6 Small Space Plants for Stylish City Homes

Life in a big city is amazing, but it’s also crowded and packed in a small space. Square footage may be tight, but joy doesn’t have to be. In fact, small spaces are an invitation to get creative. Some people turn to gallery walls. Others obsess over the perfect accent chair. And then there are the plant people.

Out of the three, plants are the ultimate multitaskers. In the right corner, they double as a living sculpture, softening sharp lines and pulling a room together. Behind the scenes, they’re quietly refreshing your air and giving your overstimulated brain a much-needed exhale. Not bad for something that just sits there looking pretty.

Choosing the right greenery for a compact space can feel like speed-dating at a nursery. Too big. Too fussy. Too dramatic. That’s where we come in. We’ve put together a smart, stylish guide to indoor plants that elevate your space without overwhelming it. Let’s grow.

How Do You Know Which Plants to Choose?

If you didn’t grow up around plants, it can be scary to get started. You may also have a few traumatic experiences with your last three catcis that slowly faded away in a corner of your windowsill.

It’s OK. It happens to the best of us. To avoid any other plant-related trauma, you have to treat this like a design project. You wouldn’t just go to the store, buy a few cans of paint, and just start painting your walls, would you?

Indoor plants are quite similar. You need to know which ones are a good match for your home’s data points. First of all, you must determine the amount of natural light that comes into your house. 

Here’s how to do that, based on the direction your windows face:

• North-Facing: Low, consistent light
• South-Facing: Intense, direct sun for most of the day
• East/West-Facing: Medium light

Next, think about your daily schedule. Will you be able to meet the needs of a high-maintenance diva that requires high humidity, specific water types, and precise lighting? If not, you may want to stick with the “set it and forget it types.”

Finally, think about your home environment. Modern city apartments with central heating are notoriously dry. If your humidity is below 40%, a tropical plant won’t have the best conditions. Pets and small children are also part of the equation, as many stylish plants are toxic if ingested. 

Now that you have the data, all you need is a trustworthy provider (best to avoid supermarket plants). This can be your local florist or a service like BloomsyBox, a home flower and plant delivery service that can help you choose the right indoor greenery and deliver it to your door.

Best Indoor Plants for Small Homes

You don’t need big, big, imposing plants to create a warm yet stylish atmosphere in a small city home. Instead, go for architectural, low-maintenance greens that don’t just sit there looking leafy; they are part of the decor.

Think bold shapes. Clean lines. Plants that look like they were styled on purpose, even if you just plopped them in a corner five minutes ago.

The best part? You’ve got options. So many options. The even better part? We’ve already done the heavy lifting and curated a short, no-fuss list to help you upgrade your space right away. 

1. Bambino Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata Bambino)

The dwarf version of the Fiddle Leaf Fig, which is notoriously space-hungry and finicky, the Bambino cultivar is more like a shrub, usually topping out at around 3 feet. Still, the visual aspect is just as impressive, with its iconic, leathery, violin-shaped leaves.

The Bambino loves bright, indirect light, away from drafty windows or AC vents. It doesn’t need too much special attention, but make sure to keep the top 2 inches of soil irrigated. Also, its milky sap (latex) can cause skin irritation and gastrointestinal distress if ingested.

2. Dracaena Janet Craig Compacta

If you have a narrow nook, this is your plant. Unlike other Dracaenas that spread wide, the Janet Craig Compacta grows in tight, sculptural rosettes of deep green, glossy leaves. It fits seamlessly into minimalist interior designs and is nearly indestructible.

It doesn’t need much light or water, which makes it perfect for hallway consoles. Still, make sure your cat doesn’t take a liking to its leaves, as they contain saponins.

3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

This one’s the plant for the busy urbanite. It features waxy, emerald-green leaflets on thick, upright stems that store water, meaning it can survive weeks of neglect. The ZZ plant is one of those “set it and forget it” greenery, so almost anyone can keep one.

However, keep it away from pets and small children. All parts of this plant are toxic and can cause sharp pain and swelling in the mouth and throat upon contact.

Extra tip: For a more sophisticated look, choose the Raven variety, which has striking purple-black foliage that pops against light-colored walls.

4. Pilea Peperomioides (Chinese Money Plant)

Known for its perfectly round, coin-shaped leaves on long, delicate stems, this is the perfect plant to brighten up corners and bookshelves. It stays small (rarely exceeds 12 inches) and produces pups that are easy to propagate and share.

It loves bright, indirect light and medium watering. The leaves will slightly “droop” to tell you they are thirsty, which is convenient.

5. Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia)

This plant earned its name from its leaves, which look exactly like miniature watermelons. It’s a true tabletop plant, staying short and bushy, and it doesn’t need much water. It has semi-succulent leaves, so make sure the top 50% of the soil is dry before watering. Otherwise, it will start to rot.

It prefers medium to bright light (indirectly), and it features unique, beautiful patterns that add texture and a designer feel to the room.

6. Snake Plant Laurentii or Zeylanica (Dracaena trifasciata)

Snake plants are living sculptures that take up almost zero horizontal space. Plus, they purify your air by converting CO2​ to Oxygen during the night, and can thrive in any kind of light. Its watering needs are low, so it’s the perfect plant for a small city home.

Enjoy the Green

We were not meant to live in skyscrapers, surrounded by hard surfaces and no green space. By bringing even one small, living, breathing plant into your home, you nurture your ancestral need for connection with nature. Your brain and nervous system will thank you.