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Saturday, 4 January 2014
A Terrarium as an Indoor Garden

There is a solution for you if you love the look of plants indoors but don’t have the time 
or a green thumb to take care of them.  A terrarium is a self-contained plant habitat.  
Once you have set-up the terrarium and closed the lid (on the jar or other container you 
have chosen) the plants inside create their own Eco-system – all you have to do is enjoy 
it.

The choices for terrarium containers are only limited by your imagination.  Traditionally 
a smaller aquarium is used with a lid but a glass jar or other container will work nicely 
too.  Plastic will work as well, just make sure that it is a clear plastic or you won’t be able 
to admire your handiwork once it is completed.  Whatever size or material you choose for 
your terrarium the most important factor is that it does not leak.  You need the water and 
moisture to stay inside for it to work and you don’t want a mess inside your house.

The plants that you choose should all thrive in similar conditions and grow well in a 
humid environment.  Popular plants to put into a terrarium are carnivorous (Venus Fly 
Trap, sundew, or pitch plant) or rain forest plants (chamaedorea palms, small ferns or 
fittonia).  

Terrariums are a low-maintenance indoor garden.  They need indirect sunlight (not too 
bright) and no water is needed after the initial water is added.  The heat from inside the 
terrarium evaporates the water and then it condenses on the lid falling back down to the 
plants.  This process will continue keeping your plants alive.  If there is too much water 
present, you may need to vent the terrarium (with a vented lid or opening the top a small 
amount) just be sure to keep an eye on the soil’s moisture level (not too wet or dry).


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Aloe Vera and other Beneficial Houseplants

Many families have grown up with an aloe vera plant in the kitchen.  This succulent plant 
is great for indoor gardening as it is hardy and easy to care for.  Moreover, they are great 
for skin care and minor cuts and burns that can happen in the kitchen while cooking.  To 
use as a first aid item, cut a portion of one of the leaves and squeeze the inner gel onto the 
hurt area.  With repeated use, the aloe vera will aid in healing and sooth the pain.

In addition to the aloe vera plant there are other helpful plants that are good to have 
around the house.  An herb garden is a convenient way to add flavor and natural 
ingredients to many dishes.  From fresh dill in a homemade tzatziki sauce to chives 
mixed in with cream cheese for a delicious bagel.  

Many herbs can be dried and used for loose leaf teas not only a relaxing beverage, some 
herbs are known for their medicinal qualities too.  Some herbs that can be used as tea 
leaves or as part of a mixture are peppermint and ginger.

There are many edible plants that you can grow indoors to aid in digestion.  They can be 
broken of the plant as needed or some may need some preparation first.  

* Anise is a popular and widely used for aiding in digestion and easing colic in 
infants.  
* Coriander in addition to helping with digestion it is also a tasty addition to salsa.
* Fennel oil is used to ease upset stomachs too.  It is also used for increasing the 
amount of breast milk produced in mothers.

This is just a brief look at some of the other uses for houseplants.  It is recommended to 
research your plants before ingesting any to ensure they are safe.




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An Indoor Garden for Children

If you have young children around an indoor garden is the perfect project to teach them 
about nature.  It is also an avenue to teach children about the responsibility needed to care 
for something on an ongoing basis.  Simple is best, even for older children – as they 
prove themselves and their garden thrives they can expand the plants that they grow.

To enrich the learning opportunity purchase clear containers to grow the plants in.  If you 
can not find a traditional pot that is clear make sure the container you use either has a 
drainage hole in the bottom or layer gravel on the bottom before adding the soil.  Once 
the plant starts to grow more the roots will become visible in the pot.

Children will love to grow their own vegetables and maybe even eat them once they are 
ready.  Buy each child a large container that is theirs to take care of and let them pick the 
type of vegetable they want to grow.  The easiest vegetables to grow indoors are carrots, 
tomatoes, and radishes.  There are a wide variety of tomatoes that you can grow from 
beefsteak to cherry tomato.

The next time you eat an orange, save the seeds.  Children can plant the seeds in small 
containers about 1 inch down into the soil.  By giving the plant watered and in the 
sunlight, in two to three weeks they will have their own citrus tree growing.  They can 
choose to keep it indoors or plant it outside in the summer when the small plant has 
become bigger and stronger.  Try the same with other fruit seeds too from watermelon to 
apple seeds.

Getting children to help with your houseplants is a good idea too.  Children love to help 
out with adult chores and it gives you a break at the same time.

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An Inside Vegetable Garden

Houseplants and herb gardens are well-known as common plants that are grown indoors.  
But they are not the only plants that can be grown indoors.  By using the right containers 
and having the ability to mimic the ideal growing conditions you can also have an indoor 
vegetable garden.  The benefits of having one go beyond the beautification of your home 
or the relaxation you get from gardening, but you can also pick your own vegetables right 
in your kitchen.

Carrots, tomatoes, and radishes are three of the easiest vegetable to grow indoors.  Each 
grows differently and will need separate containers but with some research this is not a 
problem.  A south-facing window is the best source of natural sunlight for your 
vegetables to grow in.  If you do not have the right exposure, you can invest in an 
artificial bulb to provide supplemental light.

As with any container you choose to grow plants in, making sure there is enough 
drainage is key.  If your plants sit in too much water they are not going to survive.  If the 
pots you choose do not have holes in the bottom be sure to put a layer of gravel or wood 
chips to allow the water to run out of the soil.  The flip side of this is not to ensure the 
water does not run out too quickly either.

When choosing the types of vegetables to plant, follow the same guidelines as you would 
for outdoors.  On the seed packets it will give recommendations on when to plant, the 
amount of light and water that is needed and the spacing requirements.  Tailor your water 
schedule according to the condition of the soil, make sure it doesn’t get too dry or stay 
too wet either.

By the end of the summer or early fall you should be able to harvest the vegetables grown 
inside your own home.

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Bring a Plant Cutting Indoors

If you love an outdoor plant but it is too big to bring indoors you have the option of 
taking a cutting from that plant.  Once you have taken a cutting, you can start a new plant 
that is smaller and more appropriate for an indoor garden.  Depending on the type of 
plant you are taking a cutting from there is a few methods you might want to try.

Taking a cutting from a plant is also known as propagation.   If you have a hardwood 
plant that you want to propagate the process is slow but easy to do as the cuttings are 
quite hardy.  Take the cutting (about 5 inches worth) when the tree is dormant (in the 
middle of winter) and place the cutting cut-side up in a pail of sand.  Fill the pail with 
water and wait until spring.  Then submersed side will have little nodules that will turn 
into roots once planted.

When you are taking a cutting from a soft-wood plant, it will require more care and 
attention.  Taking cuttings from soft-wood yields quicker results and you do the actually 
cutting when the plant is in the active growing phase.  You are cutting off the new growth 
back to a nodal (from the point it stopped growing the year previous).  This method 
benefits from the use of a root producing medium found at nursery stores.  It is important 
to place the cutting (cut-side down) into the root medium immediately.  If the cutting 
dries out it will lessen the changes of a successful cutting.

Next, pick a pot or container suitable to the type of plant you are growing and plant it 
once the roots have developed.  At this point, you can follow the regular care instructions 
for the type of plant you have just propagated.


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Choosing an Indoor Houseplant

When you are choosing a house plant you need to go beyond the appearance of the plant 
although that is a good place to start.  If there is a certain kind of plant that you want to 
have look into the care instructions first.  Some plants need more care and others are best 
left to an expert gardener as opposed to a novice one.  If you fall into the latter category 
of gardeners you will want plants that are easy to care for, are hardy, and have a low 
maintenance schedule.

Ferns are a popular choice for indoor gardens as they are easy to care for, do not require 
to be repotted very often and are attractive.  There is a wide range of fern varieties 
available and each one has a unique look.  Some of the different ferns great for 
houseplants are:

* Maidenhair Ferns
* Davallias
* Fishbone Ferns
* Cretan Brake Ferns

Begonias are a great choice for the indoors too especially if you do not have a great light 
source.  This plant can survive on very little light each day.  Some will flower indoors but 
the leaves are beautiful on their own too.  They also don’t mind cooler temperatures 
either, but it should not get colder than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius).  A few 
the begonia varieties available:

* Rex Begonias
* Iron Cross Begonias
* Begonia Masoniana

The fern and begonia aren’t the only breeds of houseplant that will survive even the 
newest of green thumbs.  Here is list of different kinds of plants you can try too:

* Spider Plants
* Devil’s Ivy
* Cast Iron Plants
* Chinese Evergreen

Once you have a few plants in your indoor garden and are comfortable with the care 
required, you will have the skill and confidence needed to take care of a higher-needs 
variety.


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Creating an Indoor Herb Garden

Fresh herbs can make a world of difference in your meals.  Instead of buying them at the 
grocery store and getting too much at once or a bunch that isn't as fresh as it could be, 
grow your own.  Grow a variety or just your favorite, in a window box or on the kitchen 
counter.  It is an easy introduction to indoor gardening.

To start your own herb garden you have two options, you can go to your local nursery 
and purchase some seedlings or grow your own from seed.  Either way is fine, but if you 
are a novice the seedlings are the way to go.

Once you have your seedlings at home, you can replant them or for the first season you 
can leave them in the small plastic pot that they come in.  If you do decide to replant 
them, do not pack in the soil too tightly and place a small amount of gravel or wood chips 
at the bottom of the pot for good drainage.  If you want to grow your herbs from seeds, 
follow the instructions on the package carefully and use a container large enough to 
accommodate future root growth.  Herbs also like air circulation, placing near an open 
window can provide both the sunshine and air movement that they need to thrive.

If your herbs are growing too large for their pots, you can separate a portion of them 
(including the roots) and transplant them outside in the spring or summer time.  You will 
double the amount of herbs you can grow.  On the flip side, if you already have an 
outdoor herb garden it is a simple matter to take a portion of each plant indoors to have 
fresh herbs all winter long too.

Read the recommendations and information that comes with your herb plants, not all are 
suitable for indoor gardening. 


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Diagnosing your Sick Houseplant

Your indoor plants are going to let you know if something isn’t right.  The leaves will fall 
off, turn brown or some other symptom will manifest itself.  The are various causes, some 
that can be rectified and others that cannot.  When you are trying to figure out what is 
wrong, start with the simplest solution as a starting point.  

The most common cause of a sick houseplant is watering, either too much or not enough.  
If the plant’s leaves are starting too look wilted or are drying up, check the soil and if it is 
dry add a good amount of water to wet the dirt and leave it moist once the water has run 
through.  If you have over watered a plant, make sure the drainage hole is not clogged 
and if you have a dish that catches excess water, empty it out to make room for more 
water to drain out of the pot.

If the edges of the leaves are turning brown and are starting to look dried out it is from 
too much heat.  In this situation it is best to remove the plant from direct sunlight, adjust 
the temperature inside the home if possible.  These symptoms can also show up if there is 
not enough humidity in the house.  As a quick fix you can put a small dish of water near 
the plant and as it evaporates the plant will soak it up.

When a plant looses its leaves it could be because the roots were damages from over 
watering, the plant is not getting enough water to support the amount of foliage, or it is 
too hot.  Assess the plant’s environment to begin nursing it back to health and giving it 
what it needs to get better.  If you need more information you ask the experts at your 
local gardening center.

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Fertilizing Indoor Plants

Plants need different elements from the soil to grow.  If they are not present in the right 
amount the plants will not be as healthy or grow as they should.  This is the reason plants 
need fertilizer, to add the missing elements (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium).  You 
can give your plants too much fertilizer and that will have the opposite affect you are 
going for.  

The same species of plant that is grown indoors or outdoors will have different fertilizing 
needs.  Plants that are grown indoors have a will not need as much fertilizer as the ones 
grown outside.  The rate of growth is slower indoors and you can harm your plant by 
over-fertilizing it.  

How do you know how much fertilizer to give to your plants and when to feed it to them?  
If you have purchased a plant meant for the indoors chances are the information tag it 
comes with will give fertilizing instructions. But a better method to follow is observing 
your plant for any signs that would indicate it is lacking nutrients.

Your plant might need fertilizer if it is not growing as fast as it should.  If you notice the 
growth of the plant is stunted and it is spring or summer you can safely add fertilizer in 
small amounts over a period of one to two weeks.  Many indoor gardeners will add 
fertilizer as part of routine maintenance each spring and that is fine too.  Just be careful 
not too over-fertilize.  Some signs that you have added to much fertilizer are the tip of the 
leaves are turning brown or the leaves are drooping downwards.

All fertilizers are not made the same; they are available in different ratios of nitrogen, 
phosphorous and potassium.  Purchase a fertilizer meant for indoor plants or one that is 
made for a specific type of plant.

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Germinating Seeds Inside

It doesn't matter if the seeds you are starting are going to be making their way outdoors 
once germinated or if they are going to be additions to your indoor garden – starting 
seeds inside is the best way to ensure success.  The tiny seeds and seedlings do not do 
well with harsh weather changes and a late frost or excessive rain can prevent them from 
growing.  There is also the problem of birds getting into the seeds as a food source.

There are many commercial helpers you can buy to make germinating seeds an easy 
project.  Peat pellets that come with a miniature hot house require nothing more than 
adding water to the seed and peat and covering with the supplied lid.  But some water, 
high-quality soil, sunlight and time are all that you need.

Like plants, seeds like to be kept moist so a good drainage system in the pot is necessary 
so they do not get too much water.  There is no solution to them getting too dry though, 
just don’t forget to water them.  Don’t count on all of the seeds sprouting even if you 
have purchased seeds from a reputable source some will be duds.  For this reason, make 
sure you plant more of each seed than the desired number of plants you are looking for.

As the seedlings begin to sprout, continue to keep them moist and turn them regularly to 
create even sun exposure.  When the leaves start to come out you can begin the process of 
transplanting.  Whether you are going to be growing the plants indoors or outdoors it is 
the same procedure.  Gently take the new seedling with the roots and plant it in a new 
pot, if you are taking it outside you can plant it directly into the ground.

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Giving your Indoor Plants Enough Light

The three things that all plants need to survive are food, water, and dirt.  The food for 
plants is created when enough light is provided.  The water and dirt part of the equation 
are pretty straight forward as long as you follow the recommended care instructions and 
don’t forget to water your plants.  But how do you ensure that your indoor plants are 
getting enough light?  Finding the right location in your home may require some trial and 
error before you find the perfect spot.

Before deciding on what type of plants you will have in your house, look into the light 
requirements.  The four categories that describe the different light requirement for plants 
are low, medium, high, and very high.  If you have a sunroom or skylights in your home 
and can position your plants in or under them you can purchase plants that need high or 
very high light exposure.  Be aware that some plants can get too much sun, in which case 
the light that comes in from a regular window should suffice.

There are options you can utilize if you want a certain type of plant and know that your 
house is not going to provide it enough light.  You can purchase specially designed grow 
bulbs to supplement the amount of light the plant is getting.  Be aware of the light 
requirements for your plants when choosing this lighting method.  Although plants 
require a lot of light to grow there is such a thing as too much light too.  The exact ratio 
for your plant may differ but a good guideline to follow is 14 hours of sunlight to 10 
hours of darkness.

Your plants will let you know if they are getting too much or not enough light (either 
they will begin to look dry or will become limp).  Try different locations in your home to 
find the best place for them.

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Growing Cacti in an Indoor Garden

The homeowner who wants to start a home garden that is light on the maintenance
needed may decide to buy cacti.  This is a good plan because they need less water than
most plants and are quite hardy.  Although there are still care instructions that need to be
followed to increase the life and longevity of a cactus.

Cactus plants are used to the heat and being dry, for this reason putting them in a
windowsill with full sunlight is optimal.  Depending on the cactus and the amount of heat
it is getting you may not have to water it for weeks at a time (once a month is the
recommended watering schedule).  Cacti like coarse soil, it is recommended to use a soil
that is meant specifically for a cactus instead of a generic mix.  When a fertilizer is
needed you should also purchase a fertilizer that is just for cacti.

When watering a cactus, you want to be careful not to over water it.  A good tip to
prevent this from happening is to place the cactus pot in a shallow dish full of water.  The
plant will soak up all of the water it needs through the drainage hole in a period of 1-2
hours.  Complete this task and don’t worry about it again for another month unless the
plant is starting to get a shriveled look.

When handling your cactus, be careful they can hurt.  If the pot is not large enough to
hold onto without your hands getting to close to the prickly part of the pant use a folded
newspaper and place it around the plant.  This will protect both your hands and the plant
when moving it.  If you do get a piece of a cactus in your finger, remove gently with a
pair of tweezers or a piece of strong tape.

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Hydroponics and Indoor Gardening

If you have heard of hydroponics or other methods of growing plants without soil and 
want to try it out at home, you can.  Hydroponics is easy to care for and set-up at home.  
There are materials you can buy or some you may be able to find around the house.

The dirt or soil that you use to grow plants in a traditional method is substituted for a 
growing medium (full of nutrients the plant needs to grow) in hydroponics gardening.  
The growing medium is fed directly to the roots by method of a drip-feeder.  The system 
can be automated and the gardener can control how many drips the roots receive in a 
specified time frame.  The more of the growing medium the faster the plants grow.

Since the system can be automated, the amount of time and energy that is required to 
maintain a hydroponics garden is less than with a traditional garden.  As long as enough 
water is present and growing medium the plants can be left unattended for a longer period 
of time.

A home-based hydroponics garden can grow vegetables year round.  The concern about 
pests and the composition of the soil are not an issue with this type of gardening.  
Another bonus with this type of gardening is how fast you can have mature vegetables 
indoors (by increasing the amount of growing medium).  

The types of plants that are best for hydroponics are ones with thin spider-like roots.  
Plants that have a bulb root system are still best grown in the traditional soil method 
inside a pot or outside.  When you are ready to begin, germinate the seeds for your plants 
like you normally would.  When the seed has started to sprout and has approximately 2-5 
millimeters of growth it is ready to transplant to the hydroponics container and begin 
growing.

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Keeping Pets our of your Plants

Cats and dogs love dirt, they dig in it, play in it and if a cat’s litter box isn’t clean they 
may find a back-up location in your potted plants.  Some pets will leave the dirt alone but 
are irresistibly drawn to the leaves, either to nibble on or bat at.  There is no fail-safe 
plant but there are some tips and tricks you can follow to make your pets leave the plants 
alone.

The biggest problem and the most damaging to an indoor plant is a cat deciding to use the 
dirt as a litter box.  Once a cat has done this once, the odor is there and it is going to be 
hard to stop them from going back.  To prevent this from happening in the first place, 
cover the dirt in larger pots with lava rock or wood chips.  A cat will not like the feel of 
either of these materials on their paws and will not feel comfortable using the pot as a 
bathroom.

Dogs are easier to train and keep away from plants but it is harder for other animals.   
Especially for cats - a deterrent may be necessary to keep them away.  You can use a 
spray bottle of water to stop them from chewing on plant leaves or digging in the dirt.  
Since cats don’t like anything from the citrus family you can put fresh citrus rinds at the 
base of the plant too – their sensitive noses will stop them from getting too close.

Keep your soil nice and moist, not only is this good for the plant, cats will not enjoy 
digging in wet dirt.  Some trial and error may be called for until you find the right 
solution that works for your pets.  If all else fails, buy hanging plants instead or put the 
plants in an inaccessible location. 

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Natural Way to Deal with Pests on Indoor Plants

It is inevitable that insects or another infestation will make its way to your plants at one 
point or another.  If you are dealing with pests in your indoor garden you may want to 
find a natural way to eliminate them especially if you have young children or pets in your 
home.  There are ways to do this and most of them require ingredients that you can get at 
the grocery store.

When you find insects or another disease that is making your plant sick.  Isolate the plant 
immediately to prevent the problem spreading to the other plants inside your house.  
Depending on the type of problem the solution will be different.

If your plants are being eaten by spider mites, you can eliminate the problem by making a 
solution of buttermilk and water.  Put the solution into a spray bottle, put the plant in the 
bathtub and give a thorough once over.  A mix of 50-50 is recommended, if this is too 
thick to use with the spray bottle, add more water for a thinner consistency.

You may be able to control aphids with a thorough washing of the plant leaves with 
water.  Another recommendation is to kill a couple of the aphids and leave them in the 
bottom of the pot.  They then emit an odor that lets the other aphids know that danger is 
near and they abandon the plant.  If this method is used, do it outside so they can find 
another home that is not inside yours.

The natural and organic methods available for the wide variety of problems your plant 
can encounter are too numerous to list.  These are the two most common pests, but with 
some research there is a natural solution to many more different insects or diseases that 
can affect a plant’s health.

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Part-Time Indoor Gardening

There are part-time indoor gardeners; these are the ones that live in an area with cold 
winters – too cold for their outdoor plants to survive in.  By transplanting or bringing the 
plants indoors, they can survive the colder months and add greenery inside the home.  
There are some considerations and preparations that should be made before you decide to 
become a part-time indoor gardener.

The most important point to think about before bringing a plant indoors is whether or not 
it will survive being an inside plant.  If the plant has high or very high light requirements 
and your house does not get a lot of light in the winter time – it may not be a good 
solution.  As a back-up you can invest in an artificial light source to supplement the 
natural light the plant will get.

How will you get the plant indoors?  If the plant is already in a pot that will fit inside it is 
easy enough to move it indoors.  But if the plant is in the ground you need to find a pot 
large enough to contain the root system and one that will not be too difficult to move.  
Keeping in mind that when a large plant is transplanted (re-potted or put in a pot for the 
first time) it may go into shock.  Although with careful attention, you can nurse your 
plant through this.

Most likely you have been taking care of your plants outdoors and they do not have any 
pests or bugs on them.  But it smart to double-check.  By bringing an infested plant 
indoors you are putting all of your other indoor plants at risk of becoming infected too.  
Either forego bringing the plant inside or treat the pest problem before the cold weather 
arrives.  You may enjoy having your plant inside all winter that you decide to keep it 
there come springtime.

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Plants That Should Be Left Outside

When you are an indoor gardener the same rules apply to your plants as they do to any 
other type of gardener.  Your plants will need water, food, and plenty of light as does the 
ones grown outside or in a green house.  Of course there are special considerations such 
as temperature and humidity control but they can be overcome with relatively minor 
adjustments.  With that being said, there are some plants that are best left to the outdoor 
gardener.

The type of plant that won’t do well indoors is really dependant on the climate you live 
in.  If you live in a warm area and have the air conditioning or fans on during the day a 
plant that is used to higher temperature will not do well inside your home and should be 
left outside.  The same goes for the opposite, if your house is overheated a plant will most 
likely dry out from lack of moisture in the air.

Other plants that are best left outdoors are perennials and bulb plants that need the 
seasonal rains and temperatures outside to grow again.  You could bring some tulips or 
daffodils inside in a pot but they will do much better outside.  

Most trees are best left outside too; by trying to grow certain trees inside you will only 
have a smaller less sturdy version than its outside mates.  If you do decide to grow a tree 
indoors plan ahead for a transplant that may have to occur.  You do not want to wait until 
the tree becomes too heavy to move.  When a larger plant is repotted or planted 
elsewhere it will usually go into shock – meaning it will not grow for at least one season 
(it may be more depending on the size and age of the plant).  


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Pruning and Maintenance Tips for Indoor Plants

To keep your indoor houseplants healthy and thriving they will occasionally need to be
pruned or re-potted.  The process is very similar to the plants and just as important.  Dead
or sick branches can affect the overall health of the entire plant and should be cut off.
And there is the esthetic aspect of pruning, it gives you plants a nice and tidy shape.

If you are pruning a branch off of a plant that is diseased (with fungus) it is very
important to disinfect your pruning shears after using them.  If you do not, and continue
to prune your healthy plants there is a chance the fungus will spread to your other plants.
A solution of bleach and water will kill the unwanted organisms nicely.

When you look at the plant if it appears too full you can thin it out, this is important
around the base trunk or stem.  You want good air circulation around the plant and if the
branches and leaves are too congested this will not happen.  Trim enough of the excess
foliage away to let the plant “breathe”.  When you are trimming branches to keep a
uniform appearance to your plant just trim what is necessary.  Prune the new growth to
keep it inline with the rest of the plant.

As plants grow so do their root systems.  If your plant isn’t thriving or you notice that the
roots are visible around the outside of the pot, your plant is most likely root bound.  It is
important to transplant the plant to a larger pot.  Once you have chosen one and have
prepared it for the plant very gently loosen the roots on the outside of the root ball.  Then
put the plant in the middle of the new pot surrounding it with new potting soil.

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Safety Considerations for Indoor Gardening

It is most likely that your indoor plants will be safe from hard other than the odd garden 
pest.  But if you have young children or pets in the home, the danger can be for them.  
There are many plants that are not recommended for indoors (or outdoors for that matter) 
when children or pets are present.  Some plants are poisonous, even fatal if ingested.  
Listed below if a few of the more popular plants that aren’t safe to have around.

The seeds of Rosary Pea and Castor Bean plants are lethal.  Fatalities have been reported 
from the ingestion of just one seed.  If a young child or cat chews on one of the leaves 
they are sure to get sick.  You can purchase necklaces that are made from the seeds of 
this plant.  These are not meant for children and can cause skin irritations in adults.

Parts of the Oleander plant (the leaves and bark) are also poisonous.  It is not worth the 
risk to have these in the house.  Even with due diligence children or pets are bound to get 
into a houseplant at one point or another.  It is hard to safeguard against falling leaves or 
other unavoidable events.

The bulbs of certain flowering plants are considered poisonous too.  Even if you are 
planning on planting the bulbs outside, be careful they are stored in a safe out of the way 
area that is not accessible to little heads.  The flower bulbs in question are from the 
Hyacinth, the Daffodil and the Narcissus flowers.

If you own any of these plants and don’t have little animals or children running around to 
get into still use caution.  Be aware of what plants in your house are potential hazards to 
humans.  In addition, be a considerate host or hostess and put the dangerous plants in a 
safe way when young visitors are coming over. 


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Temperature Regulation for Indoor Plants

Depending on the individual plant different temperature and humidity levels are
recommended.  But in general, plants don’t like it too hot, too cold, or too dry (with
certain exceptions of course).  Finding and keeping a balance is important to the survival
of your plants.  To make it easier on you, the gardener, select plants that thrive in similar
conditions weather conditions.

Consistency in temperature is important to plants.  Once you find the ideal temperature,
try and maintain it daily.  It is okay for the plants to be colder at night time; this is natural
as the same happens outside in nature when the sun goes down.  An average temperature
range is 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-23 degrees Celsius) during the day and a drop in
temperature to 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit (15-18 degrees Celsius) is acceptable.  As this is
within the temperature range most houses are kept at this should not be hard to maintain.

You may be tempted to place a plant beside a sunny window to keep it nice and warm. 
Just remember that exposure to extreme temperature ranges is not good for a plant.  It can
get overheated during the day and then too cold at night.  Give the plants natural sunlight
but doing so on a windowsill is not recommended.

Inside a house is a lot dryer than outside.  A lot of plants like at least some moisture in
the air.  Controlling the humidity in the house will help the plants and you if it tends to
get dry inside.  You can purchase a mister or humidifier for your house or another option
is to get the plant’s leaves wet.  By taking a spray bottle, you can lightly spray the leaves
or you can use a cloth or sponge.  Take care of any special instructions your plant may
have, some do not like to get their leaves wet.

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The Best Pots for Indoor Gardening


 You have researched the benefits of having an indoor garden and found the best plant for
you home now what do you put it in?  From terra cotta pots to decorative ceramic ones,
there are many choices available and in various sizes.  Not only do you want to choose a
pot that looks good in your home but you want one that is the best size for your plant too.

You want to look at the long-term growth expected in the plant you have chosen and use
that information to pick an appropriately sized container.  If you pick a pot that is too
small your full-grown plant the roots will not have enough room to grow and the plant
will be come “root bound”.  This is a rectifiable condition with re-potting, but it can put
the plant through unnecessary stress and creates more work for you.  Your plant may look
unbalanced at first in a container that is out of proportion but you will be glad you
thought ahead as the plants continues to grow.

The container you choose needs a form of drainage too.  The most common method of
drainage is one or more holes in the bottom of the pot to let excess water drain out.  If
you have chosen a pot that does not have these holes there you still have two options to
provide drainage.  You can put your plant in a smaller pot with drainage holes and then
place the smaller pot inside the larger one with no holes.  Or place an inch or two of
gravel in the bottom of the container before you put in the soil.  The gravel will allow the
excess water to run through the soil and into the rocks instead of staying in the soil and

water-logging the plant.  


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Tips for Home Hydroponics Gardens

The requirements for plants are the same whether you are growing a garden traditionally
or with a hydroponics method.  In hydroponics, the nutrients the plant would get from the
soil are replaced by a growing medium that can be purchased at gardening supply stores. 
The need for water and light is still just as important though.  Light can come from a
natural source, an artificial source or a combination of the two.  Depending on the type of
hydroponics system the method that your plant gets water will differ too.

In order to get the best results from your home-based hydroponics garden, find a south-
facing window to give the plants the best natural light.  If this isn’t possible, you can
purchase special lights that are specifically designed for plants.  Instead of using a
fluorescent light, buy what is known as a discharge light.  This imitates the light the
plants would naturally get from the sun and will produce healthier and hardier plants.

The water that the root system is growing in needs to be healthy water full of nutrients
and this can be determined by checking the pH level (it should be a pH level of 6).  The
pH level should be checked on a regular basis to ensure it is not too acidic or alkaline.  If
the reading is too high, add small amounts of vinegar and keep re-testing until you can
the reading you want.  If the water reading has a pH level that is too low, use the same
procedure to raise the pH level except use baking soda instead of vinegar.

By growing your plants with hydroponics, you will see faster and more abundant growth. 
The method that the plants get their nutrients is more efficient and results in robust and
prolific plants – whether they are houseplants, vegetable plants, or herbs.

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MCK Limited


Welcome to MCK Limited.We are a company with 4 years experience specializing in selling laptop parts.Our aim is to become the go-to place if you need cheap, high quality OEM laptop parts.We offer PayPal and credit/debit card payments which are fast and secure.We are based in Manchester and we dispatch to United Kingdom and outside. We offer free UK delivery on all items.You can come and collect if need laptop parts in Manchester, Oldham, Middleton, Stockport, Bury .We are in Chadderton, off junction 21 on the M60

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The Backpack Man


A blog about personal, travel , adventure and anything in between.I travel for the reasons for which most people travel: to experience different cultures, to try new food, to see places of history or nature, to look with new eyes on familiar things. But most of all I think what does it for me is going away from home and doing something I don't normally do.  Backpackman Travel Tips
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