Indoor Gardening Has a New Look

Houseplants are finally ready for a glamorous close-up.

Indoor gardening has a whole new look that might just inspire you to get planting. If you appreciate the joy and health benefits of nurturing living organisms in your home, then check out these new alternatives to the usual ho-hum flower-in-a-pot scenarios. Be inspired to make plants part of your home decorating:

Create the ambiance of a flourishing mini-rainforest with the Wally Living Wall System, a modular system that designs an instant lush garden on any indoor vertical surface. These soft pockets have waterproofed liners for easy watering, which also protects walls and floors from getting wet. Easy to install, Wally comes in one (15"h x 24"w, $49), three (15"h x 63"w, $125) or five pocket (15"h x 112"w, $188) sizes and can be built to any configuration. Its breathable material releases any excess moisture and aerates the soil so full-size plants are happy inhabitants. The pockets are handmade in the U.S.A. from recycled plastic bottles.

If clutter or lack of floor and surface space is preventing you from enjoying a green home, look up! The hanging Boskke Sky Planter not only has a sleek design but also functions as a conversation starter. The imaginative design has a simple locking disc to hold the soil and plant in place mess-free. A reservoir system, which only needs to be filled once or twice a month, gradually feeds water to the roots. This not only saves time but conserves watering up to 80%.


Another vertical option is to design a wall garden with hanging glass bubbles or the Grand Sphere (above left). Use them for small orchids or as a terrarium. The glass protects any plant dweller, and produces condensation when watered and placed in the sunlight.

A high-tech option is the AeroGarden, a growing system that grows herbs, flowers or vegetables on any table, countertop or windowsill surface all year-round. Water, nutrients and oxygenated air nourish the roots directly while energy efficient 'grow bulbs' give off full daylight spectrum providing all the light the plant needs. A seed kit and light bulbs are included to get the project going.