When it comes to creating really interesting green spaces for yourself- everyone deserves it. Even those who don’t have really major and big gardens. That should not be setting limits on what you can create. So this is where I am going to be sharing some of the best ways in which you can make your apartment look amazing.
You can grow so many plants in your apartment, including tons of houseplants, bold blooms, fresh herbs, and even veggies. Yes- it is quite possible. They’ll lift your spirits, connect you with nature, and contribute irresistible flavor to dinner, too. Plus, if you have a balcony, it can serve as the platform for even more plant possibilities. It all comes down to this: If you’re an urbanite with the itch to garden in the city, apartment gardening is not only possible, but it’s also pretty darned easy with the right plants, products, and care. Ready to become an ace at apartment gardening? Read on to learn about the best types of plants, pots, and more for your particular apartment set-up.
There’s a houseplant for virtually every space and taste, but lighting should be one of the main factors in your decision. Plants with serious lighting needs won’t thrive in dark corners, and plants that like low light will find a sunny windowsill too bright.
Herbs
Nothing brightens a meal—or your kitchen’s mood—like fresh herbs. When selecting plants for your indoor herb garden, lighting is your most important consideration. If you have a grow light, you can grow virtually any herb year-round. If not, choose the herbs you grow based on the sunlight you get. South-facing windows with lots of bright light are good places to grow sun-loving herbs like rosemary and basil. Windows that get less light are better suited to herbs that can take a bit of shade, such as parsley, thyme, and mint—but they still need several hours of daily sun.
If you want fresh herbs and greens grown right in your apartment year-round without having to get soil under your fingernails, hydroponics (aka water-based growing) may be the perfect solution. In a hydroponic system, plants grow in water under grow lights and get their nutrition from plant food.
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
When it comes to growing vegetables indoors, stick with smaller, more manageable plants like lettuce, kale, and compact tomatoes. (Save the big boys for your balcony or community garden plot.) Indoor-grown fruits and veggies—especially sun worshippers like tomatoes and peppers—need as much light as you can give them, so again, south-facing windows are best.
THE BEST POTS FOR INDOOR APARTMENT GARDENS
When selecting containers for your plant babies, consider things like:
Plant size: How large will the plant be at full size? Are you OK with repotting if it outgrows its current vessel, or are you looking for its forever home? Be sure to check the mature size on the plant tag, then read How to Pick the Best Kind of Pot for Your Plant for guidance.
Space: How wide is your windowsill or table? Do you need to be able to place other items there, or can the pot take up the whole space? Would it make more sense to put up a hanging basket? These are the kinds of questions to ask yourself!
Watering: This is a big one. You need a pot that allows water to drain…just not all over your apartment. Make sure you put a tray or saucer under each pot to catch excess liquid before it reaches those hardwood floors. In general, potted plants need to be watered more frequently than their in-ground counterparts. Stick your finger in the soil every few days—if the top inch is dry, it’s time to water. Pro tip: Terra cotta dries out faster than glazed pottery, so unless your plant likes life on the drier side (such as a succulent), glazed will likely help you cut down on watering.
Good looks: Obviously this is the most important factor. After all, you’ll be laying eyes on this green friend every day!
