How to create an indoor garden in a glass
As we relish longer days, consider adding some conversation starters like indoor plants in decorative glass containers, succulent gardens or indoor tropical plants. They double as valentine gifts, too.
Container gardening in glass
Planting an attractive, small indoor garden under glass can be done on any budget and in a short amount of time. Styles, sizes and plant ideas can fit in decors from traditional to modern.
First, choose your look and gather the materials. Use covered glass or open-top containers, such as an oversized brandy snifter, or a chic glass cylinder, fish bowl or widemouthed jar. Shop craft or thrift stores and garage sales for bargains. The perfect container might be on a shelf in your closet or basement.
Covered glass containers will need less watering — every two weeks or so with regular lid opening to allow ventilation. An open top allows air circulation and will need watering about every 10 days, or when the soil appears dry.
Place drainage items in the bottom of the glass (1 to 2 inches deep) such as glass beads, aquarium gravel or pebbles. Next, sprinkle in a handful of horticulture charcoal chips, which are sold in garden centers. On top of the charcoal chips, place a 2- to 4-inch layer (depending on the size of the container) of fresh potting
mix.
If quarters are tight in the container, use a small spoon, tongs or chopsticks to nestle and position the plants. A small paintbrush can be used to gently brush excess soil off the plants.
Plant choices vary for dwarf, slower-growing houseplants that do well in low light and high humidity. Look for boldly colored foliage to add contrast and vary plant sizes to lend interest.
Cacti, succulents and other plants that like dry conditions need different soil and growing conditions than a covered or moist terrarium, where they could rot. Use an open glass container or a glazed, clay or plastic shallow dish. Containers can be as low as 3 inches tall.
Drainage holes are optional for cacti and succulent gardens, as long as a fast-draining potting soil is used and not overwatered. Look for potting soil labeled specifically for cactus or succulents (but avoid ones with large chunks of bark), or make your own with a mixture of soil, coarse sand and perlite. For more planting and growing information, visit coloradocactus.org/ copy-of-resources.
Tillandsia, known as air plants, are the ultimate in unique easy-care indoor plants. In time they even bloom. All they need is a 15- to 30-minute soak in a bucket of water once a week; misting now and then generally isn’t enough. Give them bright light, but no more than an hour a day of direct sun from a window. Display tillandsia (one or more) on sand or decorative rocks in a pretty bowl, hanging glass bubbles or a creative sculpture.
Local garden centers have specific areas for terrarium dwarf plants, plus cacti and succulents for making indoor dish gardens. Have fun putting together your own design or sign up for a class where the supplies and plants are included in the fee.
Indoor tropics
Is it time to branch out from the standard indoor pothos, snake and spider plants? Not that there’s anything wrong with them, but how about adding a long-lived fruit tree or two that can double as an attractive outdoor plant during the growing season.
Dwarf citrus plants, which grow to 2- to 8-feet tall in time, are well suit- ed for indoor container growing, as long as they have adequate light. A sunroom or heated greenhouse both work, but a bright south-facing window is the ticket to a sweet blooming aroma and decorative, delicious fruit.
Start with a healthy potted dwarf plant from a garden center or mail order. Seeds from storebought fruit may not be dwarf or ever flower or fruit.
Varieties vary per store or online, as do prices. Smaller, younger plants (less than 2 feet) are very reasonable. Two- to 3year-old plants generally produce flowers and fruit right away.
Choose from these self-pollinating dwarfs: Meyer lemon, Calamondin orange (a cross between mandarin orange and kumquat that’s good for first time citrus growers), Key lime, Tangerine and Dwarf Cavendish Banana.
When self-pollinating citrus plants bloom indoors, they can use a bit of help spreading their pollen grains so they develop fruit. Simply use a small fine paintbrush or Q-tip and gently brush the center of each open flower. Watch how at dpo.st/2Euhnmx.
Culturally they need four to six hours of direct, unfiltered sun each day, with indoor daytime temperatures from 60 to 85 degrees. Temperatures can be five to 10 degrees cooler at night.
Water thoroughly when the top third of the soil is dry and supplement humidity by placing the container on a tray of watered pebbles. Use filtered water or tap water that has sat out overnight to dissipate chlorine and fluoride.
Fertilize at half strength every other watering when actively growing, April through September. Keep the leaves dust free and prune after flowering when needed.
Common pest insects including scale, spider mites, mealybugs and aphids. Look out for speckled, curled, yellowing or sticky leaves and silky webs between the branches. To combat pests, treat organically with insecticidal soap or neem horticultural oil.
Acclimate fruit trees slowly into a sunny spot when moving them outdoors each spring and reverse the process each fall when taking them back inside.