Indoor Gardening 101: How to Start, Grow, and Maintain Your Indoor Garden

Thinking of starting your own indoor garden?

If the answer is yes, then this comprehe­nsive guide will provide you with all the necessary steps to successfully grow an indoor garden in your home.

What is an indoor garden and why indoor garden?

Indoor gardening, the practice of cultivating plants within your home or controlled indoor environments, offers numerous benefits that can greatly enhance your life in various ways, a few of them as below:

1. Improved Indoor Air Quality
2. Stress reduction
3. Aesthetic appeal
4. Connection to Nature
5. Educational opportunities

Getting Started with Indoor Gardening

1. Choosing the right location
   
   
   
   
   1. Place with proper lighting
      
      You can start off by estimating the amount of natural lighting your home gets. It is very necessary to identify the spaces that get direct sunlight (like Windows, and balconies), indirect sunlight, or shady spaces. Different plants have their own lighting requirement and they should be placed according to it. There is also artificial lighting (like LED and Fluorescent light ) that can be placed in places that don't receive direct sunlight for the growth of the plants.
      
      
   2. Appropriate Temperature and Humidity
      
      Plants have different needs regarding temperature and humidity. Some grow in warm environments, some love more humid while others enjoy much cooler and drier conditions. They should be placed in location according to their characteristics. Also, a micro-climate can be formed with the houseplants to maintain proper humid levels.
      
      Having the location that serves best for your garden is necessary for the proper growth and overall health of the plants. Things to consider while choosing the best location are:
      
      
2. Selecting the right containers
   
   
   
   These days the love for different kinds of containers is growing among the people. They help not only the growth of the plants but also to create the aesthetic appearance of the space. But there are certain things that might help you choose the right containers.
   
   
   1. Size of the plants
      
      The size and growth habits of each and every plant should be known beforehand before choosing the containers. Some might grow large and be deep-rooted which requires large pots, whereas succulents can grow easily in small containers. Some hanging containers can also be used as per the needs of the plants and garden.
      
      
   2. Drainage
      
      Containers with holes at the bottom of pots should be ensured before selecting them. The holes allow the excessive water to drain out of the pot, preventing problems like water-logging and root rot.
      Saucers or trays can also be used to hold the excess drained water from the holes keeping the indoor surface dry and clean.
      
      
   3. Aesthetic appearance
      
      Pots of different sizes, colors, or textures are getting popular these days to increase the overall decor of indoor spaces. You can choose them according to your preferences matching the home decor.
      
      
   
   
3. Selecting plants
   
   
   
   
   Having your own garden gives you unlimited authority over your plant climate. You generally have the opportunity of whether you need to foster an exceptional spice garden/succulents or have low-support indoor plants.
   
   
   
   1. Special herb garden / Succulents
      
      These sorts of gardens can be developed if you have an interest in creating a particular kind of garden whether it be with only herbs or can be with succulents only. They have their own specialty and popularity among the individuals. You can have fresh herbs and they can also be cost effective in the long term. In the case of succulents, they are also easy to maintain and can be grown in small spaces while adding a touch of greenery.
      
      
   2. Low-maintenance indoor plants
      
      These sorts of indoor plants can be best for you assuming you have quite recently been pondering starting your own indoor garden. You don't have to invest a lot of time and effort and still can have a proper thriving garden in front of you. Some of the benefits that might encourage you to have these low-maintenance indoor plants are:
   • Tolerant of low light
   • Infrequent watering
   • Resilient to temperature and humidity fluctuations
   • Adaptable even when neglected
   
   Here is the list of most common indoor plants which can be grown easily in your garden:
   • Snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata)
     
   • Pothos (Epipremnumeum aur):
   • Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
   • Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
     
   • Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
   • Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
   • Monstera Deliciosa
   • ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
   • Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
   • String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
     
     

Checkout our below more guides to your indoor garden:

• How to water indoor plants and maintain your indoor garden?
• What are the common problems and solutions to your indoor garden?