Apartment-Friendly Plants
When it comes to the best apartment plants, the possibilities are endless. Whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist, finding the perfect balance of form and function can be a challenge on a budget. Luckily, we have some ideas that don’t need to cost an arm and a leg.
Indoor Gardens for Apartments
Apartment friendly plants have seen a resurgence in popularity and can reduce stress, clarify the air, and cut down on background noise. The best apartment plants are those that fit your level of experience and ability. For the aesthetically oriented, orchids and cacti are easy to care for and can provide splashes of color in a space of any size. For shaded nooks and crannies, the peace lily thrives in low-light areas, and, in fact, is easily damaged by direct sunlight. However, most flowers bloom seasonally and won’t always be available to brighten up your apartment. Should you wish to avoid this, fully vegetative options like philodendrons and fiddle leaf figs are decorative year-round. For those with less of a green thumb, succulents, snake plants, and money trees will thrive on their own with a bit of light and bimonthly watering.
Apartment Herb and Vegetable Gardens
Decorative plants, of course, are not your only option. Those with a love of cooking and limited time for the farmers market might consider pursuing an apartment herb garden to fill the home with natural fragrance, or experiment with an heirloom vegetable garden. Mushrooms and microgreens spring up in a matter of days and can be harvested after one to two weeks, while spinach and garlic greens require a month or two of commitment, depending on the stage at which you intend to eat them. Soil is not the only option for growing vegetables indoors either— DIY hydroponic setups, though they require a bit of preliminary research and preparation, can reduce the effort and cost of your apartment vegetable garden in the long run and sustain plants for weeks without you having to lift a finger.
Balcony Garden Ideas
Southern-facing balconies and window sills are wonderful places for any compact garden harboring hardier outdoor plants suited to the local environment. Though a wide range of plants may fulfill environmental requirements of your small balcony garden, a focus on locally propagated native plants will minimize the spread of disease and invasive species to the surrounding environment. Native plants also require the least upkeep, as their natural adaptations will leave them happy and healthy outdoors. Add balcony furniture such as a small table, chair, and optional umbrella to create a secret garden perfect for reading or working from home.
While your apartment-friendly plant choices can range from the eclectic to the austere, the most important thing is to base your selections on the amount of effort you are willing to commit to their upkeep. With enough love and the right care, your leafy friends can last a lifetime. Experiment with your space until you find what’s right for you, and be open to making changes down the line. Above all, let your imagination guide the way and your plants will shine!
