Sing the praises of small plants! These little lovelies remain compact, making them ideal choices for windowsills, mantels, bookshelves, or end tables.

The next time you visit your local garden center, take some time to check out the smaller house plants on display. 

Sure, the big, bold fiddle leaf figs and peace lilies will grab your attention, but if you look a little closer, you’ll also notice a jewel-toned world of tiny plants that you can use to fill even the smallest decorating needs.

All of these little lovelies will remain fairly compact, making them good choices to display on a windowsill, mantel, book shelf, or end table. They are also perfect for space-challenged apartments, dorm rooms, or mobile homes.

But just because they’re small, doesn’t mean these tiny houseplants won’t have a big impact in your home. Many sport bold, colorful foliage in a host of colors and bi-colors. You can display them individually or mix and match those with complementary colors in a bowl to create a festive table display. 

Some of our favorite little gems include: purple waffle plant, nerve plant, succulents, Desert Gem cactus, creeping fig, dragon’s tongue, Rex begonia, lucky bamboo, dwarf orchid, flame violet, ferns, tree ivy, pilea, and polka dot plant. 

Caring For Small Houseplants
Proper watering is the key to success with any houseplant,  but it’s even more important with smaller specimens because they can dry out so quickly. This means you should check your plants every few days and give them a drink if the surface of the soil just starts to feels dry to the touch. 

Humidity is also important, particularly during the winter, when the air is drier in your home. If your home has dry air, try clustering your little houseplants together or setting them on a large pebble-filled saucer filled with water. As the water evaporates it will add much-needed moisture to the air around them. Or, plant them in a terrarium where they will enjoy a more naturally moist environment.

Good lighting is also essential, but most smaller plants, with the exception of cactus and succulents, prefer bright, indirect light. Avoid putting them in direct sunlight. 

Written by Doug Jimerson