Herbs, leafy plants and microgreens are
the most common edible plants for indoor
growing. They generally do well with shallow
soil because they’re smaller and don’t need
as much space inside. They also don’t need
as much sun and are easier to grow if you’re
just starting out.

It’s possible to grow fruits indoors, but
they generally need a significant amount of
sun plus exposure to pollinating insects or
animals and wind, which are more difficult
to replicate indoors.

Examples of vegetables and herbs that you
can grow indoors include the following:
VEGETABLES Leafy greens (such as spinach, kale,
lettuce and arugula)
Carrots Scallions
Potatoes Mushrooms
Microgreens (vegetables such as beets,
radishes and peas harvested as seedlings
or sprouts)
HERBS Mint varieties
Cilantro Parsley
Basil Rosemary
Thyme Lavender
Oregano Planning your garden
Before starting your indoor garden, consider
your family’s lifestyle. Plants need tending
and care to grow successfully. If you’re a
16 Washington FAMILY JANUARY 2021
newbie to gardening, you may want to start
small and simple, such as using an indoor
grow system to simplify the process.

On a basic level, plants need at least
water, nutrients and light—and, of course,
you’ll need the plant seeds or seedlings.

Consider your space and what will grow
best in that environment. Alternatively,
if you have more flexibility, you can think
about which plants your family wants to
grow and how to adapt your environment
to meet the plants’ needs.

To give your plants the best chance of
thriving, you’ll want a specific place you
can control. Decide if you’ll use one room,
spread them around the house, dedicate
a windowsill or perhaps build a smaller
controllable environment within your home.

Also, be aware of your home’s humidity,
especially during dry winter months, since
plants need a moister environment. Plants
do best in stable, consistent temperatures
in the 60s to 70s with good air circulation to
prevent mold or fungus growth.

If you’re planning to use mostly natural
light from your windows, consider the
amount of sunlight they permit and at
what time of day they allow for more
or less light. Generally, a south-facing
window will give you the most sunlight.

This position will likely change throughout
the seasons, so be aware of how light
exposure varies and affects plants.

Prepping your garden
The supplies you’ll need depends on your
budget and how involved you want to be.

Some products do nearly all the work for
you. You can also find those that offer simple
setups but allow you to be more engaged
with the process. If you have specific plants
in mind, research what particular items
you’ll need to support the best growing
environment for your plants.

Containers should be big enough to
accommodate how large the plants will
grow, the depth needed for roots and how
far seeds must be planted from each other.

When growing plants indoors, you also need
to consider drainage so that excess water
doesn’t build up and cause problems like
root rot or bacterial growth. You don’t need
fancy, expensive containers. Depending on
the individual plant, you can even repurpose
old plastic containers.

The soil you use for growing indoors
is different from ordinary garden soil.

Use potting mix or soil made specifically
for seedlings and the indoors. These soil
varieties are made to drain better than
garden soil and aren’t likely to contain
organisms such as fungus or bacteria.

If you’re growing plants throughout the
winter, you’ll need a light source to make
up for the lack of natural sunlight. Grow
lamps are specifically designed to provide
the right type of light to help plants grow.

Common types of grow lamps are LED or
fluorescent. Consider which plants will
need more or less light exposure and place
them at appropriate distances.

Since your plants won’t get rain,
you’re in charge of making sure they have
enough—but not too much—water. Always
check how soil moisture levels before
watering, ensure appropriate drainage
and be aware of the plants’ needs. Self-
watering containers, drip systems and
hydroponic kits can be helpful.

Caring for your garden
Edible plants generally take more effort
than putting seeds in the soil and forgetting
them, especially indoors where you have
KRBLOKHIN / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
What types of vegetables and
herbs can be grown indoors?