container growing blog3

Indoor Gardening Tips: How to Grow Plants Inside

Whether you live in a small apartment or want to escape the extreme temperatures of Saudi Arabia’s summers, indoor gardening offers a practical and rewarding way to grow herbs, greens, and flowers year-round. This guide will help you choose the right plants, set up your space, and overcome common indoor gardening challenges.

Indoor herb garden setup near a sunny window

How to Start an Indoor Garden

Start with three key elements: a proper container, quality potting mix, and sufficient light. Avoid garden soil — it's too dense and may harbor pests or bacteria. Instead, use a lightweight indoor potting mix with good drainage. Containers should be sized appropriately, with proper drainage holes.

  • Herbs: 20–25 cm pots (individual or grouped)
  • Leafy greens: 25–30 cm pots
  • Compact flowers: depends on variety, but most will fit in 20 cm or larger
Various pots and indoor-friendly potting mixes

Ensure plants receive enough light. South-facing windows in Saudi homes offer strong, consistent sunlight. If natural light is limited, use grow lights (16 hours on, 8 hours off). Many flowering plants can tolerate partial shade, but most herbs and leafy greens require 4–6 hours of direct light daily.

Indoor grow light setup for herbs and greens

Best Plants to Grow Indoors

Choose plants that thrive in containers and don’t require too much space. The following herbs are well-suited to indoor growing in the Gulf region’s cooler months:

  • Basil
  • Parsley
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Rosemary
  • Chives
  • Dill
  • Thyme

Compact leafy greens like lettuce and mustard also do well indoors. With proper light, you can even grow strawberries or dwarf peppers in containers. For flowers, consider varieties like impatiens, begonias, and geraniums, which add color without needing full sun.

Close-up of herbs and flowers thriving indoors

Common Indoor Gardening Challenges

Growing indoors comes with a few unique hurdles — but each can be solved with simple tools and planning:

1. Light

Lack of sunlight is the most common issue. If you don’t have a bright window, use LED grow lights or fluorescent lamps to mimic sunlight.

2. Space

Maximize space by growing vertically. Stack pots with stands or use wall-mounted planters. Garden carts with built-in lights are also ideal for compact apartments.

Vertical garden shelves inside a sunny room

3. Temperature and Humidity

Air conditioning and heaters can cause dry or fluctuating conditions. Use a digital thermometer and humidity monitor. If needed, run a humidifier for tropical plants or a fan for airflow when heating is on.

4. Watering

Indoor plants often need less water than outdoor ones. Check soil moisture before watering and use pots with saucers to avoid messes. Avoid overwatering by letting the top inch of soil dry out before watering again.

Hand checking soil moisture in indoor plant pot

Benefits of Indoor Gardening

Indoor gardens enhance your space, improve air quality, and provide fresh ingredients for cooking. They’re ideal for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike, especially in the Gulf where climate extremes make outdoor growing limited during peak summer.

With the right setup and plant choices, your indoor garden can thrive all year long — no matter the season.