Plants bring life and colour into the home and require little in the way of maintenance. Here are a few indoor gardening tips for the beginner who wants to grow a vegetable/fruit/herbs garden at home. Follow these simple tips and your plants should thrive.
Always position plants carefully. Look for the best place in the house for each plant, and don’t be afraid to try different locations until you find the best spot.
If a room seems too dark to sustain a healthy plant, don’t be fooled. Most indoor plants originate in tropical and subtropical regions, in particular equatorial forests, and they thrive in dim environments and filtered light. The ideal spot is in front of a large window facing east or west.
Always choose large pots. Larger pots hold more soil and moisture, and therefore allows the plants to grow a bigger root system. This allows the plants to grow larger, and to go longer between watering.
There are many types of containers available from recycled, to inexpensive, to very expensive ceramic or glass containers. Just be sure that all your containers have drainage holes in the bottom.
If you have a plant that thrives on lots of sun, place it on a windowsill facing north or north-east. Check soil moisture levels regularly and inspect the leaves to check they are not being burned.
Ferns and other moisture-loving plants do best in vaporous rooms like bathrooms where they can lap up regular doses of mist.
If you don’t want your plant to die of heat or cold, avoid placing it in draughty areas or near ducted heat or air-conditioning outlets.
Water poured directly onto the soil may flood, or not reach the pot plant’s roots. Instead, water plants bottom up by standing them in a dish and filling the dish with water. Delicate plants such as fuchsias thrive on this method.
Water your plants only when the potting mix feels dry to the touch – over watering is often the cause of indoor plant death. Check by pushing your finger into the soil; if it comes out without any trace of soil on it, start watering.
Most indoor plants benefit from an occasional misting of water. Make sure the water is at room temperature and use an atomizer or spray bottle.
Feed your plants with small amounts of fertilizer. The fastest and simplest solution is complete liquid fertilizer in the recommended dose, usually every two to four weeks.
An efficient way to water your plants directly at a steady rate is to use ice cubes. Put a couple on top of the pot soil and leave them to melt.
Other tips for indoor gardening include rotating your plants, so that all sides receive sunlight.
Follow these easy tips for a successful indoor gardening! Happy planting J