From lack of natural light to cramped quarters, small living spaces might not seem like the ideal place for growing plants. But if you happen to live in a small apartment and love plants, don’t despair — as it turns out, you can still have your cake and eat it, too.
Living in a small apartment and being an avid gardener don’t have to be mutually exclusive! There are actually a ton of plant species that are perfectly suited for surviving (or even thriving) in less-than-ideal conditions.
For more houseplant ideas, I’ve also compiled a list of 9 houseplants that are almost impossible to kill!
Bromeliads
If you’re hoping to add a little extra color to your apartment, bromeliads might make a good choice. These indoor plants produce brightly colored blooms — they come in reds, purples, oranges, and yellows. Blooms can last for a few months, too, giving you plenty of exotic, tropical vibes to enjoy.
Their unusual appearance might give the impression that they are high maintenance or that they require special care. In reality, bromeliads are adaptable and can tolerate a variety of indoor environments.
Christmas/Thanksgiving/Easter Cactus
If you want something that will spill over the side of a pot for visual interest, a “holiday” cactus is an excellent choice. You will likely find the Thanksgiving cactus, as these are most readily available. However, there are also Christmas and Easter varieties, as well.
All three of these unique plants feature long segmented “vines” that will drape over the container. Under the right conditions, they will develop blooms at the end. A Thanksgiving cactus has segments with pointed edges, a Christmas cactus has more rounded edges, and the Easter cactus looks almost scalloped. The names are indications of when each of them is supposed to bloom.
Dragon Tree
Want something with a flair for the dramatic but that also won’t take up a ton of space? The dragon tree can take you to new heights. The skinny trunk and long, thin leaves definitely make an eye-catching statement. But it’s also narrow and relatively compact, meaning it won’t take up too much space in a small apartment.
It’s tolerant to a wide range of temperatures, and it’s pretty drought-tolerant. And while the dragon dree does best with bright, indirect light, they can tolerate a variety of light conditions, too.
African Violets
These compact, low-growing plants are one of the world’s most popular houseplants. Sure, they have a reputation for being difficult, but under the right conditions, they will thrive. In all honesty, a grow light will serve you best with these beauties. My mom kept African violets under a fluorescent light in the kitchen, and they grew to massive proportions!
African violets like high humidity and moist soil; just keep water off the leaves to prevent damage. Temperature-wise, they love a comfortable 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which should be very doable indoors.
Golden Pothos
I can’t say enough good things about Pothos. These are arguably one of the easiest houseplants to grow, even if you sometimes forget about your plants. They have heart-shaped green leaves, and this variety is splattered with bright yellow variegation, so they’ll bring plenty of color to your home.
They’re relatively adaptable, too. While they prefer bright, indirect light, they can tolerate medium to low light, and any humidity level will do. Plus, they’re extremely easy to propagate, so if they start to trail out of the pot farther than you’d like, just snip off the longer vines and propagate the cuttings in some water!
