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James Wong

Bio

James Wong is a botanist and science writer, with a particular interest in food crops, conservation and the environment. Trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, he shares his tiny London flat with more than 500 houseplants.

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More from James Wong

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Video

Jurassic Park to The Martian: 5 movies that get botany (mostly) wrong

Video

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ED9MHF Gardening - man digging the garden soil with a spud (shallow DOF; selective focus)

Life

Here's an easier way to improve the drainage of heavy clay soil

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PP65DP Building with climber plants, ivy growing on the wall and grass on the floor. Ecology and green living in city, urban environment concept.

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Why ivy growing on your walls may actually be beneficial

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Protecting the pruned branch of the fruit tree - plum - with garden paste

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Painting a tree's pruning wounds may be useful after all

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Planted new trees in a park in an urban environment.

Life

Why staking a new tree can do more harm than good

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Rake with fallen leaves in autumn. Man cleans the autumn park from yellow leaves. Volunteering, cleaning, and ecology concept. Seasonal gardening.; Shutterstock ID 2026442297; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Life

Why you don't need to bother raking up dead leaves from your lawn

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2GRH9F9 Man watering a Maranta Leuconeura, Fascinator Tricolor, houseplant with a plant mister bottle.

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Debunking gardening myths: Does misting your houseplants really work?

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JHPTR7 Bumblebee on Cornflower 'Blue Diadem'.

Environment

Gardening with 'native' plants isn't always better for the environment

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Cozy bright bedroom with indoor plants.Home interior design.Biophilia design,urban jungle concept.; Shutterstock ID 2170598701; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

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Why you shouldn't worry about keeping plants in your bedroom at night

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2DCB2RF making a mini sandarium for wild bees, bowl is filled with crocks for drainage, series picture 4/18, Germany

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Why putting broken pottery in your plant pot won't help with drainage

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R126CH Unrecognisable woman in casual clothing holding a box of used coffee ground to use as compost in her garden.

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Why used coffee grounds may be doing your plants more harm than good

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Woman cares for plants, watering green shoots from a watering can at sunset. Farming or gardening concept. Bottom view.

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Why watering your plants at midday won't damage their leaves

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