How to Grow Rice Indoors

Rice, the grain harvested from a member of the grass family, is a food staple usually grown as an annual plant. In tropical climates, however, rice can be grown as a perennial and will produce seed for up to 20 years. Growing rice in your home is relatively simple because rice is a hardy grass. Rice grows in standing water, prefers full sun, warm air and warm water. Recreating these conditions indoors is easy and the rice will require little to no maintenance.

Things You'll Need

• Buckets or other containers that are at least 10 inches deep and don't have any holes in the bottom
• Potting soil
• Compost
• Warm water
• Organic, unprocessed brown rice

Instructions

Make Your Rice Paddy

1. Mix equal parts compost and potting soil. Fill your buckets with 6 inches of the soil-compost mixture.

2. Pour the warm water into the buckets until the water reaches 2 inches above the level of the soil.

3. Toss a handful of your brown rice into the rice paddy. The grains will sink and come to rest on top of the soil.

4. Maintain the level of the water at 2 inches above the soil until the rice is at least 5 inches tall.

5. Drain the water level by scooping the water out with a pitcher or cup, until it is at soil level. Keep the soil moist, but do not cover the soil with water for three days.

6. Add water until it is 4 inches deep after the three days have passed. Maintain this water level until the rice stalks begin to turn golden and curve at the top.

7. Drain the water to soil level. Allow the paddy to dry out for one week until the stalks have turned completely brown.

8. Cut the stalks and wrap them in newspaper for two weeks.

9. Roast your rice in an oven at 200 degrees for an hour, then remove the hulls by hand. Store your rice in an air-tight container or plastic bag.

Tips & Warnings

• Rice seed is sold at many nurseries if you do not want use store-bought rice. Rice takes two to four months to mature, depending on the variety. If your water becomes cloudy or if you see larvae, drain the paddy and refill it with fresh water the next day.

References

• Cultivation
• Rice Information