Plants to Grow in an Apartment

Have you considered growing plants in your apartment? You're not alone. During the pandemic, demand for houseplants went through the roof and some nurseries even experienced supply shortages.

A little greenery can really liven up a space, but maintaining plants in an apartment comes with a host of challenges. Many apartments don't have access to a balcony and some don't get an appropriate amount of light.

The best apartment plants require little direct sunlight and minimal care. Read on to learn which plants thrive in apartments and how growing plants can have a positive impact on your health.
 

Plants for Apartments

Pothos

Pothos, particularly the Golden Pothos, are among the easiest to maintain houseplants. You don't need a green thumb to keep these around.

Like most plants, pothos do best in bright light. However, they can make do with a wide range of lighting conditions, so they're a great choice for apartment dwellers. Do your best to keep your pothos out of direct sunlight, as that can burn the leaves.

Pothos do require regular watering. It's best if you let the soil dry out before watering again, so you'll likely need to water your pothos once a week. Be careful not to overwater it, as that could cause root rot and spell disaster for your plant.

As pothos grow, they develop long vines. That makes them the perfect plant to display in a hanging basket or on a high shelf. If your pothos vines get too long, just trim them to your preferred length.

One word of caution regarding pothos: their leaves can be toxic if ingested by small children or pets. Fortunately, this almost never poses a serious issue, but you'll still want to keep a watchful eye.
 

Aloe Vera

These plants are known for their soothing properties, and they're also easy plants to maintain.

Aloe Vera grows best if your apartment gets hours of bright sun. They're tropical succulents, so they can handle direct sunlight. If your apartment doesn't get a lot of sunlight, you'll need to put your plant near a window. 

To grow an aloe vera to its full potential, you'll need to start by planting it in well-draining soil and find a pot large enough to accommodate its root ball as it grows.

When it comes time to water your aloe vera, you'll want to saturate it and then let the soil dry out. You'll know it's time to water again when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch.

If you cut open an aloe vera leaf, you'll notice that a clear gel leaks out. This gel is what gives aloe its medicinal properties. You can even apply it directly to your skin. It works great as sunburn relief and can even be used to treat certain skin conditions like psoriasis.
 

Snake Plants

The striking shape of their leaves and their deep green hue makes a snake plant an attractive houseplant, but their hardiness makes them some of the best indoor plants for apartments.

In fact, snake plants are so hardy that they can thrive even if they're nearly forgotten about. They seldom need to be watered and do best if their soil is allowed to completely dry out between waterings.

You'll actually want to avoid watering your snake plant too often, as they are prone to root rot if they're overwatered. Make sure that you pot your snake plant in a well-draining potting mix to combat this.

Snake plants prefer bright indirect light but will do just fine in most lighting conditions. If your apartment doesn't get a lot of direct sun, these are the perfect plant for you.

Like pothos leaves, snake plant leaves can also be toxic to pets. Allowing a pet to ingest them can result in diarrhea and vomiting.  
 

Cacti

These prickly plants are tough enough to survive harsh desert conditions, so they're sure to thrive in your cozy apartment.

During the spring and summer, monitor your cactus's soil and water the plant when its soil dries out entirely. In the winter, you'll only need to water your cactus if it starts to shrivel.

The only difficult part of cactus maintenance is ensuring it gets the appropriate amount of light, but that's simple to do if you know what species of cactus you own.

Most cacti need plenty of sunlight, and many can withstand harsh lighting conditions. They'll do just fine even with long hours of direct sunlight, like the light that comes through a south-facing window.

On the other hand, some cacti, like the Scarlet Ball cactus, thrive in low-light conditions. 
 

The Benefits of Houseplants

Plants can do so much more than beautify an apartment. They've been proven to offer physical and psychological benefit to those that care for and live among them 

Improve Mental Health

Gardening is a therapeutic exercise and taking care of a houseplant offers many of the same benefits of traditional gardening. Some U.K.-based doctors even instruct patients to take care of a houseplant as part of their treatment.

Improve Air Quality

While getting a houseplant may not purify the air as some studies claim, plants still release plenty of oxygen during photosynthesis. This oxygen makes the air feel fresher and helps you breathe easier.

Could Help Keep Colds at Bay

Plants naturally make a room more humid as they release water vapor. This increased humidity helps prevent dry skin, dry coughing, and colds.
 

Many Plants Thrive in Apartments

Houseplants are more popular than ever and you don't need the skills of an expert gardener or a lot of space to grow a happy houseplant. Even apartment dwellers can get in on the joy of maintaining a houseplant. The best apartment plants have minimal care requirements, don't need a lot of direct sunlight, and are plenty hardy.

Plants even offer plenty of benefits to their caregivers, like improving mental health and air quality.

If you're looking for a new apartment in the Kettering, Ohio area reach out to Georgetown of Kettering for a tour. Their beautiful complex offers all the amenities of modern apartment living.