Are you starting to feel trapped indoors? As the winter season wears on cabin fever can set in. Especially if you like to garden. Usually, toward the end of January, I’m looking for gardening activities that I can do inside. If you are feeling like you need some garden time, here are three indoor winter garden ideas that you can do. All without having to face the cold, snow, rain or wind that might be blowing around you.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase something, I can make a small commission. Please see my Privacy Policy for full details.
3 Indoor Winter Garden Ideas to do now…
Plant Bulbs
In the late fall, I usually pick up some spring blooming bulbs to plant. And then the fall and holiday activities take over and I forget to plant some of the bulbs. So now is a great time to force those bulbs to bloom indoors. I typically purchase some paperwhites to grow as well, and I wait until after the holidays to plant them. So if you have any bulbs hanging around that didn’t get planted, get them growing indoors. You can also check with your local garden center to see if they have any leftover spring bulbs.
You can plant bulbs in forcing vases, in large jars with pebbles in the bottom or in potting soil. Depending on how many bulbs you have, grab your supplies and get to planting. Here are three easy ways to plant your bulbs.
Forcing vase: This is the simplest technique. Fill your vase with water and set the bulb on top. Be sure that the bottom of the bulb does not touch the water as this could cause the bulb to rot. Also, when choosing your vase, make sure the bulb is a good fit. If the bulb is too large for the vase, then the weight of the growing plant could cause it to tip over.
Glass container: Use a large glass container that has a wide opening. Fill the bottom with two inches of decorative pebbles. Set your bulbs on top and add water to the container. Again, do not let the bulbs sit in water. The water level should come to the top of the pebbles but not over. For tall plants such as paperwhites, a container with tall sides will help to support your growing plants.
Get Your Garden Ready For Spring Checklist
It's time to start thinking about your garden. To get a jump start on the season's activities sign up for my email. As a Thank you I'll send the Checklist.
Container with potting soil: With this technique, you can choose a variety of containers. Use old pottery, cookware, metal containers, baskets or terracotta pots. If using a basket, be sure to line it with a container that can hold water. Fill your container with two inches of potting soil. Set your bulbs on top of the soil and then add another inch or two of potting soil. It’s okay if the top of the bulb is out of the soil as long as the bottom is covered. When forcing bulbs, you can plant the bulbs close together.
Related: How to Plant Indoor Bulbs
Create A Terrarium
Terrariums might look fancy but they are actually very easy to create. And it’s so nice to have greenery around your home. You’ll want to purchase a few supplies ahead of time or you can even purchase a terrarium kit.
Choose a container: Find a glass container large enough to hold a few plants that can be closed with a lid. You can buy new containers or look around your home. I’m using a glass canister from my pantry rather than buy something new. You could also use a large canning jar, a lantern or even a fish bowl. In general, the tropical plants do well when the container is covered. Succulents need a dryer environment so they can be planted in containers without a lid.
Create the environment: Start by putting down a layer of rocks or pebbles. Generally, the next layer is activated charcoal, however, it’s not critical to the process. The purpose of the charcoal is to help filter toxins and remove odors. If you do not include charcoal, just take the lid off occasionally to help with air circulation. Next, top your charcoal with a layer of green moss. Finally, add your potting soil.
Add Plants: The last step is to plant your mini-tropical or succulent plants. The number of plants will be determined by the size of your container and the size of your plants. Use an odd number of plants if possible. Also, choose a variety of styles and textures of plants. Be sure to leave a little room for decorative touches such as bits of bright green moss, small pieces of wood, rocks or pebbles to add some woodsy contrast in your terrarium.
Plant Care: Water your plants just a bit and cover with the lid. Keep your terrarium out of direct sunlight. Your plants should not need a lot of tending but occasionally check the moisture level and add a bit more if needed. As a rule, lidded containers only need monthly watering while your succulents in open containers might need a small weekly drink. One of the easiest ways to water your terrarium is with a spray bottle. Just give the plants a little misting when the soil looks dry.
A Simple Terrarium: Is this all a bit much? A simple way to grow a terrarium without the mess is to pick a lovely glass container and a single beautiful tropical plant. Transplant the tropical plant into a nice flowerpot and water it adequately. Then set your plant into the glass container and cover with a lid. Done.
Plant Spring Flowers Indoors
The third way to get your gardening fix indoors is to find some early spring blooming flowers and plant them in a nice container. A few types of flowers you might find right now would be pansies and primroses. Depending on their size you could plant them in teacups, soup tureens, bowls or decorative planters. Look for healthy plants that are starting to bud or maybe even have a flower or two. If you can’t find any spring flowers you could plant some quick-growing seeds such as violas or forget-me-nots.
Related: How To Make A Potted Plant Cover
So there you have three ways to garden even if you have a foot or two of snow outside. You can choose one, two or all three ideas to get your hands in the dirt. Gather your supplies ahead of time and then pick an afternoon to just immerse yourself in gardening. Better yet, invite a fellow gardener over and enjoy the company while you work.
Would you like to get started planning your outdoor garden? Spring will be here before you know it and my Garden Planner can help you get a head start. Sign up below for my email and get started planning your garden today.