A message to all my small apartment besties: You are not alone. Many of us are square-footage challenged, always on the hunt for more storage that simply does not exist, and finding ourselves in super-cluttered situations in the blink of an eye. But that doesn’t mean we don’t deserve nice things, too!
If you have little room to work with, chances are you’ve probably avoided starting a massive collection of plants. I mean, that random corner is much better reserved for a bar cart, bookshelf, or something more functional, right? Ahem, WRONG! According to plant ecologist and botanist Tanisha M. Williams, PhD, there are dozens of benefits that come from having plants in your home, and there are plenty of low-maintenance options that’ll fit even the smallest of spaces.
“Plants bring a bit of nature into our homes,” says Dr. Williams, who recommends starting small and growing (no pun intended) your collection as time goes on. “They remind us we are connected to and a part of the environment around us,” she continues. “Our green friends also increase oxygen levels, can boost your mood, and add a bit of flare to your home decor.” Say less. I. Am. Sold!
To get you started on your plant parent journey, I’ve rounded up a list of small houseplants (with some advice from Dr. Williams, of course) that are relatively stress-free to care for in tight spots. Plop them on your shelf, nightstand, kitchen counter, toilet, or really anywhere else, and prepare to start reaping the benefits.
These aren’t your grandma’s pearls. This easy-to-care-for cutie is one of the most eye-catching plants I can think of (that’s probably why I bought two). Pop one in a hanging planter by a window, keep ‘er moist, and soon you’ll have an overflowing bouquet. (Is it bad that I think they look like delicious little peas and I always want to eat them?)
Can flower all year round when properly maintained.
Cons
Require lots of bright light to bloom.
So these pink and purple plants are often associated with royalty, and honestly, I get it. Just look at them! The vibrant flowers bloom in groups of five, and the thick green leaves are actually soft and fuzzy. Simply bottom water when the soil is dry and give it some indirect sun and you’ll stay blooming, baby.
Note: Bottom watering is when you place a plant (in a pot with drainage holes) in a bowl of water, allowing the soil and roots to absorb the water from the bottom up.
If you’re not obsessed with these leathery, zig-zagging leaves, I don’t think we can be friends. It may not look like a cactus, but this fast-growing plant is technically a cute lil cactus (sometimes called a Fishbone Cactus), and it hails from the rainforests of Mexico. In addition to being easy to grow, one of its best features is that it’s pet and kid-friendly through and through. I’ll take one for every room!
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These edible plants
Back to the Roots Kitchen Herb Garden - Basil, Mint, Cilantro
These edible plants
Back to the Roots Kitchen Herb Garden - Basil, Mint, Cilantro
The best things in life are edible, and these fast-growing herbs are no exception. This kit of popular kitchen herbs includes everything you need to grow basil, cilantro, and mint—three hearty plants you can keep on your windowsill and use to season your dishes (or, better yet, garnish your cocktails).
Very long bloom period, especially for a succulent.
Cons
Can be finicky when it comes to temperature. Stay between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growing.
Believe it or not, this blooming beauty is a succulent, and plant parents love it because it grows slow and steady all year round. (It actually takes two to five years to reach its mature size, so no need to worry about repotting!) Give it some bright, indirect sunlight and v little water, and you’ll have fresh flowers for years to come.
According to the practice of feng shui, bonsai trees bring good luck—and I have a good feeling about this mini guy. Make sure you trim it regularly, and it'll be growing for years to come.
Honestly...these are pretty much indestructible. (I would know.)
Cons
Overwatering can cause root rot (and smelly soil).
Fun fact: Snake plants may may help filter out certain chemicals from the air (like benzene and formaldehyde) by releasing oxygen into the air and improving the overall surrounding air quality. This means your apartment is about to become a hell of a lot fresher.
How's this for cool? The leaves of the peacock plant actually move up and down throughout the day, so it'll give you something else to stare at during the commercial breaks of your Real Housewives marathon.
If you want to buy a ton of plants but can only afford to spend money on one, make it a peperomia (all about the name too). They're versatile and easy to propagate—aka snipping off part of the plant to re-pot and turn it into TWO plants. Magic!
A tiny cactus has a big visual impact, adding color and texture to any space. Be sure it gets lots of light, and only water when soil is entirely dry, then water thoroughly at the base (not on top of the cactus, which can cause rot).
This unique houseplant prospers in bright light, but it does require regular watering to thrive. Pro tip: Keep your plant less than three feet from the window so it can really catch those sun rays.
Jade plants can live for a suuuper-long time—I’m talking more than a decade. They love bright, direct light, and only need to be watered every three to four weeks.
Considered to be symbols of luck, money trees are plants you'll want around for ~good vibes~. They're pretty low maintenance and pet-friendly, but be sure to rotate your plant frequently to promote growth.
Can grow white, burgundy-centered flowers in the summer.
Cons
Soggy soil can lead to root rot.
Hoya kerrii—or as they’re affectionately known, hoya heart plants—love bright, direct light and they only need to be watered every three to four weeks. Easy-peasy!
Looking for a conversation-starting plant? With its distinct tubular shape, this lil' succulent will steal the spotlight. It grows in all sorts of environments, either in a container or in the ground (if you ever have a real garden one day).
You can leave it if you go on a long weekend vacay.
Cons
Can't handle too much light or too much water.
Need something that tolerates dry apartment heat but is also tough enough to last if you don't water it constantly? Yeah, that means you should get a rubber plant.
A little cactus is pretty much the go-to, easy-to-care-for apartment plant. Just plop it in bright light and the pop of color will liven up any rental-white walls.
The flowers can stay in bloom for months at a time.
Cons
Too much sunlight can cause leaves to yellow.
Although the anthurium plant can grow to be about a foot tall, it can still easily fit on the edge of any desk or bookshelf, and it’s so dang pretty that it’s kind of like having fresh flowers in your apartment at all times.
Mekita Rivas is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle. She writes about everything from the best leather totes and books she can't put down to plants, podcasts, and politics. Prior to joining Cosmopolitan, she was a senior contributing fashion editor at PopSugar and Bustle. Her writing has been published in dozens of publications including The New York Times, Vogue, Harper's BAZAAR, Women's Health, Refinery29, and others. She currently splits her time between New York City and Washington, D.C. Follow Mekita on Instagram, where you'll typically find a mix of her snapshots from fashion week and various editor travels.
Sarah is the associate lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan where she covers food, home, health, career...basically all the things you love to love — follow her on Instagram.
Hannah Chubb is the associate lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things home, travel, food, health, career, and more. She spends pretty much every hour of every day curating the internet for the best new products, trends, and travel destinations. You can typically find her looking for houses she can’t afford on Zillow or Airbnb, planning her next meal before she gets to the restaurant, or taking all of the Justin Bieber classes over and over and over again on Peloton. Follow her on Instagram.