
FAQ About Indoor Plant Nitrogen Fixation

What is the relationship between legumes and nitrogen fixation?
Legumes have a unique relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as rhizobia, which enables them to fix atmospheric nitrogen. These plants develop nodules on their roots where the bacteria live, and in exchange for carbohydrates, the bacteria provide the plant with ammonia. While not all legumes are suitable for indoor environments, some smaller varieties can be grown as houseplants.