by :
Carm Paynter
We often categorize house plants in various ways, but when it comes to which plants are most likely to survive in an indoor environment, the light level plays a prominent role. House plants are outdoor plants with nature taking care of all their basic needs, like water, light and temperature. Bringing plants indoors creates a beautiful natural green to our indoor living space. Unfortunately, well-meaning indoor gardeners don't have the right conditions for them to survive and the plants just cannot make the transition. Growing happy, healthy plants indoors requires knowing which plants are capable of surviving in low light conditions. Low-light types of house plants give the novice indoor gardener a much better chance to succeed in growing beautiful house-plants.
Most of us have particular plants in mind when we think about the normal houseplants. Let's consider other plants that can be grown indoors, especially organic herbs that you can use to flavor your food. There really is nothing that perks up a recipe more than the use of freshly picked, herbs from your own garden. Too many of us begin using dried herbs after the frost has killed off the fresh ones in the garden, but there is no need to. Herbs usually grow easily indoors on a nice sunny window-sill. For sure, south facing is best but you can put them in almost any window and find that they are able to adjust to most situations.
Some herbs will definately grow better in the house than others.
Are you planning to start your indoor garden from seed? Lavender, cilantro, sage, oregano, parsley, chives, tarragon, basil and mint are really smart choices. Since space will likely be a limiting factor you need to be sure to consider what you will be doing with the herbs you want to grow.
Think of the herb you will use most. That should apply whether they will be grown indoors or outdoors in your organic garden. Grow things that you would use all the time in most of the dishes you like to prepare. Don't grow them for the sake of growing them,why not? That's fun too. All those new things you want to try.
Let's take an example, suppose you love basil, there are so many types for you to try; purple leaf, Genovese, lemon basil, sweet basil, spicy globe basil, ruffle leaf basil, purple ruffle leaf basil, giant leaf basil and lots more. Have you run out of windows yet?
Here are some herbs you may want to grow. Basil, Cilantro, Lavender, Oregano, Sage, Tarragon, Chives and Parsley. There are numerous others but these can get you started. These can be seeded either indoors or out. Plant outdoors and beat old man winter by bringing the ones you like best inside for the winter.
There are 2 major advantages to growing your own herbs. Fresh herbs are far more desirable than dried herbs because they usually impart a much gentler flavor to your dishes, than dried herbs which are usually much stronger flavored. The second and most important, there isn't any unknown chemicals on your herbs. The fresh or dried herbs that can be purchased have also been grown in growing conditions which we cannot verify. Organic gardening is a must if we are to reduce the chemical pesticides we are exposed to. Our answer lies with growing food plants organically outdoors or indoors.
The Windowsill Garden is the ultimate choice in unique gift ideas. Plant with Fragrant Herbs, Lavender, Thyme and Oregano and with the so called kitchen herbs Sweet Basil, Chives and Parsley.