16 Best Indoor Plants for the Small Spaces with Names and Pictures
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If you are limited in space for your houseplants, these small indoor plants are perfect for the small spaces. Living in a small apartment, studio, or dorm does not mean you have to give up on indoor plants.
With the right space-saving indoor plants, you can enjoy greenery without cluttering your home. From compact plants to vertical and hanging plants, these options are perfect for tight spaces and busy lifestyles.
These small-sized houseplants can be grown on a table-top, on a plant shelf or stand, on a windowsill, in a hanging basket or any other place where space is limited.
16 Easiest Small Houseplants for the Small Spaces
The best small plants for the limited spaces are ZZ Plants, Pothos, Peace Lily, Heartleaf Philodendron, Snake Plant, Spider Plant, Chinese Evergreens, Arrowhead Vine among others.
1. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
ZZ Plant also called Zanzibar Gem, Zuzu Plant, Aroid Palm or Emerald Palm is among the popular indoor plants due to its compact size, attractive, glossy, dark-green foliage and tolerance to less than perfect growing conditions.
Zanzibar Gem grows to a height of 90 cm from a stout underground succulent rhizome. It is a good air cleaner getting rid benzene, toluene, xylene and ethylbenzene from indoor air. On account of its compact size and air cleaning properties, Zuzu Plant is one of the best plants for for a study table as it boosts concentration and productivity.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia blossoms in bright indirect light, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, fertile, succulents potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Read more on how to grow and care for ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia).
2. Pothos (Scindapsus aureus)
Pothos are very colorful and very versatile plants. This coupled with their air cleaning properties make these plants excellent choice for hassle-free houseplants.
If kept away from drafts, direct sunlight and with moderate watering, these plants will thrive. Pothos varieties can be treated as a trailer in a hanging basket or as a climber on a moss-stick, a trellis or a wall or as a table-top plant.
Scindapsus aureus grow best in medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, moderately warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil. Learn more on how to grow and care for Pothos.
3. Chinese Evergreens (Aglaonema)
Chinese Evergreens are small-sized plants which bear spear-shaped leaves on short stems which grow with a minimum outward spread and are ideal for limited spaces. They are also good air indoor cleaners.
Chinese Evergreens are easy to grow plants which adapt well to varying light levels; they will even thrive in the poorly lit spots.
Aglaonema thrive in medium to bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with regular feeding in the growing season. Read more on how to grow and care for Chinese Evergreens.
4. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Snake Plant bears long upright and beautifully colored foliage with a minimum outward spread making it perfect for limited spaces. This plant is slow-growing, low-maintenance, extremely hardy and almost indestructible.
Snake Plants can withstand low light, dry air, drafts and periods of dryness. It is also effective in cleaning indoor air of various indoor air pollutants.
Snake Plants require bright light with some direct sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, loose, fertile, free-draining soil. Learn more on how to grow and care for Snake Plants.
5. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens)
Heartleaf Philodendron also called Sweetheart Plant is a popular, air-cleaning plant for the small spaces. It is perfect for a hanging basket, as a climber on a wall, trellis or moss-stick or as a table-top plant.
Sweetheart Plant is among hard to kill plants due to its ability to withstand neglect and poor conditions.
Philodendron scandens thrives in medium to bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soils. Read more on how to grow and care for Heartleaf Philodendron.
6. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
Peace Lily also called White Sails or Spathe Flower bears glossy, dark-green leaves with a minimum outward spread which makes it ideal for small spaces and is also a good air cleaner.
White Sails like Cigar Plant (Cuphea ignea) are grown for their beautiful foliage and large flowers which are magnificent in any space.
Spathiphyllum wallisii grows best in bright indirect light, average warmth and humid conditions, and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Learn more on how to grow and care for Peace Lily.
7. Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider Plant also called Airplane Plant, Spider Ivy or Ribbon Plant is a popular, beautiful indoor plant for a hanging basket or a table-top. It is fast growing, easy-care and is also a good air cleaner.
Spider Plants are extremely adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions; they will grow in hot or cool rooms, in sun or shade and will withstand dry air.
Chlorophytum comosum thrives in bright indirect light, average warmth and humidity, and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with regular feeding in the growing season. Read more on how to grow and care for Spider Plant.
8. Corn Palm (Dracaena fragrans)
Corn Palm or Corn Plant grows with a minimal outward spread which saves on space, making it perfect for small spaces. The brightly colored foliage will add a splash of color to any space. It can be grown as a stand alone plant to provide a bold and attractive focal point.
Corn Plant is among low-maintenance Dracaena varieties but does not like to be exposed to direct sunlight as it can cause scorching of the leaves.
Dracaena fragrans requires bright indirect light, average warmth and humidity, and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil. Learn more on how to grow and care for Corn Palm.
9. Teardrop Peperomia (Peperomia orba)
Teardrop Peperomia is one of the favored Peperomia varieties, and bears delicate, fleshy, dark-green, oval-shaped leaves and hence the common name, 'teardrop'.
Teardrop Peperomia is a semi-succulent, slow growing, compact plant which grows to a height of about 6 inches. On account of its compact size, Peperomia orba and its cousins Peperomia verticillata (Red Log Plant), Peperomia obtusifolia (Pepper Face Plant), Peperomia puteolata (Parallel Peperomia) and Peperomia polybotrya (Coin-leaf Peperomia) are perfect for the limited spaces.
Peperomia orba grows best in medium to bright indirect light, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, fetile, well-drained, succulents potting soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn how to grow and care for Teardrop Peperomia.
10. Desert Cacti
Desert Cacti are plants with minimal outward spread which is ideal for the limited spaces. The trailing types can be grown in a hanging basket, the ball-like can be grown as a table-top plants while the columnar types can be grown as statement plants.
Desert Cacti like Aloes, Echeverias, Gasteria, Haworthia and Sempervivums are small-sized, hardy plants which easily withstand a high level of neglect.
Desert Cacti grow best in in bright light to full sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, well drained, cactus potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Desert Cacti.
11. Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)
Panda Plant also called Pussy Ears Kalanchoe or Chocolate Soldier is among well-liked Kalanchoe varieties, featuring silvery-green, brown-edged, furry or woolly leaves giving it the other common names.
Chocolate Soldier Plant and its relatives Kalanchoe marmorata (Penwiper Plant) and Kalanchoe thyrsiflora (Paddle Plant) are popular plants for the limited spaces on account of their compact size.
Kalanchoe tomentosa blossoms in bright light to full sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, succulents potting mix coupled monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Panda Plant.
12. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Jade Plant grows upright with minimal outward spread which makes it ideal for small spaces. It is easy to grow, will tolerate some level of neglect, and can go for a considerably long period without water.
Jade Plant and its cousins Crassula tetragona (Miniature Pine Tree), Crassula tomentosa (Woolly Crassula), Crassula picturata (Tiger Jade Crassula) and Crassula elegans (Elegant Crassula) are some of the popular plants for the limited spaces.
Crassula ovata flourishes in bright light with some direct sunshine, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents potting soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Read more on how to grow and care for Jade Plant.
13. String of Beads Plant (Senecio rowleyanus)
String of Beads Plant also called String of Pearls Plant is among the popular Senecio varieties and bears pendant, thread-like stems on which grow spherical, green leaves, making it ideal for a hanging basket, tabletop, shelf and other limited spaces.
String of Pearls Plant is one of the string of plants whose succulent leaves and stems enable it survive considerably long periods without being watered, placing it among drought-tolerant plants for the home.
Senecio rowleyanus blossoms in bright light with some direct sunlight, moderate warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for String of Beads Plant.
14. Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
Chinese Money Plant also called Missionary Plant, Friendship Plant, Pancake Plant or UFO Plant is easy to grow and propagate, making it easy to share with friends and hence the common name, 'Friendship Plant'.
Missionary Plant like Cyclamen persicum is a low-growing, compact plant with a minimal outward spread, thus is perfect for small spaces like a tabletop, desktop, plant shelf or windowsill.
Pilea peperomioides requires bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Learn more on how to grow and care for Chinese Money Plant.
15. Arrowhead Vine (Syngonium podophyllum)
Arrowhead Vine also called Goosefoot Vine, Arrowhead Plant, African Evergreen, Arrowhead Philodendron, American Evergreen or Nephthytis is a compact plant with arrow-shaped leaves which dramatically change in shape as the plant ages.
There are many Syngonium varieties with the main difference being in the position and extent of the cream or white markings. Some leaves are almost entirely white, pink, red or yellow.
Syngonium podophyllum flourishes in bright indirect light, average warmth and humidity, and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Read more on how to grow and care for Arrowhead Vine.
16. Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii)
Pygmy Date Palm also called Dwarf Date Palm is among popular indoor palms on account of its beautiful foliage and tolerance to drought and shade conditions.
Dwarf Date Palm like Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) and Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana) is a small-sized plant, ideal for the limited spaces in the home, office and other places.
Phoenix roebelenii prospers in bright indirect light, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, fertile, well drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing period. Learn more on how to grow and care for Pygmy Date Palm.