• African Violets
• Amaryllis
• Coleus
• Poinsettia  
• Orchid
  

Indoor gardening is especially desirable to most of us who experience cold winter climates and want to enjoy blooming plants during this time.  Even though we are here in the greenhouse,  you can grow these plants in a bright, warm place in your home. 

Finding The Right Plant For The Right Place

I find it unfortunate that our homes are not designed to be an instant tropical paradise.   It is rather inevitable; plants find their way into our homes, perhaps as gifts.  We know the fear of being the chosen recipient of Aunt Martha’s prized thirty-year-old violet…or the thrill of bringing home a new plant that mysteriously ended up in our hands on a recent walk through the greenhouse.  How can we enjoy success as the caretakers of these living treasures? 

KNOW WHAT YOU GROW
We all have names, and so does your plant!  Read the tag and learn its name.   Find its particular growing requirements from a reference book or through the internet.  With so many of us having home computers, it's easy to use the world wide web to search for information about specific varieties of plants.

HOME ENVIRONMENT
Next, consider the elements of your home environment.   Plants need the right amount of four basic things:  temperature, light, water, and humidity.  This amount can vary, depending on the plant, and that is why researching your plant is so important.  The most important thing to do first is inspect the indoor climate.  Will you be growing plants in your front room?  Your basement?  Where you plan to locate your plants is an important consideration for optimum plant growth and flowering.  Light, temperature, water, and humidity are important factors to consider when selecting plants for your chosen location.   Sometimes an element is missing in the home environment that needs to be artificially implemented.

TEMPERATURE
For indoor growing, you’ll need a warm room with temperatures ranging from 60F minimum night to maximum 85F day).   Temperature can be controlled or changed by means of space heaters, additional insulation or carpeting, and/or fans for air circulation.  Keep in mind that air circulation is important for prevention of disease; but you don’t want drafts blowing directly on your plants! 

LIGHT
The best setup is a location near a window with anywhere from bright light to full sun.   I don't recommend growing directly on a windowsill...it exposes plants to extremes of temperatures from the window glass, and it is also possible for plants to get sunburned.    Plants (such as African Violets, begonia, gloxinia) don’t need strong sun and thrive under fluorescent light fixtures, which can be set up in an area of the home where natural light is unavailable.  Flourescent fixtures should hang within a few inches of the plant, for the best results.  For plants that require more light, metal halide lamps, and high-pressure sodium bulbs can closely replicate sunlight, depending on the requirements of the plants you want to grow.  This is a bigger investment, but for those with plant collections, it works very well.

WATER/HUMIDITY
Water should be given according to plant type; this information is found when you research your plant.  General humidity levels should fall between 40-70 percent.  Humidity levels in the average home usually drop in the winter months.  A humidifier will bring up the humidity to a more comfortable range for you and your plants.  Control humidity if necessary with a humidifier/dehumidifier, as needed.   A gauge that monitors temperature and humidity is a very helpful tool; you can then make adjustments as necessary.  

PLANT SELECTION
Select plants that thrive in the conditions that exist in your particular growing area.  Catalog descriptions, books, or your local greenhouse can help you choose appropriate plants for your home environment.  Be sure to make your purchases from a reputable nursery or greenhouse, and always check to make sure your plants are free from insects.  If possible, always look under the leaves!

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There are a variety of plants that will bloom indoors during the winter months.   Here is a list of easy care flowering plants you may want to try: 

LIGHT-EARLY MORNING SUN
Flourescent fixture or supplemental window lighting
orchids (phalenopsis)
african violets
begonia
gloxinia
jasmines
impatiens 

FILTERED-FULL SUN
sunny window or supplemental metal halide/sodium lamp
amaryllis
flowering cacti
passion flower
geranium
hibiscus
gardenia