Many of the vegetables we eat today—including cabbage, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, turnips, and bok choy—developed from wild plants in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Through centuries of human selection, these wild plants evolved into the diverse brassica vegetables we know today.…
Amaranth is both an ancient cultivated grain and a highly nutritious leafy vegetable. Several species of Amaranthus are rated 5/5 for edibility in the Plants For A Future (PFAF) database. These plants produce protein-rich seeds, mineral-dense greens, and thrive in…
Agaves: Edible and Medicinal Desert Plants for Climate-Resilient Landscapes Agaves are among the most important edible plants ever developed in arid environments. These slow-growing perennials store large reserves of energy in their hearts, allowing them to function as dependable food…
Thistles sit at a surprising crossroads between noxious weed and useful food crop: many are edible, some are excellent vegetables or medicinal plants, and a few are best left alone unless you know exactly what you are doing. Their story…
The genus Chenopodium, commonly known as goosefoots, includes a wide range of plants that have fed people for thousands of years. While many species are now dismissed as weeds, others remain important food plants—used for leafy greens, grain-like seeds, and…
Plants For A Future (PFAF) is delighted to announce a significant update to our free online plant database: an extensive project introducing 946 new and updated entries focused on plants of the American Southwest, including 570 fully revised profiles and…
Many temperate gardens are shifting toward summer-dry, winter-wet conditions: hotter spells, longer dry periods, surprise frosts, and stronger winds. That’s challenging—but also an opportunity to grow delicious, resilient plants that love this pattern. What’s changing—and why it matters to edible…
Our New Book Release – With 20% Off! Food Forest Plants for Mediterranean Conditions 350+ Perennial Plants for Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens (Paperback & eBook) Special Offer: If you’re in the UK or the US, order directly from the…
We’re excited to announce the launch of a powerful new feature on our website: the Native Plant Search by Location — now live and ready to help you discover plants that are not only native to your region, but also…
The Amelanchier genus consists of small deciduous trees or large shrubs with small blackcurrant-sized fruit. Several species are excellent to eat raw, tasting like a blueberry with a hint of almond or apple flavour from the seeds. The fruit ripens…
