Indoor Gardening?

[sarahwt]

I know this forum topic is in Outdoor Activities but I wasn't sure where to post about Indoor Gardening! Thought this was as good a place to start as any!?

I'm after help and advice... I really am starting from scratch, hence joining this forum. I've moved to London into a little flat with a couple of others, and at the moment we have NO plants... We're all agreed that we do need some life in the flat but don't want to end up with a bunch of dead plants!

My house-mates and I are all out at work all day so all the windows are shut and it gets really stuffy... The living room/kitchen gets REALLY hot but on the upside has loads of sunlight throughout day but it is quite cramped... What are the best plants for a beginner to be growing in this environment?

Any advice will be VERY gratefully received! Thanks!!!

[nightshade]

Sounds like Cactus territory
An investment but how about a couple of tubs with citrus trees, Orange, Lemon?
Mini-Wildlife Gardening (tubs and trays)

[sarahwt]

Ooooh I love cactus plants! I had a couple at my parents house and as far as I'm aware they're still going strong... That might be down to my Mum though

Will citrus trees grow well in that environment then? Do they need a lot of care? What about when it gets to winter time and it's all cold and not much light? I haven't been in the flat long, but knowing my luck, it's going to be FREEZING in the winter, will they survive?

Thanks for the suggestions

[Hedera]

Do you have window-sills? Some potted plants like geraniums would do well, as they don't need too much water and would be cheerful. Cactii and succulents will stand quite a bit of cold, even frost. Parlour palm is a nice green plant, won't get too large, and is a light-loving plant.

[ForestPaul]

How about some herbs ? Basil and coriander in particular should thrive in your warm sunny kitchen.

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by sarahwt

I know this forum topic is in Outdoor Activities but I wasn't sure where to post about Indoor Gardening! Thought this was as good a place to start as any!?

I'm after help and advice... I really am starting from scratch, hence joining this forum. I've moved to London into a little flat with a couple of others, and at the moment we have NO plants... We're all agreed that we do need some life in the flat but don't want to end up with a bunch of dead plants!

My house-mates and I are all out at work all day so all the windows are shut and it gets really stuffy... The living room/kitchen gets REALLY hot but on the upside has loads of sunlight throughout day but it is quite cramped... What are the best plants for a beginner to be growing in this environment?

Any advice will be VERY gratefully received! Thanks!!!

How much space, location within a room and whether floor standing, table/shelf or window sill placement, are all considerations. For instance plants that will tolerate low light in general hate being in full sun behind glass, and while cacti will be happy in full sun, getting cold and being over watered in winter, even on window sill, will kill them.

I'd suggest starting off with some cheaper readily available plants and see how you get on.

For widow sills - aloe vera - keep well watered except in winter if there's no central heating

For darker areas, Peace Lily (spathyphilium), Aspidistra (yes really - fantastic plants and near industructable) - keep well water and out of winter drafts - never leave sitting in water.

For medium light areas - Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) - actually very adaptable will survive in quite gloomy conditions as well as a window sill, though maybscorch in full sun. Ficus benjamina - shrub of the fig family - readily available from in sizes frm 10cm to enormous. Keep well watered and out of winter drafts.

Citrus are good indoor plants for good light areas out of full sunlight - grow your own, just plant several pips in a flower pot with some light compost - at least one in ten pips will germinate.

CM

[sarahwt]

Wow! Thanks everyone! I'll follow up your suggestions with a bit of research (mostly regarding price ) and then it looks like the boyfriend is taking me shopping at the weekend!!! I like the idea of herbs etc, I love cooking new stuff so herbs would be ideal (Big fan of home-made pesto so basil looks like a good option!). Definitely want some colour so geraniums look like a good idea! REALLY like the look of the Peace Lily and Spider Plants! I have this vision of a tropical rainforest in my living room/kitchen. Excited!!!!

Cotham Marble - if I save my orange pips and lemon pips and plant them will they really grow!? Can I plant all the seeds in one pot or should I plant (for example) 10 seeds in 10 different pots? Sorry if that's a stupid question...!

Thank you all loads for your suggestions!

[Cowgirl]

I have an aloe vera plant (suggested by CM) which started out as a 'baby' donated by a friend. It lives on the windowsill I water it infrequently & now it's a rampant monster (in a nice attractive way of course)! Leaves v. good for sunburn .

I also have loads of peace lilies which started out as one plant, grew like mad so I kept splitting, so now I'm running out of space for them.

I am not good with plants, they have two choices in my house or garden, live or die! So I can defo recommend thes two types.

[sarahwt]

Haha, LOVE the idea of a rampant monster plant!!! I'm glad there's someone else here not good with plants, I was feeling like a bit of a failure with all this knowledge floating around haha!

I think I'll def get an Peace Lily, they look really pretty... And probably a basil plant as it shouldn't take up too much space and it's useful!!! All the others are still in the running too but I guess I'll have to consider my budget! I want all of them, but I'm not sure how the boyf/house-mates will feel about me turning out flat into a jungle

[nightshade]

Cotham Marbles list is good I did not mention these plants as they are the usual Flat plantings. I have an Aspedistra that came from a plant that was very old and bits have been passed on for years. Spider plant I was surprised to see used as a decorative plant in an Aquarium!
The Woolwell link was just to give you some ideas or inspiration a small water pump is not expensive £15-£20 and can liven up a planting with moving water and a relaxing sound