Best Houseplants for Your Apartment Home

Apartment living often entails limited space, but with the right selection of plants and lighting conditions, you can create a lush, air-purifying environment that adds accents of color and enhances the ambiance of your home. Here are some of the best indoor houseplants that are easy to care for and thrive in small, apartment spaces. 

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

The Snake plant, also known as “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue”, is a hardy plant that can handle low light conditions and is easy to take care of. These sleek and stylish plants also possess air-purifying benefits. They remove toxins, such as formaldehyde and benzene, from the air and naturally repel pests, such as mosquitos.  

Care Tips for Snake Plants:  

• Light: Low to bright indirect light  

• Water: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings  

• Soil: Well-draining potting mix  

• Pruning: Remove dead leaves at the base 

2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos are highly versatile and low-maintenance plants. Their trailing vines are a beautiful accent for any apartment. Pothos can flourish in various light conditions, from low light to bright, indirect light. These aesthetically pleasing plants also provide air-purifying properties. They can remove toxins from the air such as formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and toluene. 

Care Tips for Pothos:  

• Light: Low to bright, indirect light  

• Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry  

• Soil: Regular potting mix with good drainage 

• Pruning: To promote bushier growth, trim back the vines  

3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The ZZ plant, known for its dark and glossy leaves, does well in low-light conditions and requires low maintenance care. The ZZ plant can go weeks without watering, making it ideal for busy or new plant parents. 

Care Tips for ZZ Plants:  

• Light: Low to bright, indirect light  

• Water: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings  

• Soil: Well-draining potting mix  

• Pruning: Remove dying or yellowing leaves and prune stems if they grow too long.  

4. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plants are known for their arching leaves and ability to propagate easily. They flourish in bright, indirect light and remove indoor pollutants in the home very well.  

Care Tips For Spider Plants:  

• Light: Bright, indirect light  

• Water: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy  

• Soil: Well-draining potting mix  

• Pruning: Trim dead leaves. To promote vibrant growth, remove baby plantlets.   

5. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace Lillies thrive in low-light conditions and are known for their glossy leaves and beautiful white flowers. They are also great at purifying air of indoor pollutants, such as ammonia, formaldehyde, and benzene.  

Care Tips for Peace Lillies:  

• Light: Low to bright indirect light  

• Water: Keep the soil consistently moist  

• Soil: Well-draining potting mix  

• Pruning: Remove dead flowers and yellowing leaves  

6. Monstera Deliciosa

The Monstera, often referred to as the “Swiss Cheese Plant” or “Split-Lead Philodendron”, is known for its large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves that develop holes or splits as they mature. Native to the rainforests of Central America, this plant is admired by plant lovers for its lush and exotic look and adds a sense of character and dramatic flair to any room. It is relatively easy to take care of, making it popular for both new plant parents and plant enthusiasts. Additionally, the Monstera helps improve air quality by filtering out air toxins.  

  Care Tips for Monsterra: 

• Light: Enjoys indirect, bright light.  

• Water: When the top inch of soil becomes dry, add water. Be sure to provide enough drainage to avoid root rot.  

• Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix  

• Pruning: Remove lead leaves to prevent disease and promote growth.  

7. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

The Ficus elastica, commonly referred to as “The Rubber Plant”, is a popular household plant due to its large, shiny, rubber-like green leaves. Native to Southeast Asia, this plant is relatively easy to care for and has the potential to grow tall, making it a statement piece. It can thrive in a variety of conditions, but the best environment is bright, indirect light with well-drained soil. It can, however, tolerate lower levels of light within the home, making it a popular choice for home plant owners. Rubber plants also have air-purifying properties and remove air toxins, such as formaldehyde.  

Care Tips for Rubber Plants:  

• Light: Prefers indirect, bright light 

• Water: Water only when top inch of soil is dry  

• Soil: Well-draining potting soil  

• Pruning: Use clean, sharp pruning sheers and cut just above the leaf nodes. This will promote bushier growth. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves.  

8. Aloe Vera

The Aloe Vera plant is not only popular for its aesthetic appeal, but also provides medicinal benefits. This fleshy, thick-leaved plant stores water in its leaves and is easy to care for. The gel inside the Aloe Vera leaves can be used to treat minor burns and skin irritations.  

Care Tips for Aloe Veras:  

• Light: Needs indirect, bright light   

• Water: Thoroughly water, but infrequently. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings.    

• Soil: Well-draining potting soil  

• Pruning: Remove dead or damaged leaves.  

9. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Boston Ferns are popular indoor plants, known for their lush, green fonds and low maintenance care. These ferns do well in humid environments, such as bathrooms and kitchens. They add a touch of natural elegance to any space and look great in hanging baskets, pots, or directly on the ground or a surface. Boston Ferns are also excellent at removing pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene. They also increase humidity levels in the air, which can be helpful for both humans and pets, especially in dry climates or winter months.  

Care Tips for Boston Ferns:  

• Light: Prefers bright, indirect light  

• Water: Mist leaves regularly and keep the soil moist  

• Soil: Rich, well-draining potting mix  

• Pruning: Trim dead fronds on a regular basis  

10. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

The Jade Plant, also known as the “Lucky Plant” or “Money Plant” is a popular succulent with thick, water-storing, and fleshy leaves. It is popular due to its longevity and low maintenance. Jade plants require little watering and can withstand periods of drought, making them ideal for new gardeners or people with busy schedules. They also help purify the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. The Jade plant is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.  

Care Tips:  

• Light: Requires bright light 

• Water: Water only when soil is dry, as overwatering can cause the roots to rot.  

• Soil: Well-draining potting soil 

• Pruning: Remove dead and dying leaves to promote new growth and prevent disease.  

Conclusion  

If you want to bring a bit of nature into your apartment home, houseplants are a simple solution! Whether you are an experienced plant owner or a new plant parent, these ten plants are ideal for apartment living and require minimal care. Creating a lush, green space within your apartment is not only achievable but also rewarding. With the right education, plants, and a little care, you can create a thriving indoor garden in own home!  

Pro Tips for Success:  

• Understand Your Lighting: Survey the light conditions before selecting plants for your apartment home. Each plant has different needs, some do well in low light, while others thrive in bright, indirect light.  

• Don’t Overwater: Most houseplants prefer to dry out before watering. Overwatering is a common mistake among plant owners.  

• Potting and Drainage: To prevent your plant’s roots from rotting, use proper drainage. 

• Regular Maintenance: To maintain your plant’s health and vibrance, remove dust and dead leaves on a regular basis. 

• Start Small: It’s recommended to start with one or two plants when beginning an indoor garden. As you gain experience and confidence, you can gradually expand your collection of plant babies.