Many of us were reminded about the importance of having access to nature over the last couple of years. Not having a garden or the time to get to the closest park for a few minutes doesn’t mean you have to forgo the beauty of mother nature completely – not when you can enhance your NYC home with excellent indoor plants.
Most New York apartments for rent don’t have gardens, and they’re also not suitable for growing many plants that prefer full sun, root space, and other conditions you’re more likely to find outdoors. However, the plants below will thrive in most apartments, and only require occasional watering. Take a closer look at a few of the best plants for apartments in New York City.
Snake Plant – Sanseveria trifasciata
The stylish spikes of the snake plant (Sanseveria trifasciata) make a beautiful statement while requiring a minimum of maintenance. They’re succulents, so you only need to water them once every two or three weeks, which is great news for anyone with a busy lifestyle. They’re also happy in medium to bright indirect light and in low light.
Snake plants occasionally produce pretty white flowers with a scent that’s similar to Jasmine. What’s more, they’re on NASA’s list of the top 10 air purifying plants. When checking out Manhattan apartments for rent, don’t stop at visualizing where you’ll put your furniture. Visualize a dramatic snake plant in a place where you can appreciate its serpentine markings and striking shape!
Marimo Moss Balls – Aegagropila linnaei
For an indoor plant with a difference, Marimo moss balls (Aegagropila linnaei) are the way to go. Caring for them is as easy as popping them into a bowl, jar, or glass of water in a spot with low indirect light. They also look fantastic in fish tanks. When the water starts looking dusty or murky, remove the moss balls, rinse out the container, refill it with fresh water, and put the moss balls back into it.
ZZ Plant/Zanzibar Gem – Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Billed by some as the “houseplant of the future,” ZZ plants or Zanzibar Gems are native to the African island of Zanzibar. However, they’ll happily thrive in New York apartments for rent. ZZ plants are happy in low levels of light, and they’re drought tolerant. They store water in large bulbous ribosomes below the potting mixture, so you don’t need to water them more than once a month.
Cacti And Succulents
Small to medium cacti and succulents are available in weird, wonderful shapes and colors. Choose several different types, plant them in an assortment of pots and terrariums (or upcycled containers) and place them in warm areas with bright or direct light, depending on the plants you’ve chosen. Being cacti and succulents, they don’t require a lot of water or maintenance. A few varieties to consider include haworthia, echeveria, crassula, tillandsia, and air plants.
Peace Lily – Spathiphyllum Wallisii
Peace lilies do well in small spaces with indirect low light, which makes them a great option in many New York City apartments for rent. You’ll know it’s time to water the plant when you see its lush dark green leaves droop. They produce elegant white flowers that are unscented. Peace lilies are best kept out of direct sunlight, as it can damage their foliage.
African Violet – Saintpaulia
Available in a variety of colors, African violets make a cheerful addition to any room. They’re happy with being watered once a week, and they will thrive in room temperature out of direct sunlight.
Adding plants is one way to make your rental feel like home. Use the suggestions above and let them inspire you to find others to grow your collection.
Looking for apartments to rent in New York City? Contact Platinum Properties today.
