As we increasingly move away from filling our homes with clutter and instead embrace the minimalist lifestyle, we at the same time find ourselves drawn towards possessions that serve a functional purpose.
Decorating your home with beautiful houseplants helps create a relaxing, natural infused environment which will soothe you and keep you air fresher and cleaner. According to science, having houseplants around you has several psychological benefits including enhancing creativity and helping you to de-stress.
Choosing to invest in edible houseplants means that you can take your first a step towards a more sustainable way of living. If you wish to get your fingers green this is the perfect starting place for budding gardeners as many vegetables, fruits and herbs can be grown at home. The process is straightforward, and most look aesthetically pleasing. Even if you live in a small apartment without a garden, make the most of any outdoor space and natural sunlight you are exposed to – whether it’s a window ledge or sun-kissed patch on your kitchen counter.
Choose and invest wisely in plants which will benefit your personal diet and eating habits. Do you like to create your own recipes infused with herbs? Do you enjoy getting creative with salads? Are you looking for ways to liven up your smoothies and juices? Here are some of the easiest options for growing at home, which will make your home bloom.
Fruit and vegetables
Save yourself some grocery money by growing the below fruits and vegetables at home, which are simple to tend to and you can enjoy watching them develop.
Avocado
Sprinkle it in salads, mash it into as a base for homemade guacamole or smash it on toast. Avocado is the king of the superfood, containing vitamins C, E, K, B-6 as well as being rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Plus they taste delicious, and are a staple of most diets nowadays whether you are a vegan or omnivore.
You can grow your avocado from a pit, although this is a lengthy process and does not guarantee an edible fruit. Picking up a dwarf avocado plant from your local nursery is the perfect way to kickstart your avocado journey.
Choose a large, well-draining pot and fill it with regular potting mix – with a layer of sand beneath it. Keep your avocado tree well-watered, but never allow the soil to become waterlogged.
Lemon and limes
Lemon and lime trees are a beautiful and innovative way to add a splash of colour to your home decor, and at the same time supplement your pantry. Limes can be squeezed over salads or Mexican dishes for a fresh injection of flavouring. Lemon zest can be used in many vegan baking recipes such as lemon drizzle cake and lemon bread, plus it makes a delicious pairing with any cauliflower based meals. Add a drizzle of either to your morning smoothie.
For either lime or lemons, you would need to purchase a dwarf tree and plant it within a large pot with drainage and place the tree in a warm location with access to direct sunshine.
Use potting soil made especially for citrus trees for the best results. Keep the soil of your lemon tree moist, although allow the soil of your lime tree to dry between watering sessions You should also mist the leaves to keep your leaves of your lemon and lime trees healthy – these plants love humidity! At the times when your lime tree isn’t yielding fruit, it will produce white flowers which look pretty and smell beautiful.
Mandarins
Reach for a mandarin as a snack between meals to keep your immune system healthy, your skin glowing and your palate nourished. An at-home mandarin tree will make a statement in your living room, they can reach six foot!
Similar to with lemon and lime trees, mandarin trees need ample space in their pots – with drainage at the bottom. They fruit best when you let the soil dry out a little before adding fresh water. Keep an eye on the roots, which will grow as your mandarin tree gains height – and once they grow back on themselves repot the tree in a larger ceramic to keep it thriving.
Microgreens
Microgreens are mini versions of greens and veggies which are simple to grow year-round at home. They have delicate flavours and are highly concentrated in nutrients due to their accelerated growth. Take your pick from lettuce, spinach, radish, beets and kale and use these to form the basis of salads and curries.
Smooth out a base of organic potting soil in a shallow planter, and scatter your seeds over the surface. Cover these with a very light dash of soil, and mist the surface with fresh water. House them by a window where they will be bathed in natural sunlight, and mist them every few days until they are ready to harvest. Be sure to clip off only the leaves for your meals, and leave the root intact so that they will continue to harvest.
Tomatoes
Full of the antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes are also rich in vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. They can be eaten raw or cooked and can form the bases of sauces, dips and salsas.
Per tomato plant, you will need one six inch pot. Fill it with starter potting mix and plant tomato seeds about a quarter of an inch deep. Tomatoes will need plenty of access to sunlight, and it’s best to turn the container occasionally to keep sunshine distribution even, and keep the soil moist.
Once the seedlings reach about three inches in height, move them to a pot with regular potting soil and add organic fertiliser to the soil after two weeks. They take a little more effort, but imagine how succulent your fresh tomatoes will taste!
Herbs
Bold and green, herbs will transform your home into a natural haven and also infuse your room with delectable and fresh aromas which will delight your guests (and yourself, of course).
Ginger
Ginger is one of the easiest herbs you can grow and can be used in many recipes. To get started, choose a piece of ginger which is fresh and firm, with little buds on it and cut off a piece. Cover the root with soil, with one of the buds facing upwards, and place it in a container out of indirect sunlight. Keep the soil moist, but do not overwater it, and remember that ginger grows vertically. Allow a few weeks for the first sign of some shoots, and expect to start harvesting within a few months.
Use your fresh ginger for teas, veggie stir fries and add to smoothies for a bit of spicy boost which your stomach will appreciate.
Mint
You need a good potting mix for mint to flourish, and a large container as it tends to expand more than you might think. Mint needs to be placed in direct sunlight, with a temperature of min. 18°C during the day and min. 15°C overnight. Once the top layer of soil feels dry to touch, it is time to add some more water.
Keep your tummy happy by using your mint to make a daily pot of fresh mint tea, or add to the homemade cocktails if you are planning a housewarming or party. Finely chopped mint is also a delicious flavouring for salads
Chives
Antioxidant-rich Chives have a subtle, mild flavour which makes them a delicious complement to dips, pastas, soups potatoes or in a vegan omelette. They are a pretty shape which will add elegance to your indoor space.
Use a pot at least six inches in diameter and fill it with potting soil, before adding the seeds and a thin coating of soil. Keep the soil lightly wet at all times, and keep your chive plant within access to sunlight.
Basil
Toss basil over pasta and pizza dishes – you can be as liberal as you like when you’ve gown it home. It’s also a key ingredient in homemade pesto. A plate of sliced tomatoes, avocados and some fresh basil leaves to garnish is a healthy and delicious snack – and you can grow all three of these form your own home.
Basil loves sunlight and warmth, so treat it as you would a cat! You will need to fertilise the soil once a month and water the plant daily, if it feels dry. To maximise longevity of your basil plant, keep it pruned.
Cilantro
More commonly known as coriander, cilantro is an easy herb to grow at home. Fresh cilantro has a strong, pungent flavour which will light up any Asian or Latin America dishes.
Buy a starter pot of cilantro, and repot it in a deep container – around twelve inches in depth and with holes for drainage.
Cilantro has lots of lengthy, stringy roots so it appreciates its space.
Cilantro thrives when it has direct access to the morning sun, and some shade during the afternoon. Keep the soil slightly moist.
Bon Appétit!
We hope you feel inspired to try and grow some of these simple fruits, vegetables and herbs at your own home.
If you have recently moved into a new home, starter pots and dwarf trees as are an excellent way to start your plant nursery – they make excellent housewarming gifts if you want to drop some hints to your family.
Having easy access to a few essentials means that after a long day at work you can always reach for something healthy and tasty to flavour your meal, and you’ll know exactly where it came from and that it’s pesticide-free.
Allow a little patience as your plants harvest – turn the watering and pruning into your new hobby, and look forward to tucking into your fresh greens at dinner time.