In recent years gardening has seen a boom in popularity—millions of homeowners spend time gardening to enjoy the many benefits associated with the fulfilling pastime.

Although gardening is often seen as a hobby for homeowners with yards, a lot of people don't have ample outdoor space. Luckily, it's still possible to practice gardening indoors as well as on balconies, decks, and patios.

 

Equipment we recommend for plants in small spaces:

Pots and Planters

Pots and planters are essential for working with plants indoors and on decks or patios. There are countless varieties of pots and planters available regarding size, shape, color, and materials, so keep in mind what will work best for your plants and your space. You may need to transfer plants into larger pots if they outgrow their original home.

Hand-Held Trowel

The trowel will be your go-to tool when working with soil. Use your trowel to transfer soil, fill pots, dig holes for seeds, and relocate smaller plants to another pot.

Pruning Shears

Pruning shears come in handy when trimming smaller plants. Pruning is an important element of maintaining plant health and aesthetics—it’s the primary method to remove dead or injured portions of your plants, such as weak branches or leaves. 

Watering Can / Spray Bottle

Using a watering can is a straightforward method to hydrate your indoor plants as well as plants on your deck or patio. Use a spray bottle to lightly mist the leaves of tropical plants and plants that thrive in high-humidity environments as needed. Avoid misting plants that don't require a lot of moisture, such as succulents. 

Gardening Gloves

We always recommend a good pair of garden gloves to help keep your hands clean and well-protected.

And some nice-to-haves:

Plant Stands

Plant stands help vertically organize your plants and give your leafy setup some structure. There are a variety of plant stands available that can work both indoors and on decks or patios. Said stands can double as cat playgrounds, so be prepared for that if you own a feline.

Grow Lights

Although grow lights aren't required, they may be helpful in some situations. Grow lights are usually placed above indoor plants and are used to provide spectrums of UV light tailored to specific plants. These lights are primarily used for indoor plants that aren’t receiving enough natural light.

 

5 easy indoor plants:

Spider Plant

The spider plant gets its name from long, narrow leaves that (vaguely) resemble spider legs. This plant is one of the easiest indoor plants to care for and can thrive with very little maintenance—watering once a week is plenty. Spider plants grow well with indirect sunlight since constant direct sunlight can damage their leaves.

Peace Lily

These aesthetically pleasing plants are known to invoke a feeling of peace with their soft, gentle leaves and white flowers. The peace lily can thrive in shadier areas without constant sunlight. These plants are also known to help purify the air indoors, although we recommend keeping peace lilies away from pets and small children, as ingesting the leaves can cause burning and irritation.

Elephant Ear Plant

If you’re looking for a medium-sized plant that requires a bit more care than spider plants and peace lilies, the elephant ear plant may be a good option. This plant boasts large, heart-shaped leaves with long stems. Elephant ear plants need to be watered regularly and require bright indirect sunlight during the day.

Snake Plant

The snake plant is a tall houseplant with long vertical leaves. This plant is great if you’re looking for slightly larger flora requiring little maintenance. Snake plants only need watering when their soil is dry, and they can successfully grow with a wide range of lighting.

Succulents

Low-maintenance succulents and small cacti are perfect for indoor spaces. Many say these plants thrive on neglect—just don't forget about them for too long! They require very little water and are able to grow in dry soil, plus they’re quite cute.

5 plants for balconies, decks and patios:

Herbs

Herbs are fantastic plants to grow in smaller spaces. You can easily grow a wide variety of herbs such as sage, basil, parsley, oregano, mint, chives and cilantro, just to name a few. Herbs require direct sunlight, so keep them out in the sun or on your windowsill. Who doesn't love a good garnish??

Lavender 

Lavender is a popular, fragrant plant that can be a wonderful addition to smaller spaces like balconies. Lavender blooms during the spring and summer and produces a pleasant floral fragrance. This plant requires a good amount of sun exposure and can be prone to overwatering, so make sure your lavender is positioned to receive ample light and its pot or planter drains well. 

Petunia

Delicate petunias are easy to grow and only require water about once a week. Petunias thrive in full sunlight and produce vibrant flowers that will add color to your space. Try arranging hanging baskets to attract hungry hummingbirds. 

Boxwood

Boxwood is a great option if you're wanting a simple, yet elegant shrub. They can persist throughout most of the year and grow fairly quickly, meaning they will require a fair amount of trimming. That being said, it’s an opportunity to shape the plant to your liking! Green garden giraffes anyone?

Hydrangea

Hydrangeas produce colorful blooms and can thrive in pots and planters. They can persist throughout most of the year and grow quite well with ample sunlight and watering. 

Looking for more gardening tips and ideas?

Read this Beginner's Guide to Gardening Essentials. 

Learn how to Maximize Limited Outdoor Space and Elevate Your Outdoor Space.

Take a look at 10 Easy-to-Grow Fruits & Vegetables for Gardening Beginners and 10 Easy-to-Grow Outdoor Plants for Gardening Beginners for inspiration.