One of the primary conveniences of moving to a Life Plan Community is someone else taking care of the yard work. An alternative to outdoor gardening could be indoor gardening, particularly for those with limited outdoor space or during the winter. It also benefits you by helping you stay physically active and enhancing your mental and emotional well-being. Connect with nature with these indoor gardening tips.
Why Indoor Gardening Is Great for Seniors
Indoor gardening offers numerous benefits to enhance your overall well-being. Tending plants can be calming, promoting relaxation and reducing stress. Gardening can also provide a sense of accomplishment and purpose, as watching your plants thrive can be deeply fulfilling.
Beyond the emotional benefits, indoor gardening provides gentle physical activity. Light stretching and bending while tending and watering your plants help support flexibility to maintain mobility. Even gentle movement can enhance your physical health.
Easy Indoor Plants for Seniors
Choosing the right plants is essential to ensure your garden remains manageable and enjoyable. Choose plants that are easy to care for to avoid becoming overwhelmed with demanding plant care that takes the joy out of gardening. Here are some excellent options to consider:
- Low-maintenance plants. Seniors with an active social calendar may occasionally forget to water their indoor plants. Choosing plants that require minimal care can be an excellent option for busy schedules. Consider succulents, pothos, snake plants or aloe vera for the best results.
- Flowering plants. Plants that produce flowers add a pop of color and brighten your indoor spaces. Although you must be careful not to overwater African violets and ensure they get the right amount of light, they are popular flowering plants because they bloom several times per year. Other relatively easy-care blooming options include peace lilies and orchids.
- Air-purifying plants. While all plants help make the air fresher, certain plants actually improve air quality. A study by NASA suggested using various air-purifying plants in your home, as different houseplants remove different toxins. Top suggestions include bamboo palms, rubber plants, English ivy, ficus and Boston ferns.
Gardening Ideas and Activities for Seniors
You may have limited space indoors, but you can still have a garden with a little creative thinking. Consider these unique ideas based on your space and desired results:
- Container gardening. If you have enough floor space, container gardening is ideal for various sizes of vegetables, flowers or herbs. Putting these pots on rolling plant stands makes it easier to move your containers around if needed.
- Vertical gardens. Growing up can be a fantastic solution if you do not have enough floor space for containers. Maximize your vertical space by growing plants in wall-mounted planters or hanging baskets on hooks anchored securely in the ceiling.
- Terrariums. A terrarium could be right for you if you want a garden that takes up even less space and is super easy to care for. These require enclosed containers made of glass that you put plants inside. Terrariums are great for greenery that like humidity, such as tropical plants.
- Miniature indoor gardens. Creating a small-scale garden also takes up less space, and you can personalize them. Herbs are ideal for small spaces and are another form of miniature gardening. Consider herb trays on a windowsill and reap the bonus of fresh herbs for your winter dishes.
Gardening Tools and Tips for Seniors
The right tools and setup can make indoor gardening easier and more enjoyable for older adults. Choosing options that make gardening more comfortable and accessible helps you tend your plants more safely. Consider these tools and tips to ensure gardening success:
- Ergonomic tools. Ergonomically designed hand tools help reduce stress on your wrists. Seniors can also benefit from those with looped handles or ratcheting gears that require less effort and are easier to squeeze. Soft grips and longer handles can also reduce the strain on your hands and joints.
- Raised garden beds. Elevated planters help you garden without bending or kneeling, providing a more comfortable option that is easier on the back. While raised garden beds are more common outdoors, you can find indoor systems to fit various spaces. Be sure to choose one with a tray to catch water drainage. Also, consider one on wheels that rolls around easily if needed.
- Easy-to-use watering systems. Self-watering pots, automatic drip watering systems or self-watering globes or wicks can make watering easier. Watering systems are also nice if you are away for a few days and no one can water your plants. For manual watering, choose lightweight watering cans to reduce physical effort if you find it taxing.
- Good lighting. Ensure plants receive adequate light by placing them near windows or using grow lights to support healthy growth indoors. Choose full-spectrum bulbs if you are growing under lights. These bulbs mimic natural sunlight by producing a balance of cool and warm light.
Seasonal Indoor Gardening
Indoor gardening helps you stay connected to nature year-round. With the right tools and tips, you can do it no matter the season. During winter, focus on hardy plants, such as spider plants, which thrive indoors without much natural light.
You can also grow annual herbs, such as basil, cilantro and fennel, with seeds throughout the winter. Conversely, you can overwinter perennial herbs indoors, such as oregano, rosemary, thyme, sage and mint. However, you must move them outdoors in late spring.
Before winter transitions to spring, plan ahead for indoor gardening in the warmer season. Spring and summer bring more sunlight streaming into your window, giving you more plant options. Many plants, especially vegetables, need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight to grow their best. Providing this much light in the winter is not always possible, even with supplemental light.
Rotating what you grow gives you a seasonal indoor garden that keeps things interesting. However, it takes a bit of planning to ensure a smooth transition.
Explore the Joy of Gardening at WindsorMeade
Indoor gardening offers seniors a fulfilling way to stay active and connected to nature, even in the winter. From choosing easy-to-care-for plants to exploring innovative gardening techniques, there are countless ways to enjoy this rewarding hobby year-round.
At WindsorMeade, residents can explore various activities for every interest. These include gardening using our outdoor raised garden beds. Contact us at 757 941 3615 to tour our community and see the many ways residents stay engaged.
