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Urban Oases: The best indoor and outdoor plants for apartments as NYC reclaims more space for greenery

Clinton Lofts, 91 Grand Avenue, #4D (Compass) Clinton Lofts, 91 Grand Avenue, #4D (Compass)
Greenery is more than just decorative in the "concrete jungle." A tree-lined block, a planted median, a shaded plaza, or a few thriving pots on a balcony can soften the city’s hard edges and make daily life feel calmer, healthier, and more human. Yet for much of New York’s history, parkland and generous public open space were often treated as an afterthought in our commerce-driven city where streets were designed first for movement, loading, parking, and traffic.
Over the past two decades, that thinking has further shifted. City leaders, planners, and advocates have increasingly recognized that streets are not merely corridors for cars, but some of New York’s most valuable public spaces. That idea can be seen in the continued expansion of Summer Streets, which will return this year to all five boroughs with more than 20 miles of car-free corridors for walking, biking, running, programming, and public art. “Summer Streets gives back our largest public space, our streets, so that all New Yorkers can walk, run, bike, play, dance, or simply connect with their neighbors,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn.

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Sutton Gardens, 420 East 55th Street
Sutton Gardens, 420 East 55th Street Beekman/Sutton Place
420 East 72nd Street
420 East 72nd Street Lenox Hill
Casa 74, 255 East 74th Street
Casa 74, 255 East 74th Street Lenox Hill
Newport East, 370 East 76th Street
Newport East, 370 East 76th Street Lenox Hill
174 East 74th Street
174 East 74th Street Lenox Hill
 
 
 
 
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The city is also diving deeper into more permanent public-realm projects. In Chinatown, the proposed redesign of Kimlau Square would reconstruct and expand the plaza, add new planting and paving treatments, create more space for community programming, improve pedestrian and bike connections, and provide shaded seating and planted buffers from traffic and noise. The plans, part of the Chinatown Connections project, and up for review by the Landmarks Preservation Commission next Tuesday, show how even complicated intersections can be reimagined as safer, greener, more useful gathering spaces.
Proposed redesign for Kimlau Square (looking northwest) Proposed redesign for Kimlau Square (looking northwest)
Kimlau Square currently (looking southwest)
As Regional Plan Association Director of Communications Sam Bowden Akbari put it in the Summer Streets announcement, “Summer Streets shows what’s possible when we put people first in our transportation system. By opening more than 20 miles of streets to walking, biking, running, and community activities, New York City is creating safer, healthier, and more vibrant public spaces for residents and visitors alike.”
For New Yorkers who want more greenery closer to home, the same impulse can start on a smaller scale. Indoors, a resilient houseplant can bring life to a low-light living room, soften a work-from-home corner, or help a compact apartment feel more joyful. Outdoors, the right container plants can turn a balcony, terrace, fire escape, roof deck, or small backyard into an urban oasis. The key is choosing plants that can handle the realities of New York life, from dry radiator heat and uneven sunlight to wind, shade, and limited space.
5 East 44th Street, 7th Floor 5 East 44th Street, 7th Floor | Eitan Gamliely for Sotheby's International Realty
Indoor plants have to work a little harder as they may be dealing with low light, dry heat, harsh temperatures, and limited floor space. Outdoors, they have to tolerate wind, container living, full sun or deep shade, and unnatural positioning on a terrace, balcony, fire escape, or small backyard.
For indoor plants, the best choices are usually low-maintenance varieties that can handle imperfect light and occasional neglect. For outdoor apartment spaces, the most successful picks tend to be container-friendly plants that bring either color, fragrance, texture, or usefulness without demanding a full garden. Container gardening is especially well suited to balconies, patios, and small urban spaces, provided there is adequate light. Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s urban food gardening programs show how herbs, vegetables, flowers, and compact plants can all be part of city living.

Best Indoor Plants for NYC Apartments

Snake Plant

Snake plants are a nearly foolproof choice for NYC apartments because they can handle low light, dry air, and inconsistent watering, all while taking up very little space.

ZZ Plant

The ZZ plant is a low-maintenance favorite with glossy, sculptural leaves that can brighten up hallways, bedrooms, and darker corners without needing much attention.

Pothos

Pothos is perfect for shelves, bookcases, and hanging planters because its trailing vines add instant softness and greenery without taking up precious floor space.

Philodendron

Philodendrons bring that lush, leafy houseplant look people love, but they are generally easier to care for than more delicate tropical plants and can handle typical apartment conditions.

Peace Lily

Peace lilies are a nice option for anyone who wants a plant that feels calm and polished, with broad green leaves and the occasional white bloom, even in lower-light rooms.

Best Outdoor Plants for NYC Apartments

Geraniums

Geraniums are a classic balcony and window-box choice because they are colorful, hardy, and forgiving enough to make even a small outdoor space feel cheerful.

Lavender

Lavender is great for sunny terraces and balconies because it brings fragrance, texture, and a relaxed garden feel without needing constant care.
Magdalena Keck Interior Design. Photo credit: Magdalena Keck Interior Design.

Boxwood

Boxwood is one of the best container plants for giving a balcony, terrace, or entry area year-round structure and a more designed, finished look.

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Hosta

Hostas are ideal for shady courtyards, north-facing terraces, and outdoor spaces without much direct sun because their large leaves make those areas feel lush and intentional.

Herbs

Herbs like basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, parsley, and chives are practical, compact, and satisfying to grow, turning even a small balcony or terrace into a working little garden.



Select listings with open houses tomorrow


The Penny Lane, #222 (Yoreevo LLC)
420 East 72nd Street, #2E (Compass)

Sutton Gardens, #9L (Compass)

333 West 21st Street, #1FE (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

313 East 56th Street, #2C (Corcoran Group)

The Churchill, #3W (Corcoran Group)

Chatham 44, #3H (Serhant)

Newport East, #B207 (Corcoran Group)

235 East 49th Street, #5B (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

Park East Apartments, #3B (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

251 Pacific Street, #17 (Corcoran Group)

133 West 75th Street, #PARLOUR (ALTA Real Estate)

Clinton Lofts, #4D (ALTA Real Estate)

Downtown by Starck, #2302 (Corcoran Group)

3 Hanover Square, #13C (Compass)

119 West 71st Street, #3C (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

66 4th Place, #4R (Corcoran Group)

The Horizon, #21J (Corcoran Group)

174 East 74th Street, #PHA (Compass)

333 West 84th Street, #PH (ALTA Real Estate)

The International Tailoring Company Building, #2FG (Compass)

The Centurian Building, #13A (Serhant)

The Alden, #905/906 (Compass)

The Visionaire, #25D (City Sphere)

The Renwick, #6 (Leven Real Estate)

Casa 74, #10A (Sothebys International Realty)

The Astor, #312 (Corcoran Group)


313 West 102nd Street, # (Compass)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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Would you like to tour any of these properties?