Easy Houseplants to Grow Indoors

Houseplants add a sense of greenery and peace inside your home. While outdoor gardens are very common, growing plants indoors can make your home brighter and calmer. A natural air purifier and de-stressing agent, houseplants are one of the simplest ways to create a soothing environment without splurging on expensive antiques.

Here are some of the easiest houseplants you can grow in your home.

Bamboo Palm

Counted amongst the most effective solutions for cleaning indoor air, bamboo palm is a purifying agent. It is most effective against benzene as well as trichloroethylene. Surprisingly, it is also low on maintenance and only requires regular watering and should be placed in indirect sunlight or shade of your home.

 Peperomia

Known for their waxy and highly textured leaves, Peperomia is a popular variety of houseplants. Often accompanied by red edges surround a wide creamy margin on the leaf, Peperomia is very popular because it is petite and occupies very little space, whether near the window or on your table. It also adds a pop of color and brightens the room with very little effort!

Norfolk Island Pine

Growing anywhere between 5 and 10 feet, the Norfolk Island pine is a beautiful houseplant ideal for gifting for Christmas decorations. It’s soft texture and graceful shape lends an elegant yet cozy feel to the room. It is interesting to note that in the wild, this tree can reach upto 200 feet but domesticated versions are less than 10 feet tall. Ensure that you keep the plant in a location with ample light and humidity and allow the soil to dry between watering.

Chinese Evergreen

Accented with streaks of gray, silver and green, the Chinese Evergreen is a popular houseplant that is ideal in brightening up low lit areas in your home. This tree-like house plant should be kept in remote corners of the home and should be handled with care. Its attractive leaves, bright colors and robust nature make it one of the most sought after plants for indoor settings.

Make a Window Spa

Instead of splurging on bottled air fresheners, you can make one at home! Grow scented geraniums near a windowsill or your kitchen counter. These fragrant flowers spread scents of rose, lime, lemon, chocolate and cinnamon around the house. All you have to do is pinch a leaf to release the soothing fragrance into your home.

Source by : http://renaissanceholdings.com/blog/easy-houseplants-to-grow-indoors/

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NO GARDEN? HERE ARE 66 THINGS YOU CAN GROW AT HOME IN CONTAINERS

It is always good to grow your own food, as it has numerous benefits, including seeing things grow from nothing into ready-to-eat fruits and veggies, not worrying about pesticides and chemicals it usually contains, and cutting down on the miles they and you have to travel.

Everyone can become a gardener if they put a minimal effort. You can start for example with growing strawberries, tomatoes, basil, peppers, spinach, kale, mesclun, chard.

If this sounds good and appealing to you, you should start growing your own food and enjoy in its rewards. Growing your own food is also much cheaper. Just make sure you opt for the appropriate planter or container and make sure you learn how to do it properly. Start by finding some seeds or starter plants.
The following list will probably serve you a lot, as it provides all the crazy things you can grow even in an urban environment, even if you do not have space for a garden, but you still want to grow something in your home.

TREE FRUITS – INCLUDING APPLES

1. You can grow apples in a container whether it is on the balcony or other small space. This technique is called espaliering.

2. Kumquats

3. Blackberries

4. Figs

5. Pomegranates

6. Blueberries

7. Cherries

8. Pears

9. Avocados


CITRUS FRUITS

Citrus trees are especially good for beginning gardeners because they are easy to grow indoors. So, no matter how inexperienced you are, or how little outdoor space you have, you can still enjoy fresh-picked hyper-local fruit.
10. Meyer lemons

11. Dwarf oranges

12. Tangerines

13. Limes

14. Grapefruit

TROPICAL FRUITS

You will be surprised how easy and simple these fruits are for growing, even in non-tropical climates. You can grow

15 .Papaya

16. Pineapple

17. Bananas

18. Guavas

THE REAL SURPRISES

19. Strawberries

20. Aloe vera

21. Tea (herbal one)

22. Quinoa

23. Hops (the ‘spice’ ingredient in beer is pretty easy to grow)

THE NON-SURPRISES

24. Cucumbers

25. Tomatoes

26. Sweet peppers

27. Hot peppers

28. Summer squash

29. Other squashes, such as pumpkin and acorn

MELONS

30. Golden midget watermelon

31. Small cantaloupe

32. Jenny lind melon (an heirloom cantaloupe)

HERBS

Almost all herbs grow well indoors, but if you do any container-sharing, make sure you make a little research first and learn which herbs cohabitate well together (to prevent hogging of water for instance by one and leaving the others dried out).

33. Sage

34. Basil

35. Parsley

36. Thyme

37. Oregano

38. Catnip

39. Parsley

40. Chives

41. Rosemary

LEAFY GREENS

42. Swiss chard

43. Kale

44. Spinach

45. Mesclun greens

46. Arugula

47. Lettuces (from micro-greens to head or loose-leaf)

48. Collard greens

49. Mustard greens

ROOT VEGETABLES

50. Beets

51. Potatoes

52. Carrots

OTHER HEALTHY-SOUNDING STUFF

53. Wheatgrass

54. Sprouts

55. More sprouts: lentil sprouts and mung bean

56. Turnips

57. Kohlrabi

58. Rutabagas

59. Sugar snap peas

60. Celeriac

61. Rhubarb

62. Parsnips

63. Pole beans

64. Jerusalem artichoke

65. Mushrooms

66. Asparagus (despite some disagreements and statements that it does not do well in a container. You should try if you are willing to risk)

Source by: http://healthherbs365.com/2016/03/12/no-garden-here-are-66-things-you-can-grow-at-home-in-containers/

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Growing Palms Indoors -- How to Grow Indoor Palm Trees

Palm trees are a distinctive and potentially wonderful indoor plant. Mature palms often adorn public spaces and foyers, adding an elegant and distinctly tropical air to the decor. At the same time, very small, immature palms are sometimes used as desktop plants, kept in tiny containers.

When it comes to palm trees, it's tempting to think of them as purely tropical plants—give them loads of sun and loads of water, and they'll be fine. While this is certainly true for some variety of palm trees, it's not that easy to generalize across a group of plants that includes thousands of species. Some palms are desert palms and will easily drown with too much water. Still others are understory plants that actually prefer shade and a moister, darker environment.

Likewise, I've heard many people claim that palms don't need to be fertilized, or at least they don't need much. This isn't really true. A palm might cling onto life without regular fertilizer, but if you want healthy palms, you have to feed them.
This is true indoors, just as it's true in tropical and subtropical gardens.

Lastly, there is the issue of size. Many of the most common palm trees grown inside, such as the kentia palm, want to become trees. You can slow a palm down by keeping it slightly pot-bound—don't repot every year, and it won't grow as large as quickly. But if you're taking good care of your palm, depending on the species, there is a possibility you'll end up with fronds brushing your ceiling after a few years.

If this happens, I say enjoy it while you can ... because you can never top-trim a palm tree. All palms grow from the central tip. If you cut off the growing tip, the plant will die. So if you really know what you're doing, and you end up with a nearly mature palm bursting from your house, congratulations and maybe it's time to see if a nearby hotel is looking for a wonderful interior specimen plant.

Palm Growing: The Basics

Like all plants, palms need the right balance of moisture, light, fertilizer and warmth to thrive. This varies among the different kinds of palms, so if you're unsure about your specific palm, look up its unique growing conditions. However, here are some of the fundamentals:

Few palms will thrive in colder temperatures, and some, like the coconut palm, can't tolerate any cold at all. The more cold hardy palms include the parlor and kentia palms, which partly explains why these are the most popular indoor palms. These palms prefer nights down to 50ºF.
Most palms are much more tolerant of shade than you might think. Again, the parlor and kentia palms prefer partial shade and will suffer in direct sun. Others, including the pygmy date and Washingtonia palm can tolerate much more light.
Only repot when the palm is completely pot bound. Palms often have shallow root systems, and they don't appreciate being disturbed. Also, infrequent repotting slows the growth rate of palms that might rapidly outgrow your room.
Good drainage is essential. Just because palms live in warm, sometimes tropical regions, does not mean they are water plants. In fact, many palms grow best in slightly sandy soil with perfect drainage. Never let a palm's root ball sit in water.
Feed your palm regularly during the growing season. If possible, use a palm fertilizer, which will contain all the micronutrients and extra potassium and manganese. Potassium deficiency is especially common in palms—it shows up in yellowing or brownish fronds.
Trim your palm carefully. The temptation is hard to resist, but many species of palms draw nutrients from old fronds long after they've begun to yellow or even brown. It's a very common mistake to overprune palm trees, which weakens the overall plant and robs it of valuable nutrients. In general, remove fully browned leaves and never cut your palm down to just one or two new fronds.
How to best display your palm depends on its size and location. They are perfect as corner-specimen plants or foyer plants. Likewise, palms do very well in groups, with smaller potted plants clustered at their base. Wherever you put your palm, try to avoid too much traffic brushing against or pulling on the fronds—this will weaken the plant and possibly kill that frond.

Finally, don't expect your palm to flower indoors. Many of the common species won't live long enough to flower or reach mature size. Remember, some of these are full-fledged trees in the wild. Others just won't bloom indoors. But don't worry—the lack of flowers is more than offset by the plant itself.

 
Related
Kentia Palms -- Growing Howeia Species
Date Palms—Growing Phoenix Palms Indoors
Chinese fan palm—growing Chinese Fan Palm
Fishtail Palm—Growing Caryota Palms Indoors

Source by : http://houseplants.about.com/od/pickingahouseplan1/a/PalmBasics.htma

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How to display plants indoor?

These clever and unforgettable ways to display plants indoor are stylish for almost any home decor throughout the year. Whether you like plant stands, pots, containers, hangers or wall planters these are creative options for any choice. The plants can be showcased in the house using artificial light, led light or sunlight depending on the type of plant. Decorating with houseplants is fun and rewarding,

It’s hard to find that one best way to display plants indoor. These Creative Indoor Plant Displays for home are for all those who are green at heart. Winter is coming! I’m sure everyone’s worried about loosing their beloved plants under the thick, frosty, white snow. For the upcoming months their won’t be anything green to look at. That is not true, because it is said “Nature Never Goes Out Of Style”. Don’t let the winter wind chill your gardening heart.

Ways to display plants indoor

Indoor plant display stand

I love this display idea for plants indoor, especially gives me an idea for improvising an old ladder for the decorative and fresh look in the house.

Mounted Stag-Horn Fern

People who like to surround themselves with nature 24/7 definitely should try this Mounted Stag-Horn Fern for a change. You can make it at anytime of the day and it only takes maximum 25 to 30 minutes. There is no use of expensive material or heavy equipment, all you need is a Split log, a Stag horn fern and some moss.

DIY vibrant indoor plant display

Make a statement plant display using wall brackets, so many options to choose from at Ikea, home depot and other home reno store via Martha Stewart.

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Indoor plant display – trellis wall

A fun project that involves wooden planks for making hanging wall and leather for displaying plants.

Vertical Hanging Mason Jar Planter

The ever green, ever loving mason jars are back with a twist of nature. Create your very own Hanging garden of herbs with this easy DIY Vertical Hanging Mason Jar Planter. All you need are wooden slices and mason jars with your favorite herbs. In the link go straight down to the 3rd project.

Air Plant Frame Display

Air Plant, Air Plant, on the wall; Could you please stay with us from winter till fall.  Air Plants have been a huge help in keeping the green alive all year round. To respect their hard work how about you mount an air plant on your wall as a trophy with this simple to follow Air plant Frame tutorial. The frame consists of wooden slabs spray painted and attached with nails.

Source by: http://www.craftionary.net/display-plants-indoor-diy-projects/

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How To Grow A Lemon Tree From Seed In A Pot Indoors

he health benefits of lemon include treatment of throat infections, indigestion, constipation, fever, rheumatism, burns, obesity, respiratory disorders, cholera and high blood pressure while it also benefits hair and skin care.
Lemon is a fruit that contains flavonoids, which are composites that contain antioxidant and cancer-fighting properties.
How To Grow A Lemon Tree From Seed?

The citrus family consists of plants with glossy green, fragrant leaves that under good conditions will produce strongly fragrant flowers and occasional fruits even when grown indoors. Buying large plants can be very expensive, but with patience, you can have the fun of growing your own plants from seed.

1. Select a good tasting, juicy lemon. Remove the seeds from the pulp and wash them to remove any clinging flesh and sugar that can foster fungal disease, which will kill off your seed by the way.

Use only fresh seeds and plant them immediately; don’t let them dry out which will decrease the chance that they will germinate. Plant the seeds about 1/2-inch below the soil surface.

2. Place the containers on a tray, and add water to the tray whenever the soil dries. To hasten germination, slip a plastic bag over the tray to create a humid environment for the seeds.
3. Group the seed containers with your other houseplants and water them at the same time, even if nothing seems to be happening. Seeds should germinate in two to three weeks inside the plastic bag. If the bag is omitted, germination may take five to six weeks.

4. Remove the tray from the plastic bag, if used, when germination occurs and place containers in a sunny window.

5. Transplant seedlings to larger pots as soon as their first containers are filled with roots. Give citrus plants as much sunlight as you can indoors, and place them outdoors in warm weather.

Given the right conditions, including ample sunlight and water, large enough containers and fertilizer, indoor plants can reach 10 feet in height. They can be kept smaller in smaller pots. They will flower indoors when they are four to five years old and may eventually fruit.

Source by: http://www.lifehealthandfood.com/2016/02/15/how-to-grow-a-lemon-tree-from-seed-in-a-pot-indoors/

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Sitting Area With Beautiful Indoor Plants

An Indoor Garden – Creating your own indoor garden is easy, and a fun hobby, particularly as you can start or add to your collection of living potted plants any time, and in any season you choose. It is important to select living plants, using them effectively to help enhance the beauty of your home. But it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Indoor Flower Plants – Flowering plants that may either flower all at one time or keep flowering over various periods of time. Some of the favorites are azaleas, geraniums, hydrangeas, begonias, daffodils, lilies, roses, tulips, gardenias, chrysanthemums, African violets, poinsettias, and hyacinths.

Green Indoor Plants – Foliage or green plants, mostly tropical varieties professionally conditioned to grow in almost any climate. Some of the more popular are ferns, philodendrons, jade plants, dracaena, caladiums, Chinese evergreens, bromeliads coleus, and cacti and other succulent plants.

Indoor Plant Containers – You will find the finest, healthiest looking plants growing in red clay pots, which make them easier to re-pot into larger-sized clay containers as they grow. Note: plants in clay pots plant can be stood in a decorative tub, basket or planter for special effect.
Clay pots are preferred by professional growers and florist because it is the only container that truly provides plants with the growing conditions of the earth itself. Plants that grow in thin-walled plastic containers do not have this essential advantage.

 Indoor Plant Selection & Watering

Plants require different amounts of water. Some plants like it dry. Some like it moist. But few can stand over watering. The porous clay pot is your best insurance against “drowning” and killing your plants.

Your plants need water if the top soil feels dry to the thumb. Use lukewarm water. You should never allow plants to stand in water. It’s best to water all your plants at one time, pouring water gently until water runs out of the bottom drainage hole of the clay pot.

Select plants that have dark green, glossy leaves; flowering plants that have firm healthy stems and well-developed but not yet fully opened buds. Avoid: Brown, yellow, curled or falling blossoms or leaves and drooping stems, all of these are signs that a plant’s root structure is not healthy. Ask your garden store or florist to give you watering instructions and follow them carefully.

 Indoor Plant Temperature – Natural Light – Fertilizer

Do not expose plants to temperatures that are too warm or too cold. Keep them away from heating or cooling units and drafts from doors or windows. Be sure to ask your plant nursery the amount of light that is best for each plant in your collection.

Flowering varieties tend to like more light, but in varying degrees. Foliage varieties tend to do better with less light.

About once a month apply a fertilizer that can be dissolved in water. Don’t over-fertilize. A spotlight on your plants will add a dramatic effect. This is also a good supplement for plants that do not get much light, be sure not to get light too close to the plants.

source by: http://www.decorating-country-home.com/indoorplants.html

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Essential Plants for Your Contemporary Indoor Garden

The following is a guest blog post by Lana Hawkins, a student of architecture from Sydney, Australia, who writes about landscaping and green architecture and is a regular contributor to Smooth Decorator.

Edgy. Clean. Bold. Vast. Empty. These are all features of a modern design. A modern and somewhat trendy garden design is gaining admirers worldwide and just may overtake the traditional garden look. Given the fact that a clean and contemporary approach is more focused on the architecture rather than the actual plant life, many people have difficulty combining the two opposites into a cohesive whole.

So how do you devise a pleasing mixture of artificial surrounded by a touch of nature? Here you’ll find some ideas for creating a powerful and captivating mix of manmade surroundings highlighted by an indoor garden.

Potted Plants

Container and potted plants represent an essential part of any garden design, and contemporary garden design is no different. Pay attention to your choice of planters. Opt for hanging pots, cylinders and round containers with geometrical patterns. For plants, adaptable ferns are always a good choice, as are dracaena and potted palms, including sago palm. For a more exotic vibe, consider various sized cacti. 

Succulents 

One of the best choices for indoor plants are succulents, as there is a smorgasbord of different kinds from which to choose in order to create astonishing arrangements in your home. Succulents are also quite easy to maintain indoors. There are various planter choices when it comes to succulents, as they are quite adaptable and can be planted in almost anything. Depending on your personal preference, you could create a green succulent wall, a potted arrangement or even a miniature succulent garden.

Terrariums

Miniature gardens are a valuable component of a clean, contemporary garden design. Representing a small world in a glass container, they emit a bold vibe perfect for the contemporary indoor garden design. Terrariums also offer the opportunity to introduce plant diversity, as terrarium plant choices are many. Use any glass container you wish to create your terrarium, including old jars, bowls, bottles and even light bulbs.

Vertical Gardens

Living or hanging walls create an enchanting setting in your home. Although they are more demanding in the maintenance sense, they are completely worth it. This design has grown in popularity all over the globe. As a matter of fact, many high-class hotels have adopted the living wall arrangement. Plant choice for the vertical garden can vary quite a bit, as the whole concept of this design is to showcase diverse and different. The system can be made from recycled palettes, or you can install a mesh wiring system onto which vines, such as English Ivy Vine, crawl and cover a wall.

Bonsai

The Japanese garden design has enticed the world with its astonishing and bold arrangements. This art form of training miniature trees in small pots and containers is definitely one of the true features of a modern indoor garden. Bonsai can be created from nearly any perennial woody-stemmed tree or shrub species. Japanese white pine or junipers are popular choices, but there are no limits when it comes to this art design.

Indoor Greenhouse

For those who have a majority of unused space, some money saved up and a desire to create something unusual and extraordinary in their home, an indoor greenhouse is the best possible choice. This design will never fail to impress and represents a true masterpiece of garden design.

Green. Lively. Vivid. Expressive. Distinctive. Who says that natural and artificial can’t be combined into something beautiful?  The sky (or the ceiling) is the limit they say, so be courageous and surpass the borders of innovation with your contemporary indoor garden design.

Source by : http://www.healthyhouseplants.com/index.php/my-blog/item/118-essential-plants-for-your-contemporary-indoor-garden.html

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