Even in minimal living space, you can always find room for plants. Photo: MiliVanily/Pixabay
Have you ever watched the show on HGTV called “Tiny House Hunters?” Episodes follow homebuyers who want to seriously downsize. By definition, a small house is around 500 square feet. A tiny house is from 100 to 400 square feet. It’s hard to get solid numbers, but most groups agree there are about 10,000 of these tiny houses in the U.S.
This isn’t a whole lot different than an average RV. According to the RV Industry Association, one million Americans live full time in an RV.
New York City apartments have a reputation for being small, but the average studio apartment is 550 square feet. This is becoming common in many other cities with extremely high housing costs, such as San Francisco.
There is a whole housing movement devoted to condensing your living space to reduce your impact on the environment. I’m not sure I could do this, but I admire people who choose this lifestyle. Maybe someday.
When space is at a premium, use found space like windowsills for your indoor plants.
There are plenty of other people who live in small spaces by necessity. College students in dorm rooms, active duty military in barracks or on ships… you get the idea.
But no matter how small your living space is by choice or circumstances, Good Earth Plant Company knows there’s always room for plants!
You should not deny yourself all the beauty, health and wellness benefits of having plants in your indoor living space. Even small plants can deliver cleaner air, stress relief, greater productivity, and focus, and even improve your memory. Plants in dorm rooms are shown to promote increased goal achievement, according to studies by the American Horticultural Therapy Association.
Some of our favorite indoor plant choices for small spaces include:
Succulents are perfect choices for small spaces. Photo: Kerem Taser/Pixabay
Succulents and cacti: Small succulents and cacti in miniature pots are a hot trend. Just take a look at Instagram. They are low maintenance and can live nearly anywhere with decent light.
Lucky Bamboo: It isn’t really bamboo but this compact little plant can live in either soil or water. If you grow it in water, you don’t have to worry about overwatering (although you should change the water weekly).
“Lucky Bamboo” plants for sale in Hawaii. Photo: Ken Starr
Ferns: These attractive fresh green plants work with any decorating style, as long as they have a medium-bright spot and get enough water. They love humidity and are one of the best natural humidifiers around. They are happiest grouped with other plants so get your fern a few friends!
Snake Plant or Sansevieria: You may have seen large snake plants that look like pieces of sculpture, but it’s a big family of plants and you can get small versions for a table or counter. They tolerate low light and dry soil. Perfect for a busy person.
Tillandsias (air plants) on a wire frame.
Air Plants: In small living spaces, you need to use space at every level. So what could fit in better than Air Plants! Air plants are incredibly easy to care for. Air plants absorb water through their leaves. To “water” them, just mist them with a spray bottle of water weekly. They don’t do well in direct sunlight. Keep them in indirect light in a warm place. They don’t tolerate the cold. Try them in a glass bowl, or glue them to a magnet and put them on your refrigerator.
Macrame, it’s not just for the 1970s anymore. It’s a hot design trend in plantscaping and it’s a serious space saver.
Pothos: Not only are Pothos pretty and easy to grow, they look fantastic when you hang them from the ceiling or put them high on a tall shelf and let the leaves trail. New varieties go beyond yellow or white variegation and include lime green and “silver” as well. They do well in most lighting except direct sun. Here’s some even better news: Macramé is back! Get yourself a hanger, and it won’t take up any space at all. Just watch your head.
You can also get creative with your containers. As long as they have proper drainage or let you lift the plant out to be watered in a sink, there’s no limit to your choices.
Fairy gardens are small by design, a little world in a bowl. Photo: Sheila C/Pixabay – CC
Have you heard of Fairy Gardens? They’re a hot new trend in small container gardening – miniature gardens of small plants to attract fairies and provide them a home. There is an abundance of accessories to add to your fairy garden. What fun!
Our friends at the American Horticulture Association say study results show caring for a plant, such as a snake plant, increases your levels of self-esteem. If you’re living in a smaller space – and not necessarily by choice – make your surroundings seem a little more relaxed and spacious by inviting Nature in to live with you.
For those of you with a little more elbow room – what are you waiting for? More room means more plants! And at Good Earth Plants, we’re never more than an email or phone call away to help.
