Want an indoor jungle but lacking in space? Below we have compiled a list of 10 mini house plants perfect for tight spaces. Just because your space is small doesn't mean you can't enjoy some greenery in your home. We will also give you some top tips on how to keep your plant healthy and thriving.
As well as small plants, slow-growing plants are also perfect as they take a long time to reach maturity. With this said there are plenty of small plants to choose from, there will surely be something for everyone.
1. Air plants
Kicking off our list is the Air plant. A perfect choice for a small plant that has the added bonus that they do not need soil to survive! You can choose to display it in a hanger container or even an open terrarium.
The Tillandsia 'Ionantha Green' is a variety of air plants. This variety is native to Central America and Mexico where it grows commonly in an epiphytic way (Using other plants for support and a place to live) the environment in which they live is warm and humid tropical rainforest.
They are known as air plants because they don't typically grow in soil but instead use trichomes to absorb nutrients and moisture directly from the air!
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Very easy!
- Light requirements: Medium to bright, indirect light.
- Watering: Water every week to every 10 days by soaking the leaves in water for 20 minutes to an hour (Make sure that you don't get the 'root' wet as this will lead to rot) Shake them afterwards to remove excess water.
- Humidity: These plants enjoy humidity.
2. Fittonia varieties (Nerve plant/ Mosaic plant)
Fittonia is another small plant that has beautiful patterned leaves and comes in a range of colours. With shades of pink, green and white you can see why these are popular among terrarium enthusiasts and tropical plant lovers. It is known as a nerve plant due to its detailed veiny leaves.
Good news, this is also pet-friendly! A great plant if you're looking for something small and compact. Alternatively, pop it in a closed terrarium where it gets a lot of humidity and takes care of itself.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Has moderately easy care needs
- Light requirements: Bright, indirect light but tolerable of some shade.
- Watering: Water once the top inch of soil has dried out
- Humidity: Thrive in humidity and will enjoy being inside a terrarium
3. Ceropegia woodii (String of Hearts)
Want a hanging plant that comes in a small compact pot? Then a string of hearts is for you. Having a small root system means these plants don't need huge pots. This succulent plant looks gorgeous draping off a shelf or even in a macramé hanger!
Long, wiry stems can grow to lengths exceeding 60cm, but you can trim this to any length you like!. It is well known for its delicate heart-shaped leaves that are dark green in colour with silvery patterns, there is also now a variegated variety on the market.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Easy!
- Light requirements: Bright, indirect light. Some direct early morning or evening sun can be beneficial.
- Watering: Let the soil dry out between waterings and then water thoroughly. This plant is drought tolerant.
- Humidity: Does well in average household conditions.
4. Haworthia Varieties
There are many varieties to choose from making it a great low-maintenance and small addition to your collection. These small succulents grow to around 3 to 5 inches tall.
One of the most popular varieties is the 'Zebra' Haworthia, which has dark green leaves with white ridges. Haworthia often produce offsets or ‘pups’ which can be separated to grow your collection or left with the mother plant to create a fuller appearance.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: An easy-care plant
- Light requirements: Bright, indirect light but tolerable of some shade
- Watering: Water once the soil has dried out completely
- Humidity: No need for extra humidity but will like good ventilation
5. Curio rowleyanus syn. Senecio rowleyanus (String of beads/pearls)
Another small hanging plant is the Curio rowleyanus syn. Senecio rowleyanus, better known as ‘string of pearls’. The plant gets its name from its green, circular ‘pea-like’ leaves that quickly grow in a hanging fashion.
This succulent is part of the aster family, which are typically native to southwest Africa where they grow along the floor while being shaded by taller plants, meaning that they love dry atmospheres while being out of direct light.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Medium care level - String of Pearls houseplants can sometimes be a little tricky to care for.
- Light requirements: Bright, but indirect light, making sure the sunlight is reaching the top of the plant.
- Watering: They should be watered thoroughly allowing the soil to dry out between spring to autumn. Ensure you water from the bottom up by simply placing your String of Pearls plant in a tray and allowing it to soak for around 20 minutes. Reduce this frequency in the winter.
- Humidity: No need for extra humidity but will like good ventilation
6. Crassula ovata (Jade plant/Succulent)
Starting off small, Crassula is perfect for tiny spaces. Crassula can grow quite large but take a long time to get to this height, hence why we have included them on this list.
There are over 200 species of Crassula - including the Horntree Jade Plant variety. With a tree-like appearance, Jade Plants are easy to look after and can grow up to 2.5 metres in height in their natural environment in South Africa. They have jade green leaves that can vary in shape depending on the type.
Some cultivars can develop a red tinge on the edges of the leaves when exposed to sunlight. If you struggle to remember to water your plants then the jade plant may be for you. Crassulas store water in their fleshy leaves so they can go for weeks or longer without water.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Very easy care needs
- Light requirements: A bright and sunny position with some direct sunlight is beneficial
- Watering: Water once the soil has dried out
- Humidity: This plant can handle average house humidity, additional humidity is not necessary
7. Cacti
Mini cacti are all over the market at the moment and are slow growers so they won't outgrow your tiny space too quickly. They are the ultimate low-maintenance plant.
Every Cactus has its own unique appearance and can come in a variety of different sizes, shapes and colours, some will even flower. Known for being incredibly drought tolerant and being able to go for weeks without water, it's a perfect plant for the forgetful waterer. They prefer a sunny and dry environment and don't need much extra care.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Super simple
- Light requirements: Bright, indirect light, can tolerate some direct sunlight
- Watering: Water soil has completely dried out
- Humidity: Cacti can handle average house humidity but thrive in drier air
8. Lithops varieties (Living Stones)
An unusual small plant that resembles tiny stones is next on our list! Originating from South Africa, they are either solitary or clump-forming succulents, with two swollen stems. If kept well these plants flower from the centre. The name derives from lithos, Greek for stone, and ops, meaning 'like'.
The trick to keeping Lithops alive is to manage their watering carefully and ensure they are potted in a well-draining substrate. Opt for a soil that has a maximum of 20% soil with the rest being, grit, sand and perlite. Do not water the plant when it is producing a new leaf.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Difficult
- Light requirements: Bright sunny locations will tolerate some direct sunlight
- Watering: Watering is based around the growth of new leaves. Lithops start their growth cycle in autumn. Give your plant some water in early September, it may also flower at this point. The plant continues to grow through winter and into spring, the new leaves coming through the fissure between the current leaves. Do not water in winter, the soil needs to be dry for the new leaves to emerge. Once the new leaves emerge and the old ones have dried out completely you can water again, a little at a time, allowing the soil to completely dry out in between.
- Humidity: Do not require any additional humidity, prefer drier conditions.
9. Oxalis triangularis (False Shamrock / purple plant)
A truly beautiful small plant perfect for a small corner or shelf. Native to Brazil this plant is found growing under the canopy of humid forests. This plant has deep purple triangular shaped three-lobed leaves which are light sensitive. Meaning that the leaves will open in the morning and close at night.
In summer they can produce small pink flowers. The leaves resemble shamrocks or butterflies hence the common name. This plant goes through a dormancy period during the winter and can lose its leaves but not to worry as these will grow back in spring. Belongs to the Oxalidaceae family.
Care instructions:
- Care difficulty: Easy
- Light requirements: Bright but indirect light.
- Watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of the soil are dry.
- Humidity: Does not like dry air. Prefers an extra boost of humidity.
10.Tradescantia (Inch plant / Wandering Dude Plant)
Last but not least on our list is the Tradescantia. Starting off small they can trail over the side of the pot. They can come in all kinds of gorgeous colours and varieties including the 'Purple Passion', 'Purpusii', 'Nanouk' and 'Zebrina Violet Hill'
A fast grower, so prune back to prevent leggy stems to keep it to the size you need. You can then use these cuttings to propagate! Either pop these cuttings in water or back into the soil and roots will start to form. Perfect for a small shelf or hanging basket.
Care instructions:
- Care Difficulty: The inch plant is easy to care for.
- Light requirements: Tradescantias likes bright but indirect sunlight. But too dark a spot will cause the colours on the leaves to fade and become leggy.
- Watering: Allow the soil to dry out a little between waterings. In winter, reduce watering to avoid root rot.
- Humidity: While preferring a humid environment, Tradescantia can tolerate average room humidity. Often rooms such as the bathroom or kitchen can have higher humidity.
Fancy something else? We have a wide variety of mini houseplants perfect for that tiny spot in your home.
