24 Beautiful Houseplants That Are Perfect for Apartment Living

While some apartments have many windows and access to natural light and space, the majority of tiny rentals are seriously lacking in the way of sunshine. Less sunlight during daytime hours may not mean much to you, but it can mean the difference between life and death for your indoor plants. Fortunately, there are plenty of plants that are well-suited to the reduced light and tighter quarters that often accompany apartment living.

"There are a range of plants that are well adapted to the rigors of apartment conditions," explains Chad Husby, Ph.D. and chief explorer at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. "Aroids have become justly popular indoors because many species have thick waxy leaves and are adapted to life in or under the trees of tropical forests where light is often dim as it typically is indoors." Since window light in apartments can be extremely limited, especially during the winter in higher latitudes, this plant family has become the ideal pick for indoor growers. "For example, many of the smaller philodendron species make good apartment plants," he says. "Other outstanding apartment plants include smaller-growing fig species such as the mistletoe fig, Ficus deltoidea." Husby suggests this species because it loves to be confined to a pot and stays small. "It comes in an amazing diversity of forms and even produces small figs that are quite ornamental (but not edible)."

We asked several garden experts to share their recommendations for the best (and prettiest!) plants for small spaces. See their suggestions ahead, along with where to shop them online.