By now, it's common knowledge that incorporating nature, such as plants, into our homes is highly beneficial. Numerous articles have explored this topic in depth, including one that I authored, and you can read here. Surrounding ourselves with plants has the potential to enhance productivity, creativity, reduce stress levels, and improve our sleep quality, as well as the air quality of our homes. Consequently, it's no wonder that indoor gardening has become a popular trend in urban areas.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Houseplants for Small Spaces
In addition to the size of your space, it's equally crucial to consider the lighting conditions when picking plants that will thrive in your home. Why should you care about the plants' needs? Well, plants are living beings just like us, complete with senses and memories. You wouldn't want to upset your furry friends, so why not extend the same courtesy to your leafy companions? Let's aim to create an environment that keeps our plants happy and satisfied!
It's essential to reflect on your lifestyle and schedule honestly to determine the level of care you can realistically provide for your plants. Don't worry; it's perfectly okay to acknowledge that you can only handle low-maintenance plants. In fact, most people fall into this category. The plant suggestions we'll explore in this article will mostly fall under this umbrella, as smaller plants are generally more resilient than their larger counterparts. So, let's focus on the forgiving and easy-going plants that will bring joy and life to your compact home without demanding too much of your time and energy.
Top 10 Houseplants for Small Spaces
Below we will be looking at a few examples of houseplants that work well in small apartment spaces. Most of these plants are easy to care for plants, assuming that most small apartments also do not have a sufficient amount of natural light that is needed by most plants in order to thrive. However, don’t let this list deter you from experimenting with plants that you find appealing.
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Not only is the snake plant one of the easiest plants to care for, it’s also one of those plants that clean the air from toxins. The snake plant has a knack for thriving in low-light areas with minimal watering.
Its tall, vertical growth habit also makes it an excellent choice for smaller spaces. Plus, incorporating the snake plant into your plant collection adds some height variation, adding interest and dimension to your indoor jungle.
2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos reigns as the ultimate plant choice for your compact living space. With their low-maintenance nature, you can effortlessly care for them by simply keeping their soil moist, and they're not picky about light, thriving even in dimly lit settings.
Pothos is the perfect choice for small spaces because of its trailing nature - simply hang it in a basket and save valuable floor space. And if your Pothos starts to grow too much, don't worry! You can train it to climb up a wall using vine stickers, creating a stunning and unique living artwork.
3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ plant is one of those plants that do exceptionally well in even the darkest of spaces. This means that they also don’t mind drying out quite a bit inbetween waterings, which makes it a great plant for people with very busy schedules.
The ZZ plant is a true gem for small space gardeners due to its incredibly slow growth rate. It can take years and years for this plant to outgrow its container, making it the perfect choice for those with limited space who want a long-term, low-maintenance plant companion.
4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
Peace lilies are very popular in the plant community for a variety of reasons: They have air-purifying properties, they are easy to care for, requiring only medium light, and moist soil. They are also very attractive-looking plants, with their white blooms, which are quite rare in evergreen plants.
Because of its great adaptation to darker environments, the peace lily is considered a compact plant that does not at all need a lot of space to grow and flourish, which makes it the perfect plant for a small apartment space. Peace lilies work well when placed on a shelf, a desk, or on a plant stand in that corner where it just feels like something is missing.
5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
This plant is a great choice for tiny living spaces because of its flexibility to a variety of lighting situations and interior surroundings. Additionally, its air-purifying capabilities can contribute to the creation of a more clean and rejuvenating environment for your apartment.
The spider plant is a wonderful option for tiny spaces because of its compact size in addition to being aesthetically attractive with its full and rich appearance. It is ideal for adding a dash of greenery to your tabletops or shelves without consuming an excessive amount of important space.
A spider plant is a great choice for plant enthusiasts who want to expand their green family since it allows you to enjoy its aesthetic beauty as well as the chance to reproduce and multiply your collection in your compact space.
6. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
For those who want to easily add some natural beauty to their tiny space, lucky bamboo is a fantastic plant. It grows well in a clean, water-filled container and requires very little upkeep. It can fit comfortably on a shelf, tabletop, or random nooks and crannies thanks to its slim and graceful stems, which make it a fantastic choice for even the smallest areas.
The fact that lucky bamboo is seen in many cultures as a sign of success and prosperity is one of its distinctive qualities. It is a meaningful and lovely addition to any tiny space because it is thought to offer good fortune and positive energy to those who keep it in their homes or places of business.
7. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
For individuals who live in small apartments with bright, light-filled rooms, English ivy is an ideal plant addition. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light, so it's ideal for any windowsill or sunroom. It's also fairly low-maintenance, requiring only occasional watering and leaving the soil to dry out between waterings.
English ivy is notable for its trailing tendency, which makes it great for hanging baskets. This not only gives a natural touch to your room, but also frees up valuable floor space in your compact flat. English ivy is also known for its air-purifying properties, making it an excellent choice for people looking to improve the air quality in their homes.
8. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Ficus elastica, popularly known as the rubber plant, is a popular indoor plant that needs bright, indirect light and consistently moist soil. It can withstand some direct sunshine and can reach a height of six feet, but it can also be trimmed to fit into smaller spaces. To maintain the humidity requirements of the rubber plant, it's vital to let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again and to mist the plant's leaves on a regular basis.
Pruning on a regular basis can encourage bushier growth and maintain the plant appearing nice and tidy. The rubber plant, with proper care, may thrive and provide a touch of greenery to any tiny indoor environment.
9. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
For several reasons, the aloe vera plant is ideal for compact places. To begin with, it has a compact growth habit and normally only grows to be 30 - 60cm tall, making it ideal for small settings such as apartments, dorm rooms, or small offices. It also requires little care, which is ideal for those who don't have a lot of time or expertise in caring for plants.
Aloe vera is a succulent plant, which means it can store water in its leaves and does not need to be watered frequently. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals who may forget to water their plants on a regular basis. Aloe vera enjoys bright, indirect light but may tolerate some direct sunlight, making it useful in a variety of interior settings.
10. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
For several reasons, the string of pearls plant is an excellent choice for compact areas. For starters, its long, trailing stalks are decorated with little, spherical leaves that resemble pearls. This makes it an excellent ornamental choice for compact places such as apartments, offices, or dorm rooms.
Second, the string of pearls plant is a succulent, which means it stores water in its leaves and does not need to be watered frequently. As a result, it is a low-maintenance plant that is ideal for those who do not have much time or experience caring for plants.
Furthermore, the string of pearls favors bright, indirect light but can endure some direct sunlight, making it adaptable to a variety of indoor conditions. It can be cultivated in a hanging basket or on a shelf, adding a touch of greenery without taking up too much room.
Tips for Displaying Houseplants in Small Spaces
- Make use of plant stands with multiple platforms to arrange your plants vertically.
- Use your curtain railing to hang plant baskets from.
- Floating shelves are your best friend! Install floating shelves wherever you have a blank wall in your small space to house your plant babies.
- Make proper use of your windowsills. Windowsills are the perfect platform to house your small plants while ensuring that they get the maximum amount of natural lighting throughout the day.
- Make use of sticks or trellises to keep your plants looking neat and tidy, while standing upright.
I hope that after reading this blog post, you now feel encouraged to adorn your small apartment with greenery from top to bottom. Not only will it make your space feel cozy and complete, but it will also contribute to greater air quality, which is no small feat. Regardless of which plants you end up choosing for your small space, remember to do the proper research beforehand to ensure that you can provide the appropriate amount of care that each of these plants deserve. They will thank you for it!
Happy growing!
