Nothing beats fresh herbs and vegetables, but unless you have room for a garden in your yard, that means plenty of trips to the grocery store. Good news though – there are easy ways you can bring the outdoors in! Whether you need a fresh herb garden or just want to add some foliage to your home, we’ve got you covered. And don’t worry, no green thumbs needed; these ideas are simple and quick.

Check out these ideas for indoor gardening!

Terrariums

Terrariums have made a big splash in home décor recently. With so many containers to choose from, a terrarium can be used in any design. These enclosed mini gardens are generally low maintenance and can be used in even the smallest of places. They’re the perfect way to add a touch of green to your indoor space. You can find them pre-made or you can make one yourself.

Making a terrarium is pretty simple. The most difficult part is choosing which container you want to use and which plants will work best with it. Need a little bit of inspiration? Take a look at Better Homes and Gardens’ list of top terrarium plants.

Plants to Improve Air Quality

People often bring in house plants as a décor element, but have you thought of how they can improve air quality? Many houseplants do just that, and the fact that they look nice doesn’t hurt either. In fact, you can make a huge impact on your indoor air quality with just three houseplants.

The sansevieria trifasciata, commonly known as mother-in-law’s tongue, converts carbon dioxide into oxygen at night. To convert carbon dioxide into oxygen during the day, bring in a chrysalidocarpus lutescens, better known as an areca palm plant. Finally, the epipremnum aureum, or the money plant, removes harmful chemicals from the air.

Growing Herbs Indoors

Who doesn’t love cooking with fresh herbs? If you have a small yard (or no yard), it can be hard to find a place to grow them – but look no further. You can grow your favorite herbs right on your kitchen counter!

First, decide what herbs you want to grow. Use cilantro a lot? What about basil? Choose which ones you’ll actually use. When planting, remember that some herbs need warmer temperatures (like basil, parsley and thyme), and some herbs, like basil and parsley, grow best in darker areas. Water your herbs lightly and often and wait for the magic to happen. Fair warning: This could take a few weeks, but it’ll be worth it once they really start to grow.

Regrow Food Indoors

Yes, you read that correctly. You can regrow some of your foods indoors from leftover scraps! Fennel, scallions, leeks, garlic, cabbage, bok choy, celery, romaine lettuce, sweet potatoes, pineapple, ginger and lemon grass all regrow when you plant the scraps. Each option is replanted slightly differently, but for the most part, you place the root end into your soil and keep the soil watered. For in-depth directions on how to regrow each plant, check out Wake Up World.

There you have it! Four ideas on how to bring the outdoors in. Which idea do you want to try first?

Posted by:  Carlson Mortgage – a Saint Louis mortgage broker.  Our Home Loan Experts can be reached at (314) 329-7314 seven days a week. Let us be your source for some of the lowest interest rates in St. Louis on conventional, FHA, Veterans (VA), USDA, Jumbo and HARP 1.0 and 2.0 loans. We have 10 years of experience providing mortgage services that are tailored individually to your unique needs and to your financial situation. We speak English, Spanish and Russian. Call us today!

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