I recommend: A shopping list for a lovely indoor garden
Editor’s Note: Splainer subscribers are savvy shoppers—and, of course, have excellent taste—and not just in their news sources:) So we asked some of them to share ‘stuff they swear by’.
This month, Anshul Tewari the founder of the content and community platform Youth Ki Awaaz shares with us his recommendations. He is an avid gardener–—aka The Lord of Greens on Instagram. This is his list of essentials to add a bit of green to your indoor spaces. Whether you have a green thumb or a newbie, Anshul has something for everyone.
Also check out our previous crowdsourced guides to toys for pets, monsoon season, men’s clothing, carry-on luggage, air purifiers, the perfect red lipstick, sex toys and running shoes.
Over to Anshul…
To reduce the mess…
Plant Repotting Mat: My first recommendation is the gardening mat. For those who pot and re-pot regularly but hate the mess that it makes, the mat is a must. You can easily collect the waste, and throw it away when needed. (Rs 495)
Let there be light…
Plantastic Grow Light: One of the most challenging things about growing plants indoors is access to good lighting. The Plantastic grow light called Blaze is a little pricey but is a life saver (lightsaber?) for the plants. It provides the right kind of light for the plants to photosynthesise and thrive indoors. Just place it 12 to 20 inches above the plant for about 5 hours a day and you’re good to go. (Rs 1699)
PS: The Blaze should ideally be paired with a timer to avoid having to manually switch the light on and off. You can easily find one on Amazon for about Rs 726.
A support system needed…
Plant Essentials DIY Moss Pole: The moss pole is a good buy for plants that have aerial roots–and need support to grow. Just make sure you add white sphagnum moss in the pole—which you can also buy from Plant Essentials. That's the best kind of rooting material for plants. This brand doesn’t just sell the moss pole but a whole host of high utility, affordable plant care material. A bonus: Neil, who runs the page, is a very helpful plant parent himself. (A set of 10 is Rs 1450)
Let’s not forget water…
Ikea Watering Can: This is my favourite. It holds enough water–and doubles as a piece of home decor when not in use. I just love how pretty it is–and practical: the nozzle helps it reach corners where a typical watering can may not. (Rs 799)
Picking the right plant…
If you don’t have a green thumb: The easiest plant to grow is any variety of Pothos, or Sansevieria—but be mindful to not over water, and provide ample light. Pothos also easily grows in water—just make sure to clean the soil off the roots completely before you put it in water. FYI: This species is particularly suited for indoor settings because it filters gaseous toxins like formaldehyde from the air. (Rs 349)
Bonus pick: The Sansevieria aka Snake plant is also a low-maintenance flowering plant—and they respond best to the lightest bit of watering and then just being left alone. (Rs 699)
For experienced gardeners: Nothing beats the King of Aroids—the Anthurium Veitchii. This plant is fairly rare and known for its large, striking foliage. This plant grows best with well-drained soil, moderate humidity, and bright, indirect light. It also needs to be fed regularly with balanced houseplant fertiliser. You must also conscientiously check the soil moisture and water as needed. The Anthurium Veitchii’s biggest selling point is its undeniable good looks. (Rs 6250)
A bonus pick: Haworthias—they need ample light, but a lot less water, and rarely die due to underwatering. These miniature succulents need to be watered only once every 2 weeks and dry air does not affect them. (Rs 399)
