BENGALURU: Gardens don’t always have to be outside of homes. There are palms that can be tucked into a corner of your living room, ferns that can spill out of ceramic containers for your dining table or trees with glossy leaves that can shade your reading nook from a glaring sun. We speak to gardeners and ask them to share their secrets on indoor gardening. A good reference point to start would be the NASA’s list of indoor and air-filtering plants.
Namratha, Smart Gardens
According to this greenskeeper, it is vital to maintain proper cross ventilation in the planting area. Interior trees need more sunlight than the others, and Dracaena can be the best tree to grow indoors. Areca Palms, temple tree, lucky bamboos and ficus can be grown as well. "Indoor plants require more care and attention than the outdoor ones,” says Namratha. “It is vital to give the plants organic and nutritious soil with a mix of vermicompost and coco peat to retain water.” To start with, plant lettuce, gourd, tomato, radish and brinjal. "Indoor plants need to be trained to accept very less sunlight and perform photosynthesis with that minimal amount of light,” she says. “They eventually start growing well with good care and mineral supplements”. She also suggests air-purifying plants such as mints, aloe-vera, spider plants and snake plants.
Vandhana, Urban Mali
According to Vandhana, there are no fully shade-loving trees. On NASA’s research on air-purifying plants, she says that our air-conditioners, refrigerators and other appliances emit many invisible toxins and the Red-edged Dracaena, Golden Pothos and Chrysanthemum can clear the air. "For indoor trees, find a spot with maximum sunlight and spaces such as good courtyards,” she says. “A small tree can grow in a 3-feet container but it will eventually grow weak and die.” She recommends, instead, plants that usually grow under the canopy in the forests. “Research about foliage plants and not flowering plants, because flowering ones need more sunlight,” she says. Vandhana cautions not over water the plants. “Water them the plants on alternate days,” she says, “because over watering may cause fungal diseases in the roots of the plants and trees indoors.”
Govind, Urban Orchid Boutique
Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate or LECA is the way to go, according to Govind. This is semi- hydroponic structure supports easy plant and tree growth without the soil, therefore no messy spots. Sansevieria trifasciata, more popularly known as mother-in-law plants, are easy to grow indoors in colder climates. “It is said to remove 4-5 toxins in the air and produce more oxygen at nights, making the plant ideal for bedrooms and living rooms,” says Govind. He also recommends various types of Orchids. "Phalaenopsis or moth orchids are very common in the U.S. And so are the Paphiopedilums. Throw in a mix of various colors and you will have a fully bloomed garden for a minimum of 60 days", he says.
Dipali, Grace Potters
Dipali says that we don’t use cocopeat enough, though India is one of its largest exporters. “Any soil has an expiry date,” she says, “we need to keep on replenishing it with manure. The soil will eventually lose its strength but coco peat absorbs about 10 times more water than soil and can easily sustain big indoor trees like palms and orchids with it.” Also people look at big things like equipment and interior landscaping but don’t check the smaller details like holes in the pots, which could drain the water and leave the soil dry. Indoor trees need at least 1-2 hours of direct or 4-5 hours of diffused sunlight daily. The horticulturist suggests Anthuriums and palms such as Flame Thrower, Slender lady, Chinese fan and ruffled fan. "Cactus with flowers are also a good indoor options,” she says.