As we head into winter, this is a great time to start an indoor gardening project. Having plants around your house or apartment has been shown to help improve indoor air quality, and can even increase your focus and concentration. Plants are also an easy and inexpensive way to spruce up your home décor. And with COVID-19 rates continuing to rise across the United States, and many of us still working from home, it can be soothing to have a plant in your living or workspace.
Before you begin an indoor planting project for your home, there are a few things to consider. You will want to think about how much light you have in your home, since different kinds of plants have different needs. Some plants are easier to grow than others and need little attention or light, while others require ample sunlight and frequent watering. You may want to focus on one room, such as your living room, and get a number of plants in different sizes for that space, or you may choose to get a few plants for each room of your home.
So, whether you are a plant newbie or an experienced green thumb, we have rounded up some project ideas and resources to help you take the next step in indoor gardening.
Grow Herbs at Home
Herbs are very easy to grow and don't take up a lot of room, making them ideal for indoor spaces. And it's always helpful to have fresh herbs such as dill, mint, and thyme on hand when you are preparing food; it saves money and time that you would have been spent shopping in a store. There are a number of kits, such as Planter's Choice Herb Growing Kit and Grinder, that come with everything you need to get started. Another good option is the Herb Starter Kit from Urban Leaf, which comes with seeds that can be planted in pots indoors or in an outdoor garden. The kit includes eight types of seeds and bamboo markers to help you keep track of your herbs.
Start a Succulent Collection
If you aren't sure you want a big commitment or are worried you may forget to water your plant, succulents like cacti and jade may be just what are you looking for. These plants are low maintenance, don't need a lot of water, and are able to handle neglect. They also come in a surprisingly large variety of shapes and forms. It's easy to plant some succulents together in a large container to create interesting and colorful arrangements. Succulents Box sells a range of succulents that can be grown indoors, including an indoor pack that is available in different sizes. The online company Harddy focuses on succulents, and its offerings include packs organized by color and size. This site also includes helpful articles about how to take care of these kinds of plants.
Add Some Color
Plants with colorful flowers or leaves are a nice way to brighten up your home. Some popular choices are phalaenopsis orchids, bromeliads, African violets, and anthurium. The online plant company The Sill sells orchids and other plants with colorful blooms and leaves. Lively Root, another plant site, sells a selection of bromeliads and many other styles. And as we head into the holiday season, the ever-popular poinsettias and amaryllises plants are making their annual appearances can add some cheer to your home. The gift site Harry and David sells both of these plants in different kinds of containers.
Mix it Up
When it comes to buying green house plants, there are many shapes and sizes to choose from. You can mix and match plants and containers to come up with a selection that you find pleasing. One idea is to scatter tall plotted plants throughout your home and add in smaller hanging planters to create a dramatic effect. Bloomscape is aimed at beginning gardeners and has put together a list of easy-to-care for plants, as well as lists of the best houseplants for each room in your house. Customers can also choose from various pot options, including stone, clay and charcoal. Afloral is known for its flower offerings, but it also has a large selection of lifelike artificial houseplants in appealing sizes and colors.
Build a Terrarium
Terrariums are small gardens that are housed inside a glass or other transparent container and are a fun and interesting way to grow plants. After they are set up, these all-inclusive habitats essentially take care of themselves. You can build your own terrarium from scratch by buying separate supplies, and there are also many kits out there that come with everything you need. Eastern Leaf, a Zen gardening company, sells terrarium kits in interesting containers such as apothecary jars and wide glass cubes. Uncommon Goods sells a mini terrarium kit that doubles as art—each of the four small glass terrariums can be hung up on the wall after you set them up. There are also many terrarium kits out there designed for kids, such as this one from Uptown Farmer Kids which comes with unicorn figurines.
Use Your Walls
If you don't have a lot of space, you can consider growing plants vertically along a wall. You can use an old wooden ladder or an indoor trellis, which is an open framework made of light wooden or metal bars. Some plants that grow well this way are ivy, jasmine, and hoyas. You can also try growing some vegetables this way; green beans, for example, grow on a vining plant. A site to check out for indoor trellises and wall hangers is HPotter, which focuses on indoor and outdoor gardening products.