How to Build an Indoor Water Garden
An indoor water garden provides an alternative to other container plants, because the plants only need water and a little fertilizer to survive. Indoor water gardens are popular where space is limited or where an outdoor water garden is impractical, such as an apartment, enclosed patio or sun room. Locate an indoor water garden in a brightly lit area that receives at least six hours of indirect sunlight each day, for maximum health of the plants. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Waterproof container
- Washed gravel
- Water garden plants
- Water soluble container plant fertilizer
- Waterproof planting container
- Potting soil
Instructions
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Purchase a waterproof container that is at least 6 to 8 inches deep for the water garden. Water garden plants suitable for indoor water gardens are known as marginal plants, meaning that they grow best in 6 inches or less of water.
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Wash the gravel thoroughly so that water will not become cloudy in the indoor water garden. Place enough gravel into the indoor water garden container so plants anchored in the gravel will be in 6 inches of water.
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3
Place the water garden in a brightly lit location. Water-loving plants cannot thrive in shady or dark corners of the house.
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4
Plant water garden plants such as sweet flag (Acorus gramineus), miniature cattail (Typha minima), or river lily (Schizostylis coccinea) in sealed containers with no drainage holes and filled with potting soil. Cover the top of the soil in the container with gravel so the soil will not float out of the containers and cloud the water.
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Arrange the containers holding the water garden plants in the gravel, keeping in mind that taller plants shade smaller ones. Fill the container with water.
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Fertilize the water garden once a month with a water-soluble fertilizer diluted to one-quarter strength. Keep the water level constant.
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Tips & Warnings
To clean the indoor water garden, remove the plants and drain the container. Wash the gravel and container thoroughly with hot soapy water, rinse well and replace the gravel, plants and water in the container.
Place a waterproof tray or other source of protection under the water garden if it is located on furniture. Although it may not leak, condensation can form along the sides of the container and damage furniture.
