If you like gardening, but don’t have a yard available to garden in, you might consider starting an indoor garden. Indoor gardening can be just as rewarding as having an outdoor garden. Indoor plants help with air circulation inside your home, are aesthetically pleasing, and provide natural decorations to your home. Below we will discuss some of the best types of plants to grow indoors.

1. Amaryllis

via: Gardening Know How

Also known as “the yellow goddess,” the Amaryllis plant gives your home a taste of springtime. The yellow goddess variety of the plant features lovely, yellow trumpet-shaped blossoms with a touch of green at their throat. The Amaryllis should be planted sometime during early to late winter. Their bulbs bloom six to eight weeks after being planted.

2. Angel Ivy Ring Topiary

Also known as a “wire vine,” this plant is fast-growing and provides a beautiful, living frame for any flowers or bulbs you plant at its base. This plant fairs best between 65- 80 degrees and should be kept moist but not soggy.

3. Braided Ficus Tree

via: Pinterest

This tree is not only gorgeous with its unique braided stems and variegated foliage, but it is also extremely easy to care for. The plant needs plenty of moisture and bright, indirect light.

4. Cactus Combo Bonsai

Cacti are easy plants to take care of, as they can adapt to pretty much any environment. Make sure they are placed directly in bright light and should remain dry throughout the winter months, as they become dormant and stop growing.

5. Chamaedorea Palm

This tropical parlor palm flourishes in bright, indirect light. It brings a touch of the south to your home with it’s graceful, arching branches.

6. Chinese Evergreen

The Chinese Evergreen is low maintenance, highly rated indoor air purifier. This plant requires very little light- in fact, it is one of the very few foliage plants that can survive with just a reading lamp as a light source. If exposed to low temperatures, the plant will either yellow or blacken. Make sure to allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings. The Chinese Evergreen is a beautiful dark green color, streaked with silver. Its presence in your home will make your living quarters aesthetically pleasing.

7. Miniature Herb Standard Topiary

These miniature topiaries of Lavender, Rosemary, and Serissa brighten up any sunny indoor place. With gray and green foliage and blue, white, and lavender blossoms, this trio of herbs is fairly easy to care for. These plants need to be watered so they have moist soil but don’t drench them. The topiary should not sit in water or be allowed to dry out. Also, avoid softened water, as the salt in it can damage the plants. During the winter Rosemary and Lavender need to be kept under direct, bright light.

8. Moth Orchid

Moth orchids are one of the top air-purifying indoor plants you can grow in your home. These beautiful flowers bloom from Spring to Fall and should be kept in bright, direct light.

9. Ponytail Palm

The ponytail palm is a great house plant for those who have trouble remembering to water our green friends. The leaves are somewhat leathery and green and can grow up to a whopping six feet. This palm requires direct sunlight. This house tree is able to store water in its trunk and can go an entire year without water. A very unique, low maintenance plant.

10. Tropical Combo Bonsai

These easy to maintain plants add a touch of a  tropical rain forest to your very own home. Require bright, indirect light. Tropical combo bonsai should be planted in the winter, and bloom from midwinter to early spring.

Well, there you have it. And who said gardens can only be kept outside in yards?

One of the benefits of owning your own home with your own backyard is the freedom to plant your very own garden. But what if you’re not so lucky as to own your own property at the moment? Don’t fret- just because you live in an apartment in the city doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy homegrown fresh fruits and veggies, too. Many plants can be grown in small containers placed either inside your home or on your patio or balcony- as long as it’s in a place that gets lots of sunshine. In this article, we will discuss the art of gardening in small spaces, so that those of you out there who haven’t been blessed with spacious living quarters may also know the joy of gardening and being self-sufficient.

There’s no question about it- the cost of living is swiftly rising, and with that comes the cost of food. Many families are struggling not only to make ends meet these days but in order to survive. Many people are taking to growing their own fruits and vegetables.

1. Picture the Layout For Your Garden

If you’re living in really tight living arrangements, you may only have room for very small containers to grow your plants in. Perhaps there’s only room for a window box. Don’t let your options be limited by your imagination. Many tight-spaced gardens are quirky and imaginative, using a wide array of recycled materials as planters. For instance, plastic containers (such as margarine or whipped cream comes in,) tin cans, and even old-timey wash tubs can be used for growing plants. Some plants, such as tomatoes, herbs, and strawberries, can be grown upside down in topsy-turvy planters.

2. Don’t Forget Soil

The type of soil you use for your garden makes all the difference in whether your plants will or will not thrive. Fertile soil is an absolute must in order for many things to grow in a small area. Compost is also vital to the success- or failure- of your garden.

3. What to Plant and Where

The amount of space (and the amount of sunlight it receives) you have available will help determine which plants will be most successful in your garden. Dividing your planter bed into small, tightly spaced squares will provide your plants with a “living mulch” from foliage as your crops grow. Small plants (such as carrots and radishes) can be grown closer together than larger plants.

4. Proper Lighting

Most plants need direct sunlight in order to properly grow. If your balcony, patio, or another area where you are growing your garden doesn’t receive direct sunlight (or have good lighting in general,) solar garden lights may be used in their place. These also help draw attention to your crops, so that your visiting friends, family, and neighbors may enjoy and admire your work.

Growing a garden in small living quarters may be somewhat more difficult than if you had a huge yard, but it can be done. All it takes is some imagination, planning ahead, and a few accommodations in order for you to be enjoying your own self-sufficiency in no time.

Images source: Pexels

Also read: These 8 Plants Exhale Oxygen Even in The Night-Time

There are many reasons someone might decide to leave the army, or it might be a case of simply completing their duty. When this time comes, it is sometimes hard to know what the next best option is and how an income is going to be generated. Higher education is a brilliant progression from the military, and there are some fantastic degrees that can utilize the skillset service members to depart with. This guide will shed light on some of the most beneficial degrees for veterans.

Nursing Degree for Veterans

Nursing is a great subject for veterans who are looking to further their education. Veterans are already compatible with a nursing degree because of the training that they receive while on duty. All military personnel obtains basic medical training and knowledge, which can act as an advantage or steppingstone for a nursing degree. Nursing is a job role that will always be needed, which guarantees job security. A nursing role is also well paid and there is the option to go down a specialized route within the field, so there is plenty of choices!

Excelsior College Military and Veteran Education offer a variety of excellent nursing courses, including niche areas too.

“Computer Science is great for those who prefer more of a work-life balance, and enjoy the option to work from home”

Computer Science Degree for Veterans

This subject (Computer Science) is a subject that is rapidly expanding, along with the demand for those proficient in it. It is no surprise now that computer technology is at the forefront of many day-to-day activities and interactions, so coding and computer programming skills will be in demand for the foreseeable future. This means that computer science positions are also secure in the job market, boasting a high income, and also the option for flexibility. It is not unheard of for those in the field of computer science to work from home or to come into the office sparingly. This is great for those who prefer more of a work-life balance and independence.

“There is a rapidly growing need for security professionals now more than ever”

Information Security Degree for Veterans

Information security is crucial in a world that now operates digitally, and also heavily depends on it. Cyber-attacks and malware are becoming increasingly sophisticated and devastating. Because of this, there is a growing need for security professionals now more than ever. But what does this involve? The modern term for security professionals is white hat hackers, or penetration testers, where a security professional looks for chinks in security armor and knows how to fix them accordingly.

Engineering Degree for Veterans

One for math lovers or technical enthusiasts, engineering can be a fantastic degree for a veteran to pursue. There are many brilliant reasons to go into engineering, and while it does take some serious work to become an engineer, the roles are always sought after, offering job security. And not only that, but engineers are also very well paid.