Time spent in a garden is a metaphor for life; the objective is not to “prove” yourself, but rather to “improve” yourself and the quality of your environment.

A garden by definition is a space—a plot, a pot, a place—where plants are cultivated. This can be just about anywhere and size doesn’t matter; it’s the cultivation part that is important. It’s projected that in the coming years the number of city dwellers worldwide will increase from 54 to 66 percent. Older generations like the convenience of walking distance and younger generations like the opportunities for experience and lifestyle. This move will change how we love our gardens and how we use plant material in small spaces. It has also produced a resurgence of indoor foliage plants for “breathing” rooms.

“Cultivate” is a verb, so let’s get growing! Move beyond the fear of failure in the garden and get your hands in the dirt. Consider planters, window boxes or windowsill gardens as a starting point. What you plant and what you do is not permanent. Your garden won’t change as often as your clothes, but should change more often than the batteries in a smoke detector.

Succulents, herbs and foliage tropical plants are the perfect plants to kick off your mini oasis.

Air quality plants like foliage houseplants, sustainable water misers like succulents or blooming mood lifters like an orchid or a Kalanchoe. Planning a growing space for spring begins in February. Start with small spaces, places and pots. Succulents, herbs and foliage tropical plants are the perfect plants to kick off your mini oasis.

Get over your fear of failure in the garden. People fail every day so fail early and fail often.

Your attempt at horticulture doesn’t need to be either perfect or a work of art. You’re not trying to recreate the hanging gardens of Babylon here.

A good container with room to grow, quality potting mix, light and a determination not to drown your plant with kindness will get you a long way to a garden you will love.

Practice your cultivation and plant nurturing skills now so come the frost-free days of spring, you’ll ready to plant a garden of blooming and edible delights. Indoor plants can move outside with you when the frost is finished in May,  so you can continue to cultivate your relationship with them and add new friends (in this case “fronds”).

Here is a list of recommended plant friends for right now; once we get through the winter months, it will be the big leagues, and you’ll have the chance to expand your affiliations and alliances to create a garden you will love.

Birdsnest Fern Sanseveria Primula Phalaenopsis Moth Orchids Tillandsias Echeveria and Haworthia Succulents Philodendron Citrus Pothos Jade Plant Baby Tears Soleirolia Kalanchoe Herbs Pachira Aquatic African Violets Bromeliad Anthurium Hypoestes Polka Dot plant Cactus Amaryllis Ivy Peperomia Pony Tail Palm ZZ Plant

Rick Vuyst is CEO of Flowerland, host of the Flowerland Show on NewsRadio WOOD 1300 and 106.9 FM as well as Mr. Green Thumb on WZZM TV 13.