There is a growing trend of indoor container gardening. It has many benefits, and it is a very fun and rewarding hobby. It is possible to grow your own food by using an indoor container gardening system. You can have fresh herbs, veggies, and fruits whenever you like. The purpose of this book is to help you get started (and maintain) your own indoor container garden with some tips and techniques.
In this article, you can find out the best plants for growing in a container garden indoors as well as how to take care of your plants. Lastly, we will show you some ideas on how you can decorate your container garden to give it a cheery look and feel. It is important to keep in mind that when growing plants indoors, you should adhere to the same general schedule you would when growing plants outdoors- but sometimes you may be able to manipulate the seasons to suit your needs.
How to Prepare Your Indoor Container Garden
- Decide on the container you wish to use. You are limited only by your imagination when you have an indoor container garden. If you go to your local nursery supply store, you can find standard containers for your plants or you can find non-traditional containers. You can also use items such as old watering cans and broken teapots or repurpose old food and drink containers. As you choose your container, you will want to consider what plants you will be growing in it and the amount of space they will need.
- Make sure your containers are equipped with drainage holes. With drainage holes, excess water will be able to drain away. In order to drain water, children should have the assistance of an adult. As well as adding a layer of gravel, you will also want to add a layer of sand to prevent the soil from running out of the holes as the water runs.
- Select the right type of potting soil for your plant. All-purpose potting soil is a good choice for most plants. In spite of this, some plants do have specific requirements to grow well- so make sure that you are aware of what type of potting soil will be best suited for the plant you choose.
- Select a focal point for your design. You will need to choose a focal piece when you are getting ready to plant your indoor container garden. The plant should be a larger one, such as a topiary ring. The topiary will grow throughout the year, and you can add flowering bulbs to the pot with it that will bloom all through the year, giving the topiary a very colorful appearance. The good thing about tulips is that they can be trained to grow at any time of the year, or you can choose a variety of bulbs which won’t compete with each other.
- Arrange containers around the focal piece. As soon as you have chosen your focal piece, gather some small, brightly colored ceramic pots and arrange an herb garden around it. In order to grow herbs, you do not need a lot of space, so you can place the pots very close together. It is then necessary to train them by pruning them as they begin to grow, or allow them to grow naturally as they grow.
- You can decorate your home with blown glass balls filled with water. You can simply fill some of those beautiful blown-glass balls with water and place them near those plants that need frequent watering. You don’t need to worry about having to water the soil every day since these will keep it moist. You do not need to use them in all pots – just those that need frequent watering.
- Decorate the area with some fun, cute statues. You will want to make sure that you only choose the smaller ones and make sure that they do not take away from the beauty of your indoor container garden by any means. Small fairies and animals are some of the more popular ones that you should choose. In order to help them fit more easily into your garden, you can partially obscure some of their appearance behind leaves and stems.
- You can create an indoor container garden by extending it. You can elongate the size of your indoor container garden by purchasing either a Chinese evergreen or a ficus. You can use these plants in any indoor environment since they are quite hardy. Furthermore, Chinese evergreen plants help to naturally purify the air. You can place these in a slightly off-centered position at the back of your garden.
- Make sure you choose the right plants for your garden. You will learn more about this later on, but for now, please take some time to choose the plants you want to grow in your indoor container garden. You will learn that some plants do well indoors and some do not. If you are starting your garden from seeds, you will need to decide whether you will be using cuttings from other plants or starting with some starter plants. There are many plants you can choose from, including herbs, flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
- Take care of and enjoy your garden as much as you can. You can now sit back and enjoy your new indoor container garden now that you have been able to get it to grow. In order to have a successful garden, you have to make sure you take proper care of it (and harvest the herbs and fruits/vegetables if you’re growing them). You will find that the air inside will be cleaner and that caring for an indoor container garden will actually be quite relaxing for you and that it will help to reduce your overall level of stress.
How to Choose the Right Flowering/House Plants
- Greek mythology With pothos, you can cleanse your home’s air of toxins and keep it fresh. It is easy to grow Pothos in a hanging basket and have the stems trail down, or you can train it to climb up a trellis or other support structure.
- Aloe Aloe vera has long, pointed leaves with a succulent appearance and is known for its medicinal properties. In fact, aloe plants have been known to grow up to three feet high, but they also come in smaller varieties that work well in container gardens indoors.
- Plants of jade Another succulent is the Jade Plant. In addition to being easy to take care of, it also produces lush leaves and attractive branches. The jade plant normally grows slowly and lives for a long time. As well as that, it looks really good paired with other succulents in a pot.
- Rubber Tree is one of the easiest plants to grow in an indoor container garden. Despite the fact that they can grow up to eight feet tall, they can also be trained to grow into a smaller plant by pruning the long stems. There is a beautiful sheen to the deep green leaves of this plant.
- The snake plant (also known as mother-in-law’s tongue) is a plant that grows in the tropics In addition to the fact that Snake Plants grow upright and have variegated leaves, it is also really easy to take care of Snake Plants. Snake Plant leaves are usually yellow or white in color. Snake plants have small white flowers. However, they rarely bloom, so it is not likely that you will ever see them in bloom.
- Peptic ulcer disease It is a small plant that is ideal for indoor gardens, with leaves that are shiny, textured, and often colorful. Among the various types of peperomia, some are considered to be more attractive than others, including red-edge, ripple, and watermelon peperomia.
- Philodendron with heart-shaped leaves There is a trailing plant called the heart leaf philodendron. You will want to place it at the top of a bookshelf or on a mantle to trail down from there. A heart-shaped form is created by the stems meeting the dark green leaves at the point where the leaves meet the stems.
- Palm of Areca Adding a tropical look to your container garden with the Areca Palm is a beautiful way to bring a touch of the tropics into your home. The Areca Palm is known to grow up to seven feet tall. Nevertheless, if you prefer for it to stay smaller, you can put it in a smaller pot to keep it contained.
- Tree of the ficus genus Plants like Ficus will add some cheer to your indoor container garden with their beautiful, glossy leaves. You can braid the stems of the plants in order to create the popular topiary look. 20. The diffenbachia model Diffenbachia is one of the plants that you can grow indoors with beautiful leaves. The leaves of this plant can grow up to one foot in length- and, just like the palms, they add a tropical feel to your indoor container garden. As these plants can get up to six feet tall, you will need to make sure that you have plenty of space available.
The Best Indoor Plants for Growing Fruits and Vegetables
- Strawberries from the Alps From the beginning of the summer until about the middle of the fall, you can grow Alpine strawberries indoors, in containers, when they are placed on a sunny windowsill. The plants can be manipulated in such a way that they produce edible fruits as early as late spring.
- The apricot As far as apricots are concerned, the Semi-Dwarf St. Julien A and other compact varieties such as Shipleys and Godcot are suitable for container gardening indoors. If you have the opportunity to train them against a wall, they work quite well in pots, especially if you have access to soil. It is important to choose a mix that does not contain any soil, as well as ensuring that you have plenty of drainage material available for these types of plants.
- Fruits such as peaches and nectarines Peaches- similar to the Bonanza- as well as nectarines- similar to the Nectarella- can both be grown as short plants, that can reach a height of about 30 inches. It is advised to keep the plants at a cool temperature (between 50-55 degrees) until the fruit starts to grow. When the fruits are ripening, these plants will need to be kept between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Wild Gooseberry (Cape Gooseberry) Cap Gooseberry and Ground Cherry are bushy plants, so they’re perfect for growing in containers indoors. You should be able to place the containers in direct sunlight and they should measure at least a foot in circumference. A plant of this kind has small, beautiful, white flowers that are very similar to those of a tomato plant. The fruits are about the size of cherries, and they are yellow or red in color.
- Mulberry When planted in a large pot, the Mulberry tree is a slow growing tree and will grow quite well. To ensure that your fruit ripens early in the summer, make sure that you select the black mulberry bush with a bright (but indirect) light source and place it in an area that is well-ventilated.
- Green beans and peas If you want an early harvest, you can plant dwarf French beans at the end of winter if you want them to grow rapidly. Runner beans as well as Dwarf broad beans are other kinds of beans that are good to grow indoors. The plants can be trained to grow upward on canes or strung up near a sunny window so that they grow upwards. They are both decorative and productive plants.
- Lettuce, Radish, and Carrots Generally, the root vegetables need more space to be able to grow deep. However, round and globe radishes do not grow very deep into the soil and do very well in containers such as pans, boxes, or troughs. These types of containers also work great for growing round carrots. It is recommended that you plant carrots from late winter until mid-fall. In about 21 days, the roots will be ready for harvesting.
- Mushrooms Mushrooms are an excellent addition to any indoor container garden no matter what the season might be. It is even possible to buy compost that contains mushroom spawn on the market. You can simply place it in a pot, water it once, and leave it in a dark, draft-free place for a few days. It is possible to have mushrooms in just a few weeks as long as the temperature stays between 50-60 degrees.
- Potatoes It is possible to plant seed tubers in plastic bags or large buckets/pots as well as to plant them in plastic bags. The only thing you have to keep in mind when planting these is that you need to leave enough room at the top of the container so that you can add more compost as they begin to grow. You can simply roll down the top of a plastic bag at the beginning and then roll it up again as necessary if you are using one.
- Eggplant, Tomatoes, Peppers It is considered to be one of the most tender of the crops, which makes it very easy to grow and harvest. It is important that you place these plants in a sunny corner of the window sill. These plants can either be grown from seeds or purchased as starter plants. It is advised to plant tumbler tomatoes in window boxes or hanging baskets, while Sweet Millions can be trained to climb. In spite of the fact that peppers and eggplants are not quite as beautiful as tomatoes, they still grow quite well in an indoor container garden.
How to Grow Herbs Indoors
- Tips for Choosing Herbs to Plant in Container Gardens It is recommended that you visit a gardening center in order to get your herbs started. Choosing healthy seedlings and planting them is the best thing you can do for your herbs. Although some people prefer to start from seeds, others choose to choose healthy seedlings. It is very important that you make sure that your seeds are in good condition and that they do not expire if you choose to start from seeds. It will be a good idea to have some extras on hand because not all of them will grow.
- Herbs should be placed in an area that receives plenty of natural light. It is highly recommended that you should try to find an area in your home that receives a good deal of natural light when you are trying to grow herbs in an indoor container garden. Considering an investment in a growlight may be the best option if this is not possible. It is important to note that growlights differ from regular lights in that they offer a full spectrum of light that allows the herbs to grow properly.
- Make sure your herbs are not infested with bugs. You are going to need to take proactive measures to prevent an infestation of insects when you grow herbs in a container garden indoors, since the cold winter weather is not going to kill the eggs. The best way for you to get rid of pests from your herbs is to use tepid soapy water in orderAlternatively, you can mix this in a large bowl or in the kitchen sink, and then place your hand on the base of the container, tip it over,f the container, tip it ovthis is not an option for you, you can put the mixture in a spray bottle, butcan put the mixture in a spray bottle- just make sure you spray the undersides of the leaves.
- It is important to pay attention to the moisture in the air. When it comes to growing herbs in an indoor container garden, both moisture and temperature could be a big issue. There may be times when the indoor climate can be too dry and you will need to provide them with additional moisture by misting them with water on a regular basis or by placing them in a tray of pebbles and water on a regular basis. With the passage of time, the water will evaporate, which will add humidity to the air. The only thing you want to avoid is leaving them in standing water, since this can cause the roots to become infected.
- Make Sure You Have the Right Soil Mixture. If you want to grow your herbs properly in an indoor container garden, you’ll need to make sure that you use the right soil mixture. This can be done by mixing together sand with potting soil, along with a little bit of lime. You can purchase pre-mixed soil if you do not want to make your own soil.
There are some great herbs you can grow in containers
- Rosemary The best way to start growing rosemary is to take a cutting from the bush. In order for it to root properly, you will want to place it in a moist, soilless mix. For best results, this plant should be grown in a window that faces south.
- Tarragon In order to grow tarragon in your indoor container garden, you’ll need to pot it up and leave it outdoors at the beginning of the growing season until it dies back. After that, you can bring it in to your home and place it in the coolest part of the house for a few days. As a final step, place it in a window that faces south so that it will receive as much sunlight as possible. Fertilize it well with organic liquid fertilizer.
- Bay In spite of the fact that bay is a perennial herb that does well in containers, no matter what season it is. The plants need only to be put in a pot and placed in a window facing eastward or westward. If you want to keep your bay healthy, you must ensure that it is not too crowded – it needs plenty of circulation in order to remain so.
- Chives You can plant some chives in a pot at the end of the growing season by digging up a clump of chives from your garden. Like tarragon, this plant should be left in a pot outside, so that it can die back naturally. After that, you can bring it inside and place it in the coolest spot in your home for a few days. The final step is to place it in your brightest window in order to get it to start growing.
- Basil It is recommended that you start your plants from seeds and not from a cutting or a mature plant. It is very important to keep in mind that when you plant basil seeds, they love warm temperatures and a lot of sunlight, so they should be planted in a south facing window.
How to grow an indoor container garden with the right tools
- Cultivators and trowels for Hands Taking care of your indoor container garden with hand tools is the best way to go. Depending on your preferences, you can purchase plastic, wooden, or metal tools. Wooden or metal tools will last for a much longer period of time than plastic ones. It is also worth mentioning that plastic tools are available in a variety of colors – and you will be able to see them if you happen to take them outside in order to gather some seeds from your outdoor garden.
- The shovels The first thing that comes to mind when you think of shovels is probably the big ones. If you want to work on your indoor container garden, you can also get hand shovels and spades. As the name implies, a spade is a tool with a flat blade that is usually used for digging. For digging or moving soil, fertilizer and mulch, on the other hand, a shovel is the best tool.
- Hoes It should be noted that when you think of a hoe, you likely think of a full-sized version. However, hand hoes are also available. It can come in handy if you have containers outside or if you have an oscillating hoe to weed your garden. There are various versions available to you- the oscillating hoe is good for weeding your garden.
- Hand Pruners You’ll need hand pruners if you’re growing flowering plants in your container garden. Plant stems and branches can be cut with these. Consider “trying out” a few different pruners before you buy because there are pruners for those who are right-handed, left-handed, small-handed, and more. You can get anvil hand pruners (which press the blade into the bottom) or bypass pruners (which are more like scissors).
- Buckets and Baskets Buckets and baskets can come in handy if you have a container garden that is spread out throughout your backyard. It is likely that you will need a container to hold your tools, seeds, and plants, aren’t you? If you are working outdoors, the rubber garden tubs are the best choice that you can make. In contrast, if you have herbs or flowers to work with, it may be a good idea to consider getting a wicker basket.
- How to Water Your Plants in the Best Way If you are planning to grow your container garden outdoors, you’ll need to make sure you have a good water hose and a watering can. In order to spray a gentle mist on your plants, you will need to adjust the pressure of the nozzle/wand so that you can adjust water pressure.
- The composter Having a composter in your garden is a good idea as you reduce the amount of waste you are producing and you give your garden something healthy. You will be able to save money, because you won’t have to buy commercial potting soil and fertilizer – since you will be throwing food waste into your compost pile, this will be a natural way for your plants to be fed. It is possible to build your own or to get one from a seed store that is nice. 48. Shed for the garden If you’re really intending to garden – and maybe even expand to outdoor or raised bed gardening in the future – you’re going to need somewhere to store your additional seeds and your gardening tools, aren’t you? There will be a place in a garden shed for you to store all those things. It is out of the weather, so you don’t have to worry about them getting ruined by rain. If you are handy, you can build your own or you can purchase one from a feed store or even a lumber yard.
Final tips
- Make sure you pay attention to your plants There are different types of plants that require different types of care. If you plant the ones that need lots of water near each other and the ones that don’t need so much water in a different area, make sure that you plant the ones that need a lot of water together. As a result, you will be able to make sure that you are never forgetting to water or tend those plants that need extra care.
- Make Your Container Garden A Success There is no doubt that gardening can help you to reduce your stress levels. Additionally, you will have plenty of food to eat if you plant fruits, vegetables, and herbs in your backyard garden. The only thing you would have to do is go to the store to buy your produce – and fresh herbs are much better for cooking than those from a jar.