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People who can turn their humble home into an Instagrammable indoor herb garden? I can not connect. As a novice indoor gardener, everything I planted wilted on the vine and turned a strange gray color within a few weeks. I partly blame the dry Colorado air, but the truth is, my lack of motivation to perfect my indoor gardening is to blame. I consulted real horticulturists to hone my botanical skills. "Indoor gardening is a great way to bring nature indoors," says Jade Murray, author of Indoor Gardening: No Matter How Small Your Space, Get Started. If you're looking for gardening tips or tools to turn your Manhattan window into a hydroponic microgreen perch or pull cherry tomatoes and other greens from your home garden to grow your own food during the winter months, head to the guide below and get started . Make an indoor garden like a pro.
What is indoor gardening?
Indoor gardening is just that: growing plants indoors all year round (from fresh cocktail hour herbs to beautiful orchids). Indoor gardening has many definitions, but most agree that gardening is the simple act of encouraging plant life indoors. And make no mistake: Although there are many gardening tools available today, people have been practicing indoor gardening for centuries. Author Mark Twain also defended his impressive preserve, which his three daughters nicknamed "The Forest."
Most indoor gardening techniques involve planting in potting soil, potting mix with adequate drainage holes, or a raised space with adequate air circulation; no outdoor space required. "Whether you have outdoor space or not, there is something incredibly rewarding and satisfying about watching your indoor plants grow," Murray says. "Houseplants not only clean the air we breathe, they also create a relaxing indoor environment, which is good for our mental health. We all have a green thumb."
The best plants for indoor gardens
"The safest and easiest plants to grow indoors are tropical ones," says Stephen Block of Inner Garden. "This plant grows in the relatively dark understory of the rainforest. Its leaves grow very wide and can use light in low light conditions. It is best to place the houseplant in front of a bright window. Some of Murray's favorite plants for indoor gardening include Snake Ivy Plant, Devil's Ivy, "slow growing" Philodendron, Spider Plant, or ZZ Plant. Some plants require higher than average humidity, so Block recommends displaying these plants in a well-kept bathroom. illuminated The best plants for the bathroom are ferns, begonias and calathea Well-maintained humidity Even a dryer can make warm young plants feel at home.
What systems are used for indoor gardening?
Natural light can provide the same benefit when growing indoors. "Adding artificial lights to dark corners of the living room can help plants grow," says Murray. And when it comes to providing enough light for all types of garden plants, artificial lighting is only half the game; Technology abounds for indoor gardening enthusiasts, whether you're looking to create your own lawn mower or a full spectrum lighting system for modern garden lighting. If you don't know where to start, indoor gardening can help. AeroGarden gets great reviews on Amazon and is self-watering, while Gardin offers an indoor garden system that lets you grow everything from bok choy to oxblood (sweet beets).
Tips for caring for ornamental plants
No matter how hard you try, you won't be able to recreate what a plant experiences in its natural outdoor environment. However, we can get closer to the ideal idea for an indoor garden. "Because houseplants don't grow quickly and don't drink much water, it's best to water them sparingly, so the soil surface dries out a bit before watering again," Block says. "About twice a week you should check the soil with your finger. If the soil feels cold to the touch, it is still quite moist; don't water it. If the soil feels warm to the touch, you can add water. Ideally you want The plant remains wet for long periods of time. They don't like it. Surprisingly, most plants prefer a little neglect to constant attention. "It's better than overwatering," says Block. "Plants can recover from water , but too much water will kill them. roots, so that the plant cannot survive."
What about the garden inside the house?
When it comes to indoor gardening like a pro, Block recommends purchasing recommended plants from your local nursery and knowing where to place them in your home. "For indoor growing to be successful, you need to plant the right plants in the right place," he says. "Pay attention to the amount of light each plant needs. The right amount of sunlight is the most important part of successful indoor gardening. Proper lighting conditions make the entire process easier, and the wrong plant in the wrong light will lead to to failure. In other words, I love my arid Colorado habitat. No wonder he couldn't find the ornamental plant, the prairie fern, native to the cloud forests east of the Mississippi.
How to make an indoor garden for beginners?
Don't worry if you don't have gardening skills yet. There are ways to make indoor gardening easier. "Choose a good specimen," advises Murray. "I recommend purchasing your plants in person, not online. That way, you can inspect the plants before bringing them home. Check for pests, check the plants for healthy roots and new leaf growth. You also want to maximize your space; hang plants. plants in baskets or (ahem) on stairs so there is plenty of greenery." Consider growing plants on a windowsill or on steps.
What kind of vegetables can you grow completely at home?
The short answer: not much. Murray reviews the herb garden and explains that it has great potential if placed in a well-lit window; maybe you always have one for recipes in your kitchen. "Some of the best varieties for indoor gardens include chives, parsley, oregano, mint, rosemary, sage and thyme," he says. But crops like carrots and zucchini can be another problem. "I don't recommend trying to grow vegetables at home," Block says. "Vegetables need six to eight hours of full sun to grow. If you invest in grow lights to replace sunlight, you can try growing them indoors. It is very difficult and expensive. If you are ready to plant vegetables, it may be worth the worth the investment, however, radishes, beets and other edible greens can grow well indoors. "My favorite vegetable to grow indoors is lettuce," says Murray. These vegetables can be planted in compact areas, saving space and They can grow in four weeks.
Originally appeared in Architectural Digest
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