Not every flat has room for a monstera or a palm. For a narrow windowsill, desk, shelf or bathroom choose small houseplants under 30 cm tall. Here are 12 compact plants by name, foliage, succulents and flowering, and how to care for plants in small pots so they don't dry out.
More on this topic: houseplants: names and care, succulents at home, trailing houseplants.
Peperomia: fleshy, glossy leaves in dozens of shapes and colours; water moderately, tolerates partial shade.
Fittonia (nerve plant): leaves with contrasting veins; loves humidity, great in terrariums or bathrooms.
Pilea peperomioides (Chinese money plant): round coin-like leaves on thin stalks; produces plenty of babies.
Soleirolia (baby's tears): a carpet of tiny leaves; needs constantly moist soil.
Snake plant 'Hahnii': a dwarf rosette 15–20 cm tall; copes with shade and rare watering.
Haworthia: green rosettes with white stripes; one of the few succulents that tolerates partial shade.
Echeveria: a bluish 'stone rose'; needs your brightest windowsill.
Mini cacti such as mammillaria, rebutia and gymnocalycium; many flower in spring. Winter care: cacti at home.
More species and watering tips: succulents at home.
African violet: blooms almost year-round on a bright sill out of direct sun.
Mini phalaenopsis: a 25 cm spike that blooms for 2–3 months; see orchid care at home.
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana: bright flowers in winter and spring; drought-tolerant.
Little soil means little water reserve; check moisture more often than in big pots, especially in summer or near radiators.
Group pots on one tray of wet pebbles to create a humid microclimate.
Don't mix succulents with moisture lovers like fittonia or baby's tears; they need different watering.
How to arrange several small plants together: DIY succulent arrangement.
Looking for a living gift that lasts for months? A potted orchid is a great choice for home or office.
See houseplants and orchids.
Dwarf snake plant, haworthia, peperomia and a small ZZ plant.
African violets, mini orchids, kalanchoe and many mini cacti in spring.
Compact shade-tolerant plants such as dwarf snake plant, peperomia or haworthia.
More often than big ones; check the soil every 2–3 days.
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
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