Outdoor Plants for Indoor Living | Jung Seed Gardening Blog

There are many reasons why people love to putter around in the garden. Some people adore it because it gives them a way to grow their own food, while others can’t get enough of gardening because it’s great for their mental health. Since the presence of plants helps to fight seasonal depression and bring a sense of life into a room, many gardeners are now bringing their favorite plants indoors to enhance productivity and wellbeing, and make their shared spaces look and feel livelier and happier.

Growing your outdoor plants indoors takes more than just transferring them into pretty plant containers and calling it a day. What’s more, you’ll need to be ready to face challenges once you relocate your plants. According to David Lovell, who is the grounds manager at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, people can always learn and customize while indoor gardening. “Gardening teaches you humility,” he said. “You must always be flexible and willing to adjust whenever things do not go as planned.” That being said, there are ways to increase the chances of your plants’ survival once they’re moved from the garden to your living room. To grow your plant babies successfully, here’s how to adapt your outdoor plants for indoor living.

Choose Your Plants

Anyone can use a bit of a boost while staying indoors, especially in the dead of winter. While it’s tempting to fill your home with potted hydrangeas and roses to give your living room a cheerful burst of color, resist the urge to move these plants into your home since they’re extremely high maintenance. Roses, for instance, are magnets for pests and diseases, and they have a high risk of dying if you attempt to move them. Hydrangeas also have a difficult time thriving indoors since they need to be watered constantly, and they require a certain soil pH for their true colors to show.

To have a great gardening experience, you’ll need to choose outdoor plants that will grow well indoors. If you want something decorative, choose begonias or hibiscus. For plants that will fill your home with amazing scents, choose lavender or herbs like mint and rosemary. Thinking about growing fruit inside your home? Then citrus trees like lemons or oranges are your best bet. You can also add some green into your living spaces by bringing in an Elephant Ears plant, a Lady Palm, or a Bengal Fig plant.

Prep Your Outdoor Plants

After choosing the right plants, you’ll need to prepare them so they’ll have a better time transitioning indoors. First, inspect the plants for signs of disease or pests, then give them a quick rinse with a garden hose to get rid of insects and dust on the leaves. Next, cut and trim them to a reasonable size so they won’t overwhelm your interiors. Prepare containers to accommodate your plants and fill them with potting mix, then dig up your plants and transfer them to the pots.

You should also have an idea where to place your plants to create a balanced look in your home. For instance, a tall fiddle leaf fig or Swiss cheese plant will look great when placed in an awkward corner next to your sofa. These plants will enhance the look of your furniture, especially if your sectional or couch is in a warm or neutral color. Also, to help your plants adapt to indoor living, know how much sunlight they need to determine their proper places in your home. Herbs and annuals should be placed near east, west, or south-facing windows to get maximum sun. Meanwhile, snake plants and pothos can thrive in low light conditions, so you can place them anywhere in your living room.

Provide Care and Maintenance

Some plants require minimum care, making them ideal for novice indoor gardeners. Drought-resistant plants like pothos, aloe, or Ponytail palm don’t need to be watered very often, so they’re perfect if you want a low-effort way to garden. On the flipside, philodendrons, Swiss cheese plants, and Bird’s Nest Fern require lots of water to look their best, so be sure to stay on top of your watering schedule if you choose to have these in your home. Check all your plants for signs of wilting or leaf drop since these are signs that the soil is either too wet or too dry. Adjust the amount of water and watering frequency until you see signs of improvement. If they continue to drop leaves, move them to a sunny spot since they may need more sunlight to survive.

Some of your outdoor plants can thrive inside your home. Remember to choose the right plants, consider their placement, and give them some care so they’ll stay healthy and lush all year round.

From The Garden To The Living Room: Adapting Your Outdoor Plants For Indoor Living

Choose Your Plants

Prep Your Outdoor Plants

Provide Care and Maintenance

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