by Biloxi Von Lutz

Created on: April 08, 2010   Last Updated: April 13, 2010

Starting even a small garden in your apartment can add character and make the space more enjoyable. There are a multitude of options for almost any sized apartment, whether you want some thing small like a few flowers or a herb garden to something larger like a tomato plants or fern.

The first step is to ascertain the amount of space you can dedicate. If your apartment has a patio or balcony, you have a wider variety of options, obviously, and can grow larger plants. But, if you're apartment doesn't have a patio or fire-escape you can use, you'll have to rely on a window ledge or window planter box, and your options will be more limited.

Once you've decided how much space you can dedicate, you need to determine what sort of plants can tolerate your environment. If you have an outdoor patio, plants are likely to get more sun than they would inside, so that opens up your possibilities. Inside, you'll need to select plants that can survive in a lower light environment. Herbs like rosemary, mint, and basil typically thrive in lower light areas, as well as larger plants like ferns and snake plant. Also, when selecting plants, be sure to take into account how large they will grow. A small herb garden can easily be grown in a kitchen window, but there's no way something like a tomato plant can thrive in that environment. 

Selecting a container of the right size is also important. Plants don't necessarily have to be grown in pots explicitly for that purpose, but the container should be big enough to not restrict the plants' growth. Obviously, you want to make sure it will hold water and dirt without leaking. Varying the types of containers used for planting can greatly add to the aesthetic of your apartment, just be sure to check the labels on the plants at your local garden store before purchasing. They'll give you the information necessary to plant and grow with success.

The last major component to apartment gardening is you. How much time and effort are you willing to put into it? A small window box or a couple of plants on the patio can be planted in an hour or so and don't require much upkeep besides watering, but as you increase the number of plants in your garden, the amount of work goes up with it. Some plants may even require pruning. Once again, check the labels on plants before you purchase them to make sure it's right for you.

If you follow these recommendations and select the proper plants for your environment, there's no reason why you can't have a delightful garden in your apartment, with minimal effort and upkeep.

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