Plants for small spaces: how to furnish a studio or one-bedroom apartment with the right greenery
Do you have 42 square meters and the only free corner is between the sofa and the window, or perhaps a small windowsill just waiting to be put to good use? I know exactly how that feels: you love design, want greenery in your home, but worry about choosing the wrong plants and upsetting the balance of your space. And yet, even in a studio or one-bedroom apartment, plants for small spaces can work wonders, bringing life and style without taking up too much room.
It’s not just about aesthetics, but about creating a healthier, more welcoming environment. In this article, based on the experience we’ve gained at our company, I’ll introduce you to 12 ideal plants and 5 space-saving interior design solutions. I’ll show you how to choose the right greenery, room by room, and offer practical tips to help you avoid the most common mistakes, turning your small apartment into a true urban jungle, in miniature.
In a small apartment, vertical-growing plants (Sansevieria, Zamioculcas, Dracaena), trailing plants for shelves (Pothos, Hoya, Philodendron scandens), and compact desk plants (Peperomia, Haworthia, Fittonia) work best. The rule: fill vertical space, not the floor.
Three rules for greenery in small spaces: before choosing a plant
The three rules for greenery in small spaces are: think vertically instead of taking up floor space, choose one large, striking plant over lots of scattered small ones, and start with the available natural light, which is the real limiting factor, choosing a species suited to the conditions in each corner.
When space is limited, every choice matters. It’s not just about choosing a plant that physically fits in a corner, but understanding how it will interact with its surroundings. At our company, we’ve learned that there are three fundamental principles for successfully bringing greenery into a studio or one-bedroom apartment.
In a small space, the best plants are those that grow tall rather than wide: Sansevieria, Zamioculcas, and Dracaena take up less than 30 cm of floor space but grow over a meter tall, creating a striking presence without taking up floor space.
1. Think in vertical volume, not square meters of floor space
The first golden rule is to look up. Your apartment has a ceiling, walls, and shelves. Space isn't just the floor area. Plants that grow tall or trail elegantly are your best allies. Imagine a Sansevieria reaching upward or a Pothos cascading from a shelf: they take up very little floor space but fill the vertical volume with their presence.
2. One large, dramatic plant beats five small ones scattered around
People often think that only tiny plants work in a small space. In reality, a single medium- or large-sized plant, strategically placed, can create a powerful focal point and make the room seem larger. By contrast, lots of small plants scattered around can make a space feel cluttered and crowded. Choose a Dracaena marginata that is 1.5 meters tall, for example, rather than five 20 cm seedlings.
3. Natural light is the real limitation, not space
Before falling in love with a plant, observe the light in your apartment. How many hours of direct sunlight does each spot get? Is there consistent indirect light? Many indoor plants survive in low light, but few truly thrive without adequate lighting. Don't force a sun-loving species into a dark corner; instead, choose a plant that naturally suits those conditions. This will save you a lot of disappointment.
12 plants that love small spaces (selected by our growers)
After years of experience and working with hundreds of customers with the same needs as you, we've put together a list of 12 plants that have proven perfect for furnishing studio and one-bedroom apartments. By nature, these are species that take up little space or grow in ways that suit vertical spaces, and that forgive the occasional lapse in care.
The 12 plants selected here thrive in small pots, tolerate missed waterings, and adapt to medium light. The best choices remain Sansevieria, Pothos, Zamioculcas, and Peperomia for their impact-to-space ratio.
Vertical Plants: Make Use of Height
These plants are champions at taking up vertical space, leaving the precious floor area free.
Sansevieria trifasciata (Snake Plant)
Why it works here — It grows upright and narrow, with stiff leaves reaching skyward. It’s one of the hardiest houseplants. An adult Sansevieria grows an average of 8-10 cm per year.
Light, water, mature size — Low to bright indirect light. Water every 2-4 weeks, when the soil is completely dry. Up to 1.5 meters tall and 20-30 cm wide.
Where to put it — Living room corner, entryway, bedside table, windowless bathroom.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Zanzibar Gem)
Why it works here — Its glossy, fleshy leaves grow upward, forming a compact, tidy clump. The Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven' variety has almost black foliage that looks very elegant.
Light, water, mature size — Low to bright indirect light. Water every 3-5 weeks; it’s very drought-tolerant. Up to 1 meter tall and 40-60 cm wide.
Where to put it — Dark entryway, living room, desk, reading nook.
Dracaena marginata (Dragon Tree)
Why it works here — With its slender trunks and rosettes of leaves at the top, it adds an exotic touch without taking up much space.
Footprint — Like Sansevieria and Zamioculcas, it takes up less than 30 cm of floor space but grows over a meter tall: a 1.5-meter-tall plant is enough to serve as a focal point in a small living room.
Light and water — Medium to bright indirect light: it tolerates low light, but growth slows and the leaves lose their colored edges in dim conditions, while direct summer sun behind glass can scorch them. Water when the top few centimeters of potting mix are dry and reduce watering in winter: standing water in the saucer is the main danger. Dry tips usually indicate air that is too dry or very hard water.
Where to put it — Narrow corners of the living room or along a wall, where the slender stem and the cluster of leaves at the top fill the space vertically without blocking the way.
Trailing plants: make use of shelves and ceilings
These plants cascade from shelves, bookcases, and hanging baskets, bringing greenery to eye level without touching the floor or taking up surface space.
Epipremnum aureum (Pothos)
Why it works here — The long, flexible stems trail down from a shelf or can be trained along a support, and the heart-shaped leaves variegated with yellow brighten even the dimmest corners. It’s one of the houseplants that best tolerates being forgotten now and then.
Space — The base is the size of the pot, 15-20 cm. The stems lengthen from season to season: pruning above a node brings them back to your preferred length and makes the plant bushier.
Light and water — Medium to bright indirect light; it survives in low light, but new leaves lose their variegation. Water when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry: yellow, soft leaves indicate overwatering.
Where to put it — High living room shelf, bookshelf, above a kitchen cabinet, bathroom with low light.
Philodendron hederaceum (Philodendron scandens)
Why it works here — It has thin, heart-shaped leaves and light trailing stems that cascade neatly, and it grows well even in a small pot. The 'Brasil' variety adds lime-yellow stripes to the center of the leaf.
Space — 15-20 cm base. Trim the stems with scissors above a node when they outgrow the shelf; cuttings root easily in water.
Light and water — Medium to bright indirect light, with no direct sun. Water when the soil surface is dry and cut back in winter; it appreciates some humidity in the air.
Where to put it — Shelves, a hanging basket near a window filtered by a curtain, bedroom.
Hoya carnosa (Wax plant)
Why it works here — Its fleshy leaves retain water and it grows slowly and neatly, so it stays the same size for a long time. In good light, it produces clusters of waxy-looking, star-shaped flowers.
Space — Compact, with slowly lengthening trailing stems. Don't cut off the stalks of faded flowers: the plant will bloom again from the same points.
Light and water — Bright indirect light; a few hours of morning sun encourage flowering. Water only when the soil is dry, and sparingly in winter: like succulents, it is sensitive to waterlogging.
Where to put it — Near a bright window, on a light-colored shelf, or in a hanging basket.
Scindapsus pictus (Silver pothos)
Why it works here — The velvety leaves with silvery markings are decorative even on their own, and it grows more compactly than Pothos: a good choice for a bookshelf or narrow shelf.
Space — Pot footprint; moderately trailing stems that are easy to keep at your preferred length.
Light and water — Medium indirect light; direct sun fades the silvery markings. Let the top layer of soil dry out between waterings: curled leaves indicate the plant is thirsty.
Where to put it — Bookshelf, bedroom, bathroom with natural light.
Tradescantia zebrina (Zebra wandering jew)
Why it works here — Its green, purple, and silver striped leaves add color in just a few centimeters, and its rapid growth quickly fills a basket. Cuttings root in water quickly, making it easy to propagate.
Size — Fast-growing trailing stems: trim the tips regularly to keep the plant full and compact.
Light and water — Bright indirect light to preserve its colors; in low light, the stems grow long and the leaves fade. Keep the soil slightly moist, never soggy.
Where to place it — Hanging basket near a window, bright shelf, kitchen.
Compact plants: desks, bedside tables, and windowsills
These species naturally stay small: just a few centimeters of surface space is enough to bring greenery to where you work, read, or cook.
Peperomia obtusifolia (baby rubber plant)
Why it works here — Its thick, glossy leaves store water, it grows slowly, and its shallow roots do well in a small pot.
Size — About 20-30 cm tall and wide; over time, the stems bend and trail, making it a good choice for a hanging basket too.
Light and water — Medium to bright indirect light. Water when the soil is dry halfway down: excess water causes the base of the stems to rot.
Where to place it — Desk, bedside table, kitchen shelf away from the stove.
Haworthiopsis fasciata (zebra haworthia)
Why it works here — It is a small rosette-forming succulent with raised white stripes on its leaves, and one of the succulents best suited to indoor spaces because it does not need full sun.
Size — Rosettes 10-15 cm tall and wide; it grows slowly and forms small clumps.
Light and water — Bright light, including a few hours of morning sun; in strong summer sun, the leaves tend to turn red. Water only when the soil is completely dry, using a well-draining succulent mix, and very rarely in winter.
Where to place it — Windowsill, desk near a window, bright kitchen shelf.
Fittonia albivenis (nerve plant)
Why it works here — Its leaves have highly decorative white, pink, or red veins, and the plant stays short. It loves humidity, which is why it is one of the most commonly used species in glass terrariums.
Size — About 10-15 cm tall: it fits in a small pot or a tabletop glass container.
Light and water — Indirect light, never direct sun. Keep the soil slightly moist at all times: when it gets thirsty, it droops and perks up shortly after watering. In a closed terrarium, it rarely needs water.
Where to place it — Desk, bedside table, bathroom with natural light.
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema)
Why it works here — It forms a compact bush of oval, variegated leaves and tolerates low light better than many tropical plants. Dark green varieties are better suited to partial shade, while lighter or more colorful ones need a little more light.
Space needed — Around 30 to 50 cm depending on the variety, with slow growth.
Light and water — Low to medium indirect light, never direct sun. Water when the top few centimeters of potting soil are dry; it is sensitive to cold below 15 °C and to drafts.
Where to put it — Entryway, study corner, nightstand away from the radiator.
Interior design ideas to add more greenery
To add more greenery to a small apartment, make use of surfaces that usually remain empty: shelves and bookcases for trailing plants, the ceiling for hanging pots, unused corners for a tall plant, groupings at different heights, and miniature greenery for desks and nightstands.
1. Shelves and bookcases with trailing plants
A high shelf with a Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) or a Philodendron scandens turns a bare wall into a green cascade without taking up an inch of floor space. The stems hang freely and fill the vertical space, which is the least-used area in a studio apartment.
2. Hanging pots from the ceiling
The ceiling is usable space too: a hanging basket near the window is ideal for trailing plants and leaves surfaces completely free for other things, which is essential in a small home.
3. A tall plant in unused corners
The corner between the sofa and the window, or the one next to the front door, is the ideal spot for a tall plant like a snake plant or Dracaena marginata: it makes use of space that would otherwise go unused and draws the eye upward.
4. Groups of plants at different heights
If you want more than one plant, group them in one spot instead of spreading them around the home: a tall one, a medium-sized one, and a small one, alternating broad and narrow leaves, create a neat arrangement that reads as a single piece of decor.
5. Miniature greenery for desks and nightstands
For desks, nightstands, and side tables, compact species such as Peperomia, Haworthia, and Fittonia are all you need, or a glass terrarium that holds several small plants in just a few inches of space, like the one on the nightstand shown above.
The right plant for every room in a small apartment
In a small apartment, the right plant depends on the light and use of each room: a tall plant as a living room focal point, species that tolerate low light for the entryway, compact plants for desks and nightstands, and species that tolerate partial shade and like humidity for the bathroom, even when it has no window.
| Room | Recommended plants | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Living room | One large, upright plant: Dracaena marginata, Sansevieria or Zamioculcas | Creates a focal point, draws the eye upward and makes the room seem larger |
| Entryway | Zamioculcas, Sansevieria | They tolerate low levels of indirect light and take up little floor space |
| Kitchen | Pothos, Hoya, Peperomia, Haworthia on the windowsill | They tolerate the kitchen's temperature and humidity fluctuations; keep them away from the stove, oven and dishwasher, and make use of the windowsill and the tops of cabinets |
| Bedroom | Sansevieria on the nightstand, glass terrarium | Take up very little space and need little care |
| Windowless bathroom | Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), Pothos, Sansevieria | They tolerate low light; move them to a brighter spot for a few days every now and then |
| Study nook and desk | Zamioculcas, Peperomia, Haworthia, Fittonia, small succulents | Compact species that add greenery without taking up workspace |
Pots and containers: how to choose when space matters
When space is limited, the pot matters as much as the plant: choose tall, narrow containers that follow vertical growth and keep the floor clear, or cachepots that coordinate with the decor, hide the nursery pot and turn the plant into a design feature without taking up extra space.
- Tall, narrow pots — Ideal for Sansevieria, Zamioculcas and Dracaena: they accommodate vertical growth while taking up little floor space, like the pot with the Zamioculcas 'Raven' shown above.
- Cachepots — The nursery pot stays inside, while the outer container matches the room's colors and materials, making the plant part of the decor.
- Hanging and shelf planters — For Pothos, Hoya and Philodendron scandens: they free up surfaces and make use of walls and ceilings.
Whichever container you choose, check the soil moisture before watering: Sansevieria and Zamioculcas need water only when the soil is completely dry, and excess water causes root rot.
Mistakes to avoid in small apartments
The most common mistakes in small spaces are choosing plants without checking the light, filling the home with lots of scattered little plants, taking up floor space instead of using height, placing large plants where they get in the way, and overwatering: the species recommended here can forgive the occasional lapse in care, but are much less forgiving of excess water.
- Ignoring the light — A sun-loving species placed in a dark corner will struggle: start by checking the light in each corner and choose a plant accordingly.
- Too many small plants — Lots of little plants scattered around can make a space feel cluttered; 3-5 plants of different sizes are enough for a studio apartment.
- Taking up floor space — Wide, low pots take up valuable floor space; upright, trailing, or hanging plants are better.
- Blocking walkways and views — Large plants belong in a corner or along a wall, never where they obstruct a walkway or view.
- Watering out of habit — Always check the soil before watering: slow-growing plants like Sansevieria and Zamioculcas suffer more from overwatering than from drought.
Frequently asked questions
Which plants should I choose for a 40-square-meter apartment?
In a 40-square-meter apartment, the best choices are upright plants such as Sansevieria or Zamioculcas, which take up little floor space. Trailing plants such as Pothos or Hoya are ideal for shelves and bookcases, making use of vertical space. Also consider small succulents or Peperomia for desks and side tables, for a subtle, manageable touch of greenery.
Can I keep plants in a windowless bathroom?
Yes, you can keep plants in a windowless bathroom, but you’ll need to choose species that tolerate low light and thrive in humidity. Ferns such as Nephrolepis exaltata, or plants like Pothos and Sansevieria, are great options. You could also rotate the plants, moving them to a brighter spot for a few days at a time to keep them healthy in the long term.
How many plants can I have in a studio apartment without overdoing it?
In a studio apartment, balance is essential. Instead of having lots of small plants, aim for 3-5 plants of different sizes, placed strategically. For example, one large upright plant, two medium-sized plants (one trailing and one for a tabletop), and a couple of small succulents. The goal is to create points of interest without making the space feel visually crowded, while maintaining a sense of order and harmony.
Which plants grow only vertically?
Plants that grow mainly upward are perfect for small spaces. Some of the most common and easy to care for include Sansevieria trifasciata, with its sword-shaped leaves, and Zamioculcas zamiifolia, known for its upright, glossy form. Some varieties of Dracaena, such as Dracaena marginata, also develop a slender trunk and foliage that grows upward, making them ideal for tight corners.
Do large plants make a small living room feel smaller or bigger?
Contrary to what you might think, one or two large, well-chosen plants can make a small living room feel bigger. They create a focal point that draws the eye upward, making use of the room’s vertical space and adding depth. The key is to choose plants that grow upright rather than spreading out, and place them in a corner or along a wall so they don’t block walkways or views.
