We’ve gathered our favorite tiny indoor plants and included styling advice for them in small spaces to make it easier for you to get going. See which ones you may use in your own environment by taking a look.
Air Plant
Given that they don’t require soil to survive, air plants are fascinating plants. If you want a little plant but don’t want to mess with pots or soil, these are fantastic. Make sure the terrarium you chose for your air plant has an aperture so it can get enough of airflow.
Aloe Vera
Did you know that succulents are the family that includes aloe vera plants? They adore the sun and prefer their soil to be fully dry between waterings, just like their cousins. If you have any minor burns, such as a sunburn, it’s a good idea to keep around a few of these small potted plants. To find out what other plants you ought to have around your house, look at our list of useful plants.
Anthurium
Smaller anthuriums are ideal for sparingly decorating any room in the house while adding a vibrant flash of color. Although they can handle many kinds of light, bright, indirect light is optimal for their growth.
Asparagus Fern
In spite of its name, the asparagus fern belongs to the family of lilies (liliaceae). Give this plant as much space on either side as you can so that its leaves can sprawl out. Any shelf or table will receive a lovely burst of green thanks to it.
Baby Toes
These adorable plants are also members of the succulent genus. Their diminutive size and similarity to a baby’s toes are the source of their name. Baby toes’ unique appearance makes them excellent discussion starters.
Cast-Iron Plant
Cast-iron plants are resilient, tolerant of a variety of soil and light conditions. If you’re ready to give up a little floor space in exchange for a plant that is practically indestructible, this is the plant for you.
Chinese Money Plant
These adorable plants are renowned for their lovely spherical leaves and for being challenging to come by. Missionary plants are another name for Chinese money plants. Agnar Espergen, a Norwegian missionary, shared cuttings with his loved ones in the 1940s by bringing them home with him. This is how the plant ultimately populated every continent. Finding a friend or online exchange prepared to assist you in growing these plants is the simplest approach to get your own because they are simple to reproduce.
Echeveria
One of the most popular varieties of succulents is the echeveria. Due to their modest size and ease of maintenance, miniature plants like these are increasingly frequently found on desks in homes and offices. Overwatering is a common reason for fatalities, though. Before giving your plants another drink, make sure the earth has dried fully.
Jade Plant
The broad, oval-shaped leaves of jade plants are their most distinctive feature. If given the right care, jade plants can live for many years. Wipe your plant’s leaves down occasionally to prevent dust accumulation and keep them looking nice and bright. As a result, the leaves will stay glossy and have a greater capacity to absorb sunlight.
Kalanchoe
The flowering plants known as kalanchoes are distinguished for their exquisite blossoms. So that they have lots of energy to flower, place them close to a window. The kalanchoe prefers dry, well-drained soil because it is a member of the succulent family.
Lithops
Lithops are often referred to as “living stones” because of how much these plants mimic pebbles and other small stones. These little plants, like succulents, can endure high temperatures and little water. Lithops are excellent for impressing guests because of their convincing appearance!
Lucky Bamboo
These tiny plants may flourish in both water and soil. If you decide to grow your lucky bamboo in water, be careful to change the water every seven to ten days and, if feasible, use filtered water. Make careful to water it if you plant it in soil whenever the top inch of the soil begins to feel dry.
Oxalis
The term “purple shamrocks” or “false shamrocks” is also used to describe this particular oxalis type. It received its name as a result of similarities to the three-leafed clover, also referred to as the Irish shamrock. Along with its name, it is renowned for being photophilic. This implies that in response to light, both its flowers and leaves open and close.
Peace Lily
Due to their wide range of sizes, pleasant look, and capacity to purify the air, peace lilies are among the best indoor plants you can have. Peace lilies are ideal for spaces with little to no natural light because they can also flourish in fluorescent lighting. To find out how to make peace lilies flourish, look at our care guide.
Peperomia
Peperomia leaves are perfect for little shelves or tables because they grow in compact clusters. They can last for extended periods without water because of the capacity of their thick leaves to hold it. They can also endure fluorescent lighting, although direct, intense sunshine is optimal for their growth.
Polka Dot Plant
The vibrant plants known as polka dot plants add an unexpected pop of color to any shelf or tabletop. Although the pink tint of these little plants is their most well-known feature, they are now also available in different hues (like red and white). Even though it loves indirect light, if your plant isn’t yet highly colorful, it can tolerate some direct sunshine during the day. Just keep in mind to move it back out of the sun to prevent burned leaves.
Pothos
With their trailing leaves, pothos plants, which are vine plants, can simply decorate a plain wall or a bookcase. They are a well-known plant for air purification. They are an excellent choice for a living room or home office because of their elegant appearance and air-purifying capabilities. For more detailed information on how to care for pothos plants, look at our pothos plant care page.
Rubber Tree
With their broad leaves and vivid color, rubber trees are indoor plants that can unify any space. Rubber trees have the ability to reach heights of ten feet. Pruning the branches and leaves on a regular basis will keep them at a manageable height. If you take care of these prunings, new branches may grow from them.
Snake Plant
Snake plants are low-maintenance and excellent air purifiers. These plants are perfect for compact spaces that need some greenery because they grow vertically. Although they may grow in a range of lighting situations, snake plants do best in indirect sunshine. They can endure extended periods of time without water because they are native to the desert. In between waterings, let the soil on the plants dry. To find out more detailed information about snake plants, look at our care guide.
Spider Plant
Many of the long, slender leaves of these plants are protruding from their containers. Due to their dangling foliage, spider plants make fascinating hanging plants. Due to its distinctive foliage, the spider plant also goes by the titles “airplane plant” and “ribbon plant.”
String of Pearls
An increasingly well-liked plant with a distinctive appearance is the string of pearls plant. All of your guests will find the foliage’s pearl-like hanging draping over its container to be a striking piece of decor. The succulent family includes this adorable plant, so it needs both lots of light and minimal water.
What is a houseplant that never grows bigger?
Popular succulent indoor plants with vibrant, long-lasting blooms are kalanchoes. They are the ideal complement for a side table or a windowsill because they prefer to stay small and are simple to nurture. Additionally, it is widely available and cultivated in a variety of colors, including yellow, pink, magenta, orange, and red.
Which indoor plants thrive in little pots?
Look for plants in small pots that won’t become much bigger than about 12 to 15 inches. Additionally, you want to seek for plants that don’t develop very extensive roots or that won’t quickly become rootbound in smaller pots. There are many lovely plants available that will thrive in tiny pots and remain small.
You can enjoy plants more if you pick the appropriate ones for your environment. You don’t have to give up plants just because you have limited room. You can put them where:
- on a nightstand
- on a bench or desk
- vertical planter
- an aquarium
- from an indoor planter
- an indoor planter
- a little wall shelf
- surrounding or within the bathtub (may need to move when bathing)
- on a bookcase
- with a ton more!
Let’s look at those plants right now:
Painted-leaf begonia (Begonia rex)
This is a fantastic option for tiny pots. The begonia stands out against other green plants because of its modest size and lovely hues. Because of the variety of colors in this plant’s foliage, it is known as a “painted leaf.”
Since it can be a little finicky, this plant is not usually the simplest for novice houseplant hobbyists, but if you take the time to learn about its water and lighting requirements, you will be quite happy with this one.
Peperomia (Peperomia obtusifolia)
Peperomia is occasionally referred to as a “baby rubber plant.” This flowering plant is indigenous to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Florida. The best part about this adorable tiny plant is how many distinct variations there are; you could have a lot of them and they would all still be unique. They only require watering when the top layer of soil becomes dry, making them very low maintenance. They thrive in direct, bright sunlight.
Nerve plant (Fittonia)
The nerve plant is another excellent option for little plants. They have many different colors and designs and are very attractive. They are not thought to be the simplest plants to maintain because of their high humidity and water needs. They can be a little picky, but once you figure them out, they do well. If you want to experiment with growing plants in terrariums, they’re also fantastic for doing so.
Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis)
Orchids look beautiful in small settings, such as on a nightstand or the bathroom counter. Moth orchids have stunning flowers that endure for months.
Contrary to what you may assume from the delicate plant’s appearance, they require less maintenance. A good rule of thumb is to avoid overwatering and to add some diluted fertilizer every few weeks. You’ll be good to go if you keep it in an orchid soil that drains well!
Flamingo flower (Anthurium)
I bought anthurium for the first time entirely on a whim. I had no prior knowledge of this plant, but when I spotted it in the produce area of my neighborhood grocery store and saw the stunning glossy red blossoms, I knew I had to have it.
They are a fantastic plant for tiny spaces and busy plant owners because they grow to be approximately 12 to 18 inches tall and require very little upkeep. They prefer strong, indirect light, so it’s a good idea to put them next to a window but not in it directly. Additionally, they require soil that drains properly; nevertheless, avoid overwatering. The majority of the time, they are murdered in this manner.
African violets (Saintpaulia)
The African violet is another excellent plant for small containers. They are tiny, green plants with flowers that bloom in pink, white, purple, and other hues, though purple seems to be the most well-known. They thrive in most soil types and are simple to grow, but avoid misting them because they dislike having their leaves wet. Instead, try bottom-watering. “Drink what it requires,” the plant will say.
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis)
Aloe is a plant that most people are familiar with for its ability to treat burns, minor cuts, and scrapes. It’s a low-maintenance succulent that fits well in small pots and looks nice in any setting. It doesn’t require a lot of water because its leaves can store moisture. The little “pups” that develop at the plant’s base can be easily multiplied; by placing them in individual small pots, you can eventually have even more. They thrive in windows, although they can also handle low light fairly well.
Baby toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla)
Baby toes are another adorable little houseplant to take into account for tiny pots. Its name comes from the way it looks, and it’s ideal for a tiny area or for a succulent arrangement. You can place it in front of a bright window or on a side table in a corner because it can withstand a wide range of lighting conditions. Use succulent soil that drains well and avoid overwatering.
Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
The jade plant comes next on the list. These low-maintenance plants thrive in the same pot for several years. They do appreciate well-lit places, and you should let the soil dry out between waterings. Jade fits well in any style of pot because to its modest, well-rounded leaves, which are plump and adorable.
String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
Another variety of succulent that has the name “string of pearls” is one that resembles a cascade of green pearls. Although they can develop bigger, they usually start off small. You can maintain them in a small pot and propagate them if you need to as they grow larger. Because it is a form of vine, when it is placed in a hanging basket, it will creep or fall. It’s a very distinctive, lovely plant that requires little upkeep.
Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomiodes)
The Chinese money factory is the next item on our list. The disc- or pancake-shaped leaves of this adorable small green plant give your other green houseplants a fresh look. They look fantastic grouped with other plants or displayed singly on a desk or table. They are rather simple to care for and will generate offspring that you may reproduce and plant in additional little pots or share with friends.
Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
The Flaming Katy is another excellent flowering plant for tiny containers. This succulent blooms throughout the winter and will brighten up your plant collection and make you happy. It’s a tiny plant, but if you give it ample light and trim the wasted or dead blooms, it can flower for many months. It is rather simple to take care of so that it blooms again for you, despite the fact that some people treat it as an annual and throw it away when the blooms are finished. Additionally, even when there are no blossoms, the green itself looks lovely in a little pot.
Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
The evident polka dot markings on the leaves of the polka dot plant are how it gained its name. No matter where you set this plant, the white really stands out against the green. Also possible are pink, red, yellow, or lighter green specks. It can flourish in a terrarium or a little container. You will need to mist regularly if your air is dry because it particularly enjoys high humidity.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Despite the fact that pothos can get rather huge, they are relatively simple to cut back and can be multiplied to create new, smaller plants. I have numerous pothos cuttings in various little pots all over my home, and I frequently offer them to friends and relatives as well. It’s a fantastic plant for even novices because it’s so simple to grow and forgiving of neglect.
Cacti
Cacti come in a huge variety of sorts and varieties, and they all thrive in little plants. They require little upkeep, are incredibly simple to look after, and are essentially a plant that you can set and forget. Many remain small and develop slowly, allowing you to preserve them in little pots for many years. Although they can survive a range of lighting conditions, avoid overwatering them. The main reason why people destroy their cacti is this.
Cute small pots for your plants
You need a few adorable pots now that you have a list of plants. The colorful and adorable Talavera pots are lovely. These vibrant and cheery frog planters are really appealing to me.
If frogs aren’t your thing, perhaps elephants are. Look at these adorable elephant planters!