7 Ways to Satisfy Your Green Thumb When You Don't Have a Garden
No backyard? No worries! Here's how to ignite your inner gardener from within the confines of your home
So you want to introduce plants and greenery into your home, but you lack the physical space or traditional garden bed to cultivate your inner green thumb. Whether you live in a small house or apartment and want a green space, or you are looking for some unique ideas you have not yet considered, follow these simple tips to get started today.
2. Create a mini ecosystem
Terrariums are back! And they are the simplest way of including a miniature version of a garden within your home. They come in all shapes and sizes, are low maintenance and make a wonderful feature on a coffee table or kitchen bench.
You can purchase them complete or have a go at making one yourself. Learn how to make your own terrarium here.
BONUS TIP: If you are making a terrarium, keep it simple. Three plants is plenty, and opt for moisture-loving tropical varieties and a good-quality potting mix.
Terrariums are back! And they are the simplest way of including a miniature version of a garden within your home. They come in all shapes and sizes, are low maintenance and make a wonderful feature on a coffee table or kitchen bench.
You can purchase them complete or have a go at making one yourself. Learn how to make your own terrarium here.
BONUS TIP: If you are making a terrarium, keep it simple. Three plants is plenty, and opt for moisture-loving tropical varieties and a good-quality potting mix.
3. Add indoor plants
The simplest way to instantly inject life into a home without a garden is to use indoor plants. Choose varieties, such as the fiddle leaf fig, snake plant, peace lily and orchid, which enjoy filtered light and indoor conditions. Plants can be used as features in drab corners of your home, too. Treat them like sculptures, so go for plants with height, lush greenery or flowers.
BONUS TIP: Use different baskets and containers as pot covers, and experiment with different materials, such as natural fibres, ceramics, stainless steel, coloured plastic and painted pots, depending on your interior scheme.
The simplest way to instantly inject life into a home without a garden is to use indoor plants. Choose varieties, such as the fiddle leaf fig, snake plant, peace lily and orchid, which enjoy filtered light and indoor conditions. Plants can be used as features in drab corners of your home, too. Treat them like sculptures, so go for plants with height, lush greenery or flowers.
BONUS TIP: Use different baskets and containers as pot covers, and experiment with different materials, such as natural fibres, ceramics, stainless steel, coloured plastic and painted pots, depending on your interior scheme.
4. Start a herb garden in your kitchen
Have your herbs within arms reach when you are cooking in the kitchen. Not only do they look great and give that splash of colour you are after, they serve a purpose. You can display them in a variety ways, but why not make use of your wall space and go vertical? This means no clutter on the kitchen benchtops or floor space and makes for a great feature and talking point.
BONUS TIP: Secure recycled glass jars onto repurposed timber using hose clasps from a hardware store for a budget-friendly DIY project.
Here’s another quirky way of upcycling tins and herbs
Have your herbs within arms reach when you are cooking in the kitchen. Not only do they look great and give that splash of colour you are after, they serve a purpose. You can display them in a variety ways, but why not make use of your wall space and go vertical? This means no clutter on the kitchen benchtops or floor space and makes for a great feature and talking point.
BONUS TIP: Secure recycled glass jars onto repurposed timber using hose clasps from a hardware store for a budget-friendly DIY project.
Here’s another quirky way of upcycling tins and herbs
5. Just hang it
Adding greenery in small spaces is about being inventive and working with what you have, so why not use the ceiling space? Hanging plants are on trend and a simple and easy way to add style and an indoor garden feel to your home. There are many varieties of hangers to choose from such as macrame, hanging baskets and upside down pots. Experiment with hanging them at different heights, in groups, and mix it up.
BONUS TIP: Choose indoor plant varieties and make sure the pots don’t have drainage holes in the bottom otherwise you will be mopping up spills. Bring them to your kitchen sink or bathtub and water them there or, for smaller plants and ferns, simply use a spray bottle filled with water.
Adding greenery in small spaces is about being inventive and working with what you have, so why not use the ceiling space? Hanging plants are on trend and a simple and easy way to add style and an indoor garden feel to your home. There are many varieties of hangers to choose from such as macrame, hanging baskets and upside down pots. Experiment with hanging them at different heights, in groups, and mix it up.
BONUS TIP: Choose indoor plant varieties and make sure the pots don’t have drainage holes in the bottom otherwise you will be mopping up spills. Bring them to your kitchen sink or bathtub and water them there or, for smaller plants and ferns, simply use a spray bottle filled with water.
6. Utilise the oh-so-versatile pot plant
The humble pot plant is perfect for balconies, courtyards and other areas where you lack a traditional garden bed. They are a great idea, too, if you are renting your home – you can take them with you when you move.
If you desire pot plants on your balcony or small courtyard take a little time to plan the space and think about function and what you want from your green area. Treat this little outdoor pocket as an extension of your house. Is the main purpose to add colour, grow herbs or add privacy? Buy your plants accordingly to create your mini oasis.
BONUS TIP: Create mini vignettes with your pot plants. In other words, group them and play with heights and colours, arranging them so they are pleasing to the eye. Rearrange them now and again to keep the space fresh and interesting.
The humble pot plant is perfect for balconies, courtyards and other areas where you lack a traditional garden bed. They are a great idea, too, if you are renting your home – you can take them with you when you move.
If you desire pot plants on your balcony or small courtyard take a little time to plan the space and think about function and what you want from your green area. Treat this little outdoor pocket as an extension of your house. Is the main purpose to add colour, grow herbs or add privacy? Buy your plants accordingly to create your mini oasis.
BONUS TIP: Create mini vignettes with your pot plants. In other words, group them and play with heights and colours, arranging them so they are pleasing to the eye. Rearrange them now and again to keep the space fresh and interesting.
7. Train your plants
To ‘espalier’ is to train a plant (usually a small tree) on a trellis or framework, or on a fence or wall, so that it grows flat – perfect if you are strapped for space. This way of growing plants was first developed so plants could grow in colder climates and take advantage of the warmth of a sunny wall.
BONUS TIP: Citrus varieties do well using this technique and look fantastic when they flower and go to fruit. Think lemons, Kaffir limes, valencia oranges and cumquats.
MORE
Expert Tips on Creating a Vertical Garden
How to Nurture Your Creative Side at Home
Green Living: Create a Bedroom Easy Vegetable Gardens for Black Thumbs
To ‘espalier’ is to train a plant (usually a small tree) on a trellis or framework, or on a fence or wall, so that it grows flat – perfect if you are strapped for space. This way of growing plants was first developed so plants could grow in colder climates and take advantage of the warmth of a sunny wall.
BONUS TIP: Citrus varieties do well using this technique and look fantastic when they flower and go to fruit. Think lemons, Kaffir limes, valencia oranges and cumquats.
MORE
Expert Tips on Creating a Vertical Garden
How to Nurture Your Creative Side at Home
Green Living: Create a Bedroom Easy Vegetable Gardens for Black Thumbs
No room to spare? Go up! Vertical gardens are a versatile way of growing a garden with limited space, and a number of different looks can be achieved using different plants. The plants you choose will depend on the amount of light and conditions they will be subjected to. You can use an unused wall or fence to include greenery within a balcony or small courtyard.
BONUS TIP: No sun? Choose plants suited to indoor or shady spots such as bromeliad, orchid and fern. Lots of sun? Select hardier varieties such as any succulent, geranium ‘Big Red’ and mondo grass.