Every guide to home décor stresses how plants can make an apartment feel fresher and improve air quality.
Making an apartment "greener" can be as easy as choosing the right plant for the space and schedule—and the perfect place to put it. Here's how to make an apartment beautiful, with low-care plants for tabletops, shelves, and bookcases.
Managing Minimal Space and Sunlight
One window with plenty of sunlight can be all it takes for a plant that craves light. Place the plant in the windowsill or install a hanging basket directly by the window frame. With its gracefully draping leaves, a pothos plant is a perfect choice for a hanging basket by a window, and it can survive even in moderate light.
Another excellent option for a window is a cactus or a succulent, which are available in many interesting shapes and sizes. They'll look great sitting on a windowsill. Because they're desert plants, they need very minimal water, so they're low-maintenance, too.
For apartments with very little direct sunlight—but plenty of space—an iron plant can be a good fit. They require low lighting, and with their dark, broad leaves, they're perfect for adding visual interest to the corner of a room.
A few other low-light choices include bamboo, which only needs water and shade to live, and the Peace Lily, which can actually be damaged by direct sunlight. Smaller low-light plants can be placed on end tables, bathroom vanities, and kitchen countertops—and the right vibrant-colored pot can help tie together a room's décor. Just make sure the container has drainage holes in the bottom (with a pan or dish underneath to collect drained water), so you don't damage the furniture.
Plants for Hectic Schedules
For families whose schedules don't allow for regular plant maintenance, low-water plants are a perfect choice.
In addition to cacti and succulents, a snake plant can thrive with little light and water. The plant will continue to look fresh even if left alone for weeks.