Living in a small apartment doesn’t mean you have to give up growing plants. You can add plenty of greenery to your home even if you don’t have a balcony, patio, or large windowsill. The key is to choose plants that fit your available space and light conditions. Here are some of the best plants for small apartments and a few tips for growing them successfully.
Herbs
Herbs are a great choice for small apartments because many of them grow well in small pots. Basil, mint, chives, parsley, and cilantro can all be grown on a windowsill or kitchen counter. They’re forgiving, they’re useful in actual cooking, and most of them bounce back quickly if you forget to water them once or twice.
Place your herb pots near a sunny window where they can receive several hours of light each day. If natural light is limited, a small grow light can provide the extra light they need. Aim for at least five to six hours of light, and rotate your pots every few days so the plants don’t lean permanently toward the window.
Lettuce
Lettuce doesn’t need much vertical space or a deep container, making it suitable for small indoor gardens. Leaf lettuce is especially convenient because you can harvest the outer leaves while the plant continues growing, a cut-and-come-again approach that keeps producing for weeks.
Use a shallow container with drainage holes and place it near a bright window. Keep the soil evenly moist without leaving the roots sitting in water. Lettuce prefers cooler temperatures, so if your apartment runs warm, keep it away from radiators and heating vents.
Green Onions
Green onions are another easy option when space is limited. They have shallow roots and can grow in small containers on a windowsill or countertop. They’re one of the few plants that tolerate being regrown repeatedly from the same root end, though production slows after a few cycles.
You can grow them from seeds or regrow them from the white root ends of store-bought green onions. To regrow them, save the bottom inch of the onion, place it root-side down in a small glass of water or a pot of soil, and keep it in bright light.
Microgreens
If you want fresh greens but have very little room, microgreens are worth considering. They can be grown in shallow trays and are usually ready to harvest within a few weeks, sometimes as little as 10-14 days. Radish, broccoli, pea, and mustard microgreens are popular choices.
Fill a shallow tray with an inch or two of potting mix, scatter seeds densely across the surface, cover lightly with soil, and mist with water. Keep the tray in bright light and mist daily, then harvest with scissors when the first true leaves appear.
Strawberries
Strawberries can also work in small apartments when grown in containers. Compact varieties, sometimes labeled alpine or everbearing, can be placed on a sunny windowsill or in hanging planters. They’re more demanding than herbs, but they’re one of the few fruits that genuinely work in a small indoor setup.
Choose a container with good drainage and give the plants plenty of sunlight, at least six hours a day. If you grow them indoors, hand-pollination may be needed to help the flowers produce fruit, and a small paintbrush or cotton swab works fine; gently brush the center of each flower to move pollen.
Dwarf Tomatoes
Tomatoes usually need more space than herbs or leafy greens, but compact and dwarf varieties can still work in apartments. Look for varieties bred for containers, with names like Tiny Tim, Patio, or Micro Tom, and choose a pot large enough to support the plant and its roots. Dwarf tomatoes still need support, so a small stake or cage keeps them upright.
Tomatoes need at least six to eight hours of strong light to set fruit. Place the container near a sunny window or balcony. If there isn’t enough natural light, a grow light can supplement it. They need consistent watering because irregular watering causes blossom-end rot. Hand-pollination may be necessary indoors
Supplementing Artificial Light Sources
Not every apartment gets enough sunlight for plants to grow well. If your windows face a shaded area, an artificial light source can help provide the light your plants need. LED grow lights are a practical choice for small apartments because they come in compact sizes and can be placed above shelves, countertops, or other growing areas.
If you’re looking for plant grow lights for your apartment garden, consider Mars Hydro, an indoor gardening tool brand that has specialized in LED grow lights for 17 years. The Mars Hydro 17th Anniversary celebration is a great time to find deals on the equipment you need.
Conclusion
Small apartments can support more plants than you might expect. Herbs, lettuce, green onions, microgreens, strawberries, and dwarf tomatoes are all practical choices when space is limited. Start with a few plants that match your available light and space, then expand your indoor garden as you become more comfortable caring for them.
