How to Grow a Plant Indoors

Overview

Bring nature indoors, freshen up the look of a room and even clean the air by growing a plant indoors. Growing a plant indoors is not difficult--begin by choosing the right plant. If the indoor location for your plant is humid and warm, such as a bathroom, choose a plant that thrives in such conditions, like a fern or an orchid. If the location doesn't get much light, try a peace lily. Take good care of your indoor plant, and it will reward you with vigorous growth for years to come.

Repotting

Step 1

Choose a sturdy pot for your plant, such as a ceramic pot. Make sure the new pot has drainage holes in the bottom, is about 1 inch larger in diameter than the temporary pot and has a tray to catch excess water.

Step 2

Remove the plant from the temporary container and use your fingers to gently loosen the roots all around the root ball.

Step 3

Place an inch of potting soil in the new container, then center the plant on the soil. Make sure the top of the root ball sits around a half inch below the rim of the container. Fill in around the plant with more potting soil and tamp it down.

Step 4

Water your plant immediately after re-potting it. Soak the soil thoroughly

Food and Water

Step 1

Fertilize your indoor plant with a fertilizer made for house plants once during the growing season, but only use a half dose, and apply it directly to the base of the plant.

Step 2

Test the soil to see when your plant needs watering by inserting your finger into the soil. Water the plant when the soil has dried to about an inch below the surface. Also watch the leaves as a sign to water; they will begin to droop when they are thirsty.

Step 3

Water your plant as close to the base as possible. Try not to get water on the leaves, as standing water on the plant can lead to fungus growth. Empty the drainage tray of water as soon as the soil has stopped draining.

Location

Step 1

Set your house plant near a window that does not face west. Choose a window that faces east for morning sun, or place the plant in indirect sunlight.

Step 2

Make sure there are no cold or hot spots near your plant, such as a cold draft from a leaky window or a hot breeze from a heater vent. Keep the temperatures fairly steady, with a drop of 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

Step 3

Group your plant with other plants to allow air to circulate between them, which will encourage growth.