Easy Plants to Grow in Apartments

Living in an urban city like Los Angeles can leave one wondering, how can I grow my own crops if I don’t have access to a garden or a backyard? Well, look no further, because we have a solution for you! We have curated a list of easy to grow edible plants that are well-suited for small pots. You can grow produce right out of your own kitchen. Some of these plants can grow from seeds, cuttings, or even scraps. Have the whole family join you on the adventure of having your very own mini indoor garden!

Green onion 

At supermarkets, green onions are sold with the root ends– save them. You can place them in a shallow jar of water so that the roots are completely covered and the top (1-2 inches) stays above the water. You will see new green shoots coming out of the center in just a few days. Another method is using a small pot (with drainage holes) and some good quality soil to plant the root ends. Make a hole big enough to place the green onion in, leaving the top (1-2 inches) above the soil. The soil should remain moist but not soggy. Green onion can be used as a topping for stir-frys, a green onion omelet, scallion pancakes, and we’ve even seen it added into some mashed potatoes for a delicious twist!

Any kind of pepper

There’s a wide variety of peppers, bell peppers, jalapenos, serranos, and many more that can all be grown indoors! By using the produce in your very own kitchen, this can be achievable. Save some seeds of the pepper you would like to plant, and try this out when the temperature is consistently warm outside, this helps the seeds germinate at a more successful rate. In a pot with good quality moist soil make ¼ inch holes for every seed you will sow. Keep the soil consistently moist and you will see some seedings within 14-21 days. Proper trimming will prevent plant overgrowth and yield higher fruit. Peppers can be used to make stuffed bell peppers, fajitas, stirfrys, and for those with a high tolerance for spicy foods–salsas! Here in Los Angeles there’s a rich Latinx cultural food presence, which is heavily influenced by hot peppers. 

Tomato (small variety) 

Cherries? Grapes? Plums? Tomatoes! Growing the smaller varieties like cherry, grape, and plum tomato will help maintain the size desired for your space. If you want to turn this into a fun family activity, have the kids place the seeds in a wet (not dripping) paper towel then place it in a sealed plastic bag. A root should emerge within 5-10 days. Once it is ready, gently transplant it into some soil, being careful not to break the fragile root. Tomatoes can be used in salads, sandwiches, pizza, tomato soup, and sauces! They can be enjoyed raw, as a snack, grilled, blended, and sauteed. Tomatoes being high in potassium and vitamin c, they are great for heart and skin health. 

Basil 

Can be grown from seed or propagation. If you are going to propagate, cut around 4-6 inches of a basil plant (avoid stems that are flowering), remove the bottom leaves leaving the stem, and place it in a jar filled with water. The new roots will grow from the nodes, it is important to switch out the water every few days. You will see roots appear in about 5-7 days, and will be ready to go into the soil in about 2-3 weeks when the roots are a few inches tall. When growing from seed, ensure the weather is consistently warm, around 75-85°F. Sow seeds ¼ inch into soil and ensure it is consistently moist. Seeds will sprout within 6-14 days. Once the basil plant is 6-8 inches tall, pinch off the top leaves, this will promote a bushier basil plant! This aromatic herb can take your dishes to the next level! Basil is the main ingredient in pesto, which goes perfect on pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. Basil can also be used for a caprese salad, tomato basil chicken and/or pasta!

Mint 

Mint can be propagated as well as grown from seed the same way as basil. Mint seeds might take a few days longer to germinate but they have the same requirements, such as consistently warm temperatures and moist soil. Mint is known to be a fast growing herb that spreads quickly, so plant it on its own separate pot. Mint can be used in tea, for lemonade, salads, sauces, and desserts! 

Thyme  

Growing thyme will require some time… as it takes the longest of the herbs listed to germinate from seed, at 14-28 days. Propagating from cuttings would require the same steps as basil and mint. Having fresh thyme from your own garden for a lemon thyme roast chicken would make it even better!

If you are interested in having one of these plants we give free plants during our food/plant giveaways every 4th Wednesday of the month. We would love to hear about the progress of your very own garden! Come visit us, or contact us for more information.