Apartment Gardening 101
Working with limited space in an urban environment doesn't make gardening easy, but it certainly doesn't make it impossible. Hoffman Design Group has been specializing in turning Philadelphia's urban spaces into something natural for over 30 years. Here's what we've learned about starting your apartment garden.
Study Your Space
Every plant has different requirements, so the first step in starting your garden is assessing your environment. Are your windows facing south? Does your apartment receive full sun? What time of day do you get the most lighting? Does the air in your apartment tend to be dry? Pay attention to these factors when completing your assessment: lighting, humidity, temperature. If you have an outdoor space you can make use of, how big is it? Even if just a small balcony, you might be able to find suitable pots and planters to keep out there.
Often working with an apartment, you might have great lighting in a small space. But do you want all of your plants gathered in one corner of the apartment? Likely not. Try hanging a mirror opposite of your window to spread the lighting.
Best Apartment Plants
Succulents.
Succulents don't require much water or maintenance, perfect for city living. They do require a good amount of sunlight, so a front-row spot on your windowsill is ideal.
Tropical Plants.
Think Monstera, Snake Plant, ZZ Plant - some of our go-to beginner houseplants. Tropical plants are often great for tolerating low-light conditions. However, they do prefer a rather humid environment. If your apartment tends to feel dry, try misting your tropical plants every couple of days.
Herbs.
Every kitchen deserves a fresh herb garden. Not only does having fresh herbs available greatly improve the flavor of your food, but saves plenty of money. Fresh herbs at the grocery store are not cheap and often supply you with way more than you needed. Not to mention growing fresh herbs is cheap and easy in itself. Simply having basil, cilantro, and parsley on hand can completely change your cuisine.
Pots & Planters
Here's where your apartment assessment comes into play. You have a few different options when it comes to containers, though you'll likely want to keep them easy to move. Apartment gardening means bringing plants inside in the winter, taking plants outside in the spring, and adjusting positioning throughout the year. Hanging plants are a great option for those with limited floor space. Tropical plants often fare well in hanging baskets, as they're tolerant of low-light conditions. Window boxes are another great option for optimizing space, however, you might have to do some transplanting in the winter.
Watering & Checking Soil
Try and stick to a schedule when it comes to watering. Each plant wants something different. Succulents you can get away with watering once a month, most other houseplants every 1-2 weeks. The most important factor when it comes to watering is checking the soil moisture. Water your plant when the soil is totally dry. You'll start to learn the feeling of your soil and when you should hold off on watering. A couple of signs to keep in mind: yellow leaves mean you're overwatering, dried out leaves mean you're underwatering.
Getting Expert Help
Selecting and caring for plants as someone with limited resources can be expensive and frustrating. We're here to simplify this process. Our team is passionate about the connection between nature and the art of sustainable design. We believe in integrating green practices into our city lifestyles every day. Whether it's your home, business, or office, we find the right plants to fit your needs, light, and maintenance requirements. We do all of this at the most honest and reasonable price we can offer.