Plant Families | Planter

Have you ever noticed how plants are like people? They belong to big, messy, fascinating families. Some members are dependable, some are eccentric, and some are the wild cousins you only meet at special occasions.

That’s why we’re starting a new series called Plant Families. In each post, we’ll get to know one botanical clan: who they really are, where they come from, and what makes them unique. We’ll peek into their history, their quirks, and their role in our gardens and kitchens.

Because knowing is more than just naming, it’s about connection. When we learn the backstory of a family we don’t just grow them, we grow with them. We discover how deeply woven they are into our cultures, our recipes, and even our folklore.

So buckle up. From the carrot clan to the brassica bunch, from nightshades to grains; this series will introduce you to the plant families you thought you knew, and the ones you’ve never met.

Because knowing is growing! :)

Meet the Allium Family

Again and again, gardening confirms how incredibly minimal our consumption of species diversity is. In my household, there’s someone cutting an onion for dinner every single night. And to be fair, I guess most people do. It’s always there. Yet the diversity we actually use is pretty much… yellow or red. Like what?! There are so many varieties in this amazing family. And in my opunion (sorry, couldn’t resist), there’s a whole world of flavor, beauty, and history we’re missing out on....

Person holding a purple cabbage with big leaves

A Love Letter to the Brassica Family

As evenings turn cooler, many summer crops start to fade. Tomatoes slow down, beans get tough, and cucumbers struggle. But just when the garden seems ready to rest, another group of plants takes center stage: the Brassicas. If autumn has heroes, it’s them. (Especially here in Germany, hello sauerkraut!) A Family With Many Faces As a triplet myself, I’ve always thought of my family as pretty big. But it’s nothing compared to this one....