Top 12 Small Indoor Plants to Brighten Your Home
Do you have a small space in your home? That is crying out to be brightened up with a plant. But you’re worried that a plant will soon outgrow that space. Well, in this article, I’ve got 12 Small Indoor Plants that are perfect for small spaces. So, these houseplants are small. They’re slow growing. So they maintain a compact shape. And they don’t take up too much space or light and take over your living spaces. Let’s get straight to it.
Why Choose Small Indoor Plants?
Small indoor plants are the perfect solution for tight corners and cozy homes. They bring life and vibrancy without overwhelming your space. Whether it’s a windowsill, a mantel, or a tiny cabinet, these plants fit right in. Here’s how they work and what makes them special.
1. Della Sperma Eckinatum – The Pickle Plant
The first part on my list is a relatively recent purchase for me. And it’s the Della Sperma Eckinatum, otherwise known as the pickle plant. So, I bought this in my recent Dobby’s plant shopping article. And it’s a fantastic little plant that is perfect for small spaces in your home. This plant looks really interesting with a distinctive spiky texture on the leaves. And it’s a pretty slow grower too. Mine has not really got that much bigger since I bought it a couple of months ago. And not variegated, which means that I don’t require lots of light to thrive. So, they’ll do well in a medium light, which is about one or two meters away from a west-facing window.
2. Daifumbakia Compactor – Compact and Easy
The Daifumbakia Compactor is another recent purchase for me. That is a compact plant that will do well in small spaces. The more light you give this plant, the quicker it will grow. So you can keep it in a medium-light position, and it will remain fairly compact. I keep mine in front of an east-facing window. So it gets a couple of hours of morning sun each day. And it’s not really got much bigger than when I bought it. It’s fairly easy to look after. Just make sure you’re giving it enough water. And then just let it do its thing.
3. Philadelphian – My Favorite Small Indoor Plants
The third plant on my list is officially my favorite plant. And it’s the Philadelphian. So, I love the pinstripe variegation in the leaves. The fact that the leaves come out all white but slowly turn green as they get older is fascinating to me. Compared to other philodendrons, I think this plant is pretty slow-growing. And it will remain compact. So it’s perfect for those smaller spaces in your home. I try to give this plant as much indirect light as possible to ensure that you don’t lose the variegation in the leaves. Also, avoid giving the plant too much water. Otherwise, the new leaves that come out white will start to come out brown. Just let the plant dry out in between watering, and you’ll be fine.
4. Syngonium – Unfussy and Compact
Another plant that is excellent for small spaces in your home is the Syngonium. So, I’ve got two Syngonians in my collection. I’ve got a green Syngonium and a pink Syngonium. Both are fantastic little plants, and they’re generally unfussy. I’ve noticed that the green version is slightly more vigorous grower than the pink. But it’s not going to become unmanageable. My pink Syngonium, in particular, is a lovely little compact plant that sits happily on my fireplace mantel in my dining room. Here, I’ve had it for over a year, and it’s not outgrown that space.
How Small Indoor Plants Thrive in Tight Spaces
These plants don’t just survive—they flourish with minimal care. Their slow growth keeps them manageable, while their compact shapes suit any nook. From low light to full sun, they adapt effortlessly. Here are more gems to explore.
5. Echeveria – A Succulent Star
Succulents are an excellent choice for small spaces because most succulents are very slow growers. So they won’t outgrow the space you put them in. So, the next plant on my list is the Echeveria. There are many different types of Echeverias out there, and they are fantastic little plants. They have lovely thick leaves where they store their water. So just make sure not to give them too much water. Otherwise, the leaves will start to turn mushy. Give this plant full sun if you can. But don’t worry too much if it’s only in a medium-light spot. They should still do fine. Echeverias tend to grow taller and shed their lower leaves eventually, looking a little bit leggy. So all this means is that they need cutting from their central stalk and re-potting into the soil for the plant to regrow roots. Now, this isn’t as scary as it sounds. And I have an article on the full process that you can check out after this.
6. Fittonia – The Nerve Plant
The sixth plant on my list is the Fittonia or the nerve plant. This plant is usually sold as a very small plant. And it will take years to become a much larger plant. They’re normally very cheap and readily available in your local garden centers. So you shouldn’t have any issues finding them. They’re really lovely plants that come in various different shapes and colors. So you should be able to find one that suits your space. I personally really like the pattern on the leaves. It will work well as a little group of plants on top of a cabinet in the corner of a room. That will complement a begonia very nicely, for example.
7. Pakistan Heavy Forum – Blue Moon Stone
I saw my next plant in my last IKEA shopping trip article. And I fell in love with it. It’s the Pakistan Heavy Forum or the blue moonstone. So, this is another type of succulent that is super slow growing. I fell in love with the shape of the thick leaves as well as the coloring of the plant. I think the plant looks like a collection of smooth stones you’d find on the beach. This plant is a very slow unfussy plant. So long as you treat it in the same way as your other succulents. So be a good option for smaller spaces.
8. Begonia – Bushy and Beautiful
The eighth plant on my list is the begonia houseplant. So, I have a few begonias in my collection. I think they all look really interesting. They will work well in a small space because they don’t really get that tall. Instead, they get bushier and a little wider as they get older. There are tons of different types of begonias. So you should be able to find one to suit your taste. They normally come with very distinctive multi-pattern leaves with bright colors that come out of the soil. They’re pretty easy to care for. They tend to like having soil that is moist. And they will show you when they are thirsty by drooping their leaves. Other than this, you can put them in a spot and leave them to do their thing.
What Makes Small Indoor Plants Special?
These plants offer beauty, simplicity, and versatility. They’re low-maintenance, affordable, and ideal for beginners or seasoned plant lovers. Let’s wrap up the list with four more stunners.
9. Peperomia Santorini – Super Compact
The Peperomia Santorini is a super compact houseplant that will suit most small spaces. Like the Caperata and the Rosso, they don’t grow to be very tall. They have lots of individual leaves and petioles that come out from the soil, giving it a nice bushy look. I found them to be easy to care for. They don’t like to have wet feet. So be sparing with the water. But apart from that, they are pretty unfussy. I have a few Peperomias in a little tight spot behind my sofa in my living room. And they’ve not outgrown that space. And I’ve had them for a couple of years. So you should have no problems finding a space for one in your home.
10. Jade Plants – Trouble-Free Classics
Jade plants are a very popular houseplant. And I think the main reason for this is because they’re pretty trouble-free. And very slow growing. So they are tenth on my list. You can expect the stems of the plant to only put out about two or three inches of growth per year, which is really slow. So they can easily go into small spaces in your home without fear of them outgrowing that space. Jade plants are succulents. So they do prefer full sun. But they will tolerate darker spots if you don’t have a spot that gets full sun. It just means they won’t grow as fast. Which might suit you if you have a smaller space.
11. Peperomia Polybatria – Raindrop Charm
The next plant on my list is another type of Peperomia. And it’s the Polybatria or the Peperomia Raindrop. This is a plant that IKEA loves to sell. And it’s a really great plant that will work in most small spaces. The plant has these thick green glossy leaves that I think look really interesting. The plant doesn’t grow to be more than a foot. So you don’t have to worry about it outgrowing a small space in your home. So, the plant is similar to a Chinese money plant. But personally, I think the Peperomia Raindrop is a nicer plant. I tend to prefer the thick glossy leaves to the leaves on a Chinese money plant. Like I’ve said, this plant is sat in quite a tight spot with my other Peperomias behind my living room sofa. And it’s doing perfectly fine.
12. Snake Plants – Ultimate Low Maintenance
Snake plants are ideal for small spaces because they are such slow growers. And extremely unfussy. They will tolerate all light conditions from full sun to deep shade. And will essentially just sit there and do its thing wherever you put it. Snake plants hardly need any watering. So they’re really low maintenance. They’re the perfect beginner house plant. There are many varieties out there that look really interesting. My personal favorite is the variegated one with yellow edging on the leaves that I’ve placed in my dining room mantel behind me. Snake plants are also really affordable and easy to find. And you’ll be able to find one that easily fits your space. And because it’s so slow growing, it definitely won’t outgrow that space either.
Bonus Tip: Affordable Small Indoor Plants
Snake plants aren’t the only type of plant that looks great and is super affordable. In this article here, I share with you 12 of the best affordable houseplants you can buy on any budget to brighten up your home. Click on the link there. I’ll see you there. And thank you very much for watching!