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Violas

You might know these better as pansies, but there are more than 500 varieties in this wide-ranging family. These beauties normally pop up in the spring, but if you grow them in a cool, shaded area they should delay until summer. Try planting some in a window box or porch planter for a shot of color that'll make you smile.

Phalaenopsis Orchid

Don't worry if you've left a trail of plant corpses behind you in the past: These are tough to kill. Low to medium light, warm temperatures and minimal watering will get you months of pretty petals.

Kalanchoe

These pretty little flowers are low effort. That's because kalanchoe is actually a succulent that can survive in either full sun or partial shade.

Oxalis Purple Clover

Get the right balance of light and temperature to produce these royal purple leaves with a unique shamrock shape. Medium light near a window should give you the best and brightest leaves.

Amethyst Flower

This is another good one for a hanging basket in a warm, shaded area.

Chamomile

This sweet-smelling herb needs only moderate light. And bonus: The scent keeps pests away. Ahhhh, we feel calmer already.

Persian Shield

Lots of shade combined with heat and humidity will be best for these quilted purple leaves.

Peace Lily

They're serene and easy to care for, so it's easy to see why this is a popular flowering houseplant. But if you have kids or pets, beware: It's poisonous.

Chives

They're practically unkillable, and they get these gorgeous purplish blossoms. The best part is, your kitchen to game is going to get a huge upgrade: Not only are the chives themselves delicious, you can cook with the blossoms too!

Christmas Cactus

Okay, if you really think you're too hopeless to care for a houseplant, don't throw in the towel until you try caring for a cactus. Especially this one, which blooms around the holidays.

Purple Basil

Not only is this jewel-toned take on the classic herb pretty, but it'll also come in handy spicing up your weeknight cooking. You can use it in any recipe where traditional basil is used, and it delivers extra flavor to boot.

Calathea

It's easy to see why these are nicknamed "peacock plants." Their variegated, tropical foliage spans from green to purple, and the unique pattern of the leaves does indeed recall peacock feathers. It may be a tad more fussy than other tropical plants, preferring shade or dappled light and some humidity, but the final result is well worth it.

Prayer Plant (Maranta)

Prayer plants are another leafy option with plenty of distinct color and appealing leaf patterns. They're very easy to care for, though they do sometimes attract pests, something to keep an eye out for.

Anthurium

An intoxicating tropical plant with a waxy, red flower, anthuriums are definitely a scene-stealer. Because of this, anthuriums are popular cut flowers as well, but keeping one growing at home means more time to enjoy its beauty. Just be advised that this might not be the plant for you if you have children or pets: All parts of the plant are poisonous.

Shrimp Plant

Named for its distinctive pink flowers, the shrimp plant is easy to care for so long as you place it in well-draining soil. If kept in a sunny spot, it may well bloom all year round.

Clivia

This South African plant has become sought-after due to its lovely orange-red flowers, which are reminiscent of hibiscus. They thrive in bright indirect light and don't mind if you forget about them occasionally.

Flowering Maple

Surprising as it may seem, some varieties of maple actually make great indoor plants. As a small indoor tree or shrub, flowering maples make quite an impact thanks to their distinctively veined, multifaceted blooms.

Zebra Plant

Shiny, appealingly zebra-like leaves make this an instant winner, but if you're willing to help the plant through a period of dormancy, you'll also find that super-saturated yellow blossoms appear like a crown atop this stunning plant.

Tips For Indoor Gardening

• Indoor plants are obsessed with direct sun. For most varieties, you’ll have to work around your space’s lack of light with some grow lights. If there’s not tons of direct sun coming into your indoor gardening space, or you don’t have a south facing window, grow lights may be in your future. They’ll ensure your growing plants stay happy and healthy.
• Some plants can be really finicky, so pay close attention for signs of struggle. Look for yellowing and browning on the leaves, wilting, or crisping. If you suspect your plant is choking out on you, try a different lighting situation, placement, and watering routine. Even humidity levels can impact your plants, so monitor how they best respond to your care!
• Seed germination can take a lot of commitment, so if you’re not feeling like becoming a full-time gardener (or just simply don’t have the time and money for it), starting your indoor garden from cuttings/propagations helps expedite the growing process. You can find cuttings and starters at most home improvement stores, or I’m sure your nice green thumb neighbor could even cut one for you from their garden!
• There’s no doubt that indoor gardening is a larger initial investment, but it will pay off over time. You’ll need some equipment to get you started, if you don’t have some already. Grow lights, roomy pots and planters, seeds, and soils are the most basic needs for an indoor garden project.

Vegetables and Herbs You Can Grow Indoors

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Romaine Lettuce

Romaine lettuce is one of the easiest plants to grow in an indoor garden – and you don’t even need to start from seeds. Just pop the butt of a lettuce head into a shallow dish of water, and place it by your sunniest window. In a few days you’ll see significant growth. This method also works just as well for green onions and celery! You’ll want to replace the plant’s water often throughout the process, so it doesn’t sour. Starting lettuce from seeds is a tad more involved than this method, but if you want to start from scratch, this guide is super helpful.

@mikeposner This will change your life and bring your eating habits to the next level!! #sprouts#broccolisprouts#foodtok#tipsandtricks#beforeandafter#diy♬ Sunny Day - Ted Fresco

Microgreens

If you’re living it up in a micro apartment, microgreens are a great grocery to grow indoors. They don’t take up much space, plus sprouts and microgreens carry massive amounts of nutrients and vitamins for your diet. When it’s so cheap to grow them at home, why pay up to $10 for them at the store? This mason jar hack slays indoor gardening in such a simple way!

To start growing with seeds, all you need is special micro seeds, a shallow planter with drainage, and a soil made for seed starting. Ensure these little guys get 4-6 hours of sun (or grow light) a day, and soon enough you can sprinkle your homegrown microgreens on all the salads and sandwiches!

Herbs

The sheer power you feel when you use homegrown herbs in a recipe is indescribable. I used some Thai basil in a recent noodle recipe, and it just hit different. You can grow rosemary, basil, thyme, mint, oregano, and more from your kitchen! Basil is an annual herb that needs more heat and light to thrive. Keep your basil away from windows in the winter, and opt for grow lights instead, to avoid total chill. Perennial herbs like rosemary, thyme, mint, and oregano fare better in the cold, as long as they get some light in. Some herbs grow trailing down, so pull out your hanging planters for some decorative garden flair!

Root Vegetables

Onions, beets, and carrots. Oh my! These are just a few of the root veggies you can grow in your indoor garden. Root vegetables are fairly resistant to the cold, so they grow just fine inside during winter. Since their roots are bigger, they need a lot of water and some biiig pots to live in. For carrots and parsnips, you’re likely looking at a pot up to 12 inches deep! The best part about gardening root vegetables is the leafy tops – they can be used to top salads and garnish healthy dinners, so nothing goes wasted.

Peppers

Spice things up in your indoor garden with homegrown peppers! There’s a huge range of pepper varieties, but some are easier than others. Peppers under the Capsicum Annuum family are recommended for beginners. This includes the spicy boys: jalapenos, serranos, thai peppers, and cayenne peppers.

Fruits You Can Grow Indoors

@gardeningindoors Replying to @adventure.abigail Hope this was helpful 🌱🍅   #indoorgardentips#cherrytomatoes#growyourownfood#gardentok#growyourownvegetables#indoorgardentok#gardeningindoors#smallspacegardening#indoorgardening#growingtomatoes♬ original sound - gardeningindoors

Tomatoes

To grow tomatoes indoors, the seeds need to germinate before anything else. It’ll take around 5-10 days of constant warmth and moisture for them to begin sprouting. Once they’re ready to be potted, tomatoes will need 8 or more hours of sun (or grow light) a day. They’ll also need sizable planters with plenty of plant stakes. Plant stakes provide stability for the vines, and facilitate upward growth as your plants get bigger. Since your plants aren’t living it up outside, you’ll have to pollinate them. All this takes is shaking or tapping the vines on a regular basis. Smaller varieties typically have more success indoors, so that’s a plus if your indoor garden is also crunched for space. Make sure these babies stay fairly warm (70+ degrees F) for best results!

@herbal.ash It takes years for it to actually bear fruit but it’s still such a unique plant to grow! #avocadoplant#planttok#plantlover♬ Natural Emotions - Muspace Lofi

Avocado

Okay, this indoor gardening hack is a *little bit* of a plant cheat. We hate to break it to you, but it can actually take up to 10 years for avocado trees to produce fruit, AKA an actual avo. But, you can grow a gorgeous (inedible) houseplant from the seed, and marvel in its beauty! First, wash off the seed from your morning avocado toast avo, and peel the skin off. After that, germinate the seed using a moist paper towel inside a plastic bag. After 4-8 weeks, you’ll see sprouts, then you can transfer the seed and suspend it in filtered water for leaves to grow!

Surprise, surprise. You can also grow apricots indoors, as long as you have a sunny room. It’s recommended to not start from seeds if you’re working indoors. The conditions just aren’t always super favorable, so it’s better to start your fruit from a direct cutting! Self-pollinating trees (like dwarf apricot trees) also take out some extra steps in the process, because you don’t have to facilitate pollination. A neutral soil is non-negotiable for indoor gardening apricots. You can use store bought soil, or easily make your own. Bonus points if you throw a bit of compost in there! Be patient with this tree – it doesn't bear fruit until 3-4 years out, but will look beautiful the whole way through.

Meyer Lemons

Known as the easiest citrus to grow indoors, Meyer lemons supplement all your favorite desserts, lemonades, cleaning solutions, and more. It’s honestly a pain to try growing this variety from seeds indoors. The easiest method starts with a 2-3 year old tree. A younger tree is easier to monitor and care for. For these trees, your indoor garden will need 8-12 hours of daily light. They love constant moisture, but this doesn’t necessarily mean constant watering. Infrequent but large amounts of water is the Meyer lemon tree’s BFF! Since this guy isn’t self-pollinating, you have to pollinate the flowers yourself indoors with cotton swabs. It’s not too complicated! Make sure to scoop some citrus tree fertilizer when you’re planting your lemon tree – it’ll eat the nutrients up!

What Do I Need To Get Started?

If you're feeling intimidated by the gardening aisle at your local Lowe's or Home Depot, don't sweat it! Here are some great options to start your very own indoor garden.

Grow Lights for Indoor Gardening

iGrowtek LED Grow Light for Seed Starting ($57)

Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, Four Head LED with Full Spectrum Light ($24)

DOMMIA Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, 20W Full Spectrum LED Light with Timer ($17)

Planters and Pots for Indoor Gardening

Pri Gardens Upside Down Tomato Planter, 2-Pack ($18)

Mhonni 1 Gallon Nursery Pots 12 Set for Plants with Drainage Hole and Saucer ($23)

Amazing Creation Window Herb Planter for Kitchens 3 Pack ($25)

MIXC Plant Nursery Pots with Humidity Dome ($17)

Seed Starter Soils for Indoor Gardening

Minute Soil Compressed Coco Coir FIber Grow Wafers ($17)

Espoma Organic Seed Starter Premium Potting Soil Mix ($25)

Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix ($9)

Christmas Charades

Play charades with a holiday twist! Write down Christmas-themed clues (e.g., decorating a tree, Rudolph, Mariah Carey, building a snowman...) and have teams act them out. Keep it simple for kids, especially ones learning to read, or add some pop culture references (Buddy the Elf, anyone?) for adults-only parties.

Name That Carol!

Play short snippets of Christmas songs and have guests guess the title. To up the challenge, use instrumental versions or hum the tune. For kids, you can turn this into musical chairs with holiday music!

Christmas Trivia

Create trivia questions about Christmas movies, traditions, and songs. Bonus points for the most obscure facts! Here's a few to start:

• Which country started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree? (Answer: Germany)
• In the song Twelve Days of Christmas, what is given on the 7th day? (Answer: Swans a-swimming)
• Which country celebrates “Feliz Navidad”? (Answer: Spain or Latin American countries)

Guess the Holiday Scent

Use candles, essential oils, or holiday-themed spices like cinnamon, peppermint, or pine. Blindfold guests and have them guess the scent. Throw in some unexpected surprises like egg nog, maple syrup or Scotch tape.

Snowball NBA

If you're lucky enough to have a White Christmas, set up buckets outside labeled with different point values. Guests toss real snowballs, or “snowballs” like white cotton balls or small foam balls if you're playing indoors, into the buckets for points.

The Awkward Gift Wrap Race

Find awkwardly shaped items around the house, like a basketball or stuffed animal, and provide rolls of wrapping paper. The fastest (and neatest) gift wrapper wins!

Ornament Relay

Hand out spoons or chopsticks and teams have to race to get ornaments from one side of the room to another.

Candy Cane Hunt

Similar to an Easter egg hunt, hide candy canes around the house or yard and let guests hunt for them. Wrap a few with dollar bills to up the ante .;)

Holiday "Who Am I?"

Stick Christmas-themed names or characters (e.g., the Grinch, Jude Law, Holiday Armadillo, Charlie Brown) on players' foreheads. Guests ask yes/no questions to guess who they are. It's a great ice breaker for new friends!

Gingerbread Decoration Contest

Anything with a ticking clock adds a certain element of hilarity to it. Give your teams gingerbread houses with icing and decorations. Let the creativity flow, and award prizes for categories like “most festive” or “funniest" or "worst construction."

Here are more Christmas games to play this season:

Jingle Bell Toss: Set up your college-era Solo cups into a bowling pin formation at opposite ends of the table. Each players tries to get large jingle bellsinto the opposite side’s cups. The first player to get a bell in each cup wins.

Human Hungry Hungry Hippo: Pair up, stand in a circle, and hand out plastic candy canes. Toss shatterproof Christmas balls in the middle of the circle. One person stands, holding the feet of the other person on the floor. The person on the floor tries to collect more balls with the candy cane than the other teams for a human version of Hungry Hungry Hippo!

Christmas Pictionary: Like charades, but on paper. Use pop culture references like "Hallmark Holiday Movie" or holiday-themed phrases like "Silent Night" for teammates to guess.

Left-Right Christmas Story Game: Make up a holiday story that includes the words "left" and "right" often. Guests pass a wrapped gift or object left or right as the words are mentioned, and whoever holds it at the end keeps the gift!

Christmas Bingo: Downloadbingo cards with holiday symbols or themes. Mark them off as they’re called out. First to yell “Bingo!” wins.

Reindeer Ring Toss: Use inflatable reindeer antler hats (or make your own) and toss rings to see who can "decorate" the reindeer.

Christmas Cookie Taste Test: Bake or buy a variety of holiday cookies. Blindfold guests and see who can identify the most flavors correctly.

Christmas Movie Emoji Quiz: Create a string of emojis that represent Christmas movies and have guests guess the titles.

Snowman Building Contest: If there’s snow, go outdoors for a snowman-building competition! If indoors, use toilet paper to “wrap” someone as a snowman.

Holiday Scavenger Hunt: Make a list of Christmas-related items like a red ornament, mistletoe, or a stocking and have guests search for them in teams.

Christmas Karaoke: Set up a karaoke machine or app and sing along to holiday classics. Bonus points for best singer or most dramatic performance!