5 Ways You Can Grow Plants Indoors Without Hassle

A nice and well-maintained garden can just be a perfect mood-lifter for you. Setting up a garden, however, has its fair share of hassles and also takes much time, effort and money to maintain it.

Indoor gardening can be a feasible alternative. Not only is it easy to set up, it requires substantially less space, minimal maintenance and is easy on the pocket too. Here are some tips for you to set up your garden indoors:

Choose proper pots 

Select pots based on what you wish to grow: herbs, greens or flowers. Remember, they have to be spacious enough for the plants to grow from root to stem. Make sure they have holes to ensure proper drainage and thereby prevent the soil from getting soggy.

Use the right soil

Different plants require different soils of varying quality and depth. Salad greens like lettuce and spinach need at least 5–6 inches of soil for proper growth whereas peas, beans, cucumber and small bush plants need at least 7–8 inches.

A lightweight potting mix comprising organic matter or compost is good for plants to grow and thrive. A DIY pack can also be created by mixing a bit of loam, moss and white minerals in potting soil to retain water and oxygen content in the container.

Place plants in ample light

Unlike outdoor gardens, the indoor ones are not directly dependent on climatic conditions. Having said that, it needs to be ensured that the plants are well-positioned so that they receive optimum sunlight and air. On an average, vegetables usually require 4-6 hours of sunshine while fruits may need more than 6-7 hours (even upto10 hours) every day. Place them on windowsills and yards to ensure their steady growth.

Apart from natural light, artificial or grow lights can also be used to boost the growth of indoor plants.

Water plants once in a while

Each plant requires different levels of watering. It is important to keep in mind that less is more. The soil needs to be damp but not soggy. Application of water directly at the roots avoids wastage and prevents plants from drying out.

Self-watering planters are also a great way to ensure a steady flow of water for the plants. They regulate the water supply, thus averting the risk of plants wilting or drooping. In case of fruits and vegetables, this retains the development of the produce. Once filled, it can reserve the water for a week or more.

Save space with vertical gardening and micro-gardening

Organizing the pots in a vertical fashion is a good option when you have less space indoors. Put them in boxes or stands of various heights to elevate them so that all plants receive equal and uninterrupted sunlight.

Micro-gardening, or the practice of growing plants intensively in a small designated area, is a more effective way to curb use of excessive space. Any given urban space used partially or not at all can be converted into a micro-gardening spot with minimum effort to optimize fresh produce. It is simple to set up and is quite cost efficient, which makes it one of the more sustainable modes of gardening.