Grow your own: winter apartment plants

For most people, until you fill your apartment with plants (or even put a single one on your windowsill), you don't realize what you were missing. 

When the temps get frigid and you barely see the light of day, a few little green reminders of summer can be just the thing to lift your spirits. The main issue is the what to get/where to buy/how to take care of obstacle that keeps many YP's (young professionals) like myself from turning into the master container gardeners we wish we could be. 

Succulents are one of my favorites because they require very little attention and they come in so many varieties. They need a fair amount of sunlight so they aren not for the unfortunate windowless dwellers of NYC. Water every 1-2 weeks (plants may dry out more quickly in rooms that get overly hot in the wintertime but use caution as overwatering can kill succulents).

Pothos & Philodendrons are also easy and fun. With very little effort, these vining plants can double in size. Pothos can thrive in lowlights while Philoodendrones like bright light. Both do fine with bi-weekly watering. Many vining plants can be found at the supermarket or hardware store.

 Please do you research before buying a houseplant. Some species can be poisonous to cats or dogs!

succulents and pretty mommies go well together 

Plants like these can survive through bouts of watering forgetfulness

Herbs and other edibles tend to need much more attention... 

Sad neglected leftovers from summer's window garden

You'll never have success with every plant but don't be discouraged... an empty pot means new possibilities!




Resources:
The Unexpected Houseplant by Tovah Martin
Gardenista 
Urban Garden Center 
GRDN

Stay tuned for pot-painting projects, plant shopping adventures, and DIY medicinal explorations.