We can categorize house plants in many different ways, but when it comes to which plants are most likely to survive in an indoor environment, the light level plays a very prominent role. House plants are outdoor plants where nature takes care of all their basic needs, like water, light, pollination and temperature. Bringing plants indoors creates a beautiful natural indoor green space to our indoor living area. Unfortunately, most of us indoor gardeners don’t have the right conditions for them to survive and the plants just cannot make the transition. To have happy, healthy plants indoors we have to know which plants are capable of surviving in low light conditions (shade loving). Low-light types of plants grown in the house give the novice indoor gardener a much better chance to succeed in growing beautiful house-plants.
Most of us have particular plants in mind when we think about the normal houseplants. Let’s consider other plants that can be grown indoors, especially organic herbs that you can use to flavor your food. There really is nothing that perks up a recipe more than the use of freshly picked, herbs from your own garden. Too many of us begin using dried herbs after the frost has killed off the fresh ones in the garden, but there is no need to. Most herbs are easy to grow indoors on a sunny window sill. For sure, south facing is best but you can put them in almost any window and find that they are able to adjust to most situations.
Select a narrow container that will look good on your window-sill, one that has holes in the bottom or one where holes can be made. This is absolutely necessary for drainage or your plants will die. Fill it with a soilless mix, growing medium (get this from a garden center) and plant the seeds you have chosen. Water well.
You will want to put all of this into a plastic bag until you get these little plants growing well, because if they were to dry out when they are tiny they will die. Do not seal the bag, the plants want some air too.
Some herbs will definitely grow better in the house than others. Lavender, Cilantro, Sage, Oregano, Parsley, Chives, Tarragon, Basil and Mint are smart choices if you plan to start your indoor garden from seed. Since space will likely be a limiting factor you need to be sure to consider what you will be doing with the herbs you want to grow.
Think of the herb you will use most. That should apply whether they will be grown indoors or outdoors in your organic garden. Grow things that you would use all the time in most of the dishes you like to prepare. Don’t grow them for the sake of growing them, although that is fun too. All those new things you want to try.
Let’s take an example, suppose you love Basil, there are so many types for you to try; Purple leaf, Genovese, Lemon Basil, Sweet Basil, Spicy Globe Basil, Ruffle Leaf Basil, Purple Ruffle Leaf Basil, Giant Leaf Basil and lots more. Have you run out of windows yet? What about the other herbs you like? choose wisely.
Here are some other herbs you may want to grow. Cilantro, Lavender, Oregano, Sage, Tarragon, Chives and Parsley. There are numerous others but these can get you started. These can be seeded either indoors or out. Consider planting outdoors and bringing the ones you like best inside for the winter.
There are 2 major advantages to growing your own herbs. First the herbs are fresh and usually impart a much gentler flavor to your dishes, dried herbs usually get much stronger as they dry. The second and most important, there isn’t any unknown chemicals on your herbs. The fresh or dried herbs that can be purchased have been grown in conditions which we know nothing about.
Organic gardening is a must if we are to reduce the chemical pesticides we are exposed to. Growing food plants organically outdoors or indoors, in your own organic garden is the answer.
The Window-sill Garden makes a particularly unique gift idea. Get a narrow container and plant with Fragrant Herbs, Lavender, Thyme and Oregano or with the Kitchen Herbs, Sweet Basil, Chives and Parsley. Do you want a friend to remember you every day? Just get them growing and give as a gift.