Can Indoor Spaces Be Used for Vegetable Cultivation? Top 10 Simple Options to Explore
Indoor gardening is an excellent option for growing various vegetables, even when sprawling pumpkin vines and cucumber plants might be too large. Several smaller vegetables thrive well in pots and can be cultivated year-round, making indoor gardening a practical and enjoyable hobby. Whether you are planning to grow vegetables from seeds, sprout fresh veggies from kitchen scraps, or bring garden vegetables indoors for overwintering, you may find this guide beneficial.
Below, we have compiled some of the easiest vegetables to grow indoors, accompanied by tips to help you maximize your indoor vegetable garden's potential.
01 of 10
Lettuce
Compact and easy to grow, lettuce plants thrive in indoor gardens. They require minimal space and light compared to other vegetables. Lettuce plants sprout quickly from seeds, and you can also revive lettuce leaves from grocery store scraps by submerging the cut end in water or soil until it sprouts. For optimal growth, grow lettuce under grow lights or in a sunny, south-facing window, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
02 of 10
Radishes
Radishes are another excellent option for indoor gardening, especially if they are grown in appropriately sized pots. You can plant radishes around the perimeter of taller vegetables for space savings or in a group in their own pot. Select pots that are at least 6 inches deep, and opt for spring radishes, such as ‘Cherry Belle’ or ‘French Breakfast’, since they are easier to grow indoors than winter radishes and daikons.
03 of 10
Hot Peppers
While bell peppers are typically better suited for outdoor gardens, many types of hot peppers, such as Thai chilis and pequins, thrive in indoor spaces. Ensure that your peppers receive enough light to fruit, as they won't produce fruit without proper illumination. Utilize grow lights to maintain productivity.
04 of 10
Green Onions
Green onions, also known as scallions, are the perfect size for indoor growing. They are widely used in homemade salsas, salads, and various dishes and are ready to harvest approximately 60 to 90 days after planting. Plant multiple onion plants together in a single pot, or harvest the entire plant, roots and all, if desired.
05 of 10
Tomatoes
Tomatoes can be grown indoors year-round or brought inside during winter months. Opt for bush-type or determinate growing plants for easier care within indoor spaces. If you are growing tomatoes for the winter, place them in a sunny window and forgo the need for fertilizer. However, for fruit production in indoor spaces, provide your plants with ample light (at least 16 hours daily), fertilize regularly, and hand-pollinate flowers.
06 of 10
Carrots
Like radishes, carrots don't require a lot of space but need deep pots for proper growth. Opt for carrot varieties that require shallow containers, such as ‘Parisienne’ or ‘Oxheart’. If you're interested in repurposing kitchen scraps, you can try regrowing carrot greens from leftover carrot tops.
07 of 10
Leafy Greens
If you enjoy cooking with or using leafy greens in salads, you might want to consider growing vegetables like bok choy, kale, Swiss chard, mizuna, arugula, or spinach indoors. Clip leaves off at the soil line to harvest all at once, or pick tasty leaves as needed for recipes. You can also grow these greens as microgreens and harvest them in merely 7 to 14 days.
08 of 10
Potatoes
Potatoes can be grown surprisingly well in containers and make harvesting them easier. You can fit two or four potato plants in containers ranging in size from 5-gallon buckets to 10-gallon containers. Place potato planters on top of a sturdy plastic tray or tarp to avoid leaks and spills, and harvest the entire container when it's time.
09 of 10
Garlic Greens
While garlic bulbs are challenging to grow indoors, garlic greens thrive in potted environments. Plant cloves in a well-draining pot with enough space to prevent cloves from touching, ensure the soil is consistently moist, and position them in a sunny window.
10 of 10
Beets
Commonly overlooked for indoor gardening, beets can be successfully grown in containers. Plant seeds in a well-draining soil mix considered suitable for seed starting and maintain the soil moist, ensuring proper germination and growth.
Beetroots require a little more room for growth compared to radishes, but they can adjust to indoor cultivation provided their pots are minimum 8 inches deep. You can collect small beetroots when their roots reach the size of a table tennis ball, or opt for fully-grown beetroots, which are similar in size to a tennis ball. Besides the strongly-flavored roots, beetroots can also be grown as microgreens or the leaves can be harvested for use in salads and sautéing.
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Based on the provided text, here are two sentences that contain the given words:
Edible Gardening can be a practical and enjoyable hobby, even during the winter months, with the help of indoor gardening and BHG's guide on growing easy-to-cultivate vegetables like lettuce, radishes, and green onions.
Gardening enthusiasts might be interested in trying their hand at Vegetable Gardening, especially in smaller spaces, by growing vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and beets indoors, following BHG's tips for optimal growth.
