Garden Writer at Plant Addicts
About Lynn Gusman
Lynn Gusman is a Plant Addicts garden writer with a background in botany, entomology, Integrated Pest Management, agricultural education, garden-center management, and commercial horticulture.
Raised in a household of gardeners and chefs, Lynn has worked with plants from seed to table for most of her life. Her professional experience has included teaching high school agricultural science in the Pacific Northwest, managing a family-owned garden center in the South, and working in IPM and marketing with large commercial growers in the Midwest.
Lynn has contributed to Plant Addicts since August 2022, combining her science background and teaching experience to make plant care information practical and easy to understand for home gardeners.
Her Approach to Gardening
Lynn brings a science-based and practical approach to gardening, with particular experience in plant health, insects, pest management, edible gardening, houseplants, and perennial care. Her background in Integrated Pest Management informs the way she evaluates plant problems, helping gardeners consider the full growing environment rather than relying on a single treatment or quick fix.
When she is not researching plants or writing gardening content, Lynn spends time planning her Northeast Ohio perennial garden and caring for an extensive collection of houseplants.
Education and Horticultural Background
Bachelor of Arts
Botany / Entomology
New College of Florida
Senior Thesis
“Creating a Spotted Wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), Fruit Puree Diet to Facilitate Integrated Pest Management Techniques”
Professional Horticultural Experience
Lynn’s background spans several areas of horticulture and agricultural education. She has taught high school agricultural science in the Pacific Northwest, where she helped students understand plant science and agricultural systems.
She later managed a family-owned garden center in the South, gaining practical experience with retail horticulture, plant selection, customer education, and the day-to-day challenges gardeners face when choosing and caring for plants.
Lynn has also worked with large commercial growers in the Midwest in Integrated Pest Management and marketing, giving her experience with plant health, pest monitoring, commercial production, and horticultural communication.
Areas of Expertise
Lynn’s gardening background combines plant science, insects, pest management, edible gardening, houseplants, and perennial care.
Favorite Plants
Yarrow is one of Lynn’s favorite perennials. Its clusters of small, brightly colored flowers, fine-textured foliage, drought tolerance, and value to pollinators make it a versatile choice for perennial and native-inspired gardens.
One of her favorite combinations pairs bright yellow Moonshine Yarrow with multicolored Cheyenne Spirit Coneflower and a lower-growing coral bell or heucherella such as Sweet Tea. Together, they create a colorful, drought-tolerant perennial planting with varied height, texture, and bloom.
Featured Gardening Articles
Lynn writes about seasonal gardening, houseplants, plant health, and practical plant care for home gardeners.
Fall Planting
Planting Perennials & Shrubs In The Fall
Seasonal guidance for establishing shrubs and perennials during the cooler conditions of fall.
Houseplant Light
Houseplant Sunlight Guide
Understanding light levels and matching indoor plants with appropriate growing conditions.
Plant Health
Common Houseplant Problems
Identifying common houseplant problems and understanding the growing conditions that contribute to them.
Houseplant Care
Planting Houseplants
Practical advice for planting and establishing houseplants in containers.
Seasonal Houseplants
Growing Houseplants Outdoors
Moving houseplants outdoors safely and managing changing light and seasonal conditions.
Winter Care
Caring For Outdoor Plants In Winter
Seasonal care considerations for helping outdoor plants through winter conditions.