10 Indoor Gardening Ideas for Small Spaces

Do you ever feel like something is missing in your home? I did. My apartment, though cozy, always felt a bit empty—a bit too quiet. I wanted to fill my space with something more than just furniture and decorations, something that felt alive. That’s when I discovered indoor gardening.

At first, I was worried that my small apartment wouldn’t have enough room for plants. I thought gardens were just for people with big yards or sunny balconies. But then, I decided to give it a try, and it changed everything. If you’re wondering if you can create an indoor garden in a small space, I’m here to tell you—you definitely can!

Here are some of the ideas I’ve tried, along with my own experiences, to help you bring more green into your small home.

1. Herb Garden on the Kitchen Windowsill

One of my first gardening projects was a small herb garden on my kitchen windowsill. I chose basil, mint, and parsley—herbs that could make my cooking taste fresher. I can still remember how excited I was the first time I clipped some basil leaves for pasta. It was like bringing a little piece of nature into my cooking. If you have a windowsill that gets sunlight, you’re already halfway there. Plus, the smell of fresh herbs makes the kitchen feel even more welcoming.

2. Indoor Mushroom Kit

Mushrooms are one of the easiest foods to grow indoors, and they don’t need much space or sunlight. I bought an indoor mushroom growing kit, which had everything I needed. I placed the kit on a shelf in a dark corner, kept it moist, and in just a few weeks, I had fresh mushrooms ready for cooking. It was like having a mini forest at home!

3. Ginger in a Container

Growing ginger indoors is easier than you might think. I started with a piece of fresh ginger root from the store. I planted it in a container with good drainage and kept it in indirect light. Ginger grows slowly, but once it starts, it keeps giving you fresh ginger roots to use in cooking. The green shoots also add a nice touch to my indoor garden.

4. Microgreens on a Countertop

Microgreens are another easy way to start gardening indoors, and they don’t need much space at all. I grow them in a shallow tray on my countertop, and they grow so fast! In just two weeks, I have fresh microgreens ready to use in salads or sandwiches. They’re tiny but packed with flavor and nutrients. Watching them grow always gives me a little burst of happiness, like a tiny green forest appearing in my kitchen.

5. Avocado Plant from a Pit

Growing an avocado plant started as a fun experiment. I put an avocado pit in water, stuck a few toothpicks in it, and waited. After a few weeks, it started to sprout, and I felt so proud. Even though it might take years to grow fruit (or it might not at all), just having that tall, leafy plant in my apartment makes me smile. It reminds me that growth, even slow growth, is beautiful.

6. Green Onions in a Glass of Water

This was probably the easiest one of all. I saved the white ends of some green onions, put them in a glass of water, and placed them by the window. Within days, they started growing back. It felt almost like magic—watching something regrow from what I would usually throw away. It’s such a simple way to have fresh green onions whenever I need them, and it barely takes up any space.

7. Dwarf Lemon Tree in a Pot

One of my bigger projects was getting a dwarf lemon tree. I put it in a big pot near my living room window, where it gets plenty of sunlight. There’s something so refreshing about having a citrus tree indoors. The smell of the blossoms is amazing, and just seeing it adds a tropical feel to my small apartment. I haven’t gotten any lemons yet, but I know that when I do, it will feel like a huge success.

8. Floating Shelves for Small Plants

When I ran out of floor space, I started looking up—literally. Floating shelves turned out to be perfect for small plants. I put succulents, small ferns, and a few trailing vines on these shelves, and they added so much life to my walls. It’s like I’ve decorated my apartment with living artwork, and it makes everything feel a little more vibrant.

9. Indoor Tomato Plants

Cherry tomatoes were another experiment. I wasn’t sure if they would grow indoors, but they did! I put them in a pot near a bright window, and eventually, little green tomatoes started appearing. Watching them turn red over time was so satisfying. There’s nothing quite like picking a fresh tomato right from your own plant—it makes even the simplest salad feel special.

10. Hydroponic Herb Tower

I also tried growing herbs using a hydroponic tower. This was a great way to save space because it let me grow herbs vertically. The herbs grew in water instead of soil, and it was surprisingly easy to take care of. Watching the roots grow in the water was fascinating, and I loved having fresh thyme and mint just a few steps away in my kitchen.

Final Thoughts

Indoor gardening has brought so much joy and life into my small home. I started with just a few herbs and now have a little indoor jungle that makes me smile every day. It’s not about having a huge space or being an expert—it’s about taking small steps, experimenting, and watching things grow. If you’ve ever wanted to try gardening, I hope some of these ideas inspire you to start your own indoor garden, no matter how small your space is. Which one will you try first?