Eco Indoor Gardening – A Fun and Healthy Pastime

Indoor gardening is becoming a popular activity worldwide. Indoor plants not only detoxify the air, but also provide a charming and decorative addition to any home or apartment.

ORGANIC PLANT FOOD – A HEALTHIER CHOICE

Derived mostly from non-renewable fossil fuels, chemical fertilizers are used to fertilize soil. The widespread and excessive use of chemical fertilizers has increased air, soil, and water pollution. As well, these fertilizers have increased the amount of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. More scientists are coming to the conclusion that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can adversely affect people, especially children. Studies have shown that people exposed to toxic chemicals while working on farms often develop various forms of cancers later in life. Also, these chemicals are dangerous when stored around the house, contaminate the soil, and are difficult to dispose of properly.

Many of the fast acting fertilizers can stunt, burn, or kill your plants. When you choose eco organic gardening, you are helping to protect the environment. Natural organic plant food can restore healthy soil, improve seed germination, stimulate root growth, and reduce the need for synthetic chemicals. Natural plant foods such as Solay Simple Biodynamic plant food mix, is formulated with ingredients that come directly from nature. Nothing has been chemically altered or synthesized.

BEST PLANTS TO CLEAN INDOOR AIR

Certain plants are excellent in ridding the air of pollutants and toxins. Plants that rate highly as an indoor purifier include: Chinese evergreen, Areca palm, Reed palm, Dwarf date palm, Boston fern, Janet Craig dracaena, English ivy, Australian sword fern, Peace Lily, Rubber plant and Weeping fig.

EASY TO GROW PLANTS AND HERBS

When growing indoor plants and herbs, it is important to have knowledge of each plant’s needs for survival and success. For some plants, a sudden change in temperature, drop in humidity and too much or too little water, can hinder its growth. The following is a list of plants that are easy to grow indoors:

1. Weeping Fig Ficus benjamina: one of the hardiest of the indoor plants because it can survive during long periods of inattention.

2. Braided Ficus Tree: one of the most popular plants grown by indoor gardeners because it is easy to care for and adaptable

3. Cactus Combo Bonsai: with its unique plant forms, temperature and moisture adaptability, cacti are an attention-grabbing group of plants.

4. Chamaedorea Palm: this plant will add a tropical decoration to any part of your home.

5. Chinese evergreen: an excellent selection for beginners because it is a low-light love
and requires little maintenance.

POPULAR HERBS

Basil is a unique herb because it requires moist and rich soil. Cilantro, or coriander, a strong herb originating from tropical Asia, requires plenty of water and a warm environment. Mint is a flavoring herb with many assortments, tastes, and scents. Popular varieties include apple, spearmint, and peppermint. Oregano and marjoram are very similar and have often been mistaken for the other. Marjoram has a much milder taste than oregano. Sage, particularly common sage, is a main cooking herb, but most other members of the sage family have been used for cosmetic purposes.

Herbs need at least six hours a day of full sun as well as good drainage. Many scented herbs, such as oregano, rosemary, and thyme, originated on rocky hillsides in the Mediterranean where their roots escaped the hot and dry environment in cracks under large rocks. Although most of these herbs are not too dependant on soil fertility, the beds should be enriched before planting.

A HEALTHY AND REWARDING HOBBY

Eco indoor gardening techniques are less costly, easier to handle, and environmentally friendly. Indoor gardens not only provide health benefits to your home, apartment, or office, they are also an enjoyable and rewarding hobby.