Indoor gardening might seem like an old-fashioned hobby, but it is just as relevant to contemporary life as ever. In fact it has a valuable place in urban ecology. For people who live in apartments and for those who do not have access to the land, it provides an opportunity to connect personally with living plants. This approach allows complete control of environmental factors such as temperature, light and humidity, so gardeners can experiment with plants from all kinds of habitats in every season of the year. Indoor greenhouse gardening can put unused corners of the living space to good use.
Plant selection
Most cultivated plants can be grown indoors if provided with the right conditions. Space limitations make flowering plants and small shrubs the best choice. The indoor garden can also provide food. Herbs such as chives, and vegetables such as tomatoes and lettuce can flourish in a window or under lights.
Growing conditions
When selecting plants it is important to consider their individual requirements. If only a small window is available, do not attempt to grow tree-like plants that will overgrow the space. Light is another important factor. Some plants will grow happily in natural light, but many such as tomatoes require LED grow lights to extend the hours of sunshine. Plants naturally grow toward the light, so indoors they must be turned frequently to promote symmetrical growth.
Care must be taken to provide indoor gardens with the right amount of water. Household environments usually offer less humidity than most plants require. Misting the foliage daily can compensate for this. Another alternative is to locate the pots near a shower or another source of moisture. Watering must be carefully monitored. Over-watering causes roots to rot and is the most common cause of death in houseplants.
Potting soil does not provide the same nutrition as natural dirt, so houseplants require fertilizer. Check the individual nutrient requirements of each species.