Filed under: Gardening, How-To
Our no-fuss guide to planting the perfect indoor container garden.
With summer over, many of us are winding down work in the garden. But just because the temps are dropping doesn't mean you have to drop your gardening habit. A one-pot garden offers an easy fix: As long as you have access to a single container and a good amount of of natural light, you can still enjoy homegrown herbs and plants in the comfort of your own home.
Here's everything you need to know to get growing.
Photo: Getty
1. Select a Container
Plastic containers and ceramic pots are good choices (plastic retains moisture best), but you'll need to drill several holes in the bottom of whichever one you choose for adequate drainage. (Remember to place a plastic tray underneath to catch the water.) Wooden boxes look great and won't overheat your soil, but keep in mind that some species of wood are more susceptible to rot than others (redwood and cedar are relatively rot resistant).
Also, remember to avoid wood treated with creosote or other toxic compounds since the vapors can damage your plants. And if you're going to use a pot that you've used before, make sure you clean it out to kill any possible diseases that could carry from plant to plant.
2. Water, But Not Too Much
Every plant is different when it comes to how much water it needs, but there are a few basic pointers for watering indoor plants. First, wet the soil thoroughly, allowing the water to drain out of the bottom of the pot. (How much you water and how often depends on the type of plant, so read the info on the seed packet or ask a professional before watering.)
Second: Don't over water! If your soil is consistently too wet, it will lead to problems with the roots, and the leaves will yellow because of low oxygen. Over time you will develop a sense of how much and how frequently you need to water your indoor garden. If you are just starting out and feel uncertain, try using a moisture meter, which you stick into the soil to gauge if the plant needs more water.
You'll also need to think about humidity. If you live in a colder climate and regularly have the heat on, the air in your home can dry out plants quickly. To remedy this, you may need to increase watering or even consider using a humidifer in the room where your plants reside. Another option: Put high-need plants (think bonsai or orchids) on a humidity tray.
Plastic containers and ceramic pots are good choices (plastic retains moisture best), but you'll need to drill several holes in the bottom of whichever one you choose for adequate drainage. (Remember to place a plastic tray underneath to catch the water.) Wooden boxes look great and won't overheat your soil, but keep in mind that some species of wood are more susceptible to rot than others (redwood and cedar are relatively rot resistant).
Also, remember to avoid wood treated with creosote or other toxic compounds since the vapors can damage your plants. And if you're going to use a pot that you've used before, make sure you clean it out to kill any possible diseases that could carry from plant to plant.
2. Water, But Not Too Much
Every plant is different when it comes to how much water it needs, but there are a few basic pointers for watering indoor plants. First, wet the soil thoroughly, allowing the water to drain out of the bottom of the pot. (How much you water and how often depends on the type of plant, so read the info on the seed packet or ask a professional before watering.)
Second: Don't over water! If your soil is consistently too wet, it will lead to problems with the roots, and the leaves will yellow because of low oxygen. Over time you will develop a sense of how much and how frequently you need to water your indoor garden. If you are just starting out and feel uncertain, try using a moisture meter, which you stick into the soil to gauge if the plant needs more water.
You'll also need to think about humidity. If you live in a colder climate and regularly have the heat on, the air in your home can dry out plants quickly. To remedy this, you may need to increase watering or even consider using a humidifer in the room where your plants reside. Another option: Put high-need plants (think bonsai or orchids) on a humidity tray.
3. Sunny Rooms Are Best
Sunlight is an essential thing to consider when choosing plant types for your indoor garden, since many plants will need more light than your home's windows can provide. Select plants that require medium to low light, unless you plan on supplying the plant with artificial lighting. If you're concerned that your plant isn't getting enough light, look for small leaves, thin stems and a yellow color to the plant, which are indicators of sickness. Another tip: No matter what type of plant you choose, its leaves will literally grow toward the light or windows, so you should rotate the plant to promote an even, upright growth.
4. Keep the Temperature Just Right
Even though you're indoors, don't forget to take temperature into consideration when it comes to your plants. As a general rule, houseplants like temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees during the day, with temps 10 to 15 degrees cooler at night. While a temperature range of 10 degrees warmer or cooler will not harm the plants, a rapid change in temperature can cause damage.
5. Feed Them Food
In a container garden, you want to make sure your planting mixture drains quickly (so as to not drown the plants), but retains enough moisture to keep the roots wet. For the perfect one-pot planting mix, purchase a good quality potting mix or make your own from equal parts of sand, loam garden soil and peat moss.
Most container gardeners have found that a "soilless" potting mix works best. In addition to draining quickly, "soilless" mixes are lightweight and free from soil-borne diseases and weed seeds. When you add your mix to your container, leave a 2-inch space before the top of the container to keep the pot from overflowing.
Ready to get started on your own one-pot garden? Click here for a list of the easiest plants to grow indoors.
For more indoor planting ideas, check out these stories from ShelterPop:
The Plant Doctor's Tips for an Indoor Herb Garden
Houseplants for Beginners
Plant Shelf Decor: Build a Botanical Wonderland
The Best Indoor Plants
Architectural Digest editor Margaret Russell had this dollhouse delivered to her today. Photo: Michael Grimm for Curbed National
