Indoor
Gardening
Indoor gardening, or gardening that is done indoors as in
offices and residences, has become a popular hobby. Other than
its aesthetic appeal, it also provides health benefits such as
purification of air. Generally houseplants are grown in indoor
gardening. The more popular methods of indoor gardening include
organic gardening and container gardening where the use of
chemicals is avoided.
Thousands of houseplants are grown in
indoor gardening. Typical houseplants include ferns, cactus,
bonsai plants, daffodils, hyacinths, rose plants, rubber,
Chinese evergreen, money plant, weeping fig, zebra plant,
prayer plant, philodendrons, orchids, jade plant, African
violets, English ivy, begonias etc.
Indoor gardening requires patience and continuous care to yield
good results. The important factors in successful indoor
gardening are light, watering, soil, plant pots, fertilizers
and pesticides.
Light: Light is very important for indoor plants as plants
prepare food by photosynthesis. Two factors of light are
intensity and duration. Different plants need different
intensities. Duration of 8 to10 hours of sunlight is more than
sufficient for the plants.
Watering: Improper watering is the leading cause of death of
plants in indoor gardening. Watering once a week is sufficient.
Feel for dampness about an inch under the soil; if the soil is
damp do not water.
Soil: Water drainage through soil is very important. Usually
coir and peat are added in soil to improve drainage. Plants
like cactus need very high drainage.
Humidity: Plants roughly need a humidity of 80% RH. This can be
achieved by placing a tray filled with pebbles and the water
level just below the pebbles, adjacent to the plant.
Fertilizers: Fertilizers contain phosphorus, nitrogen and
potassium. Changing the soil is better than adding
fertilizer.
Pesticides: If the houseplants become affected by pests, use a
garlic and chilly juice to spray on the plants, rather than
using chemical pesticides.
 Pots: Pots of clay are preferred as they
help in water drainage and aeration of soil better than
glazed or plastic pots. Use correct sized pots as plants
in pots that are too large are prone to root disease due
to moisture retention. A small pot restricts the growth of
plants. The pots need to be changed around once in two
years.
Tools: Investing in good tools is better in the long run, as
the tools are used for tough jobs. Clean the tools thoroughly
after use.
Indoor gardening is one of the most popular hobbies in the
world. It gives great satisfaction to see the plants growing,
as well as improving the esthetic appeal and atmosphere of the
interior.
Read more about caring for houseplants at HouseplantEssentials.com
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