About Indoor Gardening

ve it or not, keeping the green of Spring in you lifemedium to low light, and are known to be suitable for
year round, is easier than you think. While it is greatindoor gardening:
fun to get outside when the weather breaks, andPhilodendrons
start planting that landscaping project, many peopleBoston ferns
keep the outdoor freshness in their life, all year long,African violets
by starting indoor container gardens.Cyclamens
A house plant, usually native to tropical climates, isCreeping Figs
grown indoors for decorative purposes. House plantsMost house plants grow in a tropical climate, which
also provide a natural, and cost effective way, toranges from 60 to 80 degrees. The majority of
clean indoor air. According to the Dr. Wolvertonhomes are kept around this temperature; therefore,
NASA study, it is suggested that at least one pottedhouse plants can thrive inside the home very nicely. It
plant, per 100 square feet, of home, or office space,is best, if night temperatures, are 10 degrees lower,
is needed to be an effective air cleaner.to duplicate nature.
TOP 10 plants most effective in removing:Be careful of your watering habits, since plants in
Formaldehyde (found in almost all indoorpots, do not lose their water into the earth around
environments), Benzene (more industrial), and Carbonthem, like they would in a garden. Water only when
Monoxide from the airthe soil is beginning to dry. But remember also, that
* Bamboo Palm - Chamaedorea Seifritziiyour house, does not have the same humidity, as an
* Chinese Evergreen - Aglaonema Modestumoutdoor garden, and in winter, particularly, indoor
* English Ivy - Hedera Helixheating systems dry out the air. Mist your plants in
* Gerbera Daisy - Gerbera Jamesoniiwinter, to keep the leaves from drying out, and to
* Janet Craig - Dracaena Janet Craigprevent the infestation of certain pests.
* Marginata - Dracaena MarginataKeep the plant evenly moist, but there should not be
* Mass cane/Corn Plant - Dracaena Massangeanastanding water in the plant's saucer. This might
* Mother-in-Law’s Tongue - Sansevieriarequire watering two to three times a week. Water
Laurentiithe plant thoroughly, and after 15 minutes empty any
* Pot Mum - Chrysantheium morifoliumwater that is standing in the saucer. A common
* Peace Lily - Spathiphyllummistake most people make in indoor gardening, is
* Warneckii - Dracaena Warneckiithey tend to over water their plants, which may lead
Of all the plants that are easiest to grow indoors,to rotting roots. Make sure to research the type of
herbs are at the top of the list. Not only are theyplant you have, because each kind of plant varies on
green, and decorative, they are also delicious andtheir watering needs.
very aromatic. And when grown in the kitchen, theyWhen picking a container, or pot for your house
are just a step away, from the pot of spaghettiplant, make sure it will drain properly. I know what
sauce, or the stew, that is cooking for dinner.you are thinking, many pots are sold without drainage
Get your house plants from a good garden center, orholes! If you find one, that you are absolutely in love
a nursery that will have plenty of garden advice, towith, then drill a hole in the bottom of the container,
help you with your indoor garden. You will need someotherwise your plant will almost certainly die. Without
garden equipment, like a small digging garden tool,a drainage hole, water collects in the pot and causes
garden gloves, organic fertilizer, and some smalldamage to the roots. If you are unable to drill the
gardening containers. You probably already havehole, you can double pot your plant.
most of these garden supplies in your storage area.Choose good quality, and attractive containers for
The major factors to consider when growing, andyour indoor plants. Make sure that the pot is clean,
caring for house plants, are light, temperature, water,before placing your new plant into it, to prevent
containers, and fertilizers. Most plants come with ainfection, and to encourage healthy growth. Your
description tag, that will guide you on how to carecontainer can be pretty much anything, and is only
for that specific plant.limited by your imagination. For a formal garden
Although the kitchen is a desirable spot, your plantschoose a more traditional container. Regardless of
will do best, in a window that has at least, six hoursyour choice of container, make sure it is not too big,
of sunlight per day, to keep the growth cycle movingor too small, for the plants you have chosen.
along. This could be an east, or south window. WestJust like watering, fertilizing depends on the type of
windows tend to have the hottest sun, which mayplant. If you have managed to supply your indoor
not be good for tender young plants, especially ingarden with the right amount of light, water and
Spring or Summer. If the window area tends to behumidity, fertilization may not need much attention. A
extremely cold during winter nights, you may wantgood indoor fertilizer can be bought from most home
to put the plants down on a cupboard, or table untildepot, or hardware stores. Orchids need the special
the sun comes back up.fertilizer specially formulated for them.
Most indoor plants need good lighting. You canGo to your local garden nursery center, and look thru
provide this, through natural lighting in the room ofthe selections there. Choose plants that will harmonize
your choice, or there must be electric lighting. Darkerwith one another, and colors that will work together.
colored plants usually do not need as much light asContainer Gardening is fun, and easy, and a great
some others.way to show off your handiwork.
Here are a few varieties of plants, that require