Indoor Plants and Patio Gardens for Apartment Living
Plants and flowers provide so many benefits.
They can make your place look comfortable, warm and inviting. They provide a pop of color just where you need it and offer an endless list of health benefits. For example, the aloe plant is useful after a day of forgotten sunscreen, the scent of the lavender plant has been associated with calming and assisting in restful sleep, herb gardens can be grown indoors or on a patio to add flavor to your cooking and many garden vegetables like tomatoes and peppers can grow in a variety of different pots and planters on the smallest of patios!
There are so many varieties to choose from! Once you’ve decided on the plant that’s right for you, here are some tips to keep them at their healthiest as well as pictures from Hornig Companies’ residents that have made great indoor and patio gardens!
The Right Lighting
Follow the instruction tag you get with the plant regarding light and sunlight. Some plants thrive in less light or shade, where some may need 6 hours per day minimum of full, direct sunlight. West and south facing windows are best, but LED lights designed for plant growth or fluorescent lighting can be used to add to or replace sunlight. Tip: fluorescent lights are just as effective as the specialized growth lights, and less expensive!
Hornig Companies Building: 5220 Interlachen Blvd.
The Right Pot
Pots come in all shapes, sizes, colors and materials, but the porous nature of a terracotta pot may be best, allowing for roots and soil to breathe, which helps plants thrive and prevents disease.
Hornig Companies Building: 1812 Bryant Ave S
The Right Amount of Water
Most people fall into either one or the other of these two groups: “Over-Waterer” or “Under-Waterer”. Soil moisture is vital and it’s important to make sure your pots have good drainage. A moisture meter can help you find the right amount and times to water.
The Right Humidity
Most plants like a more humid environment. Plants in bathrooms with the right lighting grow really well! Other ways to increase humidity for your plants is to arrange plants near each other in groupings or place a small humidifier in your room.
Hornig Companies Building: 5220 Interlachen
The Right Plant
Some good plants for beginners are the snake plant, spider plant, peace lily, aloe and Boston fern. If you want to try an herb garden, basil, oregano, parsley, mint and lemongrass are a few easy ones to try. But don’t limit yourself, you can be successful with many different plants that strike your fancy!
Hornig Companies Building: 1929 Fremont
We’re enjoying the green thumbs that many of our residents have. The many varieties of plants and flowers add to the character and charm of the wide variety of buildings in Hornig Companies’ portfolio.
We hope you appreciate the beauty and functionality of our indoor and outdoor Minnesota growing season as much as we do!
