Indoor Gardening Design Ideas

A living décor of foliage adds to a house's livability and an indoor garden is a perfect way to enjoy the beauty and comfort despite the temperature outside. There are a number of ways to display plants inside. You can group them together in containers, in hanging baskets or in terrariums. There are a number of places to display the plants, including living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens and bathrooms.

Containers

Not only is there no limit to the type of plants that can be grown in containers, from shrubs to annuals to perennials, there is no limit to the type of container to use, from metal to clay to wood. Choose a container whose material, color and shape blends with the décor or grouping, recommends The American Horticultural Society's "Encyclopedia of Gardening." When grouping containers together, choose plants that complement each other. Consider using a specimen plant, such as a potted palm, as a centerpiece in a grouping container display.

Hanging Baskets

Hanging baskets are incredibly versatile because they can hang from anything high enough and strong enough to hold them, and are an economical way to add color to a space, according to the "Complete Guide to Gardening." Cluster several hanging baskets in the corner of a room; hang one in front of window, in a stairwell or rafters, or combine a hanging basket with a grouping of containers. Plants to consider include the ever popular fern and ivy as well as cactus and seasonal plants like poinsettias.

Terrariums

Terrariums may conjure up images of the '70s, but they are a must for the gardener who wants to cultivate slow-growing ornamental plants that need humidity, according to Louise and James Bush-Brown's "America's Garden Book." Terrariums can be located anywhere there is space and either adequate natural light or artificial light from grow lamps will have to be used. For a terrarium to provide constant humidity, it must remain closed. Examples of plants that need high humidity include the prayer plant, dwarf grape ivy and the mosaic plant. For plants that need moderate humidity, such as the cushion plant, certain types of cactus and creeping cyanotis, the terrarium can be opened to allow heat to escape.