Garden inside this winter

By Deborah J. Benoit

Cold weather has arrived, and you’ve put your garden to bed for the season. That doesn’t mean you can’t garden. Just shift your focus from outdoors to in.

Adding foliage plants to your home satisfies your need to be surrounded by green. Easy-to-grow choices that are also tolerant of the low-light conditions common in winter include pothos (Epipremnum aureum), philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum), and Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum).

Aloe (Aloe vera), a succulent, will do well near a window with bright, indirect light. Begonias (Semperflorens) are available in various leaf shapes, textures, patterns, and colors, including green, silver, and deep red.

Check the light requirements of any houseplant you select. Please keep it away from heat sources and cold drafts, and be careful not to overwater. Soggy soil can lead to root rot and other problems.

If you’re more interested in flowers than greenery, consider African violets (Saintpaulia), cape primrose (Streptocarpus), or moth orchids (Orchidaceae) for long-lasting blooms that will brighten winter days.

Water as needed, and feed with a fertilizer recommended for flowering houseplants according to package directions. Remove faded blossoms.

Flowering plants are likely to require more light than those grown for their foliage. Be sure to check the needs of specific plants. Required light levels and tolerance for direct sunlight will vary. Consider adding a supplemental light source if you don’t have a suitable window that provides sufficient sunlight.

Indoor gardening during the winter months isn’t limited to houseplants. With some extra work, you can include edibles in your plans.

What could be more visually satisfying than a row of potted herbs basking in the faux sunshine on a grow-lighted shelf?

Herbs such as chives (Allium schoenoprasum), basil (Ocimum basilicum), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) can be grown in pots on a bright windowsill. Plants may be available at a local greenhouse or can be started from seed. Keep plants away from cold drafts and contact with window glass, which can damage leaves and slow growth.

If a plant needs full sun outdoors, it will require plenty of light indoors. Leggy growth can indicate insufficient light. A window with full sun and a southern exposure will work best for many plants, but a grow light may make your plant happier and more productive.

A home-grown salad in January harvested from a container of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), or other greens can be immensely satisfying. You’ll need a good light source, potting mix, water, and, of course, seeds. For more detailed information on growing salad greens, see go.uvm.edu/indoor-greens.

Growing vegetables like tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) or peppers (Capsicum) can provide an extra challenge and personal satisfaction. Varieties such as Tiny Tim and Micro Tom have a compact form and grow well in pots. In general, choose smaller-fruited tomatoes for best results.

Use quality potting soil. Provide plenty of room for good air circulation. Temperatures should be warm (around 70 degrees Fahrenheit). Water consistently and fertilize according to package directions—stake as needed. Once flowers appear, a gentle shake of the stem can aid pollination in the absence of pollinators.

Growing potted vegetables indoors will require supplemental light to produce fruit. For information on selecting and using grow lights, see go.uvm.edu/grow-lights.

If you have pets, check whether plants in your indoor garden are pet-friendly. Keep any that may be toxic out of reach or select alternatives.

No matter what plants or methods you choose, moving your garden indoors can keep your inner gardener content until spring arrives.

Deborah J. Benoit is a UVM Extension Master Gardener from North Adams, Massachusetts, part of the Bennington County Chapter.