Bring Nature indoors

Myna Batavia

Indoor gardens aren’t just a part of interiors or decoration, they are part of a lifestyle that relates to nature, healthy living and serenity. Whether it is the garage or parking area, backyard or staircase, balcony or living room, well- planned indoor gardens successfully create a micro-environment that purifies the air and leads to a healthy life for the whole family. 

A number of aspects are involved in designing an indoor garden. Attention to detail and design style, plant selection and arrangement can make your neighbours envy your  indoor garden.   

Indoor space selection:  Balconies and terraces are not the only places in a house where plants can be placed. Even stairs, garage, living room, dining space, walls, ceiling, bedrooms and bathrooms can be decorated with exotic plants embellished with attractive garden accessories. Always pick a space where watering the plants can be convenient along with regular care. Another important aspect while selecting the indoor area is the availability of natural light, as dark places aren’t much favourable for the growth of plants. 

Plants that suit the space: What matters the most is the selection of plants. Especially for indoor purposes, one needs to select plants that can survive an indoor environment with less light and air. Some of the popular plants that can suit your indoor garden are rhapis palm, ferns, fish tail palm, peace lilies, dracaena, spider plant, snake plant and philodendrons. Apart from these,  opting for low-maintenance plants is also a smart move to ensure that space remains green for long even if you cannot water the plants often. Today, a vast variety of cacti and succulents is also available in the nurseries that can serve this purpose well and enhance the beauty of your indoor garden. 

Create micro climates: Depending upon the availability of the space, plants can be used to create a micro-environment. Right from the grouping of plants on trays or crates, botanical walls separating the indoor spaces, green walls in balconies, or arranging plants under the stairs, the mix of a variety of indoor plants can create a magnificent aura and appealing décor along with an oxygen-rich pure surrounding. The two currently prevailing design styles are: compartment gardening and hydroponic gardening. A well-planned indoor garden also involves the management of air temperature, water recurrence, and soil condition to suit and nurture the plant growth. 

— The writer is founder of Green Carpet