Indoor Gardening as an Art Form

In an era of eco-consciousness and climate change, bringing nature indoors is the need of the hour! And yet, most residential indoor gardens are full of clichés and tropes. At Open Atelier, we think of offbeat flora as a far-out finishing touch that adds ‘life’ and glamour into amorphous spaces.

Before we list out a few options which will make your neighbours and guests envious of your green thumb; it becomes crucial to specify, that while most plant nurseries and botanical gardens will sell you expensive, otherworldly plant species, you need to be clear with your property’s access to natural light, watering schedules, and soil quality, if you would want these green beauties to grow!

Moss Walls
Moss is cheap, maintenance-free, and has many surprising health benefits! Landscape architects are incorporating moss walls into smoking chambers at many international airports, as it can reduce the air’s toxicity. They can also be grown as backsplashes on kitchen walls and in shower cubicles to absorb steam! Try growing moss in a dark wood photo frame, and hang it anywhere across your interiors.

Smart Gardens
A tech innovation that boomed in the midst of the covid lockdowns was smart garden technology, which allowed you to self-sufficiently grow microgreens and salad leaves using electric appliances! Smart gardens are clever because the gardening is soilless, has artificial lighting, and requires next to no watering. Many families have cut down grocery shopping bills by investing in these futuristic homesteading appliances.

Aquarium Biotopes
Did you know that you can toss more than just a few glass pebbles, plastic plants, and goldfish into your living room aquarium? A biotope aquarium is a man-made ecosystem in a home aquarium that displays tropical fish and aquatic plants. Pond plants grow either underwater, can be emersed, or float on the surface. Common varieties include Ludwigia, Amazon Swords, Water Lilies, Java Ferns, and so on.

Aerial Plants
This may sound strange, but a few plants do not grow in soil. Rather, their roots feast on the bark of other trees! These include exotic species like Orchids, Mistletoe, Peace Lily, Spider Plants, and so on. To grow them successfully indoors, one just needs to suspend them from a rope, in hanging planters, or floating glass orbs. Their roots need to be misted from time to time. Aerial plants make a chic addition to avante-garde interiors.

Carnivorous Plants
If your residence is infested with mosquitos or ants, could we suggest a plant which isn’t—no pun intended—vegetarian? Venus Flytraps and Pitcher Plants are an advantage to have because they have modified leaves that resemble open mouths which eat house flies, mosquitos, ants, in some instances, even small mice! They aren’t native to the Indian subcontinent and require special care, so have an elaborate discussion with a seasoned gardener before you decide on adopting one.