Two new horticulture books explore plant propagation and how plants nurture humans

Two new books explore plant propagation and how plants nurture humans.

Essential Guide to Plant Propagation: Techniques and Know-How for Propagating All Types of Plants, Indoors and Out (Cool Springs Press) from the American Horticultural Society is available Oct. 6, 2026. 

Covering both indoor and outdoor species, Essential Guide to Plant Propagation combines clear, step-by-step instruction with expert horticultural insight to ensure success.

The 240-page paperback ($28.99 USD, $37.99 CAD) includes straightforward explanations, how-to photo sequences and practical advice for every major propagation method, including seed sowing; stem, root and leaf cuttings; grafting; layering; and division, as well as guidance on equipment, timing and environmental conditions.

Highlights include:

• Step-by-step instructions for 35-plus propagation methods, using both vegetative plant parts and seeds.
• Expert techniques for indoor and outdoor plants, including trees, shrubs, perennials and houseplants.
• Troubleshooting advice for common issues like rot, mold and poor rooting success.
• Guidance on tools, growing media and ideal propagation conditions for every plant type.
• Expert knowledge from the American Horticultural Society, refined through decades of hands-on experience.
• Over 300 color photographs.

More Than Just a Plant (Cool Springs Press) by Krystal Duran, available Nov. 3, 2026, explores the emotional and restorative side of tending to plants, alongside confidence‑building care advice.

Duran, of @_plantswithkrystal_, highlights the quiet ways plants "speak’ to us": leaves reaching toward light, tendrils forming as they search for support and yellowing leaves falling away to make space for new growth. Through personal stories and accessible guidance, she shows how caring for houseplants can steady us through loss, quiet the mind and bring small moments of joy into everyday life.

Alongside her reflections, she offers practical plant‑care fundamentals, troubleshooting tips, lighting and watering strategies, and seasonal inspiration for cultivating harmony indoors.

Other highlights include:

• Emotional connection through plant care: How nurturing plants fosters mindfulness, joy and healing.
• Practical guidance: Lighting, watering and troubleshooting made clear and confidence‑building.
• Personal stories of resilience: Krystal’s journey of loss, growth and rediscovery through plants.
• Science‑backed benefits: How houseplants reduce stress and support a restorative home environment.
• Seasonal and space‑based inspiration: Ideas for cultivating harmony and intention indoors.
  

Thanks to several thousand pre-orders already, the 192-page hardcover ($25 USD, $32.99 CAD) is already a best-seller in its category.