In the heart of London, not everyone has the luxury of outdoor space. But lack of a garden doesn’t mean you can’t add a touch of nature to your home. Whether you have a balcony or rely on indoor areas, a dash of greenery can instantly enhance your urban living space.
Balcony Gardens
For those lucky enough to have a balcony, even the smallest of spaces can be transformed into a mini green haven. When selecting plants, consider the amount of sunlight your balcony receives throughout the day. Sun-loving plants include petunias, salvias and lavender, while shade-friendly varieties include ferns, cyclamens and orchids.
Why not turn your balcony into a mini edible garden? Pots of chillis, tomatoes, or strawberries add both colour and flavour. Or create a small herb garden with parsley, mint, basil and thyme.
Remember to water regularly, as balcony plants can dry out quickly due to wind exposure. Choose planters with drainage holes to prevent root rot, and feed your plants with liquid fertiliser every week or so.
Indoor Gardening
For those without a balcony, bringing the outdoors in with houseplants is a great way to enhance your indoor space. Consider low-maintenance varieties like snake plants, pothos, or spider plants, which are great for purifying air and require little sunlight.
You can also create an indoor herb garden on a windowsill with herbs like basil, parsley and thyme, or try growing low-light vegetables, such as leafy greens and radishes.
Like balcony plants, indoor plants should be watered regularly, but ensure the soil isn’t too wet to avoid root rot. Use a well-draining potting mix and containers with drainage holes.
General Upkeep
Regardless of whether your plants are inside or outside, deadhead them to encourage new growth when the blooms start to wilt. Stay vigilant for pests and treat them promptly to prevent damage to your plants.
