As soon as days start warming up and the sun stays out a little bit longer, we get the itch to start gardening. We've compiled an easy list of apartment gardening ideas and tips that are super simple and won't take up too much of your day, so you can actually lie out and enjoy the lush space you've created. Keep reading below before getting started.

What You'll Need

Planters

Before you start buying plants and other garden accessories, it's important to invest in a few planters. One of the reasons we love apartment gardening ideas so much is because it's easy to move plants around when they aren't permanently planted in the ground. Stock up on various size planters so you can mix and match for an eclectic vibe.

Sunshine

Most plants that make flowers, fruits, and vegetables need 6–8 hours of direct sunshine each day. The best space for your plants to get optimal sun is on a balcony or rooftop patio. If your apartment doesn't have either, you can still grow plants in a window box on your windowsill. You'll just have to choose plants that require less sunlight (like salad greens and herbs).

Water

Potted plants need a lot of water, so make sure you place them somewhere close to a water supply for easy access. If that's not possible in your apartment, you may want to get a watering can.

Potting Mix

Since you'll be potting your plants in containers and not in the ground, it's important to make sure you get the right potting mix before you begin. Regular garden soil is too dense for potted plants. Instead try a potting mix; it's lighter and fluffier, so it makes it easy for air to circulate and for water to reach your plants' roots.

Humidity

Plants that live on an apartment balcony or rooftop will probably get all the humidity they need. If you plan to keep your plants inside on a windowsill, they may need a little extra help – especially in winter when the heat is on. Spritz indoor plants with water or place the plants near a tray of water. If you arrange the plants close together, they will elevate the humidity in the air around them. #Teamwork

Strong Support

If your balcony or patio will be exposed to high winds, your plants might need a little extra protection. Use wide and heavy-bottomed containers so that nothing topples over. If you can, prop a rail planter up against a railing and secure it with zip ties. For very high winds, add a screen or lattice wall. Choose a garden location that can handle significant weight, as containers full of soil and water are very heavy. Check with your landlord before starting a gardening project on your balcony or rooftop.

Might We Suggest…

Herbs

Herbs grow incredibly well in containers, making them our number one choice in apartment gardening ideas. Plant small herbs in a wall-mounted planter. It won't take up any floor space and it makes caring for your herbs easier since they'll be at eye level. Mix your fresh herbs into cocktails or use them as garnishes. Heck. Yes.
We suggest: mint, cilantro, basil, rosemary, chives, parsley, lavender, and thyme.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the most common fruit in home gardens. Tomatoes are strong plants and need room to grow, so choose a wide or extra-wide planter that will give the roots lots of space to spread out. Make caprese salads, pasta sauce, or bloody mary mix.
We suggest: beef steak tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and celebrity tomatoes.

Salad Greens

Salad greens are fast growing and have shallow roots so they don't need super-specific growing conditions. You'll need to water them often, but they're the ideal base for creating your own version of that $12 restaurant salad you love so much.
We suggest: arugula, spinach, and lettuce.

Chilli Peppers

Chilli peppers are great because they continue to produce new flowers year-round. Spicy peppers are very easy to take care of; sweet bell peppers taste great but can be a bit of a challenge. Scrape out the seeds before you eat a pepper and replant them to keep the cycle going. Add to salsas, frozen pizza, soups, and tacos.
We suggest: banana peppers, jalapeños, pepperoncini, and Anaheims.

Meyer Lemons

If you're settling into your home for the long run, consider growing a dwarf citrus tree, aka Meyer lemons. While lemons take a lot longer to grow than most herbs and veggies (it can take anywhere from four months to one year before your tree produces fruit), is there anything better than squeezing a fresh lemon into your seltzer or using one for salad dressing? Lemon trees give off a sticky sap, so be careful of the furniture and rugs you place nearby.

Flowers

If you just want to sit on your balcony with a glass of wine and enjoy the smell of fresh flowers, we’ve got you covered. Plant annuals to beautify your apartment for one season. Plant perennials if you want flowers that come back year after year. Opt for hanging planters because they make watering easy and flowers look great when they spill over the sides.

If you prefer drinking your AM cup of coffee on your patio, plant bold, warm-colored flowers – they look gorgeous in daylight. Think: pinks, oranges, and yellows. If you're more of a PM patio dweller, opt for cool-toned flowers like blues, purples, and white. They look great in the moonlight or with fairy lights.
We suggest: zinnias, black-eyed Susans, peonies, marigolds, and sunflowers.

Caring for Your Garden

Water It

Even if your garden is on a balcony, the rain isn't enough water for it to live off of. Soil in containers dries out quickly, so you'll have to make watering your plants and herbs a priority. Check to see how your plants are doing by poking your finger a couple inches beneath the surface to see if it feels dry. If it does, it's probably time for more water.

Feed It

Fertilizer is an important piece of the apartment gardening ideas checklist because it will help your new garden thrive. If the potting mix you purchased doesn't already have fertilizer in it, add a water-soluble version to your watering can or attach it to a hose. If the potting mix already has fertilizer in it, read the directions on the bag to see how long you should wait before fertilizing the plants on your own.

Harvest It

Harvesting your plants is a great way to ensure they'll make even more food for you to pick. Look up peak harvesting times for each of your plants or herbs. For most plants, you'll want to trim them before they start to flower on top, but it's best to look up ideal harvesting time just to be sure.

Troubleshooting

If one of your plants looks like it's developing a problem, move it away from the other plants until it heals. As with harvesting your plants, look up any discoloration or spots you see on your individual plants to determine what the problem is.

Ready to put these apartment gardening ideas to work?