Good things come in small packages — including plants. According to Time Magazine, plants reduce stress, increase concentration, and make you feel happier. Plus, they add a touch of nature to your living space. But houseplants don’t have to be big to reap the benefits.
Whether you want to brighten up your bathroom with beautiful blooms or add a touch of greenery to your desk, these tiny plants will bring joy to you and liven up your home.
Living Stones (Lithops)
Image Credit: photographed by Egor V. Pasko, CC BY-SA 2.0/Wiki Commons.
Lithops, also known as “living stones,” are a type of succulent native to South Africa, according to the University of Wisconsin Horticulture Department. These unique plants look like small rocks or pebbles and vary in color from green to brown to gray. They are the perfect tiny plant to grow indoors because each succulent only grows to be about 1 inch tall and between 1 and 3 inches wide. They thrive in a sunny location and well-drained soil.
Light: Full Sun and Partial Shade
USDA Zones: 10 and 11
Air Plants (Tillandsia)
Image credit: Depositphotos.
If you like the idea of having a houseplant that doesn’t require dirt, then the beloved Tillandsia (air plant) is for you. These plants can grow on rocks, wood, and shells and come in a variety of colors, including orange, pink, blue, purple, red, and more. According to Better Homes & Garden, these plants can be as little as 2 inches to 84 inches tall. However, the average height for these plants is between 2 and 12 inches if grown indoors.
They are great container plants and are low-maintenance, which is good if you tend to neglect your houseplants.
Light: Bright Indirect Light
USDA Zones: 9 through 13
Miniature Orchid (Phalaenopsis Orchid)
Image Credit: Maja Dumat from Deutschland (Germany), CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons.
These beauties burst with beautiful blooms in pink, white, purple, yellow, and other colors. Mini orchids grow between 6 and 10 inches tall and prefer dappled sunlight. An article by Just Add Ice says they flourish in high-humidity environments, making them an ideal plant for bathrooms. Since they are tinier than full-sized orchids, they require less water and minimal care.
Light: Bright Indirect Light
USDA Zones: 10 through 12
Baby Toes Succulent (Fenestraria rhopalophylla)
Image Credit: Leonora Enking from West Sussex, England, CC BY-SA 2.0/Wiki Commons.
This succulent has small, elongated tube-shaped leaves that are known to look like baby toes—hence the name. This particular succulent actually blooms daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow and white. It is a slow-growing tiny plant and grows to about 3 inches tall. An article by The Succulent Box recommends growing them in well-drained soil with lots of light. Since it’s so small, it can be a great addition to your desk as long as you have it near a window.
Light: Bright Indirect Light
USDA Zones: 10 through 12
Button Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia)
Image Credit: Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.
This plant is as cute as a button. This compact fern has small, round, deep green leaves and dark reddish-brown stems. It is about 6 to 12 inches tall and wide when it reaches maturity, making it a fantastic plant for small living spaces. According to the Spruce, it prefers to grow in moist but well-drained soil and thrives in warm, humid climates. You can help give it the proper conditions by placing it in your bathroom or utilizing a humidifier.
Light: Bright Indirect Light
USDA Zones: 9 through 11
Something to keep in mind when choosing which cute, tiny plants to grow is the care required, as well as if you have pets and children. Some plants are extremely toxic, and it’s vital to always research any plant you are considering growing before bringing it into your home.
