As the cold winter weather approaches, many homeowners put any gardening on hold until spring. But you don’t have to. With the right conditions, you can grow a great indoor winter garden that will provide you with fresh produce and allow you to keep your thumbs green all year long.
Which Plants Can Your Grow Indoors During the Winter?
- Culinary Herbs – Basil, oregano, sage, lavender, mint, thyme, rosemary, dill, and other herbs are great windowsill herbs to grow during winter. Be sure to plant them near a window that gets six or more hours of sun per day — usually south- or southwest-facing. You’ll also want to make sure they’re located in a room that stays above 60 degrees at night.
- Citrus – Dwarf citrus trees, which can be kept in a large pot, are another great choice for indoor winter plants. Lemons and limes are quite easy to grow. But make sure that they get 8 hours of direct sunlight and are kept in temperatures above 50 degrees.
- Sprouts and Microgreens – Microgreens are the sprouted seeds of lettuces and greens such as beets, cabbages, radishes, and sunflowers. Since the seeds are grown in small, shallow containers, they can be grown any time of year. Soak the seeds overnight to get them started on germinating and then cover them with a thin layer of soil in the tray. Harvest the greens once the first leaves develop by cutting them with scissors just above the soil.
Tips on Growing Plants Indoors During Winter
- Since sunlight during the winter months is scarce, grow your plants next to a south-facing window and/or with some supplemental lighting in the form of grow lights.
- Be mindful of humidity. Indoor air can be quite dry during the winter months due to heating. Simply spray a mist on the plant every day to increase the humidity indoors.
- Watch the temperature in your home. Keep your home between 55 – 85 Fahrenheit. But do your research on the specific type of plant for the optimal growing temperatures.
- Repot them sparingly. Don’t repot your plants unless you absolutely have to.
