# getting started

Whether we have plants already or are looking to acquire some new friends, doing a little research can go a long way. Techniques used need to be balanced with our lifestyle and access to tools. Indoor gardening has been around for a long time, and with access to modern technology and the infinite resources of online shopping, there are few environments we cannot conquer. This getting started section is meant to be a minimally comprehensive guide to arm anyone with enough knowledge to hit the ground running.

# understanding our space

Plants grow themselves. We can only provide the best conditions possible for their growth. Since plants cannot walk around on their own, placement is incredibly important. The light and humidity conditions in areas of our space, and how it changes throughout the day and year, will define what kinds of plants will thrive. Air conditioners, vents, and open windows may all expose plants to unexpected effects.

Knowing how different plants react to environments they don not like will help us find their place. Take careful note of leaf discoloration, fullness, and curl. If a plant finds a good home, we can know for sure that similar plants will be great neighbors.

# a plant's life

understanding how plants use what we make available to them can help us diagnose issues when things don't seem right. Almost all houseplants undergo photosynthesis, the process by which plants produce food from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water. This process also generates oxygen as a byproduct. While it is one of the many ways plants improve our spaces, it also means we must create the right conditions for these processes to occur.

The unseen half of the plant below ground breathes too. This is why the growing medium needs enough porosity for the roots to get enough oxygen. Some roots can harvest oxygen directly from the water. Different plants have different requirements, and being aware of their differences can prevent suffocation before it occurs.

Plants in our home are armed with limited tools to assure its survival. It has all the adaptiveness available in its genes, and an small range of visual appearances to indicate its overall health. The plant depends on us to notice its changes. Give it the right range of conditions, and it will reward us with photo perfect displays day after day.

# coming up with a care strategy

Taking stock of how much time and space we have available for plants is essential before purchasing any plants. The drawn out tragedy of watching a beautiful plant die in our home is not a fun experience. Some plants provide a lot of beauty for very little work, so having a great garden does not have to mean committing a crazy amount of time.

There are a lot of different ways to pot, water, mist, and feed plants, so there is room to pick and choose and find a strategy that fits how we live and the equipment we have on hand. Finding something that suits both our lifestyle and the plants is a fun challenge that ends in a lower time commitment for us and much happier plants.

# getting our first plants

Once we have a broad understanding of what our planting situation is, we can always be on the lookout for new plants. Plants found at plant stores usually have labels or tags with light and care instructions. Medium light and low water plants are usually the easiest to start with. Foliage plants are usually less picky than flowers or succulents, so they make great starters.

An almost free way of getting plants is through propagation of clippings. Quite a few houseplants are easily grown from clippings. Spider plants, pothos, and many succulents are friendly propagators. When visiting friends and family, if we spot plants that are thriving in similar conditions to our home, it does not hurt to ask for a clipping.

Things from the market are also prime candidates for indoor gardening. Sweet potato vine is a great foliage plant that is both tough and grow quickly. Many herbs can be rooted and planted as well. If we get great light, growing an avocado tree from pit is a fun process that rewards us with large oblong leaves.

# choosing containers

Indoor plants usually have to live in a container with soil. The most important thing in a container is proper drainage. Water logged soil can lead to root rot and ultimately plant death. Make sure the container has holes on the bottom for excess water to drain out. Pots with holes usually come with a catch saucer as well to prevent the water from ending up on the floor.

Choosing the right container depends on plant appearance and size, materiality of the container, and how the container fits with the rest of the interior. Plastic containers generally will retain moisture better, while clay pots breath and will dissipate moisture more quickly. Balanced with water and sunlight, any container can be workable. Plants have a strong will to survive, and part of the fun of indoor gardens is experimentation.

more on containers

# leveraging light

Light is perhaps the most important thing when it comes to plants. Not too much, not too little, some plants even require just the right amount to flower. The compound complexity with urban interiors is that light becomes harder to figure out. If our apartment faces clear sky its one thing, but any obstructions or reflective surfaces (water, buildings) can contribute to different areas of our space getting different light treatment. Watching light move across our space throughout the day and across the seasons should give us a sense of how much light different areas of our home gets.

Plants need time to adapt, and giving plants a permanent place in our space is an important step to its long term health. Plants, perhaps more than us, are creatures of habit. Giving it what it expects day after day will allow it to grow into those adaptations.

Despite the previous paragraph, moving certain plants around as the seasons progress to get more or less light is a normal aspect of indoor gardening. This is one way plants remind us of the passage of time and the changing quality of our spaces. Move plants slowly to give it time to acclimate to new lighting conditions. Plants will usually display symptoms of bleaching or scorching when getting too much, and elongation and stunted growth when getting too little.

more on light

# water adequately

over watering is usually the culprit in beginner plant parent casualties. The general rule is that there is no rule of thumb to watering, and our routine and schedule will depend heavily on the plants and their phases, the space and season, and whims of weather. Establishing a regular watering schedule can do more harm than good if we are not varying our watering based on the plants needs. Understanding plant needs, and observing reactions will tell us how much water we should give it. When in doubt, a soil moisture sensor will let you spot check the soil.

There is a wide variety of techniques to get water to your plants. Provided the pot drains well (it definitely should) and fits in your shower or sink, a great way to water is to soak the plant until soil is wet through and let all excess water drain. This can be repeated whenever the soil is mostly dried through. This assures the soil has a dryer period and the process leeches build up fertilizer that could harm the plant.

more on water

# observe and maintain

Plants are generally good about giving us clues before spontaneously dying. Take note whenever leaves look discolored or the overall plant has some sign of distress. Understanding what the plant is telling us and reacting appropriately will ensure that our plants live long, healthy lives.

Major maintenance tasks include feeding, pruning and cleaning, and every once in a while a good repotting