| Term | Definition |
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| Palmate | Shaped like a hand, with segments radiating from a central point, like fingers
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| Panicle | A loose, airy, multi-branched cluster of flowers
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| Parasitic Insects | Parasitic insects are used as a form of Organic and sustainable pest control. They prey on garden pests, often greatly reducing the common problem of garden pests. An example can be seen in the aphid wasp, which parasitizes on the aphid, a common garden pest.
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| Parasitic Plant | A plant which lives on, and acquires it's nutrients from another plant. This often results in declined vigor or death of the host plant.
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| Peat Moss | The partially decomposed remains of various mosses. This is a good, water retentive addition to the soil, but tends to add the acidity of the soil pH.
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| Perennial | A?non-woody plant?which grows and lives for more than two years. Perennials usually produce one flower crop each year, lasting anywhere from a week to a month or longer.
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| Perlite | A mineral, which when expanded by a heating process forms light granuals. Perlite is a good addition to container potting mixes, to promote moisture retention while allowing good drainage.
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| Pest | Any insect or animal which is detrimental to the health and well being of plants or other animals.
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| Pesticide | Any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.
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| Ph | Basically, pH is a measure of the amount of lime (calcium) contained in your soil. A soil with a pH lower than 7.0 is an acid soil, a soil pH higher than 7.0 is alkaline soil. Soil pH can be tested with an inexpensive test kit.
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| Photosynthesis | The internal process by which a plant turns sunlight into growing energy. The formation of carbohydrates in plants from water and carbon dioxide, by the action of sunlight on the Chlorophyll within the leaves.
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| Pinching Back | Utilizing the thumb and forefinger to nip back the very tip of a branch or stem. Pinching promotes branching, and a bushier, fuller plant
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| Pinnate | A compound leaf structure with a feather-like formation of leaflets arranged in pairs or alternating along the main stem.
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| Pistil | The seed-bearing organ of a flower, consisting of the ovary, stigma, and style.
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| Pollination | The transfer of pollen from the stamen?(male part of the flower)?to the pistil?(female part of the flower), which results in the formation of a seed. Hybrids are created when the pollen from one kind of plant is used to pollinate and entirely different variety, resulting in a new plant altogether.
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