Houseplants do not require large, open areas. Many houseplants will certainly thrive when given the space to spread out, but it’s not mandatory. Many varieties of plants will thrive and make beautiful additions to the smallest of spaces, even those spaces with limited light exposure. Designing small spaces with houseplants can make an area feel cozy. There are also a few easy tricks that will enable you to arrange your plants in gorgeous, space-saving ways when your square footage is limited. 

Small Plants that Pop

Many small plants are perfect for adding color and texture to a small room. Focus on the plant’s form and structure to make your selection. Keep in mind how you would like to highlight the wall, corner, or surface you are styling. Don’t worry if you don’t have a green thumb. Many of these small plants are easy to keep happy and healthy! 

ZZ Plants

A perfect plant for negligent plant lovers! This shiny and slick easy-care plant has a unique, eye-catching form and gorgeous, dense clusters of glossy leaves. Consider a Raven ZZ Plant for a moody addition to your space.

ZZs are a drought-tolerant plant that can handle dry air and are happy in low-light conditions. It’s like a succulent because the thick stems and bulbous roots store water, making it the perfect houseplant for anyone who is not always on top of watering. Just don’t overwater a ZZ Plant because that will cause damage.

Anthurium

A big part of what makes Anthurium houseplants so appealing is the colorful waxy leaves, known as spathes, that surround the less showy flowers. Anthuriums are epiphytes in nature and grow on other plants or in rich organic humus. Anthuriums are highly adaptable and require little care as houseplants. Simply re-pot with a well-draining soil mixture, position the plant in bright, indirect light, and wait until the soil is partially dry before watering. Let the Anthurium rest for six weeks with little water during the winter at about 60° F to encourage more flowering. If you notice that the spathes are green and not the color you were expecting, it may be a new sprout forced to bloom when it should have been resting.

String of Pearls

The small, green spherical leaves of this succulent add visual interest to your plant collection. A plant-lover’s favorite, this uniquely beautiful trailing houseplant can also produce small flowers that emit a sweet, cinnamon fragrance, making the string of pearls and your space smell as lovely as it looks.

Be careful, however; the String of Pearls can be a bit temperamental. Make sure you find a warm spot with indirect light in the spring and summer. Cooler conditions are necessary when the plant is dormant in the winter. If given the right conditions, this succulent vine will eventually making contact with the floor. 

Strategically Decorating Small Spots

Don’t Overdo It

You don’t need much to make an impact when designing small spaces. In fact, too many plants crowded together can make a spot look cluttered. Instead, choose a full, lush eye-catcher-of-a-plant, and choose two other smaller sidekicks of different sizes, colors, and textures to complete a cohesive set of three.

Create Layers

Layering is a popular technique artists use to draw the eye in. Create this effect with your houseplants to add dimension. Place a box, plant stand, or stack of books on the tabletop you are styling, and place a few of your plants in a cluster at different levels. Within one level of your stand or shelf, you can further layer by choosing planters of various heights. Place a floor plant or a houseplant in a plant stand next to the table for even more contrast. Shelving and hanging plants from the ceiling allow you to accomplish this effect on the walls. Overall, the result is added dimension and color to an otherwise blank space. 

Use Fronds or Branches

For particularly tiny spaces, take small glasses or jars, fill them with water, and place a frond or branch in the vessel. Clippings in water give the look of a plant without the full commitment. These cuttings can be potted in the future when they develop enough of a root system, allowing you to start over with new clippings.

Style Your Space   

No space is too small for decorating with houseplants. Designing small spaces with houseplants can be a challenge, but it is not impossible. By strategically choosing and placing your houseplants, you can easily add beauty and freshness to every corner of your home or office.