Best Small Pot Plants – Indoor Plants that Thrive in Confined Spaces

The Top Indoor Plants for Tiny Spaces: How to Green Up Your Home When Space is Limited

If you’re looking to brighten up your small apartment or office with some green foliage but aren’t sure where to start due to limited square footage, you’ve come to the right place. As someone who has lived in tiny NYC studios for years, I’ve learned a thing or two about maximizing plant life in miniature environments. Through trial and error, here are some of the best indoor plants I’ve found that thrive well even in teeny pots.

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

1. One of the hardiest and lowest maintenance plants out there. Nicknamed “mother-in-law’s tongue”, snake plants can go weeks without water and tolerate low light conditions.
2. Their tall, vertical leaves make them perfect for placing in corners or tight spots where other plants just won’t fit. I’ve seen 4-5 inch snake plants happily living in pots smaller than their own leaves!
3. They come in various colors from solid green to bold yellow stripes, so you have options to match any room’s aesthetic. Snake plants are basically impossible to kill – the perfect beginner plant.

From my experience, snake plants are warriors that’ll outlive us all. Kind of makes you wonder if they’re plotting world domination in those tiny terra cotta pots!

2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

1. Commonly known as devil’s ivy, pothos vines beautifully. Their trailing leaves allow them to grow vertically up walls or poles for maximum impact without taking up much floor space.
2. They’re extremely low maintenance and thrive in low to medium indirect light. I’ve kept pothos alive through months of neglect while traveling for work.
3. Their heart shaped leaves come in either solid green or variegated shades of yellow and white. Pothos prefer to be somewhat root bound, so even a 4 inch nursery pot works well long term.

Pothos are friendly plants that basically say “no problem!” to any care mistakes. I once left mine in a dark closet for 2 weeks – it was kind of shocked looking but bounced right back after some sun. Their flexibility makes them ideal companions for tight living quarters.

3. Chinese Evergreens (Aglaonema)

1. These tropic beauties love humid indoor environments and produce colorful heart shaped leaves in arrays of pinks, reds, and greens.
2. They thrive in low to medium light and can tolerate some shade. Chinese evergreens also do well in rooms with less-than-ideal indoor air quality like bathrooms.
3. Their compact petioles allow aglaonemas to fit well even in pots a few inches wide. I have a 6″ pink variety bringing bold color to a cramped kitchen nook for over a year now with no issues.

From my experience in tiny spaces, aglaonemas’ ability to clear indoor pollutants is basically like having a portable air purifier. They even look cute doing it! Just don’t overwater these gals – their roots prefer to stay on the drier side.

4. Peperomia (Peperomia species)

1. These little beauties come in a crazy variety of leaf shapes from ripples to radiating pleats. Their foliage ranges from light green tracery to dark burgundy velvet textures.
2. Peperomias love medium to low indirect light and keep a pretty compact size, perfect for desks, bookshelves, or countertops. Some varieties even do well in very bright spots.
3. When planted individually in 4-6 inch pots, peperomias thrive on infrequent watering. Their thick waxy leaves also mean forgiving care for busy schedules.

In my experience, peperomias bring maximum impact per square inch! Their intricate patterns hold subtle beauty up close. I have a watermelon variety that’s basically a mini work of art. Despite occasional thievery by my cat Leaf, it just keeps producing adorable new growth.

5. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

1. Nicknamed the “zombie plant”, ZZs are near indestructible. Their thick waxy leaves can go months without water and tolerate very low light conditions near windowsills.
2. Their upright stalks with alternating ovoid leaves have a lush tropical vibe. ZZs come in either solid green or variegated white and green shades.
3. I managed to keep one alive through a month-long apartment fire evacuation – it just shrugged and kept growing! Now a 3 year veteran in a 6″ nursery pot on my desk.

Basically, ZZ plants are like the Keith Richards of the plant kingdom – they seem immortal! Despite my tendency to neglect and forget to water, this tough plant just takes whatever I throw at it. Their structure also works well in cramped living spaces. ZZs are true survivors.

6. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

1. With its tall slender trunk and wispy corkscrew fibers, the ponytail palm has a whimsical desert vibe. It thrives in bright filtered light.
2. Despite its palm-like appearance, it’s actually a succulent! This means very infrequent watering, once the soil has fully dried out. Perfect for busy or forgetful plant parents.
3. Ponytail palms have a compact stature and fit well in pots 6-8 inches wide long term. Their structural trunk also provides visual interest even in tight quarters.

In my apartment, the ponytail palm has basically outgrown its original nursery pot but refuses to be repotted – is that stubborn or what? Its quirky shape always gets comments from visitors who kinda wanna play with its spirally “ponytail”. Adds personality for sure.

7. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

1. With their dense rounded leaves in shades of deep green to reddish tones, jade plants exude classic indoor charm. Some varieties even develop bark-like trunks over time.
2. Jades thrive in bright indirect light and can tolerate lower humidity levels better than other plants. Water only when soil is dry to prevent root rot.
3. They grow compactly even when pot bound, content to live for decades in 6-8 inch pots on shelves, desks or anywhere with sunny windows.

In my experience, jade plants are the chuck norrises of the plant kingdom – nearly indestructible if you can keep from overwatering them. After being quarantined in boxes for weeks on cross-country moves, mine just shrugged it off and went back to business as usual. Their dependability makes jades perfect low-maintenance partners in confined spaces.

So in summary, if you want to fill your small home with leafy green life despite limited square footage, consider snake plants, pothos, Chinese evergreens, peperomias, ZZ plants, ponytail palms or jade plants. With some TLC, these hardy beauties will thrive for years in pots half their size. Basically just water them sparingly and give a little sunshine – your home will thank you with a fresh dose of nature indoors.

Best Indoor Plants for Small Pots

FAQ

1. What are some good small indoor plants?

   Spider plants, pothos, snake plants and ZZ plants are kinda awesome for little pots since they don’t need much water or sunlight. Peace lilies and pathos are also pretty chill indoor plants that can survive in smaller spaces.

2. Do plants need drainage holes in the pot?

   It’s basically important for any plant pot to have drainage holes so excess water can escape and the roots don’t get soggy. Without holes, you run the risk of overwatering and root rot, which ain’t good. So try to get pots that allow water to drain out.

3. How often should I water small potted plants?

   The frequency of watering depends on the kind of plant, but as a general rule, check the soil every 5-7 days. Stick your finger in to feel if the top inch or two seems dry – that’s when it’s time to water. Spider plants for example need water every 5-10 days, while snake plants are pretty good going 2 weeks between drinks. Avoid over-watering at all costs!

   

4. What kind of lighting do indoor plants need?

   Most houseplants thrive in medium to low indirect sunlight. Direct midday sun may burn their leaves, so east or west facing windows are usually best. However, some plants like snake plants can tough it out in darker spots. You basically gotta match them to the amount of natural light your space receives. Trial and error!

5. How often should I fertilize?

   During the active growing season from spring to fall, you may want to give your plants a little plant food boost every few months. But otherwise, it seems most houseplants are content without fancy ferts. Too much nitrogen can apparently cause burnt leaf tips anyway. Moderation is key, so maybe go light on the fertilizer.

6. What kind of pots work best for small spaces?

   Tall skinny pots can help make the most of vertical space. Hanging baskets are also a fun option that doesn’t take up floor room. While nice ceramic pots look stunning, plastic or terra cotta are more budget friendly for plant novices. You can even get creative with repurposed containers – perhaps an old tea canister would work? Endless possibilities!

7. Any tips for keeping plants alive?

   Understand your plant’s needs, water properly, and give them a Boost of plant food sometimes. Oh, and don’t forget to remove any yellowing or diseased foliage. Healthy plants are happier plants! Keep an eye out for pests too. Despite your best efforts, plants may still struggle…but don’t give up – many owners kill plants by drowning them in too much TLC. Moderation is key.