed with a broad array of solutions as well as natural remedies without having to rely on harmful chemicals, it’s guaranteed you wouldn’t regret spending a penny on this book.
The Best Xeriscape Books That Are Worth Read
Water-Smart Gardening: Save Water, Save Money, and Grow the Garden You Want by Diana Maranhao
Goodreads Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0
While horticulture books focus more on how to develop and grow plants that can be highly marketable, xeriscape books focus more on water conservation and sustainable practices. If you’re new to xeriscaping, this book will cover all you need to know about xeriscape with guidance on plant selection, efficient irrigation methods, and soil management techniques.
Xeriscape Plant Guide 100 Water-Wise Plants for Gardens and Landscapes by Denver Water
Goodreads Rating: 4.2 out of 5.0
With this book in hand, you don’t need to worry about what to grow in your Xeriscape garden! This book offers detailed information on each plant’s water requirements, growth habits, and visual appeal to make your xeriscape landscaping way easier.
Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscape by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West
Goodreads Rating: 4.2 out of 5.0
If you’re living in an area with consistent drought but wish to mimic the resilience and beauty of your natural ecosystem, this book will teach you how to realize your dream! Planting in a Post-Wild World provides practical insights into designing these resilient landscapes by emphasizing the importance of using native and drought-tolerant plants.
Top Greenhouse Books To Get You Inspired
The Greenhouse Gardener’s Manual: by Roger Marshall
Goodreads Rating: 3.9 out of 5.0
If you like horticulture books, you might also be interested in greenhouse books. A greenhouse is a practice of creating controlled environments for plants and protecting them from external stressors. The good news is, this book covers all you need to know about greenhouses–from the basic aspect of greenhouse gardening to mastering temperature and managing unwanted pests.
The Year-Round Solar Greenhouse: How to Design and Build a Net-Zero Energy Greenhouse by Lindsey Schiller and Marc Plinke
Goodreads Rating: 4.3 out of 5.0
Once you finish the previous greenhouse book, we recommend moving up to this book as your next read. The Year-Round Solar Greenhouse is an essential book for greenhouse gardeners who are seeking to maximize their greenhouse’s efficiency and sustainability. Providing insights on design, managing pests and diseases, heat control, and construction methods, this book is a must to read!
The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower’s Handbook by Andrew Mefferd
Goodreads Rating: 4.3 out of 5.0
If you’re planning to grow your profitable crops, either for consumption or for business purposes, this greenhouse book will guide you through the success of it. The Greenhouse and Hoophouse is an illustrated book that will provide you with lots of valuable information about organic growing practices, with techniques and strategies that can help for a successful greenhouse gardening and crops business.
Best Indoor Gardening Books
The House Plant Expert by D.G. Hessayon
Goodreads Rating: 4.2 out of 5.0
Maybe you’re not a fan of horticulture books, greenhouse gardening, or xeriscaping, and that’s okay! We’ve got you covered with a more easy-to-maintain, limited space-friendly, time-saving gardening practice: indoor gardening. In this book, Hessayon will help you by covering various aspects of all things indoor gardening, including watering, potting, lighting, and picking the right soil.
Plant Parenting: Easy Ways to Make More Houseplants, Vegetables, and Flowers by Leslie F. Halleck
Goodreads Rating: 4.1 out of 5.0
Once you’ve mastered the art of indoor gardening, this book will guide you on how to expand your indoor plant collection and successfully propagate them. From seeds and cutting to grafting and dividing, this book covers various propagation methods that are easy to follow.
The New Plant Parent: Develop Your Green Thumb and Care for Your House-Plant Family by Darryl Cheng
Goodreads Rating: 4.4 out of 5.0
As the author and the photographer, Cheng will guide you into the breathtaking realm of houseplants through his camera and easy-to-replicate maintenance routine for each houseplant. The beautifully photographed plants in this book add to the visual appeal and inspiration, making it no wonder why this book has sold thousands of copies online.
How to Houseplant: A Beginner’s Guide to Making and Keeping Plant Friends by Heather Rodino
Goodreads Rating: 4.3 out of 5.0
If you’re completely new to indoor gardening, worry not! How to Houseplant will guide anyone who just started their indoor gardening journey, providing lots of practical and easy-to-follow instructions for the most 50 popular houseplants–from orchids, and aloe vera, to philodendrons.
Why You Should Read At Least One Gardening Book
Whether you’re an expert gardener or just starting, horticulture books open the door to new ideas, and techniques, and provide you with a deeper understanding of the botanical world. Combine all the knowledge you get from these books and all of the YouTube videos you’ve binge-watched, and you’ll be a highly-skilled gardener in no time!
New author in the hood. Loves gardening and flowers are my spirit animals (yes I know they are not animals but I insist). I will be covering most of the flowers’ topics here and occasionally random though as well.
