Gardening is a fantastic stress reliever, and bringing the garden indoors is a great way to liven up any home. Some people choose to garden indoors year-round while others put their potted plants outside in the summer months and only bring them in when the weather turns cool. Whichever method you choose, you will need to provide everything the plants need to thrive while they are inside.
The three basic elements to keep your garden alive and healthy are sunlight, water and soil. When plants are outside, sunlight comes naturally and you may only have to water your plants when rainfall is scarce. But when your garden is indoors, the plants rely on you to give them what they need.
Choose a soil that is specially formulated for potted plants. Home improvement stores carry a variety of soils, including some that are made especially for certain types of plants such as succulents and orchids. Read the bag to figure out which type of soil is right for your particular potted plants.
How much water your indoor plants will need depends on the types of plants you have. Generally, the water needs for each type of plant are listed on the seed packet or, if you buy seedlings, on the plastic information tab. Follow these guidelines to water your plants appropriately. Be sure to keep the information handy, either on the pots themselves or on a piece of paper for easy reference.
Light is the final piece of the indoor gardening puzzle. Providing light for indoor plants is confusing to some gardeners, but it is relatively simple. Plants’ sunlight needs are listed along with their water requirements, so figuring out how many hours of sunlight they need each day is simple. If your home has plenty of natural light, sunlight coming in through windows is sometimes enough to keep plants healthy. If not, consider installing plant grow lights to help your indoor garden thrive. New LED grow lights use much less energy than traditional fluorescent lights, keeping your electricity bill manageable.
Your indoor garden can become the focal point of your home, or it can be a personal retreat just for you to enjoy. Spend some time reading up on the needs of your plants to ensure that you are giving them everything they need. Indoor gardening may bring you many years of enjoyment and satisfaction while adding unparalleled beauty to your home.