Apartment Gardening: Begin with a Taste of Nature
Even if a home is in the middle of a busy city, the garden gives a glimpse of nature. For those living in urban areas, gardens are generally unknown spaces. But if you are living in a flat or an apartment, it’s not that difficult to create a little of nature indoors. Apartments are now designed in such a way that the residents are able to create a small garden on the balcony, or inside the house. Given that people appreciate the relation of plants with the interiors of a house, the trend of apartment gardening has been on the rise for the last few years.
Apartment Gardening – Planting Plants in an Apartment
A typical apartment is expected to come with a touch of class with a well designed garden attached to it. Even if you have a small balcony, then you can imagine covering plants in an apartment garden. It gives a sense of peace just to stare right at them. When the term ‘apartment plants’ comes to mind, it’s more than simplistic pots with plants in them. It would be best to have the right tools to take care of them properly and keep them healthy. Here are some gardening tips to keep in mind.
Light Source in the Room
For the very first, try to understand that depending on the plant species or type, the sun exposure requirement differs. Some only require a few hours: at least six, while others flourish in bright daylight. This can be a bit of a challenge because some apartments have fewer daylight hours during the day. But not to worry, everything can be put into perspective! Instead of soaking them in sunlight, there are grow lights that can be bought, or the best thing you can do is get a couple of low-lights plants.
Use the Proper Type of Soil
Soil is an important part when it comes to taking care of plants. It is the thing that penetrates all nutrients, water and air. You should ensure that you grow the plants in pots that are placed on your apartment floor as they tend to have holes on the bottom that allow water to drain. Make sure to use a good potting mix to avoid using any normal garden soil. This is a specific kind of soil that is much lighter in weight and has a fluffy texture allowing enough space for air exchange around the roots.
Provide Shelter to the Plants from Strong Winds
Plants that are on roofs are most exposed to strong winds making them highly vulnerable. Every gentle breeze can potentially rupture fragile leaves or even topple pots that are lightweight or any other that has a heavy upper half. Consequently, the growth of your plants may be hindered which is why a wind block needs to be set up or make sure your pots are heavy and large enough to support the plants.
Humidity is Crucial
There are a number of houseplants that flourish in waters which have a humidity level that’s standard but there also exists some who require higher levels of moisture. It is always wise to keep a spray bottle within reach so you can easily mist your indoor plants or locate Indoor plants that require higher humidity levels on a pebble tray to do the same around the plants.
Best Plants For Your Apartment
Having good knowledge on how to care for plants is great but let us head towards different types of plants that can be placed in your apartments. Having a variety of plants can be great as it brings life into your home and makes it charming. Below are some of the great options you can consider:
Snake Plant
This species is one of the most common ones found in the households. Not only does this plant purify the air but it also releases oxygen during the night which makes this plant fit for any area of the house, whether it’s the bedroom or even a guest room. It only needs low light exposure and is to be watered once a month in dry winters.
Pothos
Pothos is a widely used indoor trailing plant which needs very less maintenance and grows in low to medium light conditions. The only time it is required to be watered is once a week. Inothem tuber is a vine that is ideally suited to be rooted in a small glass full of water but will thrive even better when planted in big pots or in hanging baskets.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are a great choice for beginner plant owners. They are tough and require very little maintenance. Additionally, spider plants improve indoor air quality due to their preference for indirect sunlight. While watering these plants, be careful not to water them too much or they will get drenched. Even though they grow well in a lot of places, spider plants seem to thrive even better in homes with pets because they are non toxic and help filter through carbon monoxide.
Cast Iron Plant
The cast iron plant is a great choice for people looking for plants that require minimal maintenance. They are also referred to as the bar room plants because they can withstand a wide range of temperatures, ranging from 45 to 85 degrees F. They generally thrive in dark locations so it is recommended to place them in the corners of rooms. The cast iron plant does not need a considerable amount of watering, so dry off the soil between watering to avoid root rot.
Boston Fern
Boston ferns are stunning plants that act as dehumidifiers while absorbing air contaminants. This makes them ideal for homes with sunlight, moisture, and humid environments. This beautiful plant is an indoor plants as it is able to eliminate indoor pollution, filters through the air and releases moisture into the air around it.
Taking Care of Indoor Planters
When your balcony, terrace, or windowsill has plants, you are converting an area into a beautiful one making feel one with the nature. Plants are not decorations but live creatures which require a lot of love and time. Follow these gardening tips instead.
Plant Selection
For a successful apartment garden the first thing that should be taken into account is the type if plants selected. Think about sunlight, area available and yourself. Settle for easy to care for plants like succulents, herbs or dwarf vegetable plants. This way you will ensure your garden is stress relieving rather than adding to your work load.
Gardening in Containers
Container gardening becomes the go to option as space can be a limitation for the people living in apartments. You will have to educate yourself about different types of containers, soil mixes and drainage requirements.
Lighting and Watering Requirements
Finding out the sun requirements for your plants is critical. This is because some plants like sun and others are okay with partial shade. It is also important to create a watering system that works for both you and the plants. There has to be a balance as more watering is bad just as less watering is.
Caring for Herbs and Edibles
For an apartment gardener, gardening herbs and some small edible plants has been made easy. You can even create a five a day mini vegetable garden and cultivate the crops on your terrace or balcony.
Pest Control in Close Quarters
Where there is less space, there are more pests. The problem of pests can grow to large proportions in such areas. Eco-friendly pest control is the key to pest management around your plants. First, determine the most harmful pests in your garden and then consider supplementing the ecosystem with their natural predators such as ladybugs or predatory beetles. You can also consider planting plants deterring them – basil, neem, garlic, chili pepper or even few homemade sprays can prove useful to disrupt their cycles.
Conclusion
Every homeowner aspires to make his new house a perfectly beautiful place, and plants can do the most magical transformation to a place that is dreamy to live in. At Dream Location, we are conscious of the fact that gardening is eco friendly, and our luxury flats and apartments are able to cater residents who wish to create their own green paradise. You can have a designed space which you desire whether it is a green nook or a hot urban jungle – it’s just the matter of finding a location.
For more information about Dream Location and to search your dream property, please visit Dream Location on Google Map. Contact us today to know more about the best real estate deals in Delhi and North India; we will connect you to the right property investment.