What’s not to love about big, beefy Boston ferns or tall parlor palms? They serve as lush, green focal points in a room and, like rubber plants and ficus trees, they demand adequate space to strut their stuff.

Then there are tiny indoor plants that are, let’s just say, supremely cute. Miniature orchids, primroses, African violets, roses, pitcher plants, Venus fly traps, shamrocks, and many cacti and succulents—most can fit in small pots on or near a windowsill. Hang air plants (Tillandsia) from a string or set them atop a trio of shot glasses or elegant candlesticks—no soil required!

There are petite versions of many popular indoor plants—mini jade plants (Crassula minor), miniature moth orchids, even miniature Sansevieria (mother-in-law’s tongue/snake plant). They’re finding their way into apartments, dorm rooms, along kitchen and bathroom counters, and dangling from macrame hangers in front of windows.

The small root systems of these diminutive divas can fit into just about any container—tea cups, mugs, recycled spice tins, glass candy dishes, a small elegant cake plate on a pedestal, a sugar bowl or creamer, as well as more traditional ceramic pots.

Resale stores, antique shops, and garage or estate sales can be rewarding if you’re looking for inexpensive, unusual containers to hold your plants. The only caveat is that if the container has no drainage holes, it’s best to keep the plant in its original plastic or terra cotta pot (with drainage holes) and set it into the more decorative one. (When you water, drain the standing water after an hour so the roots won’t rot in waterlogged soil.)

These teeny wonders work well under lighted kitchen cabinets where they take up very little space. During winter, the sunlight is weaker than in summer, but it’s also at a different angle—lower in the sky—and comes more directly indoors. Windows facing north and east offer less light than those facing south or west. As you move plants away from the sill, even a foot, the light intensity reaching the leaves drops dramatically. However, some plants, like African violets, primroses and cyclamen do not fare well when the sunlight shines directly on their foliage.

One clever gardener uses two slim suspension rods inside of her kitchen window frames to hold several lightweight 2-inch-square pots that sit on narrow trays to catch any water. The windows face south and are perfect for her sun-loving succulents planted in old empty spice tins that have a few drainage holes in the bottom, courtesy of a hammer and nail. If one mini is good, a grouping of them is even better. Here is a sample of space-conscious plants for your indoor garden.

African Violets                   
(Saintpaulia)

At 3 to 6 inches across and about 6 inches tall, a miniature African violet is perfect for a teacup. They can flower for many weeks given a bright spot, but out of direct sunlight, which can cause leaf burn. For optimal growth give plants 12 to 14 hours of light on or near a windowsill or under artificial lights. Soil should be moist but well-drained. Use a water-soluble fertilizer once a week to produce more flower buds.

Primroses                
(Primula)   

Garden centers and grocery stores often sell flowering primroses at this time of year. Place them where you can enjoy their cheerful flowers. They do well in a cool spot with bright, indirect sunlight and prefer moist but not soggy soil. If your windows face south or west, pull the plants back a bit so the sun won’t burn the leaves.

Air Plant               
(Tillandsia)  

Air plants are epiphytes—plants that attach to other plants or rocks. They have few or no roots and the leaves absorb moisture and nutrients from the air. Attach them to thread or twine and suspend them in a bright window. Give them a spritz of water once or twice a week. And, once a month, spray them with some water-soluble fertilizer so they absorb some nutrients. Set them on a sea shell or a glass plate so you can enjoy the architecture of their leaves up close. Talk about low maintenance!

Venus Fly Trap               
(Dionaea)

These fascinating carnivorous plants hail from North and South Carolina where they live in sunny, boggy sites and nutrient-poor soil. They’ve evolved to rely on insects for their nourishment. Place plants in direct sunlight or in a terrarium under artificial light. They’ll be happy if you provide them with an insect each week. If possible, use rain water or distilled water rather than treated tap water to keep the soil constantly moist.

Miniature Roses               
  

A miniature rose offers delicate nickel-size flowers in a range of colors. As the flowers fade, remove them and use a water-soluble fertilizer to promote more blossoms. Mini roses prefer a bright spot in a very sunny south- or west-facing window. Although they may not last as long as some other indoor plants, you can move these small roses outdoors after the last spring frost, where they can spend the summer in a container or transplanted in the ground.

Cactus and Succulents        
  

Although many indoor plants require high humidity and frequent watering, cacti and succulents can endure drought and dry air indoors especially during winter. Their ability to store water in their leaves is a plus—you won’t have to water them as often as other houseplants. Give them good light exposure—like a south-facing window or one that gets at least four hours of sun a day—and they’ll put on a show.