How to perfect the art of indoor gardening

Indoor plants promote good mental health, super Zen vibes, texture, air purification, and something beautiful to appreciate as you go about your day. Life is a Garden, indoors too, and there’s a plant just waiting to bring that side table, desk, and bookshelf to life. Good old potting soil, fertiliser, and a watering routine makes all the difference in maintaining an indoor haven.

Checkout these 5 top tips to perfect the art of indoor gardening:

1. Choose the right plant and place: Start off with an easy plant from our BF (beginner-friendly) suggestions below. Checkout your space and see where’s the gap to be filled. Choose a plant that likes the light conditions of your chosen area.
2. Choose the right pot: Choose a suitable sized pot with good drainage holes and don’t forget the saucer that catches excess water (we’ve all been there, #rookieerror).
3. Get good potting soil: A bag of delicious potting soil goes a long way! Visit your GCA Garden Centre and grab a bag to get you going. Add a couple of small stones to your pot before adding compost. This will help with drainage and root rot prevention.
4. Get to know your new friend: Understand the light, watering, and soil requirements of your plant. Observe how plants react in the space and change their position if needed. Poke your finger into the pot and feel the soil, this will tell you if your plant is ready to be watered.
5. Feed your new friend: Generally speaking, every 6 weeks is a good time to fertilise. The new plant baby depends on you now to maintain the nutrient integrity inside the pot.  Your GCA Garden Centre guy can advise you on the best soil and fertiliser for your plant.

Try this: To help you choose the best plant for a room, you can now download an app that measures light intensity – how efficient is that! #nomoreexcuses

Here are our top 10 plant picks that’ll bring in colour and freshness to your space. Look out for the *BF (beginner-friendly) options for novice gardeners. 

Button Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia)

• Light likes: Pellaea enjoy humidity with no direct sun, high to medium light will do.
• Soil & water: Let the top layer of soil dry between watering, he doesn’t do soggy.
• On the weekends: He can be found chilling in a humid bathroom on the windowsill or in a hanging basket. His dark-green, evergreen, button-like leaves like to explore.

Blue star fern (Phlebodium aureum) *BF

• Light likes: Medium to high light with no or partial direct sun, she’s very adaptable.
• Soil & water: Enjoys moist over dry, water well when she’s thirsty.
• On the weekends: Her forest-like foliage, with curious wavy blue-green fronds, can be seen fluffing about and grabbing attention everywhere she goes.

Bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus)

• Light likes: Medium to bright, no direct sun. She likes warmth, humidity, and moisture.
• Soil & water: Moist, rich, and loamy does it.
• On the weekends: She’s always cheerful with tropical light green fronds, resembling banana leaves. She’s good at limbo, but don’t touch her new fronds while she’s growing.

Kumquat tree *BF if you follow the rules

• Light likes: Super bright light, even direct sunlight if possible. She enjoys the patio too.
• Soil & water: Regular watering with excellent drainage.  
• On the weekends: This happy-go-lucky babe can be seen showing off dozens of bright little orange fruits. She’s good at inspiring new jam and preserves recipes!

Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) *BF+

• Light likes: Medium to bright, no direct sun, but they like warm corners.
• Soil & water: Good drainage with weekly watering.
• On the weekends: You may find them looking for things to climb on with their flamboyant, large and in-charge leaves. Beware, this beaut bites and is toxic to pets.  

Triostar Stromanthe (Stromanthe sanguinea)

• Light likes: Near a window with plenty of natural light, no sun. Rotate your pot weekly.
• Soil & water: Well-drained, fertile soil that is kept moist but not soggy.
• On the weekends: She’s the pretty, popular chick with impressive, vibrant pink foliage that’ll make you blush. Triostar’s gonna’ make you work for her though, be prepared.

Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata) *BF+

• Light likes: The brighter the better, but he’s adaptable.
• Soil & water: Good drainage and regular watering.
• On the weekends: He’s a rugged, attractive guy with striking green, sword-like, red-edged leaves that stand at attention. Your friends may be jealous of his good looks.

Flaming sword (Vriesea splendens)

• Light likes: They enjoy some morning sun with high light throughout the day.
• Soil & water: Add some orchid mix to your soil, infrequent watering but not all the way dry.
• On the weekends: They can be seen proudly parading their yellow-orange blooms that look like fun swords. Sadly, they do decline after blooming but they’ll leave you with offsets first.

Cymbidium orchid (Cymbidium spp.)

• Light likes: Partial gentle sun and good light is her kind of vibe.
• Soil & water: Loamy, moist, well-drained soil,
• On the weekends: Her stunning sprays of large blooms are a sight to behold! Appreciate her while you can, it’ll be a while before you see her flowers again. 

Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) *BF

• Light likes: They enjoy sunlight and warmth.
• Soil & water: Avoid soggy soil but water them moderately.
• On the weekends: These often golden-trunked, bamboo-looking darlings can be seen growing tall at their own pace, taking time to extend all their friendly fronds.

To help keep your indoor plants looking their best and breathing well, use a damp cloth to clean their leaves from any dust. Remember to checkout which lovelies are ready to plant now, or plan ahead for the right season and home your dream indoor gem. A spray bottle is also super handy to have around for quick watering touch-ups. See what’s potting at your GCA Garden Centre and have fun perfecting the art of indoor gardening!