No matter the size of your apartment, there are easy ways you can refresh it and give it new life. The most popular way to do this is with apartment plants. Apartment plants are ones that thrive in smaller indoor spaces. Whether you have a green thumb or are a beginner botanist, we have a guide to help you choose a houseplant that is best for your space.
Depending on your needs, we discuss apartment plants that are hard to kill, variations that help with air purification and houseplants that will serve as natural air fresheners. Read through to find which houseplant is best for your apartment.
You may be wondering what makes a plant ideal for placing in your apartment. There are a few traits that these plants possess that make them great houseplants.
Most apartment plants are low-maintenance. This is great for those who live a busy lifestyle and tend to be in and out of their apartment often. These plants don’t require much watering or fertilization.
Since apartment plants are usually housed indoors, they shouldn’t be messy. If they lose leaves often or have crumbling bark, you’ll find yourself constantly having to clean up after them.
Apartments are usually on the smaller side so you’ll need a plant that fits in the space. These apartment houseplants are small enough to fit in the nooks and crannies of your home.
Plants can get pricey. To be sure you are getting what you paid for, you’ll want to choose a long-lasting plant that you can use as decor for years. These apartment plants are tough and durable, all they need is a little love and care.
If you’re a beginner and aren’t sure where to start, we have a few suggestions for plants that are survivors. These plants are easy to grow and can thrive regardless of irregular watering, poor lighting and changing temperatures.
They’re perfect for small spaces like home offices or dorm rooms. These are hardy plants you'd have to try really hard to kill.
One of the best plants for a busy person, pothos are the perfect addition to any room. They are also commonly referred to as Devil’s ivy. Well-known for its air purification properties, this plant can help rid a home of toxins that can form in carpets and rugs.
Pothos is a very hearty plant, needing watering about once a week. It thrives in almost any light but prefers bright, non-direct rays. A form of the pothos plant is the pothos vine, which can be easily rooted in a small glass of water. However, it grows best in larger pots or trailing baskets. It needs minimal care, and the vine will grow aggressively.
This self-propagating, air-cleaner grows in low-to-bright, indirect light. It's another great option for first-time plant parents, requiring minimal care. Water them often, but don't let them get too soggy. It's OK if the soil dries out between waterings. This plant is good for a beginner because it'll start to noticeably droop when it needs water.
Battling toxins like carbon monoxide, spider plants are most likely happiest in the bedroom. They're also non-toxic to animals, so a great plant for pet owners.
Not only is aloe vera a healing plant, but it also filters out chemicals found in varnishes, floor finishes and detergents from the air. This plant will soothe burns or other skin irritations as it purifies the air and is a great kitchen plant.
It likes bright, indirect sunlight and moderate temperatures, not getting warmer than around 80 degrees. Minimal care is necessary, and aloes only need watering about every three weeks.
Not only does this pointy-tipped plant filter the air, but it also releases oxygen at night. This helps you get a better night's sleep and makes this particular plant a perfect decoration for your bedroom or a guest room.
It's a great first plant, as well. It can survive with little light and water. In fact, it only needs watering about once a month during the dry winter months. It's so easy to care for that you may forget about it, so make sure you set a watering reminder so you don't neglect it completely.
This African plant is drought tolerant and is unphased by neglect, making it perfect for first-time plant owners. Just plant it in well-drained potting soil and situate the pot in indirect sunlight and watch your ZZ plant grow.
The one major downfall of this houseplant is that it’s considered poisonous. Keep it out of reach of any pets or babies that might try to eat the leaves.
The prayer plant is most widely known for its beautiful red striped pattern. This unique design makes it a common choice for home decor.
The prayer plant should receive indirect sunlight and be watered frequently. It grows best in more humid, moist environments. If you don’t have much humidity in your home, try putting this apartment plant in your bathroom.
The cast iron plant, also known as the bar room plant, is an indoor houseplant that does best in full shade. This plant is known for being durable and will survive despite neglect. This plant is perfect for filling a dark corner of your home.
The cast iron plant can grow in temperatures between 45 degrees Fahrenheit and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and only needs a light watering. Be sure to let the soil dry in between watering because this plant is prone to root rot if watered too often.
Another variety of apartment plant that’s extremely hard to kill are succulents. There are 40 different varieties of succulent, each one unique in appearance. They feature a variety of leaf shapes and can come in hues of green, purple, blue and red.
Succulents are a popular choice of houseplant because they tend to be small, don’t need much water and have very unique textures. You can place them on a coffee table or hang them in the kitchen and you’ll have living decor for years to come.
Cacti are a variety of succulents that come in a wide variety. Normally found in desert locations like Arizona, they thrive in dry, hot climates and require little watering.
While you may picture a cactus as a large plant situated in desert terrain, there are plenty of smaller varieties that can be indoor apartment plants. From the vibrant pink flowers of the chin cactus to the soft yellow bloom on the queen of the night cactus, these cacti can add pops of color to your space.
The African violet plant adds a touch of color to any room. It survives and thrives in room temperature, and it fits perfectly on a side table, as a centerpiece of your coffee table or on a counter. Watering it once a week will be beneficial.
If you want to add a tropical vibe to your apartment, the zebra plant is your answer. This unique tropical plant originated in Brazil and is easily recognized by its white striped leaves and yellow bloom.
The zebra plant grows best under bright filtered light rather than direct sunlight. It should be watered every few days and prefers warmer temperatures. Keeping this plant warm and moist will encourage it to grow to be a centerpiece in your home.
Research done by NASA shows that certain houseplants are able to filter out low levels of many dangerous contaminants often found in household air. This makes it safer to breathe and helps residents stay in good health.
There are many plants that work to keep the air around them clear. In order to get the best effects from these plants, Amanda Garrity from Good Housekeeping recommends at least two plants per every 100 square feet.
Not sure which plants to buy? Here are some of the best apartment plants you should consider.
This is a great plant for living rooms, serving as a bright spot of color while removing harmful elements like benzene and formaldehyde from the air. It thrives in indirect light and prefers moist soil.
To prevent overwatering, let the soil dry out between waterings. If any water ends up in the drainage tray of the pot, dump it out to prevent the plant from sitting in standing water.
While you may not think of putting a plant in your bathroom, broadleaf lady palms actually help reduce levels of ammonia, which is in many bathroom cleaning products. They also love humidity, which they can get in your bathroom.
While they're slow growers, they can reach 14 feet in height, so make sure you prune them often. They're also a little expensive when purchased as a fully-grown plant, so it's best to buy the seeds and start the growing process from scratch.
This ficus tree is a popular houseplant but can be a little more difficult to take care of. This small tree can is often used to fill up a large space in the home to create a garden-like atmosphere. The ficus tree has been effective in cleansing airborne toxins such as formaldehyde found in most building materials and toluene the smell associated with paint thinners.
The ficus free thrives in bright but indirect sunlight. It can’t survive in an environment that drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, so it is best for warmer locations. Keep in mind, if it’s put in direct sunlight, the leaves can burn.
Another good bathroom plant, English ivy helps reduce airborne fecal particles. It can also help combat mold. A vining plant, it looks great in a hanging basket and you can prune it into any shape.
Another versatile apartment plant, English ivy can grow in full shade or full sun, and anywhere between. Not a fan of wet soil, it prefers humidity and cooler temperatures.
This colorful air purifier gets a bright red trim on its leaves. Growing up to eight feet, this plant does best in an apartment with high ceilings. If you live in a warm area with mild winters, the dragon tree is happy outside, as well as indoors.
If you have a balcony or patio, let it spend some of its time getting fresh air. Preferring a mixture of sun and shade, this plant does best in bright, but indirect light with watering only after the top layer of soil dries out.
Yet another good bathroom plant, the Chinese evergreen likes humid conditions. It does fine in any room, but if you have it in a drier space, occasionally mist the leaves to prevent browning.
While this plant improves air quality by cleaning out chemicals emitted by detergents and certain cosmetics, it can be a toxic plant for pets.
This easy-to-grow fern thrives in bright, direct sunlight in mild temperatures. It filters out common toxins found indoors and is a great plant for the living room.
With a big, bushy appearance, it provides a decorative addition to your apartment. Water regularly to prevent the soil from drying out and make sure to mist the fronds often, especially when it's dry in the winter.
One of the more popular houseplants, the peace lily is easy to grow and thrives in lower lighted areas. It is a pollution fighter and an air purifier. It helps in removing benzene and formaldehyde that is present in your house. There is little maintenance required to keep this plant healthy; just remember to heavily water it and keep it out of direct sunlight.
Fig trees can help reduce formaldehyde, which is everywhere thanks to plastic items, pressed wood furniture and carpeting. One of the most common varieties of fig trees found in homes are the fiddle leaf fig trees.
To keep your fig tree alive and thriving, keep it out of direct sunlight and cold drafts. Mist its leaves and remember to water it. For the best results, repot the tree every other year.
This houseplant acts as a natural humidifier. It grows best in filtered sunlight and humid conditions. The fern releases moisture into the air, which removes air pollutants and provides clean air inside your home.
Keeping the air clean is one way certain indoor plants can help make your living space more pleasant. Others can take it a step further and freshen the air with their aromatic scents.
If you're looking to improve the smells in your apartment without the help of candles or chemical air fresheners, consider these options.
Lavender, mint, thyme or oregano are all great herbs to place on a windowsill in your kitchen. Their pleasant smells may make you hungry, but you'll never be without these popular cooking ingredients if you grow them yourself.
While you may think of citrus trees being outside in a yard, there are a few varieties you can grow in your home. Meyer lemon or Trovita orange plants stay small enough to grow indoors and both give off great scents. They like lots of light and appreciate outdoor time in the summer. Give them at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to get fruit. Artificial light will work, as well.
There are a variety of benefits to opening your home to a houseplant or two. Not only are these plants simple to care for and good for your health, but they're also inexpensive decor and easy to find at your local nursery. Whether you're a first-time plant owner or someone with a lifestyle too busy to provide daily plant care, there's a plant on this list that you can add to your new apartment.