The Practical Home Decor Trend That Will Improve Your Kitchen
We recently told you about home decor trends that have become more popular since we all began spending more time in our homes, including indoor plants and zen gardens. Not only do plants provide oxygen and a soothing environment, but zen gardens are soothing to build and maintain (via Times of India). But another plant-based home trend that is sweeping the nation right now can provide even more than cleaner air and a healthy hobby; it can even put dinner on your plate.
According to Bloomscape's Plant Mom, Joyce Mast, in-kitchen gardens have become more popular over the past year, and she anticipates the trend only increasing in popularity (via Good Housekeeping). "Having your own freshly grown indoor herbs and vegetable plants is ideal for creating dishes and beverages since you have the necessary ingredients at your fingertips," She told Good Housekeeping. "There are a variety of sizes, perfect for a kitchen or a sunny window."
The best plants for an indoor garden
If you're just beginning to plan out an indoor garden, it can be helpful to know which herbs and vegetables are most likely to thrive in an indoor environment. According to Gardening Know How, there are certain leafy greens, herbs, root vegetables, and cruciferous vegetables that are easiest to grow in your kitchen. For greens, consider trying kale, arugula, bok choy, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, and micro greens. Your best bet for herbs, which grow well in a sunny window box, are basil, cilantro, dill, mint, chives, oregano, parsley, thyme, and rosemary.
If you decide to try and grow root veggies indoors, you'll need a deeper container and a bit more patience, as they tend to take longer to mature than herbs and greens. The best root vegetables to attempt inside include carrots, beets, radishes, garlic, potatoes, and onions. Cruciferous vegetables are also possible to grow indoors, but you'll need a cooler room wtih some sun, and you might need to limit planing one head of cauliflower or one cabbage per pot for best results. You can also plant broccoli and brussels sprouts.
Veggies that likely aren't going to thrive as well indoors and should probably be in an outdoor garden include cucumbers, beans, and nightshades like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant.