Disclaimer: I was past 40 when I discovered something special. I like having a plant around. As a result, I hope to instill a love of gardening and appreciation for nature in my kids. I grew up with a big backyard and a mom who loves to garden, but it wasn’t until many years of apartment living that I realized I took that part of my childhood for granted. Now, with no garden in sight (except for the plants I received as gifts that never quite made it, sadly), I’m looking for ways my children and I can bring nature indoors and watch something grow. Eliza Blank, founder and CEO of The Sill, an NYC-based indoor plant company (and Motherly podcast guest), says, “Plants are an important part of nurturing yourself and your children.” I couldn’t agree more.
Whether it’s beginning with an herb garden, going head first and attempting to grow carrots or even a cute little succulent, indoor plants and gardening have many benefits, from reducing stress to increasing productivity. Ready to watch nature do its thing and discover if there are any green thumbs at your house? Let’s go!
6 ways to indoor garden with your kids:
MyGardenProvisions
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$33.97
This kid’s herb garden grow kit found on Etsy contains everything your child needs to grow and harvest their own garden. Containing basil, cilantro and parsley non-GMO heirloom seeds (I can smell them now!), the kit also includes soil, biodegradable pots, a reusable cotton bag and a hand shovel perfect for little hands.
Young Explorers
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$39.95
This award-winning gardening kit for kids offers children the opportunity to watch their garden form and spread out from inside the soil. Containing carrot, onion and radish seeds, soil mix, labels, colorful instruction booklet and a durable growing box with clear side for watching the action below. Very cool!
AVERGO
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$32.99
Perfect for the artist and gardener, this kit offers a white metal planter which you can decorate with included paints and brushes, 3 packets of flowering seeds, watering can, rake, fork, spade and 9 wooden markers so you won’t forget what kinds of flowers you’re growing. Springtime is calling!
Rise
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$279
Rise Gardens offers everything you need (and in varying sizes) to start a legitimate garden in your home. You’ll receive 8 seed pods (a mix of herbs and salad), a nursery for sprouting seeds, and hydroponic nutrients to get your garden started. The self watering system uses a gallon of water per week which keeps planted watered and oxygenated, and the nursery uses custom LED panel grow lights that mimic the sun and provide the broad spectrum of light which plants need to grow (in case you’re worried about not having enough direct sunlight on a windowsill). I also enjoyed a blog post on their website about kids gardening activity ideas.
$8.55
If you want to start with something easy (and I don’t blame you), try one of these little guys. This Haworthia succulent is one of the easiest plants you can grow, and though its form looks spiky, it actually isn’t sharp at all. Succulents are sold in sets of 6 with easy directions about light exposure and upkeep. And while we’re on the subject of miniature plants, we love this heartwarming story.
Juice boxes are not only delicious and a kid-favorite, but they can be re-used to make an adorable planter when finished. Parenting Chaos has an easy juice box garden tutorial on her website, and more than likely, you already have everything you need to make one in your child’s art bin. Once the outside is decorated, all you’ll need is a little soil and a cutting (she uses a cactus) or seeds. Sustainable and good for the environment all in one- I love it. And speaking of juice boxes, Hint Water is a hit at my house.
A version of this story was published April 5, 2021. It has been updated.
