Beginning Your Indoor Garden
The indoor garden is one of the most pleasing forms of gardening in many regards. It can be as small as one plant, delicately cared for, to a house full of miraculous plants. While it's not always an easy task to set your indoor garden up, it can be simpler than you think once you get to know a bit about your home.
Some things to think about:
How much time do you want to spend on your indoor garden?
What kind of budget do you have to work with?
What are you wanting out of your garden? Are you wanting to purify your air? Fresh herbs for your kitchen cooking? Are you looking for a certain ambiance?
What environment are you able to provide your plants? What sort of Temperature do you feel most comfortable living in and what plants need the same? How much space do you have to offer your plants once they reach full size?
And the most important thing to keep in mind, I would say, is sun / lighting.
Where does the sun come in,
what time of day,
how much,
direct or indirect.
Different plants need different amounts of sunlight. Taking note during different times of day and during each of the four seasons, is a good idea. That said, the amount of sunlight that a spot or room gets or doesn't get can be controlled. You do, in the end, have more options with your indoor garden than you would in outdoor gardening. If you're desperate to put a plant in a particular spot where not much light from the sun reaches, you may want to look into a full spectrum light bulb for that area. On the other hand, if there's a certain plant you want to put in a spot where you get direct and strong sun, but your plant of choice doesn't want that, you'll need to find a way to block that light; keeping in mind, of course, that you'll be loosing out on a natural source of superior lighting.
If you want to go natural without much fuss or changes, and you want to use your home to its fullest indoor gardening potential, you may have to go with plants you didn't expect to use, or didn't know you could. Research and experimentation will be your best courses of action. Indoor gardening blogs, magazines, photos and even videos are plentiful. When you spot a familiar setting, look close and see what plants are used, where they are placed, and how they are potted.
Your indoor garden can get quite elaborate. It can be as contained or chaotic, small or large as you like. In fact, because you are more in control of your plants' environment, your indoor garden can, with time, be more beautiful and serene than any outdoor garden you can accomplish.
Get Creative
A bit of creativity goes a long way and can transform any mundane, stark, and previously lifeless spot into a cozy and relaxing home away from home. It's not all about the plants you use, it's also about how you integrate them into your decor. And it's quite alright to add a touch of you into your vision of your perfect indoor garden.
One way to be creative is with your planters. From glass bowls and jars, to a re-purposed purse or sewing machine, you can be as clever or visionary as you want. I've seen corks, tea cups, jewelry boxes, vintage shoes, even hats used as planters.
Pets
Word of warning, if you have pets that can get to any of your indoor garden plants, make sure that no part of the plants or potting are poisonous or harmful to them in any way. And don't be alarmed if your pet makes themselves at home.
Indoor Garden Ideas Big and Small
Tea tins make great pots for your indoor kitchen herb garden and fit perfectly on any sunny window ledge.
Yes, you can even do this if you have the space. This indoor garden has the perfect spot for a tree in front of the two story high window. Antique charm.
Succulents, found on Tumblr. Original source: Apartment Therapy.
Photography Sebastian Scutyser. This sun room enclosed porch with slanted brick flooring and grated drain is perfect for a room full of indoor plants. You won’t have to worry about water overflow and you and your plants can always be happy.
Matching white pots with butterfly, dragonfly, bee, and ladybug, all in a row and perfect for your peas and other smaller kitchen garden plants. And if you can’t find them, make them yourself with some plain terracotta pots and enamel paint and some decals.
Photo via: Belle Fleur de Lis by atelier - represents handmade textiles, love for flowers and taking care of plants in inside gardens.