6 Top Houseplants for Small Spaces
Last updated September 7, 2023
No living space is too small for houseplants. You may not have room for a fiddle leaf fig or split leaf philodendron, but if you have a sunny window and a square foot of clear space in front of it, you have room for one of these small-space houseplants.
Plants like aglaonema (Chinese evergreen), sansevieria, rubber plant and aloe are popular small-space plants, but they’re just a few of the tropicals available. Look for new small-space favorites selected for good looks, slow growth and easy care by Justin Hancock, horticulturist for Costa Farms. Many of the plants are in Costa Farms’ Exotic Angels collection, available at select Garden Centers.
This guide will highlight six top houseplants for small spaces.
Table of Contents
Earth Star (Cryptanthus)
Echeveria
Friendship Plants (Pilea)
Nerve Plants (Fittonia)
Silver Lace Fern (Pteris)
Waffle Plant (Hemigraphis)
Earth Star (Cryptanthus)
Earth star (cryptanthus) produces bright red or pink foliage in a star-shaped pattern. This relative of pineapple plants thrives in humid temperatures with indirect light. They grow best in damp soil that is slightly acidic. It is best to water them regularly. However, they can stand short periods of drought. These plants should be fertilized every three weeks with diluted fertilizer.
Echeveria
Echeveria is one of the trendiest succulents around. Most grow only a few inches tall and wide, and come in soft shades of gray, blue, green and purple. They produce blooms in the summer. Echeveria do best in hot temperatures with bright, direct light. These plants require little water and should dry out between waterings.
Friendship Plants (Pilea)
Friendship plants, or pilea, are increasingly trendy houseplants that are easy to propagate. They produce green leaves with small white blooms during the spring. They grow best in bright, indirect light. It is best to water them regularly, but ensure they don't sit in overly wet soil. They need minimal amounts of fertilizer. Feed them a diluted solution once a month during their growing season.
Nerve Plants (Fittonia)
Nerve plants (Fittonia) produce deep green leaves with bold veins. These plants are slow-growing and stay under a foot tall and wide. They like average to high humidity. Nerve plants need to be watered regularly, as they will collapse if they dry out.
Tip: Pinching off the flowers of this plant will keep its foliage full.
Silver Lace Fern (Pteris)
Silver lace fern (pteris) a small fern with finely textured fronds frosted in silver. Like most ferns, these plants tolerate low light and thrive when kept in a moist, humid spot, like a terrarium.
Waffle Plant (Hemigraphis)
Waffle plant (hemigraphis) earned its common name due to its leaves’ crinkly texture. It’s a tidy, petite plant that stays under 12 inches tall and wide. Grow it in low, medium or bright light and keep it moist.
Tip: To propagate this plant, use garden shears to cut the end of a growing stem with at least one node. Plant the cut stem in moist soil and water it consistently.
There are houseplants for every place and situation. In addition to these small space favorites, you can look for reliable favorites like dracaena, aglaonema (Chinese evergreen), rubber plant, aloe, pothos and sansevieria (snake plant) to add to your collection.
Shopping for houseplants and everything you need to grow them? Use The Home Depot Mobile App to locate products and check inventory. We’ll take you to the exact aisle and bay.
