Growing Trees and Shrubs Indoors: Breathe New Life into Your Home with Large Plants

by D.J. Herda

Overview

“Distills a lifetime of plant experience into easy-to-follow instruction, giving an amateur like me the confidence to green my home for health.” —Paula Baker-LaPorte, coauthor of Prescriptions for a Healthy House

Some of the most polluted places on earth are where we spend 90% of our time: inside our homes. Science is continually uncovering more effective ways of improving the quality of our environment, and plants—specifically indoor trees and shrubs—are at the top of this list.

Growing trees and shrubs indoors might seem like a monumental challenge, but it’s no different than growing any plants indoors. Written by master gardener DJ Herda, Growing Trees and Shrubs Indoors is a definitive guide on what makes these plants special and all the tips and tricks you need to help them survive and flourish in an indoor environment. It covers how they:

• Rid your environment of airborne pollutants
• Beautify your home
• Help you to live a longer, healthier, happier life.

An explosive introduction into the wellness scene, Growing Trees and Shrubs Indoors is for those with a keen interest in gardening, health, and science, offering an entirely new way of promoting human wellness—by creating beautiful, enjoyable surroundings.

“A fascinating, encyclopedic compendium dealing with the nature and care of trees and shrubs.” —Arnold M. Ludwig, author of King of the Mountain

“Covers everything from watering needs and light requirements to propagation to keeping costs down, all in an effort to help you create a verdant home that has the health benefits of being outside.” —Deanna Duke, author of The Non-Toxic Avenger

“Clearly written and beautifully illustrated. It’s a real eye-opener!” —Phillip Adcock, author of Master Your Brain

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780865719125
Publisher:	New Society Publishers
Publication date:	10/15/2019
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	16 Years

About the Author

DJ Herda is an accomplished professional author, award-winning creative writer, photojournalist, videographer, editor, painter, sculptor, public speaker, and college-level instructor. He has been an indoor and outdoor gardener for more than 50 years, is a syndicated newspaper and magazine garden writer and columnist, and a test grower for Rodale Farms, Jackson & Perkins, and others. During its decade-long run, DJ's Chicago Tribune column, "In Focus," appeared in more than 1,100 newspapers with a combined circulation of nearly 20 million readers. DJ has had over 80 books published and is also a professional mentor and workshop instructor. DJ presently lives and works in the Rocky Mountains of the southwestern United States. www.djherda.org

Table of Contents

Preface
1. Why Trees and Shrubs?
2. Greening Up for Health
3. Greening Up for Home
4. Greening Up for Work
5. Bringing the Outdoors In
6. Soil: Preparing for Action
7. Planting Your Indoor Trees and Shrubs
8. Light, Water, and Humidity
9. Food for Thought
10. Bugging Out!
11. Propagating Your Indoor Plants
12. Special Needs for Fruiting Plants
13. Companion Planting for Health
14. Pruning and Heading Back
15. Tools of the Trade
16. Recommended Trees and Shrubs

Endnotes
Index
About the Author
A Note about the Publisher

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"D. J. Herda brings all his talents as a writer and his personal experiences as a gardener to bear in this fascinating, encyclopedic compendium dealing with the nature and care of trees and shrubs. It would not surprise me to learn that many readers of this book might later choose to turn the interiors of their once barren homes into lush forests and woodlands. My guess is that any lover of nature would enjoy owning this book."
— Arnold M. Ludwig, author, The Price of Greatness and King of the Mountain: The Nature of Political Leadership

"This is a great read! If, like me, you think plants are just decorations, think again. D.J. explains that they are much, much more than that. Just reading the preface transformed my understanding of, and respect for, indoor plants. As a behavioural psychologist, I am well aware of the benefits plants can have on our minds, but I was less aware of the impact they have on our health. In summary, this book is an enlightening journey through the world of indoor plants. Clearly written and beautifully illustrated. Even if you don't have any interest in indoor plants you should definitely read Growing Trees and Shrubs Indoors. It's a real eye-opener."
— Phillip Adcock, commercial psychologist, and author, Master Your Brain

"D.J. Herda's book is a comprehensive view into not only how to grow trees and shrubs in your home or office, but also why. Sure, many of us know the health advantages of having indoor plants — air purification, better productivity, and an increase in overall mood — yet we generally don't look beyond buying the basic houseplants. D.J. explains the benefits of going big and then tells us how to do it, from what kinds of trees to buy to how to take care of them. He covers everything from watering needs and light requirements to propagation to keep costs down, all in an effort to help you create a verdant home that has the health benefits of being outside."
— Deanna Duke, author, The Non-Toxic Avenger: What You Don't Know Can't Hurt You

"When I was young (I am 72 years old now) I tried growing a couple of dwarf shrubs inside my apartment. It only took a couple of weeks before the leaves turned yellow, and eventually the plant died. If I only knew then what I have learned from D. J. Herda's new book, I would have been called "Dr. Green Thumb" instead of "Dr. Death". And who would have thought that these trees and shrubs could improve my health as well as the health of my home environment? Well-written, entertaining, and loaded with useful information."
— Dr. Al Danenberg, periodontist, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, Certified Primal Health Coach

"This book explains which plants are the most beneficial for a healthy indoor environment and how to use these natural "air purifiers" so that they are attractive and thriving contributors to any household. The author distills a lifetime of plant experience into easy-to-follow instruction on how to select, combine, shape, and maintain indoor trees and shrubs, giving an amateur like me the confidence to green my home for health. The annotated list, complete with photos, is especially helpful to those of us who can't remember plant names and don't speak Latin."
— Paula Baker-LaPorte, FAIA, BBNC, and co-author, Prescriptions for a Healthy House