We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Things to grow indoors?

I know nothing about growing plants, but I like the idea of growing things that I could use for cooking. However I am a total novice/dunce (delete as appropriate!) when it comes to things like this.

I live in a flat - I'm not on the ground floor, I don't have access to a garden, I do however have a kitchen window sill that gets a lot of sunlight and some available floor space! I think I could have a small window box or two so can grow things that way. Is there anything I can grow in a free standing pot on the floor? (I remember always wanting one of those small 'apple trees' in a pot when I was a kid but my parents wouldn't let me get one - I never knew if this was because they wouldn't survive inside or because it was just a ridiculous idea!)

What would be the best things to grow that would be a) realistic, b) useful and c) - obviously! - inexpensive? Absolutely any ideas and advice welcome! :)

Comments

  • Hi,
    Someone asked a similar question a while back but I don't think there were many replies :confused:
    I'm in a similar situation - I've found salad leaves (eg lambs lettuce) and spring onions to be successful on a windowsill (the onions get a bit big though :rolleyes:). I've ordered some "tumbling tom" tomato seeds to have a go - supposed to be good for pots / hanging baskets - don't see why they wouldn't work in a window box.

    Other people say herbs eg basil, thyme, but I'm good at killing them :o Also chilli plants?

    Hope this helps a bit!
    "She who asks is a fool once. She who never asks is a fool forever"
    I'm a fool quite often :D
  • A bit of a long shot I know, but because my boss has told me categorically there is no way on this earth I can grow bananas in this country, I have decided to have a go. I have done a bit of research and found there are a few varieties you can grow in the UK which MAY fruit if treated right and that will not out-grow the dining room. Have a look around and have a go at a banana. Sure has to be a bit more unusual that some toms or chillies!
  • ceridwen
    ceridwen Posts: 11,547 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Try borrowing the following from the library:

    "Self-Sufficiency in a Flat" by Joy O.I. Spoczynska. Its a 1980 book I got dirt cheap from Amazon - but suspect its increased in price since.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.3K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 603.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.3K Life & Family
  • 261.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.