Generic "best apartment plants" lists exist everywhere. They all have pothos and snake plants, which is correct but incomplete. The plant that thrives in your apartment depends almost entirely on your windows: how many you have, how large they are, and which direction they face. Start there.
Know your windows first
If you are not sure which direction your apartment's windows face, the fastest method is to open your phone's compass app, stand at the window, and point the phone outward. What it reads is the direction the window faces. You can also follow these three methods for finding window direction.
Most apartments have one or two exposed sides of the building. That limits your window directions. Urban apartments often have just north-facing windows or a single narrow east or west exposure. Knowing what you have tells you everything about which plants will work.
For a bright south or west window
These are the best windows in any apartment. South windows get the most total light; west windows get strong afternoon sun. You can grow almost anything here.
- Fiddle Leaf FigFicus lyrataFinally possible with a south window. Needs bright light to stay healthy indoors.
- Bird of ParadiseStrelitzia reginaeA statement plant that rewards a sunny spot.
- SucculentsVariousThe only window that reliably keeps them thriving long-term.
- HerbsBasil, rosemary, thymeNeed several hours of direct sun. A south window is one of the few indoor spots that delivers it.
- Rubber PlantFicus elasticaDoes well in bright indirect to direct light. Grows steadily in a west window.
- CrotonCodiaeum variegatumKeeps its vivid leaf color only in strong light. Fades quickly if moved away from the window.
For an east window
East windows get gentle morning sun and bright indirect light in the afternoon. This is one of the most plant-friendly exposures there is: warm without being harsh, and reliable across the seasons.
- MonsteraMonstera deliciosaGrows well in bright indirect light. An east window keeps it lush without burning the leaves.
- PothosEpipremnum aureumThrives in morning sun. Produces bigger, more vibrant leaves here than in a north window.
- Spider PlantChlorophytum comosumProduces runners and babies freely in east light. Very forgiving.
- Heartleaf PhilodendronPhilodendron hederaceumA trailing or climbing vine that loves this gentle exposure.
- Aloe VeraAloe barbadensisNeeds morning sun but burns in harsh afternoon direct light. East is ideal.
- Peace LilySpathiphyllum wallisiiOne of the few low-light bloomers. Flowers more often with a little morning sun.
For a north window or low light
A north-facing window is the most common challenge in urban apartments. The light is soft, indirect, and consistent. Many popular foliage plants evolved in forest shade and genuinely prefer it.
- Snake PlantDracaena trifasciataTolerates very low light. Almost impossible to kill with neglect.
- ZZ PlantZamioculcas zamiifoliaStores water in its roots. Forgets about poor light and drought with equal ease.
- Cast Iron PlantAspidistra elatiorThe most shade-tolerant large houseplant. Slow, but never complains.
- Chinese EvergreenAglaonema commutatumDarker-leaved cultivars handle the least light of any patterned foliage plant.
- CalatheaGoeppertia makoyanaPrefers indirect light. Direct sun fades the striking patterns on its leaves.
- Bird's Nest FernAsplenium nidusScorches in direct sun. A north window gives it exactly what it wants.
Not sure which window is right for a specific plant?
Plant Compass Lite points at any window and tells you which of your plants will thrive, cope, or should go somewhere else. It reads the real sun position for your location, so the answer is specific to your apartment.
Get Plant Compass LiteIf you have almost no natural light
Some studio apartments and basement units have very small windows or windows blocked by the building next door. If a bright patch of light never appears on the floor during the day, your options on natural light alone are limited to the most shade-tolerant plants: cast iron plant, ZZ plant, and snake plant. All of them will survive but grow slowly.
A dedicated grow light changes everything. An LED grow light running 12 to 14 hours a day in a dark room can support most houseplants and even herbs. The initial cost is low, and modern fixtures are small and tidy enough for a studio.
Frequently asked
Do apartments have enough light for plants?
Many do. Even a single north window gives enough light for low-light plants. A south or west window is often just as bright as in a house. The challenge is knowing which direction your windows face and matching plants to what you actually have.
What is the best plant for a studio apartment?
A pothos or snake plant works in most studios and tolerates a range of light levels. If your studio has a bright window, add a spider plant or rubber plant. If it is dim, a ZZ plant or cast iron plant will outlast almost anything else.
Can plants survive with just artificial light?
Yes, with a proper grow light running at least 12 hours a day. A standard ceiling bulb is not enough. LED grow lights designed for plants are inexpensive and work well for herbs, foliage plants, and succulents.
What plants are good for renters who move often?
Succulents, snake plants, and ZZ plants stay in small pots, need minimal water, and are easy to move. Trailing pothos can be trained on a shelf without damaging walls. All pack easily when the lease ends.
More detail by window: north-facing windows, east-facing windows, south-facing windows, west-facing windows, or the full low light plant list.