Indoor Container Gardening: Herbs

 

As I explained in the previous article it is possible to grow herbs in only a very small space indoors. While many indoor container gardening kits are available of a suitable size for use on a windowsill, or elsewhere in the house, there are also many ingenious containers which are suitable for use indoors and out which maximize the available growing space in all manner of ways.

In the photograph above the container shown maximizes the growing space by increasing height. Such containers are superb for growing such things as herbs, bushy tomatoes or strawberries but it is important to remember that you should always ensure that all areas receive sufficient sunlight. This is particularly important if you are using such a container indoors, where it may be necessary to turn the container several times a day to ensure even growth and minimize the risk of plants becoming leggy as they stretch themselves towards the light.

Understanding the basic requirements of plants is key to your success in indoor container gardening as it is yourself that is in total control of the plants environment. Outdoors the plants will receive sunlight and rain but indoors you will need to water your plants and ensure that they get enough sunlight or, alternatively, that they get sufficient light from the growlight. While I strongly advocate the use of indoor herb kits for beginners this is not always the most cost effective way to grow your plants and it can be relatively easy to do it all yourself. If you wish to know more about this take a look at our section about hydroponics as this is easily the most effective way in which to grow herbs indoors in a small confined space.

Above all indoor container gardening should be fun. As soon as it loses its fun aspect it becomes a pain and plants can then become neglected. Unfortunately growing plants indoors does not afford you the luxury of neglect in the same way in which you can neglect a garden. Sadly, if you neglect an indoor herb garden it is often the case that your plants will simply die, most often due to lack of water. Damage to indoor container gardens due to neglect is most often irreversible, in the garden the sun and rain will keep your plants alive until you can afford more time to care for them but indoors the plants rely on you 100% of the time and without your assistance they simply give up the ghost.

So, if you are considering taking up indoor container gardening it is vital that you understand this important responsibility and always keep it in mind. If you are willing to put in the required effort the rewards are often far, far greater than growing plants outdoors.

 

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