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| Indoor Gardening: The Modern Trend Of Being In Association With Plants And Trees | |||||||
| Paper Id :
18053 Submission Date :
12/08/2023 Acceptance Date :
19/08/2023 Publication Date :
21/08/2023
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| Abstract | Indoor gardening is the practice of growing plants indoors, either in a house or in a greenhouse. Under it, plants are grown indoors. It keeps away the plants that are grown generally outside world. Indoor gardening is a great source of joy to all those who are unable to walk outside and be in association with nature in a traditional way. The density of population and the love of the individual for the materialistic pleasures has brought the modern man closer to indoor gardening and to develop it as a hobby. Containers, pots, waste plastic bottles and tin-material are used for the indoor gardening. The indoor gardening is now a wide term that includes a wide variety of plants, herbs, vegetables, flowers and succulents. Several factors are responsible for the Indoor gardening. Some of them are- having fresh produce on hand, improving indoor air quality, association with and love for nature. Indoor gardening requires a special care on the part of the individuals who go for it. Hydroponics and soil-based gardening are the techniques and methods that make indoor gardening possible and accessible to a common man. Additionally, indoor gardening can be done with a variety of different equipment and tools, such as grow lights, heating and cooling systems, and special fertilizers.It allows individuals to create green spaces and enjoy the benefits of gardening year-round, regardless of outdoor weather conditions. It often requires providing suitable lighting, temperature, humidity, and proper care to support plant growth and development in an indoor environment. Designed on the personal observation, personal-brooding over the issue, personal experience of having indoor garden as well as on the studies made previously on the theme in India and across the world, the study is initially qualitative that throws an ample light on the indoor gardening and on its growing significance across the world at the time when the natural spots are being exploited by the people in order to seek more and more benefits. The findings are that with the passage of time, the indoor gardening is becoming popular, and contributing tremendously to the enrichment of the environment which is passing through hard times. | ||||||
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| Keywords | Indoor Gardening, Pants, Environment. | ||||||
| Introduction | Nature, as described by most of the environmentalists is a
gift to mankind. Without nature, nothing on earth and globe can be imagined.
However, the modern era has brought about certain unknown risks that have
prevented the man from enjoying nature in the way he used to do in the past
through his experience of seeing the Sea God and Water Spirits. Urbanization,
urban sprawl and density of population has shrunk nature and taken man from the
beauties of nature that once fascinated him and enslaved him. The situation is
now that man does not have a fruitful environment around him, and is forced to
lead a clumsy life with no charm in life and environment. The scenario is that
he lacks pure potable water, pure air to breathe and peace of mind. Money is
the sole concern of the modern life and the modern man is running after money,
name and fame. The more the times are passing, the worse the environment is
becoming. Modernism has disfigured forests, rivers and other watery places,
hills and mountains. Indeed, the whole of nature has lost its original shape
and is now outdated for the modern man. Man neither has space enough to grow
plants and trees nor interest in going out to enjoy nature due to short of time
and fast life. Due to lack of space in urban areas man has found a way out to
bring nature into his limited space with indoor gardening. There are certain
products that promote indoor gardening which are very handy. Such products can
be gifted to your loved ones and let them get connected to nature. |
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| Aim of study | 1. Discussing the modern trends of living. 2. Presenting the disfigured picture of environment and
nature. 3. Exploring the factors responsible for the deviation of man
from nature and traditional gardening. 4. Producing the things that are responsible for man’s
deviation from the traditional gardening. 5. Producing an overview of indoor gardening. 6. Teaching the importance of indoor gardening at present and
in future. 7. Commenting on the positive and negative effects of indoor
gardening. |
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| Review of Literature | Ke-Tsung
Han, Li-Wen Ruan, and Li-Shih Liao (2022), in their research article ‘Effects
of Indoor Plants on Human Functions: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analyses’, observe
that ‘indoor plants can significantly benefit participants’ diastolic blood
pressure (−2.526, 95% CI −4.142, −0.909) and academic achievement (0.534, 95%
CI 0.167, 0.901), whereas indoor plants also affected participants’
electroencephalography (EEG) α and β waves, attention, and response time,
though not significantly.’ Raymond
Odeh, Elizabeth R. M. Diehl, Sara Jo Nixon, C. Craig Tisher, Dylan Klempner,
Jill K. Sonke, Thomas A. Colquhoun, QianLi,Maria Espinosa, DianelaPerdomo,
Kaylee Rosario, Hannah Terzi, Charles L. Guy (2022), in their study ‘A
pilot randomized controlled trial of group-based indoor gardening and art
activities demonstrates therapeutic benefits to healthy women’, bring that
‘Engaging in both gardening and art-making activities resulted in apparent
therapeutic improvements for self-reported total mood disturbance, depression
symptomatology, and perceived stress with different effect sizes following
eight one-hour treatment sessions. Gardening also resulted in improvements for
indications of trait anxiety. Based on time-course evidence, dosage responses
were observed for total mood disturbance, perceived stress, and depression
symptomatology for both gardening and art-making. However, gardening or
art-making did not have an apparent influence on heart rate or blood pressure
or result in marked improvement for satisfaction with discretionary leisure
activities’. Catherine
Phillips &Eily Schulz (2021), in their jointly-penned research study
entitled ‘Greening home: caring for plants indoors’, mention that
‘indoor plants are valued in diverse ways that orient around instrumental
contributions of plants, caring practices within people’s homes, and extended
sensibilities relating to wider social and ecological dynamics. Indoor plants
provide reprieve, focus, cheer, companionship, and a connection to nature’. Sandra
G. L. Persiani (2021), in‘Benefits of Using Plants in Indoor Environments:
Exploring Common Research Gaps’, observes that ‘the introduction of green
plants in indoor spaces has raised a great amount of interest motivated by the
positive physiological and psychological benefits for humans. The psychological
and physiological benefits of human–nature contact include a great number of
therapeutic and restorative effects ranging from stress reduction to the
development of cognitive and social skills. Syed
MahaboobAkram& Others (2021), in their research work ‘Indoor gardening
for aesthetic and healthy life style’, conclude that ‘for outdoor air
pollution, most of the efforts have been done to control but now much attention
is needed to control indoor air pollution as contaminants are usually high in
indoor places. Public health is a major issue due to indoor air pollution and
indoor environment because most of the people in urban area spend more time
inside as compared to outside. So, indoor plants and indoor gardening would be
a better way to eradicate the emission of pollutants inside as well to make the
indoor environment more lively and aesthetic.’ AhuAydogan
Ryan Cerone (2020), in
their joint study ‘Review of the effects of plants on indoor environments’, point
out that ‘although well-established technologies can remove certain toxins from
indoor environments, methods capable of eliminating all of them do not yet
exist. Biological methods, however, which are based on plants and their
associated microorganisms, could hold significant promise. To achieve high
toxic remediation, utilization of the soil microorganisms in the root zone of
the plant is vital. Moreover, evidence suggests that in addition to cleaning
the air, plants in indoor environments offer psychological, physiological and
cognitive benefits’. Ke-Tsung
Han (2019), in
the research work ‘Effects of Indoor Plants on the Physical Environment with
Respect to Distance and Green Coverage Ratio’, revealed that ‘(1)
regardless of number of plants, the closer the plant, the higher the CO2 level;
(2) more indoor plants resulted in higher CO2 and humidity and lower PM2.5,
PM10, and temperature; and (3) the lower the levels of fine and suspended
particles in the air were, the stronger were the feelings of preference,
naturalness of the environment, and pleasure in participants. Indoor plants that
can regulate indoor air quality and microclimates without consuming energy
warrant greater attention and wider application’. Virginia
I. Lohr (2010), in‘What
Are the Benefits of Plants Indoors and Why Do We RespondPositively to Them?’ explores
that ‘plants are essential for our survival. They provide food, fiber, building
material, fuel, and pharmaceuticals. Plants also produce intangible benefits
for people, such as improving our health. These benefits occur with plants
outdoors and indoors. People have been bringing plants into their homes for
thousands of years. We increasingly work indoors, and we are making ample use
of plants in these spaces as well. Plants indoors have many benefits.
Physically, they contribute to cleaner, healthier air for us to breathe, thus
improving our well-being and comfort.’ |
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| Methodology |
1. Specific research design
2. Use of both the primary data and the secondary data
3. Personal observation
4. Personal experience
5. Casual visits to the indoor gardens in the city
6. Debate with the people who make indoor gardening
7. Going through the articles published in the national and international research journals
8. Keeping in mind the research process and all the steps of research suggested by the eminent scientists, botanists and environmentalists. |
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| Analysis |
Things to Keep
in Mind While Making Indoor Gardening 1. Brooding considerably before starting with indoor
gardening 2. Exploring the places in the various parts of the
housethat are best for growing the plants selected for the indoor gardening and
that are good in terms of beauty, fragrance, growth etc. 3. Selection of growing plants using soil or hydroponics 4. Maintaining the right amount of light and regular removal
of dead parts of the plants 5. Checking the
nature and quality of the soil 6. Giving
timely the proper nutrients to the plants 7. Ensuring
enough space for the growth of the plants Important Facts
about Indoor Plants and Indoor Gardening 1. Interior
plants do not need much water in winter. Therefore, over-watering of the plants
in the indoor gardens should be avoided. Moreover, overwatering of the plants
cause choking of the soil with water. 2. Plant roots
need air as much as they need water and nutrients. 3. Plants are
dormant in the winter and do not need an artificial boost of growing power. 4. To
accommodate low light levels, leafy plants should be kept clean. 5. Dust cuts
down on the light necessary for photosynthesis, which feeds the plant. 6. In order to
remove pests, such as, aphids, mealy bugs and spider mites, we should use a rag
and clean warm water, or put the whole plant in the shower. 7. In order to
keep the plants in indoor gardens safe from the diseases, we should remove
brown and dead leaves. 8. The windows
with the plants at, on or nearby, should be kept clean enough to allow in
light, sunshine, and heat. 9. The plants
should be allowed to receive maximum light and warmth. 10. In order to
keep the indoor gardens and plants free from dry indoor air, we should put
rocks or pebbles in saucers, and fill them with water. 11. February
brings new growth to the houseplants. Hence, the indoor garden needs more water
and some organic fertilizer. 12. Late winter
requires pruning of the plants in the indoor gardens. 13. If the
removal of a plant in indoor garden is essential, the plant should be removed
from its pot, and should be put it in a clean pot of the same size with new
potting soil. 14. Growing
plants indoors can be difficult especially if one has a small apartment or home
but it is one of the best lifestyle decisions one can make as plants remove
toxins and purify home’s air.
15. Spider
plant, palms, bamboo, African violet, Boston Fern, Burros Tail Succulent, Cast
Iron Plant, Bromeliads, Christmas Cactus, Haworthia Succulents etc. are some of
the popular plants that are and that can be grown in indoor gardens with least
care and maintenance. |
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| Conclusion | Indoor gardening can be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it
requires some specific techniques to keep your plants healthy and thriving. On
the part of the individuals who want to have indoor gardens, it is required
that they should grow only the right plants because all the plants cannot be
grown indoors nor are they appropriate. Only such plants should be chosen as
are known to do well indoors, such as spider plants, pothos, snake plants, and
peace lilies. Indoor gardens need proper lighting because most of the indoor
plants need bright, indirect light to thrive. The plants to be added to the
indoor garden need to be placed near a window having plenty of sunlight during
the day time. Appropriate water should be sprinkled on the plants that there
are in the indoor gardens. Generally, due to ignorance, most of the people make
overwatering to the plants in the indoor gardens that results into slow growth
or no growth of the plants. Most plants need to dry out between watering, so
the soil moisture level should be checked well with the finger before watering.
The soil of the place where the indoor gardening is to be made, should be right
enough to help the plants to grow properly.A high-quality potting mix that is
specifically designed for indoor plants should be used, and the use of the
garden soil should be avoided, as it can be too heavy and may contain pests or
diseases. Indoor gardening requires regular fertilization for the plants to
stay healthy and to meet full growth. For it, we should use a balanced,
water-soluble fertilizer every two to four weeks during the growing season. The
beauty of the indoor gardening lies in the regular pruning and trimming of the
plants that are placed and grown in pots, tins or bottles. One should be
careful enough to remove dead or yellowing leaves, and trim back overgrown
stems as needed.We should keep eye out for pests because the indoor plants are
susceptible to pests like spider mites, and scale insects. To conclude- Indoor
gardening is the demand of the day because it is only through indoor gardening
that the people across the world can have the glimpses of nature and can enjoy
greenery around them. At the point of time when the people are forced to live
in skycrapers, it is essential to develop a hobby of having and maintaining
indoor gardening. However, it cannot be denied that all the plants are not
suitable for indoor gardening. Indoor gardening is very common in urban sphere,
and it is helpful in bringing the urban people in close association with nature
and in enriching the environment. However, indoor gardening and the plants that
are placed under the category of indoor plants need a special care on the part
of the people who have indoor gardens and who have a passion to maintain them
and to see the full-growth of the indoor plants. Watering, pruning, fertilizing,
cleaning etc. are some of the steps that can make the indoor gardens beautiful
with several beautiful and fragrant plants and flowers together. |
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| References | 1. AhuAydogan Ryan Cerone. ‘Review of the effects of plants
on indoor environments’, Sage Journals, Indoor and Built Environment, 2020,
Volume 30, Issue 4 2. Catherine Phillips &Eily Schulz. ‘Greening home:
caring for plants indoors’, Australian Geographer, Volume 52, 2021 - Issue 4 3. Ke-Tsung Han, Li-Wen Ruan, and Li-Shih Liao. ‘Effects of
Indoor Plants on Human Functions: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analyses’, Int
J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jun; 19(12): 7454. 4. Ke-Tsung Han (2019). ‘Effects of Indoor Plants on the
Physical Environment with Respect to Distance and Green Coverage Ratio’,
Sustainability, 2019, 11(13):3679 5. Raymond Odeh, Elizabeth R. M. Diehl, Sara Jo Nixon, C.
Craig Tisher, Dylan Klempner, Jill K. Sonke, Thomas A. Colquhoun, QianLi,Maria
Espinosa, DianelaPerdomo, Kaylee Rosario, Hannah Terzi, Charles L. Guy. ‘A
pilot randomized controlled trial of group-based indoor gardening and art
activities demonstrates therapeutic benefits to healthy women’, PLOS ONE, July
6, 2022 6. Sandra G. L. Persiani.‘Benefits of Using Plants in Indoor
Environments: Exploring Common Research Gaps’, Architecture 2021, 1(2), 83-98 7. Syed MahaboobAkram& Others. ‘Indoor gardening for
aesthetic and healthy life style’, PharmaceuticaAnalyticaActa, May 2021,
10(5S):382-389 8. Virginia I. Lohr. ‘What Are the Benefits of Plants Indoors
and Why Do We Respond Positively to Them?’,Lohr, V.I. 2010. What are the
benefits of plants indoors and why do we respond positively to them?
ActaHorticulturae 881(2):675-682 |
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