How about growing edible indoor plants at home? That way, you’re doubly sure of its origin, without having to fret over unreliable food labels.
Are you hesitant to grow edible plants indoors because of zero experience? Don’t worry! It’s easy.
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You need to think of three essential elements: the intensity of sunlight, suitable and well-draining potting soil, and the frequency of watering.
Best Edible Indoor Plants You Can Grow:
1. Basil
Basil is one of the best edible indoor plants you can grow at home. This delicious herb possesses anti-inflammatory properties that prevent swellings.
You can add basil leaves to soups and stir-fries and also use them as pizza toppings. You can grow your basil from basil seeds or seedlings which are easily available in the market.
Choose a planter with a minimum width of 4 inches. Basil needs full sun, i.e., a minimum of six hours of intense sunlight.
So, in cool weather, artificial lighting is a must. Make sure to water the plant once daily.
2. Spinach
You can't miss out on spinach when talking about edible plants. This highly nutritious leafy vegetable benefits eye health and keeps your blood pressure in check. Use spinach, fresh in salads, or sauté it with other vegetables.
Sow spinach seeds in half an inch of deep soil in a wide-mouthed planter, approximately six to eight inches in depth.
Spinach requires partial sun occasionally in a week. So, you can keep it anywhere in your house. Mist your spinach plant, once daily with a spray bottle.
3. Chilies
A commonly used spice, chili boosts immunity, and aids weight loss. You can use it in salads, sandwiches, stir-fries, and curries.
You will need a pot, approximately ten inches deep, for planting the seeds. Chilies need partial sun. Make sure to water them generously daily.
How about growing your beautiful chili plant in a colorful pot and making it your kitchen centerpiece?
4. Cannabis
One of the best indoor edible plants, the cannabis plant contains Cannabidiol (CBD), which soothes chronic pain and alleviates anxiety. Cannabis edibles include snacks, gummies, sodas, and pizza. You can also add cannabis oil to your regular hot beverages like tea.
With suitable weather and lighting, you can use any strain of cannabis for growing the plant indoors. You’ll find plenty of seeds for sale online. Grow your cannabis plant in a well-ventilated location, such as your back garden.
Without exposing the plant to temperature extremes, let it receive appropriate light. Water it regularly.
5. Cilantro
A household staple worldwide, cilantro, or coriander is full of Vitamin A and possesses antifungal properties. Whether used for dressing salads, tossed into rice dishes, or simply used as a garnish, cilantro adds flavor to just about anything.
While you can grow this herb in a regular pot having a minimum depth of eight inches, you could also consider using a high-tech, indoor herb garden kit illuminated by LEDs.
Keep your cilantro plant in partial sunlight. Water it daily. See our complete guide on growing cilantro here for more info.
6. Ginger
A spicy superfood, ginger greatly helps calm nausea and reduce inflammation. Boasting a distinct aroma, ginger adds great flavor to teas, stews, stir-fries, and curries.
Inside a pot, just cover a thick piece of ginger with soil, ensuring that the newest shoots face up. While harvesting your ginger plant, pull it entirely from the soil and cut off the required amount. Then replant using a chunk of ginger again.
Ginger favors humid weather, so, keep your indoor plant in indirect or partial sunlight and mist it regularly.
7. Mint
This bright green-colored herb has plenty of health benefits, ranging from boosting digestion to preventing bad breath. An awesome culinary ingredient of mocktails, salads, and rice preparations, mint has a delightful fragrance.
Plant mint seeds or seedlings inside a big, deep container with a diameter of approximately ten inches, enough for your mint plant to spread out.
Keep the plant in indirect sunlight. Mist it lightly. While harvesting it, make sure not to snip all the leaves from your mint plant.
8. Lemons
A rich source of immunity-boosting Vitamin C, lemons prevent kidney stones and minimize cancer risk. You can use lemon juice to pep up sauces, dressings, curries, sweet treats, and beverages.
How about buying a two-year-old, adorable dwarf lemon tree that might turn into your new adorning statement? While planting this aromatic citrus fruit tree, use a container slightly bigger than its root ball. This way, the roots can spread out nicely later.
Let your indoor plant receive about ten hours of sunlight daily. Water it regularly, misting the leaves and branches thoroughly.
For harvesting fragrant, yummy lemons, look for maximum color, and a slight change in shape gently pressing their rinds. Make sure to look out for leaves curling so you can prevent damage to your tree.
9. Tomatoes
Plump and juicy, these versatile veggies are full of an antioxidant called lycopene, which boosts vascular health. Plant tomatoes, throw it in your salads, use them mashed up in sauces, or combine them with herbs in soups.
Initially, plant tomato seeds separately in small-sized pots till they grow into starter plants. Then plant these seedlings in a tall pot, which will let the tomato vines climb.
Keep the pot in partial sunlight, turning it periodically so that all its sides receive considerable light. Water your tomato plant well daily.
10. Mandarin Oranges
Mandarin oranges are packed with minerals and nutrients. It prevents infections and boosts bone strength.
These sweet-tasting, healthy nibbles are full of fiber and low in calories. Besides eating them fresh, you can also use mandarin oranges in juices and cakes.
Buy a small mandarin orange tree and plant it in a spacious pot. Keep the tree in a sunny location and water it regularly.
For the best harvest, pull out mandarin oranges just after they turn orange.
If you want more edible plant options, check out our round-up of the best edible flowers you can grow at home and if you are in Colorado, you'd love this list of edible plants you can find in your location.
Wrapping Up the Best Edible Indoor Plants To Grow At Home
When choosing indoor plants, make sure to keep your indoor pets, like cats, in mind. There are some plants that are poisonous to cats so to be on the safe side, here is a list of plants that are safe for cats.
If you have students at home, or you yourself want your home workspace more productive, check out our best small indoor plants.
Begin growing food right away! Now you know the 10 best edible indoor plants you can grow at home!
