What You’ll Learn in This Guide

There are many things to consider before starting an indoor garden. As with most things in life, a little planning will go a long way to ensuring your indoor gardening success. 

Before buying plants and supplies, you’ll first need to decide how much space you want to allocate to indoor gardening; what locations do you have available and will they provide the right growing conditions.

You’ll also want to consider the practicalities of indoor gardening; how will you water your plants, where are the electrical outlets if you need to use artificial lighting, and perhaps most importantly, how much time are you prepared to spend to care for and maintain your indoor garden.

This section will take you through the things you’ll need to consider and plan for to make your indoor gardening experience an enjoyable and successful one.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the best areas in your home for indoor gardening
• Learn strategies for optimizing your indoor layout
• Evaluate natural light and grow light considerations
• Understand options for indoor watering and humidity management techniques
• Understand potting mixes and fertilizers
• Learn about the essential tools for indoor gardening
• Plan a realistic budget and maintenance schedule for year-round success

Step-by-Step Content Sections

A thriving indoor garden is built on a solid foundation. Work your way through these nine essential planning modules to evaluate your home’s unique environment, optimize your space, and set up a foolproof routine before you purchase your first plant.

Step 1: Assessing Your Space and Potential Locations

Learn how to properly evaluate your home’s natural light, temperature fluctuations, and unique microclimates before bringing plants indoors.

Step 2: Layout and Space Optimization Strategies

Discover how to map out the perfect indoor garden layout, whether you are using a single sunny windowsill or dedicating an entire room to your plants.

Step 3: Adding Artificial Light

Understand the different types of grow lights available and how to supplement natural sunlight to keep your indoor garden thriving year-round.

Step 4: Watering

Master the fundamentals of indoor watering, including how to read your plants’ signals and set up effective, stress-free watering schedules.

Step 5: Humidity Management

Learn how to combat dry indoor air and create the ideal humid environments that your tropical houseplants and indoor edibles crave.

Step 6: Choosing the Right Containers

Navigate the wide world of plant pots. Find out how to select the right size, material, and drainage setup for every type of indoor plant.

Step 7: Soil & Nutrients

Uncover the secrets of indoor potting mixes and learn how to feed your plants the essential nutrients they need for vigorous growth.

Step 8: Essential Tools for Indoor Gardening

Save time and money by discovering the must-have tools and accessories every indoor gardener needs to maintain a healthy, beautiful space.

Step 9: Budgeting & Time Management

Learn how to plan a realistic budget for your indoor garden, avoiding common beginner pitfalls and unnecessary expensive equipment.

Curated by Our Botanical Expert

Kathy Goddard

Kathy is an independent garden designer and consultant. She obtained her BSc in Botany/Environmental Sciences from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. She worked in the gardening retail industry for several years before running a small garden design and installation business on the West Coast for eleven years. She then moved to the East Coast where she now works at a nursery and continues to consult with clients about all their garden and houseplant needs.