How to design an Indoor Garden

There is no denying the fact that a garden, no matter how eclectic it is, brings a sense of beauty and tranquility to any home. Flowers, either freshly-cut, store-bought or in pots sitting by the window sill, bring a breath of nature into homes. Flowers and table-top fountains convey the scent, sound and sight of nature into homes.

There are homes that are fortunate enough to have a garden. However, for an outdoor garden to thrive, care and upkeep is necessary. Since not every household has the luxury of space, time and effort to maintain an outdoor garden, there is a growing interest in cultivating an indoor garden. This is not about conservatories or greenhouses but more of potted plants in nooks and crannies in and around the house. Maintaining an expansive outdoor garden is time-consuming that often times, it is best to opt for a Xeriscape with an accent of a freestanding or wall fountain. This type of outdoor garden is low- maintenance and is water efficient.

However, for homeowners who want flowers and greeneries in their homes, an indoor garden is definitely less stressful to keep and maintain. There is no need to haul garden soil and mulch by the truckload. The incidence of pests and unwanted weeds are lessened if not totally eliminated. There is no need for automatic sprinklers for irrigation as watering cans will suffice.

Indoor plants and flowers not only beautify the home but they also help purify the air inside the home. Flowering plants such as cacti, chrysanthemums, tulips, orchids and gerbera are believed to remove some harmful chemicals in the air. A grouping of these plants will definitely improve the air circulation within a house.

Where to Put an Indoor Garden
Indoor plants need sunlight too but not as much as outdoor plants. Choose a spot that gets a decent amount of sunlight at least part of the day. The spot should be large enough to accommodate a group of potted plants. If there is space for some hanging plants, the better it is. However if space is constrained, potted plants on table tops and window sills will do. You can even put indoor plants on shelves or on the floor or in staging to better display height variations.

Note that indoor plants need to be taken outdoors at least for a few hours on a weekly basis. Consider the humidity of the area as indoor plants have different humidity requirements. If you wish to have an indoor herb garden, the kitchen is a good place to start one. Choose sage, basil, oregano and rosemary and mint as these herbs are hardy.

Indoor Plants for the Home
Not all plants can thrive without daily sunlight. However, most plants can thrive 2-3 days indoors but taking them out and then bringing them in every 2 -3 days is quite tasking. It is best to choose indoor plants for home interiors.
 
Some of the more popular breeds of indoor plants are:
 
Calathea -Do not expose this plant to direct sunlight. Make sure the soil is always wet but not soggy.
 
Philodendrons - This indoor plant requires little maintenance. It requires indirect sunlight but it can also thrive in the shade. Remember to wipe off dust from its broad leaves.
 
Bromeliads- This plant is elegant and kind of exotic. It only requires watering on a weekly basis. Do not expose to direct sunlight and spray the leaves with water to absorb nutrients.
 
Snake Plant- This plant can detoxify its surrounding air and convert carbon dioxide to oxygen. This plant can thrive without or without sunlight, with or without water, dry or humid air and total neglect! This plant is the perfect one for the busy bachelor.