Growing edible as well as an ornamental plant at home is a healthy practice that is easy, simple, and in the long run, economical.  People (barring serious plant growers), usually, restrict plants to the gardens, balconies, or the entrances without realizing that there are many varieties of plants that can flourish indoors as well! 

In fact, many kindergarten teachers today focus on showing kids how to start seeds indoors and grow their own little plants.

What all can you grow indoors?

For beginners, there are a lot of plants and flowers that are easy to grow indoors. These include both annual and seasonal veggies like Cabbage, Cucumber, Lettuce, Onion, Runner beans, and Tomatoes. Interestingly, tomatoes are widely grown indoors and can be an excellent option to start with since tomatoes are not as fussy about the growing conditions. Start your own batch of tomatoes with our tomato seeds online. 

Plants like Small Pines, Money Plant, and Microgreens, which grow all year round, are best cultivated indoors. Most winter varieties such as Carrots, Radishes, Bell Peppers, and even mushrooms can mature well indoors.

Bright flowers including Marigolds, Sunflowers, Orchids, Hibiscus, Jasmine, and Peace Lilies can be started off indoors as they prefer indirect sunlight and humid conditions during initial stages of growth.

When can you grow indoors?

Most vegetables and flowers are planted indoors in February or March, for a May/June yield. Please note that the sowing time is different for seasonal plants and all year-round varieties.

Where to start?

The right seeds

Choosing appropriate and seasonal plant seeds is the most important step for sowing indoors. Make sure you purchase pure and non-hybrid seeds, from a trusted seller. You can check out indoor seed varieties here.

The Right Container

Depending on the seeds that you wish to sow, a container can be picked up from your garden or backyard. Shallow trays, garden pots, plastic & metal cans, wooden boxes, and all such materials can be utilized to sow indoors.

The Right Spot

Plants that usually grow indoors require a certain amount of sunlight and humidity to grow. A bright sunny window sill or a kitchen shelf can be chosen for your plant, in order to not deprive it of essential sunlight and air.

Tools and Materials

To sow at home, you require very basic tools and materials. This includes seed packs, pots or trays, water sprays, garden soil, knife, forks and a pair of scissors.

Sowing Process

Sowing indoors is not a difficult process; kids enjoy it too! You will get most of the sowing related information and specifications behind the seed packet you purchase. Every flower, vegetable, or plant will have different growing conditions and water requirements, so make sure to read the seed packet carefully.

General sowing steps would comprise of the following:

• Scoop some garden soil from your garden or a park nearby. Clean the soil of stones, old roots, twigs and dried leaves. Preferably use fresh garden soil free of any diseases or pesticides.

• Fill this soil in your pot/container. Make the soil a little moist by sprinkling water and pat the surface gently. This creates an even soil bed.

• Now, sprinkle the seeds over the soil bed a little uniformly. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and make the seeds settle down well in the container. 

• Place your container at a bright sunny spot in the house and water the plant regularly; preferably in the morning[G4]s. You will see the seeds grow into small shoots and small green leaves within a few days, depending on the type of vegetables.

• Make sure to keep the soil moist and leaves hydrated. If it’s a vegetable plant, then harvesting is required after a certain period of time when the fruit/vegetable ripens. Flowers and herbs also require trimming once they are fully grown, in order to aid re-growth.

Harvesting

Harvesting of homegrown vegetables can be simply done with a sharp knife or a pair of scissors. Do not cut away the roots of any plant and check for the steps to harvest a particular variety online, before starting to cut anything.

Leaves or fruits should not be plucked forcefully out of the plant. If kids are harvesting, make sure they wear hand gloves before using any such tool and use knives and scissors only in the presence of adults. 

How can you take care of your plant?

 You will need to check your plant daily and make sure of the following steps:

• To see if the seeds have sprouted.
• If the soil is moist enough.
• To make sure there is no pest harming your plant
• If the plant is receiving sunlight and all the conditions that the greens require are being fulfilled in the correct manner.

Also, if you are starting a few seeds on the windowsill, turn the plants every day so they don't bend toward the light.

Planting and watching a seed grow is a pleasure in itself, so start sowing today, coz it does not require a garden or a greenhouse; it can simply be done indoors!

Image Source: Tips for Survivalists