4 Indoor Gardening Projects for Tenants with Children

I remember how much I desperately wanted to be able to grow things when we were living in our old tiny apartment. I tried growing things and wasn't so successful with most of them, unfortunately. But it wasn't about the apartment gardening, it was that I'm just not the best with plants, because even in my current house with a yard and an automatic watering system, I'm still not good with plants. But if you want to try gardening with your children in your rented home, here are some good ways to get started.

Are you living in an apartment or a rental home with children? Then gardening with limited outdoor space may seem challenging. However, you don't need to worry too much because there are many simple gardening projects available out there to consider. Keep reading this article as we explore indoor gardening projects you can try while being reminded of your responsibilities as a tenant.

4 Fun Indoor Gardening Projects for Families in Rentals

Let’s dive in and explore the indoor gardening projects you can try with your children.

1. Grow an Herb Garden on the Windowsill

Having fresh herbs on hand can make mealtimes more flavorful for the whole family. An indoor herb garden on the windowsill is an easy gardening project your kids can get involved in. Choose herbs like basil, parsley, oregano, thyme, or chives. Professional Property Management Group of Northern Virginia suggests choosing low-maintenance plants so you can spend time on other maintenance tasks.

Allow your child to help plant the seedlings in small pots filled with potting soil. Teach them how to water gently whenever the soil looks dry. Kids will love smelling the herbs and snipping a few leaves to add to family recipes or even nibble on their own! An indoor herb garden makes connecting with nature a fun and hands-on activity for tenants and their kids.

2. Create a Terrarium Ecosystem

A simple glass jar or clear plastic container can transform into a tiny indoor ecosystem that fascinates kids for hours. Layer a terrarium with pebbles, activated charcoal, soil, and small, low-light houseplants like nerve plants, polka dot plants, or mini orchids. Moss, sticks, and plastic animal figurines add visual interest, too. The key is to lightly mist the interior every few days to maintain moisture and avoid overwatering.

Kids will love observing this mini rainforest environment you created together as condensation collects on the glass and plants grow inside. It makes for a wonderful learning opportunity to teach children about plant care and the water cycle in nature. While growing these plants, you can also teach your kids about indoor composting methods.

3. Grow Microgreens in Egg Cartons

Microgreens pack mega-nutrition and provide delicious fresh garnishes for family meals in just 1–3 weeks from seed. Teachers and parents alike incorporate "green gardens" made from repurposed egg or egg substitute cartons as educational tools for children to watch the miraculous seed germination process up close. Poke small drainage holes in the bottom of an egg carton, line it with a paper towel, and add a sprinkle of soil.

Have your kids carefully place a few seeds in each section, lightly mist them, cover them with plastic wrap, and place them near a sunny window. They'll be amazed at how fast some colorful shoots emerge! Microgreens like kale, chard, beets, and radishes are not only fun to grow but also make for a nutritious component to add to simple dishes.

Decorate with Air Plants for Low-Maintenance Greenery

Kids are naturally drawn to caring for living things, so bringing plants indoors around children enlivens their space in positive ways. For tenants seeking low-maintenance greenery, air plants are ideal as they don’t require soil or frequent watering to thrive. These epiphytes absorb moisture and nutrients directly through their leaves and roots in humid air.

Collect a variety of colorful air plants and allow your children to design creative displays about the home with them. Air plants may be mounted on pieces of wood, displayed in glass terrariums, or nested within baskets, seashells, and other containers. Mist air plants every few days and occasionally submerge them to soak. Not only do air plants purify indoor air, but designing artistic arrangements with them also sparks creativity in children.

The Educational Benefits of Indoor Gardening for Children

While indoor vegetable gardens sound charming, many busy parents wonder, "What's in it for my kids?" Indeed, their questions raise a valid point—how do seemingly simple container gardens positively impact children beyond just keeping them entertained? Rest assured, the hands-on education children gain from actively tending to indoor greens delivers lifelong skills.

Higher Test Scores

Children who regularly interact with indoor plants and gardens score higher on science exams. Getting their hands dirty while learning botany basics gives tangible context to textbook concepts about soil health, plant life cycles, photosynthesis, insect ecosystems, and more. Seeing nature firsthand fosters longer retention as youth connect the dots.

Responsibility & Motor Skills

As children maintain indoor green spaces, they build accountability through plant caretaking rituals that depend on their diligence. Remembering to water gardens or sweep up soil spills helps youth follow through on chores that rely on their attention. In the process, fine motor skills improve with practice using child-gardening tools like mini rakes, shovels, and misters. Achieving small wins like repotting seedlings instills higher self-confidence as well.

Focus & Anxiety Reduction

For children bothered by restless energy, gardening captivates their senses for calmer studying. Engaging multiple senses while planting, kids stay immersed in nature's soothing stimuli. As mental health struggles increasingly impact youth today, indoor nature exposure helps reset and restore fractured attention spans affected by anxiety or ADHD. Unplugging from devices to get grounded in the soil positively impacts mental and emotional health.

How to Communicate Indoor Gardening Projects with Your Landlords

While indoor gardening offers many perks, before digging in, tenants should first verify with landlords what modifications are permitted. Reviewing leases ahead of purchasing any lighting setups, containers, or soil materials prevents issues down the line. When approaching building owners, begin conversations on a positive note, highlighting the benefits of indoor gardens alongside any concerns.

Keeping a well-maintained landscape in your rental home can create an inviting curb appeal for your tenants. This is something you need to mention clearly. Lead by highlighting the advantages indoor plants provide, like air purification, which improves indoor air quality for all residents. Share specific project details to reassure landlords of minimal mess or permanent alterations.

For example, assure them that add-ons like grow lights run on energy-efficient LED technology without noisy ventilation fans. If installing vertical hydroponic towers, articulate that they require no drainage holes in floors.

If the landlord worries about pests or mold risks from excess indoor moisture, proactively suggest purchasing electric dehumidifiers to prevent excess humidity. Propose using self-watering planters or drip irrigation techniques that limit the chances of overwatering. Outline maintenance plans for evening out natural light with UV supplements without causing glare issues. Where fire safety rules restrict grow light wattages, gear down to lower wattage bulbs.

Final Words

For tenants yearning to garden with little ones but lacking in yard space, bringing simple greenspaces inside awakens nature's nourishment. Through miniature indoor ecosystems tended communally, children blossom with hands-on science learning that engages curious minds. Together, families cultivate aromatic herbs, sweet microgreens, and whimsical terrariums brimming with life on sills and shelves, reminding us that nurturing bonds grow strong when rooted in the home.