Although, it is still beautiful and green outside my kitchen window; I know that in just a few weeks that there will be less green and more brown as winter approaches.
Because I don’t want to spend my entire winter without green things growing – I am getting my indoor garden ready now.
Before I go on, I must confess that I don’t have that many plants growing indoors other then my Pothos, (which seems to thrive on inattention). In fact, I usually kill them from neglect. (Not something a horticulturist likes to admit 
But this year, I am determined to grow plants indoors. I have been recently inspired by reading a new book called, “The Unexpected Houseplant” by Tovah Martin.
In her book, she talks about her experience growing plants indoors – even those that you often see grown outdoors.
So, I decided to grow a few of the plants she recommended…
While many herbs do not grow well indoors, Thyme and Parsley are supposed to be easy to grow indoors in winter. I certainly hope so. I plant to use them in my cooking.
I really like how pretty Kalanchoe thyrsiflora is. Like most succulents, it needs to be watered and then allowed to dry out before watering again.
I do love geraniums (Pelargonium). I planted this one in a coffee can after I made holes for drainage on the bottom.
I have grouped my indoor plants on my kitchen window sill.
By grouping them all together in my kitchen, I will be able to keep a close eye on them and water them easily.
I’m excited about my new indoor garden and I will keep you updated on how it is doing each month.
Maybe some of you would like to join me? Try growing some of these plants by your indoor window – or maybe you have some of your own favorites that do well indoors.
**You may have noticed two small containers on the windowsill – they contain my current gardening experiments. I hope to blog about them soon as they grow.
PS. Here is a photo of how one of them started out a few weeks ago…
Yes, it is the base of a Romaine lettuce head, which are said to regrow their leaves if you plant them.
We will see….
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Fun! I do have a lot of indoor plants, but they are all typical houseplants. I’m just glad I haven’t killed anything in a few months!
I’ll be interested to see if new leaves appear on the romaine lettuce base. It’s my favorite lettuce so if it grows, I’ll be very happy and try it myself.
Hi Lizzie,
I do have a few leaves growing. I’ll blog about it soon!
How do you keep gnats away from houseplants?
Hi Cheery,
There is a BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) that is specially formulated to work on those pesky fungus gnats. I haven’t tried it yet, but I will probably be buying some soon
The only one we have is a little pencil cactus. It is tiny as of yet, but it is growing in a paper cup (with drainage holes) inside a plastic cup. I water (probably over-water) it often, and it grows fast. Earlier I had a mum that moved outside after all the blooms and buds died. Last winter we had a caladium and an English ivy that went outback because of gnats. The deer ate the caladium, but the English ivy grows today. I loved your coffee can idea! In “The First Four Years” (in the Little House series) Laura grew geraniums in cans. How pretty!
Hi Cheery,
You are certainly experienced at growing plants indoors. I love the book, “The First 4 Years” – I don’t remember Laura growing geraniums in cans…I think I must take the time to read her book again
For any one who likes to grow out side plants in side in the winter, geraniums are very easy to grow from seed!!! They germinate fast- and I am always surprised to see how they bloom on a tiny little plant! Put them out in the summer and bring them back in in the fall and you will have them a long time! Good luck!
Dear birds and blooms readers- try growing morning glories inside!!! Take a 6 inch pot with soil ,make a trellis with sticks, and insert around fo 4 seeds. You will be amazed how fast you will have beautifull long lasting blooms!! Save them for outside in the spring. Good luck!! gardeninglady4@gmail.com
I enjoy pretty flowers, and try only to have perennials , except for the geraniums, and this will be my first spring – in many years – that I won’t have a left over geranium for my flower garden: for years, just before the first frost I dig up the geranium and shake off all the soil, leave the foliage in tack – then place the plant in a brown paper bag, and put it away (where it won’t freeze) when spring time comes, take the plant out of the paper sack, soak it overnight, then plant it in a flower pot, or place in your garden,but only after the threat of frost is over – you will be amazed how the geranium will come to life again- I’ve used the same plant for 5-6 years, but this past season, I forgot to put one away…try it – I do the same thing with my Amaryllis bulbs (but I need to divide the bulbs this season) You don’t have to have a green thumb for these little tricks..
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