A cozy abode doesn’t mean giving up the pleasures of greenery or spending hours pruning and pinching. So whether you live in a bijou apartment, have joined the tiny home craze, or are downsizing for a minimalist lifestyle, these most beautiful houseplants for small spaces will keep you in touch with nature indoors.
Orchid
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Long renowned for their beauty and elegance, orchids are much easier to grow than once thought. Even larger orchids can tuck away nicely into small spaces. But there are also compact varieties such as Little Lady and the “pocket-sized phalaenopsis,” aka Espresso.
Anthurium
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These tropical houseplants bloom year-round, as long as their needs are met. Their colorful blossoms — which are modified leaves called spathes — can last up to three months. Indoors, they grow up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Keep anthuriums happy in bright, indirect light and high humidity.
Amazonian Elephant Ear
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This African mask plant hybrid (Alocasia x amazonica “Polly”) has quickly become one of the most coveted houseplants due to its splendid foliage. It also stays smaller than other varieties of mask plants at about 24 inches tall and 10 inches wide. It needs bright indirect light, lots of humidity, and protection from cool temperatures.
Caladium
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Caladium is a statement-piece plant for small-space dwellers. Its awe-inspiring leaves stun in color combos like white and pink, and pink and green. It grows to between 12 and 30 inches tall with leaves that can reach a foot long. If you’re really pressed for space, look for caladium bulbs marked #2, the smallest size.
String of Pearls
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No list of beautiful houseplants for small spaces is complete without these sensational succulents. Native to South Africa, string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) has pea-sized leaves that store water and, in summer, showy, cinnamon-scented flowers.
Croton
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As houseplants, crotons (Codiaeum variegatum) max out around 2 or 3 feet tall. Their patterned leaves in hues such as yellow, red, bronze, purple, and green add an unmistakable tropical warmth to your home. They are also easy to propagate from cuttings about 3 to 4 inches long.
African Violet
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These tiny tantalizers native to Tanzania and Kenya come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and types. They are easy to grow in well-drained soil with lots of organic matter. African violets are prolific bloomers but need lots of bright, indirect light to offer up those blossoms.
False Shamrock
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False shamrock (Oxalis triangularis) adds whimsy and intrigue with its leaves and flowers that close at night in order to hold onto their pollen. Its trifoliate leaves are bright green or deep-purple and shaped like butterflies, while its clusters of delicate white or pink flowers bloom from spring to summer. They grow to 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide.
Kalanchoe
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Easy-going kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) adds whimsy and cheer to any space. Its small, delicate flowers in orange, yellow, red, pink, magenta, and white, stand out against its deep-green, waxy foliage. Double-flowering varieties have up to 26 petals on each bloom and create a bigger impact.
Song of India
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Also known as pleomele, Song of India (Dracaena reflexa) allow you to take advantage of vertical space. This native to Mozambique grows up to 6 feet tall as a houseplant. Its elegant, lance-like leaves subtly curl as they grow away from the stem, adding to its beauty.
This plant would look great in a small corner of the house that you're not quite sure what to do with. Pleomele also enjoy their fair share of dappled sunlight, so full exposure isn't necessary.
Begonia
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Lorraine, elatior, cheimantha, and Christmas begonias grow to about 18 inches tall and won’t overwhelm small spaces. Their opulent flowers in colors such as orange, pinks, and reds boost the spirits.
The varieties including lorraine, cheimantha, and Christmas begonias bloom from late fall to early spring, while elatior is in bloom year-round.
Nerve Plant
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Nerve plant (Fittonia albivenis) has colorful, intricately patterned leaves that have garnered it other names such as jewel plant and mosaic plant. It grows to just 6 inches tall but has a trailing spread of up to 18 inches. It’s a slow grower that’s perfect for coffee tables, shelves, or hanging baskets.
Gloxinia
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This tropical perennial is related to African violets. It has showy, ruffled, bell-shaped flowers cradled by attractive, velvety leaves that grow in a basal rosette. While gloxinia is often grown as a houseplant, you can relocate it outside in summer.
Peace Lily
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The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) gets its name from its statuesque white flowers resembling a white flag, the well-known symbol of peace. It's renowned equally for its beauty and air-purifying ability. Diminutive varieties such as petite, piccolino, and little angel are just right for smaller spaces.
Spiny Pincushion Cactus
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The spiny pincushion cactus (Mammillaria spinosissima) is a work of art. Besides its clusters of spines that inspire its name, it blooms pretty pink, funnel-shaped flowers that produce juicy, bright-red berries. It typically reaches about 12 inches tall and 4 inches wide in about five to 10 years.
Rex Begonia
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Rex begonia treats any space to a dazzling display of foliage in an array of patterns, shapes, and colors such as pink, red, purple, and silver. Its soft, hairy leaves tempt you to touch them. It grows to almost 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide and likes medium to bright indirect sunlight and high humidity.
Watermelon Peperomia
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Watermelon peperomia (Peperomia argyrei) is one of the most beautiful small houseplants you can find. From its reddish-burgundy stems spring waxy, watermelon-striped leaves in a saucy, ovate shape. It tolerates low light well and stands at only 8 to 12 inches tall and 8 inches wide.
Raven ZZ 'Dowon'
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If you’re looking to meet a medium-tall, dark and handsome houseplant, Raven ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Dowon') ticks all the boxes. It has a timeless, elegant appeal, with its glossy mature leaves that are almost black perched on sophisticated, dark stems. It's another great choice to beautify vertical spaces.
Polka Dot Plant
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Polka dot plants (Hypoestes phyllostachya) rarely reach their maximum height, which is just shy of 12 inches. These playful houseplants produce inconspicuous flowers that stunt their growth. Although, you can leave them intact to keep the plant's compact stature, if that's what you prefer.
Baby Toes
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Succulent lovers will find baby toes (Fenestraria rhopalophylla) irresistible. The translucent tips on its leaves let light through and make it even more captivating. Once in a while, it will present you with soft white or yellow flowers. Baby toes plant grows up to 6 inches tall and 1.25 inches wide.
Turning Small Spaces Into Houseplant Havens
With these most beautiful houseplants for small spaces, you can see just how much choice you have. Also, be creative when it comes to containers and placement. Make use of barren corners, walls, and all that awesome ceiling space.
Didn’t see your favorite petite plant on the list? Add it in the comments below.