Bringing more plants into your home can transform even the smallest space with natural beauty. But finding room for new flora can be tricky when space is limited. With some clever solutions, you can make the most of every nook and cranny to accommodate your growing plant collection. Here are smart ways to make more room for plants in a small space.

Hanging Plants from the Ceiling

Hanging plants is one of the easiest ways to add greenery in a small space. Suspending plants from the ceiling frees up valuable floor and table space for other uses.

Macrame plant hangers add a bohemian vibe while keeping plants at eye level. Hang them in doorways or above seating areas so you can enjoy the plants up close.

Ceiling hooks work for any hanging pot and can be positioned wherever there is empty space overhead. Cluster 3-5 hooks closely together to create a cascade of trailing vines or scattered singly for pops of greenery around a room.

Command hooks. For a damage-free option, use heavy duty command hooks to hang smaller pots from the ceiling. Space them out staggered or in a grid pattern for maximum impact.

Hanging rods give you the flexibility to rearrange plant positioning by sliding pots across the rod. Install a rod in a window to hang plants in front of the sunlight.

Displaying Plants on Walls and Shelves

Taking advantage of vertical space is key for adding plants in a small area. Walls, shelves, and other surfaces offer plant real estate that doesn’t take up valuable floor space.

Wall-mounted planters come in various sizes and designs, like geometric terrariums or simplistic metal frames. You can cluster matching planters or mix and match.

Ledges, floating shelves, and wall-mounted rails provide landing spots for potted plants. Stagger them at different heights for interest.

Wall hooks allow you to hang flower pots along a wall, spacing them out creatively. Use command hooks for lighter pots to avoid wall damage.

Corner shelves situate plants in often overlooked wasted space. The triangular shelves tuck right into a corner.

Hanging wall planters have the combined benefits of wall space and suspended plants. Try self-watering fabric pouches or plastic pockets.

Maximizing Windowsills and Ledges

Windows are ideal places to put plants because they allow convenient access to sunlight and provide “free” ledge space.

Group pots together on the sills, spacing them 2-3 inches apart for a lush window garden. Rotate larger and smaller pots for variety.

Install shelf supports underneath windows to double the space for plants. Opt for sturdy brackets that can handle the weight of multiple pots.

Attach s-hooks along the underside of ledges to hang plants beneath windows, out of view but still getting light.

Use lower-light plants like pothos or philodendrons on bathroom windowsills or other places with less direct sunlight.

Add tall stands beneath window spaces to lift up potted plants closer to the light source. Use sleek pedestals or DIY with stacked books.

Displaying Plants Creatively on Furniture

Tables, dressers, bookshelves, and other furniture offer convenient spots to dot plants around your living space.

Bookshelves can house a row of small succulents along the edge or snake plants tucked between stacks of books.

Coffee tables and side tables provide central surfaces for lush potted plants. Use plant stands or pedestals to raise them off the table.

TV stands and media consoles create perfect platforms for low-light plants. Let them trail over the edges for a casual look.

Kitchen island and peninsula ledges give you space to grow herbs or other edible plants handy for cooking.

Dressers and cabinets serve as platforms for vining plants like philodendrons to spread out. Let them trail to the floor.

Going Vertical with Wall-Mounted Planters

For the ultimate space saver, install vertical planters on walls, rails, or poles to grow plants upward.

Wall gardens with cascading built-in planters are available in various materials like metal, synthetic rattan, or terracotta.

Rail planters mount to the wall horizontally, allowing you to hang pots from them with built-in openings along the rail.

Pole planters stand vertically and have slots or pockets to insertyour choice of flower pots all the way up the pole.

Fabric pockets and plastic plant walls use Velcro, eye hooks, or integrated fasteners to affix to the wall in any pattern.

Ladder-style planters lean against the wall and provide a cascade of space for pots on each rung of the ladder.

Growing Plants in Unexpected Household Items

Sometimes all you need is a little creativity to transform ordinary household items into plant containers, adding living greens without taking up dedicated space.

Teapots, mugs, and cups create cute homes for mini plants like succulents and air plants. Mix and match for a whimsical display.

Hanging teacups combine displayed plants and hanging plants in one using teacup planters suspended from the ceiling.

Vintage kitchen tools like colanders, strainers, pots, and pans add vintage flair for displaying plants.

Baskets, buckets, crates, and boxes make rustic chic homes for plants, especially trailing varieties.

Planters disguised as books blend right in on a bookshelf filled with real reads.

Maximizing Floor Space with Multipurpose Furniture

For the ultimate in efficient use of space, seek out multipurpose furniture that pulls double duty – serving everyday needs while also displaying plants.

Plant stands with shelving create tiered levels for plants while storing other items in their built-in shelves.

Rolling carts and utility tables provide workspace as well as surfaces for potted plants. Add wheels for easy mobility.

Plant shelves mount onto walls, over doors, on stands, or onto furniture to add layers of plant space.

Cabinets and storage benches offer hidden storage and open shelving for plants.

Restaurant-style hightop tables can be paired with barstools for dining space while keeping plants on display at eye level on the tall tabletop.

Growing Miniature and Compact Varieties

When space is extremely limited, mini and compact options allow you to squeeze in more plants.

• Miniature houseplants like baby tears, maranta, and pilea peperomioides stay pint sized in tiny pots.
• Dwarf and mini fruit trees produce full-sized fruit but on a smaller scale – perfect for a kitchen shelf.
• Compact vegetable varieties of tomatoes, peppers, bush beans, and more yield full crops in less space.
• Succulents and cacti offer hundreds of petite options like mini agave and thumbelina cactus.
• Herb spirals allow you to grow multiple herbs vertically on a small circular stand.

Sharing Plant Care Duties

When space is tight, enlist help caring for your plants from housemates, family, or friends. Shared plant responsibilities mean you can enjoy more plants together.

• Trade off watering and fertilizing duties for different rooms each week.
• Assign individual plants to certain people to care for like their own personal houseplant.
• Swap plants periodically – the novel plants will stay healthier with fresh care.
• Give plant clippings and divisions as gifts to spread the greenery around.

With a little ingenuity, even the smallest home can house an indoor jungle. Use these solutions to unlock the plant potential in your limited space. Getting creative with display solutions helps ensure you always have room for just one more plant. Soon your home will be flourishing with vibrant, living greenery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Making Room for Plants in Small Spaces

How much space do indoor plants need?

Most indoor plants need at least moderate indirect sunlight and adequate space for their roots to spread. Small-medium sized plants need about 6-12 inches between pots while larger plants need 12-24 inches. Hanging and wall-mounted plants can live happily in closer quarters.

How can I use wall space for plants in a small apartment?

Wall space is prime real estate for adding plants in small homes. Floating shelves, wall-mounted planters, macrame hangers, rail planters, and wall hooks easily allow you to arrange greenery on walls without taking up floor space.

What are the best plants for small spaces with low light?

Low-light loving plants suitable for interior rooms include pothos, Chinese evergreen, peace lily, philodendrons, parlor palm, Dracaena, ZZ plant, snake plant, and cast iron plant. Avoid plants that require high light like fiddle leaf fig.

Should I grow big or small plants in a small space?

In general, miniature houseplants, compact veggie varieties, dwarf fruit trees, and succulents work best for tight spaces. Their small size lets you fit more plants in a display. But you can make even large plants work through smart arrangements and multi-level displays.

How can I add green to a bathroom with no windows?

For a windowless bathroom, use artificial light to grow plants. Install grow lights or position adjustable desk lamps over plants. Some low-light options include orchids, ferns, chrysanthemums, anthurium, and air plants.

What should I use to hang plants from my ceiling?

Attractive options for hanging plants from ceilings include macrame hangers, ceiling hooks, hanging rods, and heavy duty command hooks/strips. Ensure hooks and rods are rated for the weight they will hold. Use metal wire or chain to suspend pots from rods or hooks.

Conclusion

Small spaces don’t need to limit your desire for living with indoor plants. With a bit of creativity and strategic thinking, even the tiniest apartment or home can contain an indoor oasis of flourishing plants. Use vertical space on walls, hanging plants from ceilings and rails, arranging greenery on shelves and furniture, and going miniature with compact varieties. The solutions are endless once you start looking at every bit of available space as a chance to add natural beauty. Soon you’ll have your urban jungle thriving in harmony within your small home.