Grow Indoor Plants

Indoor plants, or the more common word houseplants, always seem to brighten up any home or office. Caring for indoor plants can develop into a wonderful hobby during the somewhat dreary months of winter or just about anytime during the year. You can keep your gardening skills active all year long by growing and caring for an array of different indoor plants.

There are a few benefits to growing an indoor garden of plants and flowers. One important fact is the clean air that houseplants provide; they take in carbon dioxide which is what we exhale and then releases the oxygen for us to breathe. These plants also bring a little more life into our homes and give us some beautiful bright colors especially during inclement weather throughout the year. Indoor plants create more decorating ideas for the home or office. Indoor gardening is also a very relaxing and calming hobby.

You can grow many varieties of plants indoors such as common houseplants and those tropical houseplants. There are many plants that are in your backyard garden that make excellent indoor plants. You can start this process early by choosing the plants you want to grow indoors by planting them into containers outdoors early so you can bring them inside when fall comes around. If you are not sure which ones to choose just try a little experimenting and see if it will grow indoors. Make sure you purchase the soil and containers well in advance so your transplants can become established before you bring them indoors.  

You just need to remember that the environment inside your home is going to be quite a bit different than your outdoor garden. Due to the fact that it is going to be cooler, darker and drier indoors, many houseplants will grow slower or maybe go dormant, particularly the ones you brought in from the garden. The needs of these plants are now going to be a little different meaning they will be demanding less attention than they required when planted outside. You do not want to kill your plants thinking they need something that they really do not. But remember one thing, all plants are going to need a few things in order to survive and grow: containers, proper temperature, light, water and humidity, soil and nutrients, and time to grow.

Containers for Growing
Clay containers are very porous and will allow moisture and air to pass through. Plastic containers are much lighter but you need to be sure there are drainage holes to eliminate the excess moisture. All plants prefer to have enough room to grow. Plants need to be transplanted to larger containers the larger they grow. If you see your plant struggling to stay alive, their roots start creeping to the top of the soil or out through the drainage hole, it is time to transplant to a larger container. Another indication would be if they start shedding their lower leaves or new leaves are not forming properly.

Proper Temperature
Most houseplants prefer the temperatures that we like, usually between 65 and 75 degrees during the day and between 60 and 65 during the night. They also do not like to be in drafty areas. It is fine to place your plants in a sunny window during the day but it is better to move them during the night. During the winter the frigid air at night from that sunny daytime window will be too much for the plants.

Light
Most indoor plants require less sunlight than your outdoor plants and this is because the selection of houseplant varieties is meant to thrive in indirect sunlight or for shade. The outdoor plants that you have brought indoors may need a little extra light. The windows that you have that face west or south will give you the best light, the closer to the window the better. If your plants are not getting enough light they will let you know when they start leaning toward light or their stems become thin. If you cannot supply them with a sunny window you can try the use of grow lights but make sure to place the light at least six inches above them.

Water and Humidity
In general, even though the needs of plants may vary, you need to keep the soil moist but never wet. Learning about your specific plants will help in this area. Apply as much water as needed so it begins to drain out through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container. This will help to remove any extra salts and fertilizer that accumulate in the soil. After this soaking always allow the soil to dry completely before you water again. During the winter your house has a tendency to be much drier than the rest of the year. You can spray your plants with a mister for added humidity or take a damp cloth and wipe their leaves every couple of weeks.

Soil and Nutrients
The soil to use should be well balanced and have a slight acid pH level. It should also have a good mixture of nutrients for an indoor environment and contain a mixture of vermiculite, peat moss and fertilizer for good drainage and capable of retaining moisture. Fertilizers help keep the soil supplied with what the plant needs and that is nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. But remember one thing, since your plants are now growing slower and using fewer nutrients, you do not want to use the fertilizers too often. An excessive build-up of nutrients can damage your plants.

Time
Now that your plants are progressing at a slower pace it is going to take a longer time before they will flower or produce fruit. Some may take longer than others. If you have never had an indoor garden before you also need to have some extra time to nurture them. The course of action is to read up on the particular ones that you are growing and once you know their needs you should have success with your indoor plants.