With all this time inside, it is time to bring nature indoors. Gardening is a great way to connect with nature, reduce stress, and decrease screen time.
According to research from the University of Vermont:
“Nearly 90% of people worldwide who spend at least 22 hours a day inside. Americans spend most of their time (90%) either indoors or in vehicles. Children spend less than one hour daily outside, which is 50% less than their parents did as children”.
What about feeding yourself with organic vegetables freshly plucked from the pot? Here is a list of the easiest vegetables for growing indoors.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a big backyard or garden. Your living room will do just fine. Just simple home care with few essentials will save you from all that grocery trips plus prevent you from spending several bucks.
Scroll down and find all about the best vegetables to grow indoors.
Can you grow vegetables indoors all year round?
Yes! The vegetables can be grown indoors, in your apartment, all year round. It’s just that you should know the exact amount of light needed for your indoor plants to survive. Different areas of your home offer an additional amount of light. An average window provides low to medium natural light for plants.
If you plan to grow high-light vegetables indoors all year round, like cherry tomatoes, you need to increase the lights’ level with lights like lamps or LED grow lights, especially in winter months when the day length is short and natural light is low.
The Pros and Cons of Indoor Gardening
For gardening vegetables indoors, you need to control the plant’s growth and the environment. Maintain the potting soil quality, water, and manual fertilization.
The pros of setting up an indoor vegetable garden include less expense. You have your own indoor vegetable garden that saves you endless trips to the grocery store, which means clean eating, and healthier food. And it also allows you to control the internal environment of your plants.
Indoor gardening does come with challenges, which are a lack of light, wind, and pollinating insects. You must maintain proper air circulation to keep oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, allowing flower pollination.
Moreover, if you have an indoor garden, there might be some diseases and bugs, like mealybugs which can affect your plants. Plus, it’s extra homework, environmental concerns, pet issues, and much more. Luckily there are organic pest control solutions like neem oil that you can safely use.
Choose containers that have enough drainage holes and are a perfect size. Use sterilized good-quality potting mix. Plus, you need to consider supplemental lighting too for growing indoors. You must look after growth, lights, soil type, and other environmental factors. To automate your indoor gardening experience, you can use a smart indoor garden. Check out the latest buying guide.
20 Vegetables You Can Grow Indoors
1. Swiss Chard:
- Temperature – cold
- Harvesting time – 4-6 weeks
- Light environment – Sunny window or grow lights for 6 hours
It is a nutritious, delicious, and ornamental vegetable that is easy to grow. Also, it is available in several colors, which makes growing a perfect delight indoors.
You can grow it during the cold weather to indulge in a constant supply of greens.
A deep pot is not required because it has a shallow root system, but remember, it results in large leaves. They thrive in cool temperatures. If you want an immediate jump, get started with seedlings indoors and transplant the pot outside as soon as the climate becomes warm.
This vegetable is ready after 4-6 weeks. Moreover, it needs a shaded location, which means you need to cover it. It can turn bitter during summer, so give it enough amounts of water.
2. Bell Peppers:
- Temperature – warm
- Harvesting time – 8-13 weeks
- Light environment – Sunny area or grow light for 14-16 hours
Bell peppers can be grown indoors with some expert tips. They require warm temperatures and 12-14 hours of bright light per day.
For seed germination, the soil’s temperature should be around 70 °F, so place it in a warm area. Set the seeds 1/4 inch deep. Once the night temperatures are around 60 °F, transplant the seedlings outdoors and maintain a space of 18-24 inches.
Watering should be done when the soil is about an inch dry on top, and a half-strength water-based fertilizer should be used once a month.
Peppers can take 60-90 days to mature and can be harvested as soon as they reach the desired size. Green and red peppers are the same vegetable picked at different times, with red being sweeter.
With proper care, a single plant can produce vegetables for up to 5 years.
3. Carrot:
- Temperature – cool
- Harvesting time – 8-11 weeks
- Light environment – Sunny area or grow lights for 10-12 hours
Carrot plants grow well in cool temperatures. They need a high temperature of around 13 degrees Celsius and a daytime temperature of 24 degrees Celsius. They grow well in small gardens, and they can accept a slight shade.
Get a well-drained loam, potting mix for growing them. Seed them in rows, with them being 1-2 inches apart. Place the seeds ½ inch deeper. Allow them to stay in the soil until they are ready to harvest. Remove some dirt from the root top gently and check their size.
The reaping time is different for carrot varieties. Baby carrots get ready to reap them in 8-10 weeks, while mature carrots take around 11 weeks.
Click here for our in-depth guide on growing carrots indoors.
4. Scallions:
- Temperature – cold
- Harvesting time – 8-11 weeks
- Light environment – Sunny area or grow lights for 6 hours
They also do well when planted indoors and are known as perennials, reaching 3 feet in height and getting 12 inches taller or short. They are easy to care for and don’t need much sunlight. For scallions, you don’t even require a seed to start the row. For scallions, you don’t need seeds. You can place the entire scallion in a glass with one inch of water.
Once the roots reach a couple of inches in length, put them in a shallow container with potting mix, they can grow now. Harvest green tops while leaving a one-inch stem to allow regrowth. Scallions are ready to reap in 8-11 weeks.
Scallions need full sun exposure and well-drained, sandy soil. Seedlings of scallions emerge within one to two weeks. The temperature should be at least around 45 degrees.
5. Garlic / Garlic Greens:
- Temperature – cool to start
- Harvesting time – 7-10 days
- Light environment – a sunny spot with partial shade
Garlic is a perennial plant and is one of the easy-to-grow crops. Plus, it has an intense flavor and can be easily used for culinary purposes.
For indoor garlic greens, choose a sunny spot for planting garlic. Get hands-on, well-drained, fertile soil, good drainage, and more. Place garlic cloves 2-4 inches apart and deeply around 2 inches.
Garlic can be grown indoors at a temperature range of 60-80°F (15-27°C), making it a suitable crop for both cool and warm environments. However, it’s important to note that garlic cloves need a period of cold temperatures (below 40°F or 4°C) to form bulbs.
Therefore, if you want to grow garlic bulbs indoors, you’ll need to give them a period of cold treatment before planting. Once the cloves have been chilled, they can be planted in a pot and placed in a sunny window or under grow lights.
Place the pot, or peat pot on a sunny windowsill and water lightly. In just seven to 10 days, you should see the garlic begin to sprout. When they reach a suitable height, snip them off for use. To keep a constant supply of garlic greens, make sure to plant new cloves in succession, as the existing ones will be exhausted after producing their greens.
With a little care and attention, you can enjoy the fresh taste and aroma of homegrown garlic year-round. Here is our in-depth guide.
6. Cherry Tomatoes/Tomatoes:
- Temperature – warm
- Harvesting time – 9-14 weeks
- Light environment – full light with eight hours of sun
Tomatoes are easy to grow, plus they are highly productive and versatile in your kitchens. They are the crop of summer, and they love the sun. They cannot tolerate frost. The reaping time of the tomato ranges from 9-14 weeks.
Growing tomatoes indoors requires strong, bright light, which can be provided by a set of grow lights suspended a few inches above the top of the plants. Choose small, compact tomato varieties labeled “patio” or “bush” that thrive in containers and can produce cherry, grape, Roma, and small slicer-type fruit.
Provide heat under seed starting trays to speed up germination and transplant to a large pot when seedlings are 6 inches tall. Keep the plants in a consistently warm spot shielded from cold drafts and water regularly, fertilize them, and help with pollination by gently shaking the plants daily. Finally, stake the tomato plants to support the weight of ripening fruit.
If you want to learn how to grow tomatoes indoors, check out our guide.
7. Onion:
- Temperature – cold
- Harvesting time – 4-6 weeks
- Light environment – Sunny area or grow light for 6-7 hours
Onion is a type of cold-season crop that is easy to grow. You can grow onions indoors by planting seeds or regrowing onion bulbs in containers.
For seed planting, prepare seed flats with well-draining potting soil, sow the seeds about one-quarter-inch deep and one-half-inch apart, and keep the soil moist but not saturated.
Germination takes about two weeks.
Transplant the onion seedlings to your garden when the stalks reach four to five inches.
For bulb growing, select a six-inch deep container, fill it halfway with well-draining potting soil, arrange the bulbs about two inches apart with the white bulbs attached, and keep the soil moist in a sunny location.
For regrowing onion bulbs, place the onion bulb in a jar with water and add water when necessary to keep the roots submerged.
8. Green Onion:
- Temperature – cold
- Harvesting time – 3-4 weeks
- Light environment – full sun exposure of 6 hours or 6 hours of grow light
Green onions are one of the most versatile veggies which can grow in almost all locations.
Prepare a plant bed and choose a sunny location and well-drained soil. Dig the soil around 12 inches deep.
Place seeds ½ inches apart. The green onion seeds germinate when the soil temperature is around 19-30 degrees Celsius. The onion seeds might take a month to grow.
If you dwell in cold weather, set the seeds indoors eight weeks before the last frost, as they need to be moist enough with 1 inch of water every week. Reap the onions when they mature. After 3-4 weeks, green onion shoots grow to around 6-8 inches and are ready to eat.
If you want to learn how to grow green onions indoors, check out our guide.
9. Lettuce:
- Temperature – cool
- Harvesting time – 6-8 weeks
- Light environment – full sun with 6-8 hours
Lettuce is shallow-rooted, quick-growing, and is one of the best vegetables to grow at home without any deep containers. Choose a pot that is 2-4 inches deep and can be filled with well-drained soil. Sow the seed and keep them moist. It starts germinating in a week. Let the lettuce grow for 4-6 inches in height before you harvest.
It needs partial sun. You need to plant lettuce 3-7 weeks before the last frost and in fall 11-14 weeks before the first frost. Allow hardening of 1 week before transplanting. Allow lettuce to grow 6-12 inches apart. Make sure to harvest lettuce when five leaves are mature and 2 inches tall.
Check out our guide for growing lettuce indoors.
10. Broccoli:
- Temperature – cold
- Harvesting time – 7-16 weeks
- Light environment – Sunny area with partial shade in hotter weather
Broccoli can be grown by starting with a seed or a transplant. If you start with a seed, choose fast-maturing varieties like Atlantic or De Cicco.
Germinate the seeds 5 weeks before the last frost in your area, planting two seeds per container at a depth of about 1/2 inch.
Keep the pot in a warm, well-lit area with moist soil. After 3-4 weeks, transplant the seedlings into 3-gallon containers and place them in an outside area for short periods every day, increasing the time gradually.
Water the broccoli every two days, fertilize one week after transplanting, and harvest the main head when it’s 3-5 inches in diameter with no sign of flowering. After the main head is harvested, the plant will grow several side shoots that can be harvested for a few weeks.
11. Peas:
- Temperature – cold
- Harvesting time – 8-10 weeks
- Light environment – Sunny area or grow lights for 8-10 hours
They are easy vegetables for indoor growing as they don’t need your attention and proliferate without hassle. Not only that, but they don’t need a sunny place but keep the soil moist.
Peas like cooler conditions, so seed them earlier during the season. During the warm season, peas stop producing.
Peas take around 8-10 weeks for mature growth. They come with the shortest season, so seed as much as possible. Peas need enough amounts of light, which is around 8-10 hours. Make sure to sow pea seeds 2 inches apart. Peas are delicious, and you can utilize them in all recipes now and then.
12. Mushrooms:
- Temperature – cold
- Harvesting time – 3-4 weeks
- Light environment – shade as sensitive to heat and sunlight
For beginners interested in growing mushrooms indoors, starting with a mushroom grow kit is recommended. These kits come with fully colonized fruiting blocks ready to produce mushrooms.
All you need is a spray bottle to keep the kit moist and a spot with indirect light and temperatures between 50 to 75 °F (10 to 24 °C).
Humidity is crucial, so if you live in a dry climate, consider using a plastic bag or a plant humidifier to increase humidity levels.
Oyster mushrooms are the easiest to grow and come in several varieties.
For those with intermediate skills, buying mushroom spawn, preparing a substrate, inoculating it, and creating your own fruiting blocks is the next step. A fruiting chamber is recommended to maintain fruiting conditions and increase yields.
Want to learn more about growing mushrooms Indoor? Check out our guide.
13. Basil:
- Temperature – warm
- Harvesting time – 8-9 weeks
- Light environment – Sunny area or grow lights for 4-6 hours
It is one of the easiest herbs you can grow and use in many recipes. Basil is one of the real sun lovers who need 4-6 hours of sunlight daily. Basil can also do well under fluorescent lights. But you need to keep the lights on for around 12 hours. Keep the soil moist regularly and maintain a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Basil needs loose, well-drained soil. Basil germinates immediately in a week or so at 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Leave the basil as long as it keeps growing. The more it grows, the more flavorful it becomes. It takes around 11-13 weeks to plant.
Want to learn more about growing basil Indoor? Check out our guide
14. Green Beans:
- Temperature – warm
- Harvesting time – 8-12 weeks
- Light environment – Sunny area or grow light for 6-8 hours
These plants result in long vine growth or low bush types. Green beans tend to grow several inches and come in flat or round shapes.
Beans can be planted at any time and are usually ready to harvest 45-75 days after planting.
Use pots with organic matter and a rich potting mix, and water the seeds well. Keep the soil around the bean plants moist but not wet, and fertilize with compost tea or light fertilizer monthly.
Trellising may be necessary, and pinching off new tendrils can help focus on bean production.
Harvest mature beans regularly, leaving smaller ones to ripen.
Enjoy fresh, homegrown beans as a source of vitamins A, C, and K during winter.
15. Dwarf Beans:
- Temperature – cold
- Harvesting time – 7-9 weeks
- Light environment – Sunny area or grow light for 6-8 hours
They are smaller string beans that grow well indoors because you cannot grow them on a vine. The dwarf beans are loaded with enough fiber and vitamins, plus they are pretty delicious.
The dwarf beans get ready for meals in just 7-9 weeks once you pick them up. You can sow the dwarf beans in pots during the late winter. The compact size and rapid growth make them the ideal choice for growing indoors. They grow well in 8 inches deep.
Beans require a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius, and they need 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Reap the indoor beans when they reach the desired height. Pick the pods carefully and snap them open from each plant.
16. Spinach:
- Temperature – cold
- Harvesting time – 4-6 weeks
- Light environment – Sunny area or grow light for 10-12 hours
Growing spinach indoors is a great way to have fresh produce during winter. Spinach is easy to grow from seed, and the plants grow rapidly, producing leaves ready for use in a month.
Start by selecting the right variety and a shallow pot with well-draining soil. Sow seeds one inch deep and keep the soil lightly moist. Thin seedlings to at least 3 inches apart and provide bright light or use a plant light.
Fertilize with an organic formula and rotate the container every few days. Harvest a few leaves from each plant for continued production. Indoor spinach plants are an easy and safe way to have organic greens.
17. Arugula:
- Temperature – cold
- Harvesting time – 4-5 weeks
- Light environment – midday shade
Arugula, a popular salad green, can be grown at home in containers using a standard potting mix, a balanced blend of nutrients, and a strong grow light that can provide the equivalent of 5+ hours of direct sun and cool temperatures.
The best arugula varieties for indoors are Astro, Amazon, Red Dragon, Burpee, and Rocket. Seeds should be planted in a 6″ container, and the soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged.
Pruning and harvesting are the same process; outer leaves can be picked as needed.
18. Cauliflower:
- Temperature – cold
- Harvesting time – 4-8 weeks
- Light environment – South-facing window or grow lights for 5 hours
Growing cauliflower indoors is definitely possible, but it may not grow as large as outdoor plants. It takes up a lot of space and time and requires rich soil and cooler temperatures.
However, cauliflower does not require pollination and can be grown without worrying about cabbage worms.
Some recommended varieties include Snow Crown Hybrid, Amazing, Cheddar, Flame Star, and Graffiti.
When harvesting, wait until the heads are compact white, and firm, and soak in salt water to get rid of any cabbage worms. Despite the low yield for the amount of space and time required, cauliflower can be a fun and interesting crop to grow indoors.
19. Kale:
- Temperature – cold
- Harvesting time – 8-9 weeks
- Light environment – Sunny area with partial shade or grow lights for 6 hours
The article provides tips for growing kale indoors, either as sprouts, baby salad greens, or mature plants. Curly kale is a good option for growing mature plants, while lacinato kale is good for baby salad greens.
Growing kale under lights can produce seedlings for continuous salad greens.
For planting, use an organic potting mix and water consistently. Fertilize monthly with nitrogen-rich organic liquid plant food.
Harvest by picking the outer leaves first, and try to stagger sowing for different maturing times.
For more information on how to grow kale, check out our guide.
20. Radishes:
- Temperature – cold
- Harvesting time – 4-6 weeks
- Light environment – Sunny area with partial shade or grow lights for 6 hours
Radishes are easy to grow and take only around 4-6 weeks after germination to get harvested. The best part regarding radishes is that they don’t need much light. It’s best to leave them spaced apart and don’t get them crowded.
Small radishes mature in 3-4 weeks, while larger radishes take around 8-10 weeks. This annual vegetable grows about 2-3 feet tall when mature. They need to be placed in a sunny place with partial shade to grow well. Sow the radish seeds ¼ to ½ inches in depth and put them 2 inches apart. For growing radishes in pots, you need lots of water with 4 inches of soil depth to make them grow immediately.
What vegetables should I start indoors?
The vegetables that easily thrive and start in your home easily include lettuce, Broccoli, Tomatoes, Peppers, Cabbage, Winter Squash, Onions, Peas, and much more. These vegetables can be quickly grown, and you can surely start them indoors.
Here is a great video that may help you:
Which vegetables can grow without sunlight?
With several vegetables like peppers, tomatoes, and more that love soaking in the sunshine, several others can grow without natural light or as little as 3-6 hours of daylight each day. Root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and beets grow in partial shade, while leafy salad greens, like, spinach and chard, grow well without daylight.
Vegetables like arugula, Swiss chard, kale, lettuce, spinach, and root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, radish, beet, cabbage, cauliflower, and many more can grow without sunlight.
What vegetables grow the fastest?
The fastest-growing vegetables indoors include salad greens like radishes, green onions, lettuce, baby carrots, spinach, peas, bush beans, kale, turnips, squash, cucumber, leafy greens, and much more. Not all veggies take spring to fall to mature.
Conclusion
There you have it. Now you know how growing vegetables indoors work. I hope this guide helps you understand what are the easiest vegetables you can grow. We tried our best to offer you all the details regarding the best vegetables. Getting started with your indoor garden doesn’t require a green thumb.
