Green up your space!

Winter can feel a bit bleak and dark here in Minnesota, one way to brighten up the mood in your apartment is to strategically select and place a few houseplants in your space. We’ve -crafted a list of apartment-friendly plants with varying sun and water needs to suit both your space and your lifestyle.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Snake plants are hardy and can thrive in low-light conditions, which is great for apartments with North-facing windows! They grow at a relatively slow pace and tend to grow up instead of out, which is ideal for not taking up too much space. As an added bonus, these sleek and stylish plants help to purify the air around them.

Care Tips for Snake Plants:

• Light: Low to bright indirect light

• Water: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings

• Soil: Well-draining potting mix

• Pruning: Remove dead leaves at the base

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos are easy to grow, low-maintenance plants.  Growing as a trailing vine, they can flourish in a range of spaces from low-light to bright. They also provide flexibility in that they can grow both in a pot with soil, or in a vase or other receptacle with water. Like the Snake Plant, they also provide the benefit of purifying the air.

Care Tips for Pothos:

• Light: Low to bright, indirect light

• Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry

• Soil: Regular potting mix with good drainage

• Pruning: To promote bushier growth, trim back the vines

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The quaintly nicknamed ZZ plant is easily recognizable with its dark, glossy leaves. One of the most beginner-friendly plants, it can thrive in low light and requires very little maintenance, even capable of going weeks without watering, which makes it ideal for households with frequent travelers.

Care Tips for ZZ Plants:

• Light: Low to bright, indirect light

• Water: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings

• Soil: Well-draining potting mix

• Pruning: Remove dying or yellowing leaves and prune stems if they grow too long.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plants are one of the most popular and common houseplants, and for good reason! Their long arching leaves add an interesting visual element to a room, and they are easy to propagate, offering the option to grow additional plants.  

Care Tips For Spider Plants:

• Light: Bright, indirect light

• Water: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy

• Soil: Well-draining potting mix

• Pruning: Trim dead leaves. To promote vibrant growth, remove baby plantlets.

Monstera Deliciosa

Monstera plants have essentially gone viral in recent years, partly due to their large, very unique leaves which feature holes and splits as they mature. A rainforest plant at its origin, it adds a lush, exotic look to a space, and is relatively easy to care for. 

Care Tips for Monsterra:

• Light: Enjoys indirect, bright light.

• Water: When the top inch of soil becomes dry, add water. Be sure to provide enough drainage to avoid root rot.

• Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix

• Pruning: Remove lead leaves to prevent disease and promote growth.

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Rubber plants are easily recognizable with their large, shiny, dark green or purple leaves that have the look of rubber. They have the potential to grow tall, and make for a great statement piece. Thriving in all sorts of conditions, they do prefer brighter rooms.  Like most of the plants on this list, they also provide the benefit of purifying the air.

Care Tips for Rubber Plants:

• Light: Prefers indirect, bright light

• Water: Water only when top inch of soil is dry

• Soil: Well-draining potting soil

• Pruning: Use clean, sharp pruning sheers and cut just above the leaf nodes. This will promote bushier growth. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves.

Aloe Vera

Aloe plants are known for their medicinal benefits, but setting that aside, they are beautiful, unique, east-to-care-for plants whose thick, fleshy leaves add a lovely dramatic touch to any room. The gel contained inside the leaves can be used to treat minor burns and skin irritations.

Care Tips for Aloe Veras:

• Light: Needs indirect, bright light

• Water: Thoroughly water, but infrequently. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings.

• Soil: Well-draining potting soil

• Pruning: Remove dead or damaged leaves.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Ferns in general do well in low-lit, humid environments, which makes the Boston Fern ideal for bathroom or kitchen spaces. Their elegant, delicate leaves look especially nice in hanging baskets. As an added bonus, Boston Ferns help add moisture to the air, which helps indoor spaces over the winter months.

Care Tips for Boston Ferns:

• Light: Prefers bright, indirect light

• Water: Mist leaves regularly and keep the soil moist

• Soil: Rich, well-draining potting mix

• Pruning: Trim dead fronds on a regular basis

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

Jade Plants are said to bring luck and prosperity – no wonder they’re so popular! Considered a succulent, their thick, water-storing leaves give them a unique esthetic. The Jade Plant requires little watering, making it ideal for busy people or those who travel frequently.

Care Tips:

• Light: Requires bright light

• Water: Water only when soil is dry, as overwatering can cause the roots to rot.

• Soil: Well-draining potting soil

• Pruning: Remove dead and dying leaves to promote new growth and prevent disease.

Tips and Tricks

• Check the light in your apartment throughout the day to strategically place your plants where they will do best based on their needs.

• Most houseplants prefer to dry out before being watered, overwatering is an easy and common mistake.

• To prevent your plant’s roots from rotting, use proper drainage.

• It is helpful to regularly wipe dust from your plant’s leaves to maximize its health and appearance.
• Start small, add one plant to your space and see how things go, remember there can be a bit of a learning curve as you get to know each other, but it will be rewarding to see it thrive and grow in your care.