You don’t need a green thumb to become a successful apartment gardener at Main Street Village with this list of essential tips to help you care for your plants in the southern California weather.
Best Plants for Southern California
– Cacti and succulents thrive in Irvine’s southern California weather, perfect for Main Street Village. They need little care: water can be sparse and bright light doesn’t hurt them at all.
– A great tip is to hang Pothos around the apartment to clear floor space. Pothos can live under high or low light.
– The Snake Plant can go weeks without maintenance and requires very little light and water. Another apartment tip: this plant also detoxifies the air more than average greenery.
– ZZ Plants also like shade and only a small amount of water every few weeks.
Let There be Light
Windows facing north get less light, so that's where plants that enjoy shade go. Sun-hungry plants should be placed near south-facing windows, if possible .
Fresh Air
Plants naturally love the great outdoors: windowsills, window ledges and balconies all qualify. Consider using securable planters and/or window boxes. However, certain plants don't like too much wind.
Potting
For potted plants, use potting mixes instead of regular soil, which compacts in pots and kills roots. And don’t plant anything too heavy to move. Keeping larger plants near a water source helps. Spilling water or soil in an apartment is no fun. Learn more about how to properly space your plants from Better Homes & Gardens.
Eat at Home
Herbs and spices are some of the easiest plants to grow. Even vegetables can be yours: lettuce (great in shade) and tomatoes (find a hotter, dryer spot) grow well in apartments. Boston Magazine has a great guide to growing all you can eat in an apartment.
A new apartment at Main Street Village in Irvine, CA, is the perfect place to start your own Green Revolution, or just begin to experiment a little with mother earth and all the wonderful things nature can offer within your own home. Living at Main Street Village is the place to hone your green thumb in our one, two, and three bedroom apartments. Not ready to commit to a garden of your own? We have a zen garden for you to enjoy – check it out in our gallery here.