Best Indoor Plants For Apartments

Living in an apartment or dorm can pose some interesting issues for those wanting houseplants to bring a little nature indoors.

The space doesn’t allow for lots of big plants, plus with space being tight usually giving up the precious real estate is not at the top of the “must have” list – although having the easiest plants to take care of is!

pothos and snake plants in a window planter are excellent choices for an apartmentPin

The limited amount of light available can also be a major consideration – using fluorescent grow lights to grow indoors may be a necessity.

However, just having a few houseplants easy to care for offers a little “getaway” from the concrete jungle even with limited access to the outdoors.


In our fast-paced society, who wants to take a lot of time caring for plants, we all want houseplants which are easy to care for with little time investment.

We want plants that fit our wash and rinse lifestyle, we want to leave home for a week, and the plants will still be alive when we walk in the door.

So here you go – Five of the Best Indoor Apartment Plants:

Peace lily – SpathiphyllumPeace lily care is pretty easy and the plant handles lower light levels common to apartments. When Spathiphyllum gets is thirsty it tells you with drooping leaves.

Spider plant care is pretty easy as well… their leaves droop when wanting a drink.

Soft succulents – These toughies require some indirect light, do well in small pots, store water like a cactus and come in a variety of sizes and colors. Consider succulent Echeveria plants and potted cactus for your small space or a bright window cactus garden.

Pothos or Philodendron – Most of the varieties grown for indoor use (Neon, Marble Queen, Jade, and Golden pothos plants), grow downward like an ivy.

Lots of colors, although with lower light the colors will not be as vibrant, few pest problems and require limited quantities of water.

Check out our article where we answer the question – Is Pothos Poisonous or Toxic?

ZZ PlantThe ZZ plant can survive in just about any setting. They are slow growers and have little demands for water and light, a very unique plant.



Aglaonema – One of my favorite groups of plants. Lots of color choices, many new Aglaonemas handle cold much better and tough!

Aspidistra – Also known as the tough cast iron plant. This tough as nails houseplant was a favorite in Victorian times along with the Kentia palm (Howea Forsteriana).

Sansevieria Hahnii – known as the Bird Nest Snake Plant – small in size but tough enough to handle a wide variety of light and cultural conditions found in apartments. Check out the Golden Hahnii Snake plant variety.

group of bird nest hahnii sansevieria near windowPin

Back then houses were anything but bright and airy – much like apartments! In the Southern United States, you can find Aspidistra growing completely carefree as a groundcover in dense, dark shade.

One note – The Peace lily, Pothos or Philodendron, ZZ plant and the Aglaonema all come from the Araceae family.

Related: 5 Tips For Moving House Plants

Sorry that was seven, not five choices in our picks for – best plants for an apartment. Now that you know which plants to look for – go get’em!