Cultivating Your Indoor Garden: Beginner’s Guide
It’s finally planting season! As we transition into more predictable, sunnier weather, many of you may be breaking out the trowels. In later blogs we’ll give all the details on best practices (and soils!) for planting a thriving outdoor garden. 
In this blog, though, we’re going to talk about cultivating your indoor garden. Maybe you started a garden to bring in some light this winter, maybe you’ve been eyeing those windowsill succulents, or maybe you simply don’t have the outdoor space but love gardening. Whatever your reason, we fully believe in the benefits of keeping indoor houseplants.
Like any garden, indoor gardens must meet specific criteria in order to meet the needs of your plants and allow them to thrive.
In this blog we’ll give you tips on how to help your plant babies truly bloom.
We’ve discussed indoor gardening quite a bit in our past blogs, Particularly the benefits of keeping indoor houseplants. Indoor gardening can appeal to almost anyone for any reason. It’s a great alternative for those that simply don’t have the outdoor space to garden. Plus, indoor gardening helps bring some of the outdoors in, and in the process brings air-purifying and health benefits with it.
Just because you’re gardening indoors doesn’t mean you’re limited in what you can grow. Typically, when we think of indoor plants we think of Orchids, Monsteras, succulents, etc., but you can grow much more than just these. Herbs, fruits, and veggies are just as feasible to grow indoors, and may actually be at advantage growing inside, depending on the type of plant.
Indoor spaces are less susceptible to the variability of light and weather that outdoor plants endure. Inside, it’s much easier to maintain a regular temperature and avoid extreme highs or lows. This can help certain types of plants thrive.
Types of Plants to Grow Indoors
We’ve talked before on the blog about the types of plants that thrive well indoors. Here are some other plants — fruits, veggies, and herbs– that you may also want to consider:Vegetables:
- Green onion
- Carrots
- Spinach, Kale, and other leafy greens
- Hot peppers
- Potatoes
- Tomatoes
- Radish
Fruits:
- Strawberries
- Bananas
- Lemons
- Blueberries
Herbs:
- Mint
- Basil
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Thyme
Components for Cultivating Your Indoor Garden
Light
Like most of the items in this list, the amount of light your plants will need to thrive will depend primarily on the type of plants you keep. If you live in a shadowy apartment with little natural light, it may be best to choose low-light plants. You could also invest in indoor grow lights that can help supplement the light your plants will need to thrive.
Water
Water, the source of all life on Earth. It’s important to make sure that your plants are adequately (but not over) watered. Again, the amount of water your plants need will be dictated by the types of plants you decide to keep. Cacti, for example, will need less frequent watering than say, an orchid.
Something to keep in mind while watering is that extreme temperatures in water can send your plant into shock. If your plant is having issues with cold water from the tap, opt for room temperature distilled water.
Humidity
Especially during the winter months where electric heating can dry out the air, it’s important to remember that humidity can have a huge effect on your plants. Since it gets pretty cold here in Western Washington, it might be a good idea to purchase a humidifier to combat the effects of a raging heating system.
Soil
If you’re potting your plants (versus cultivating, say, an air plant garden) it’s important to choose a soil that will serve your plant best. A well-draining premium gardening blend is a great option. This mixture allows your plants to drain well and can help prevent root rot.
Tip: Remember to stay conscious of overwatering. Root rot can also be caused by overwatering plants, causing roots to sit in excess moisture.
For all your soil needs, come to Walrath. If you have any questions contact our team today!
Related Reading:
Healthline: 7 Science-Backed Benefits of Indoor Plants