Looking for plants for an apartment? These plants are best for small indoor spaces
Just because you live in an apartment with close quarters, doesn't mean you should be excluded from springtime gardening.
Here is a list of tools and plants needed to create a botanical area in your 500-square-foot apartment.
How to start a garden in an apartment?
Before you start planting flowers, make sure you have the proper tools to maintain the plant. Here are some tools to get you started
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Plant stands
If you really want to get into gardening in an apartment, it is important to have proper access to sunlight. And a couple of windowsills won't do the trick for an indoor garden. Purchasing a stand for your plants can help multiple plants get their needed sunlight.
Indoor grow lights
Your plants will need varying levels of access to the sun, and that building in front of your window doesn't make for the best growing light. If your apartment lacks direct light, consider purchasing a growing lamp. These lamps produce light particles that plants can consume for photosynthesis.
"These artificial lights can increase a plant's ability to complete photosynthesis — however, grow lights are not as powerful as natural sunlight," according to an article from The Spruce. "They are still effective enough to be a simple solution that supports strong, healthy growth for most indoor plants."
Pots and containers
Before running to the gardening store to buy pots for your plants, look around your house and see if any containers can be repurposed for a plant. Five-gallon plastic buckets and storage containers can all be repurposed to hold your plants. Be sure to poke holes in the bottom to ensure drainage depending on the plant's water needs, according to the University of Maryland Extension.
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Plant mats
Gardening is messy, whether it is indoors or outside. A plant mat will allow you to neatly repot and water plants, without spilling on your floors. They are waterproof to make cleaning easy and have raised edges to prevent dirt from spilling.
What plants grow best in apartments?
Once you have the right tools, deciding what to grow is the next step. It is important to consider how much room your plants need to grow and amount of sunlight accessible in the space.
Aloe vera
For an aloe plant, supplying the proper amount of light is the most important requirement. But you'll want to be strategic with the sunlight. Too much direct light can burn the aloe. The average aloe plant reaches 1-2 feet tall but grows slowly. Aloe plants are a hardy plant and requires dry soil, making it a favorite plant among home gardeners, according to Good Housekeeping.
Snake plant
Snake plants can range in size. Some only grow to be a foot tall, while others can stand multiple feet tall. It requires little maintenance while surviving in different levels of light. It performs best in direct light and is known for its air-purifying abilities, according to Home Depot's website.
Be sure to keep the plant away from pets though. Snake plants are toxic to dogs and cats if consumed.
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Air plants
Want to avoid the messes that come with dirt while gardening? Air plants are the way to go. There are a variety of air plant species and they can grow from a terrarium. Don't keep them in an enclosed container, though, or you will run the risk of suffocating them. Otherwise, these plants require minimal care and make for natural home décor. Air plants are "easy to care for" so long as they are out of direct sunlight and watered roughly once a week, according to Better Homes and Gardens.
Basil
Bring life to your small space while growing something you can consume. With more than 80 varieties of basil, the miniature species offers all the flavor while taking up minimal room, according to the Gardner's Supply Company.
African violets
Add a pop of color to your space with African violets. They grow in white, pink, maroon, blue, lavender, violet and deep purple. African violets grow best in bright and cool locations, according to the University of Minnesota Extension.
The average plant grows to be 8 to 16 inches wide. A miniature species grows less than 8 inches wide. Fluorescent or LED grow lights may be used to supplement natural light.
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Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What plants can you grow in an apartment? Try these indoor ideas