Plants For Small Spaces (11 Plants That Stay Small)

Looking for plants that fit in small spaces? Well, I have a list of low-maintenance, drought-resistant perennials that fit the bill.

So, what are some good plants for small spaces? Some good plants for small spaces include Anise Hyssop, Curly Sedge, Dwarf Plumbago, Echeveria, Lily Of The Valley, Meadow Garlic, Persian Onion, Roman Chamomile, Siberian Tea, Woolly Yarrow, and Zebra Cactus. Most of these are low maintenance, drought tolerant, and some have nice flowers as well.

Some of these plants can tolerate severe cold (well below freezing), but others cannot withstand frost or freezing temperatures. So, check the details below (USDA Zone Hardiness) before you decide on a plant.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 11 plants for small spaces, many of which only grow to a height and width less than 1 foot. You’ll find information on care, including soil pH and moisture, required sunlight, mature size, and propagation methods.

Let’s get started.

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Plants For Small Spaces (11 Plants That Stay Small)

There are lots of options when it comes to plants for small spaces. You can keep plants in a pot to make them stay small, but you can also choose plants that are naturally small.

Here is a list of 11 low-maintenance, drought-resistant perennial plants that fit in a small area:

Anise Hyssop
Curly Sedge
Dwarf Plumbago
Echeveria
Lily Of The Valley
Meadow Garlic
Persian Onion
Roman Chamomile
Siberian Tea
Woolly Yarrow
Zebra Cactus

Let’s get into more detail on each one, starting with Anise Hyssop.

Anise Hyssop

Anise Hyssop (Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’), also known as Hummingbird Mint, is a drought tolerant perennial that produces small, showy, fragrant, blue or purple flowers in summer to fall.

Anise Hyssop needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Anise Hyssop prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0 or higher).

Anise Hyssop can tolerate somewhat cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet, with a width of 18 to 24 inches.

You can propagate Anise Hyssop by division.

You can learn more about Anise Hyssop from the North Carolina State University Plant Toolbox.

You can find Anise Hyssop from Great Garden Plants.

Curly Sedge

Curly Sedge (Carex albula), also known as New Zealand Sedge, is a drought tolerant perennial that produces copper brown flowers (although the plant is more desired for its leaf appearance).

Curly Sedge needs well-draining soil with moderate moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Curly Sedge prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0).

Curly Sedge can tolerate cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 7a (as cold as 0 degrees Fahrenheit or –18 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 10 to 18 inches, with a width of 12 to 18 inches.

You can propagate Curly Sedge by division or by seed.

You can learn more about Curly Sedge from the North Carolina State University Plant Toolbox.

You can find Curly Sedge from Forest Farm.

Dwarf Plumbago

Dwarf Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides), also known as Leadwort, is a drought tolerant perennial that produces small, showy, blue flowers in summer to fall.

Dwarf Plumbago needs well-draining soil with moderate moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Dwarf Plumbago prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0).

Dwarf Plumbago can tolerate somewhat cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 6 to 8 inches, with a width of 5 to 20 inches.

You can propagate Dwarf Plumbago by division, leaf cuttings, root cuttings, or by seed.

You can learn more about Dwarf Plumbago from the North Carolina State University Plant Toolbox.

You can find Dwarf Plumbago from Greenwood Nursery.

Echeveria

Echeveria, also known as Mexican Rosettes, is a drought tolerant perennial succulent that produces small, showy flowers that are pink, orange, or gold in summer to fall.

Echeveria needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Echeveria prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly to somewhat acidic soil (pH of 5.5 to 6.5).

Echeveria cannot tolerate cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 9a (as cold as 20 degrees Fahrenheit or –7 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 1 to 12 inches, with a width of 2 to 12 inches.

You can propagate Echeveria by division, leaf cuttings, or stem cuttings.

You can learn more about Echeveria from the North Carolina State University Plant Toolbox.

You can find Echeveria from Succulent Market.

Lily Of The Valley

Lily Of The Valley (Convallaria majalis) is a drought tolerant perennial that produces small, showy, fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers in spring to summer.

Lily Of The Valley needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Lily Of The Valley prefers shady conditions (partial or full shade). It prefers somewhat acidic to neutral soil (pH of 5.0 to 7.0).

Lily Of The Valley can tolerate extreme cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 3a (as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit or –40 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 6 to 10 inches, with a width of 4 to 12 inches.

You can propagate Lily Of The Valley by division or by seed.

You can learn more about Lily Of The Valley from the North Carolina State University Plant Toolbox.

You can find Lily Of The Valley from Gurney’s.

Meadow Garlic

Meadow Garlic (Allium canadense), also known as Wild Garlic, is a drought tolerant perennial that produces fragrant white, pink, or purple flowers on stalks in spring to summer.

Meadow Garlic needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Meadow Garlic prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0).

Meadow Garlic can tolerate severe cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 4a (as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit or –34 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 8 to 18 inches, with a width of 6 to 12 inches.

You can propagate Meadow Garlic by division or by seed

You can learn more about Meadow Garlic from the North Carolina State University Plant Toolbox.

You can find Meadow Garlic from Norton Naturals.

Persian Onion

Persian Onion (Allium aflatunense), also known as Ornamental Onion, is a drought tolerant perennial bulb that produces small, showy, fragrant, purple or lavender flowers in spring.

Persian Onion needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Persian Onion prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly to somewhat acidic soil (pH of 5.5 to 6.5).

Persian Onion can tolerate severe cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 4a (as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit or –34 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 24 to 36 inches, with a width of 4 to 6 inches.

You can propagate Persian Onion by division.

You can learn more about Persian Onion from the North Carolina State University Plant Toolbox.

You can find Persian Onion from Fedco Seeds.

Roman Chamomile

Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), also known as Barnyard Daisy, is a drought tolerant perennial that produces small, showy, fragrant, white flowers in spring, summer, or fall.

Roman Chamomile needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Roman Chamomile prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0).

Roman Chamomile can tolerate somewhat cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 4a (as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit or –34 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 3 to 6 inches, with a width of 2 to 4 inches.

You can propagate Roman Chamomile by division or by seed.

You can learn more about Roman Chamomile from the North Carolina State University Plant Toolbox.

You can find Roman Chamomile from Mountain Valley Growers.

Siberian Tea

Siberian Tea (Bergenia crassifolia), also known as Leather Bergenia, is a drought tolerant perennial that produces small, showy flowers in spring that can be white, pink, purple, lavender, red, burgundy, cream, or tan.

Siberian Tea needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Siberian Tea prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial or deep shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0).

Siberian Tea can tolerate intense cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 3a (as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit or –40 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 12 to 18 inches, with a width of 9 to 24 inches.

You can propagate Siberian Tea by division or by seed.

You can learn more about Siberian Tea from the North Carolina State University Plant Toolbox.

You can find Siberian Tea from Urban Tree Farm.

Woolly Yarrow

Woolly Yarrow (Achillea tomentosa) is a drought tolerant perennial that produces dense clusters of small yellow flowers from spring to summer.

Woolly Yarrow needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Woolly Yarrow needs full sun. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.0 to 8.0).

Woolly Yarrow can tolerate somewhat cold conditions. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 3a (as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit or –40 degrees Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 6 to 8 inches, with a width of 8 to 18 inches.

You can propagate Woolly Yarrow by division, stem cuttings, or by seed.

You can learn more about Woolly Yarrow from the North Carolina State University Plant Toolbox.

You can find Woolly Yarrow from Heritage Flower Farm.

Zebra Cactus

Zebra Cactus (Haworthia), also known as Pearl Plant, is a drought tolerant perennial succulent that produces small, white flowers.

Zebra Cactus needs well-draining soil with moderate to dry moisture levels. It is sensitive to over watering.

Zebra Cactus prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.6 to 7.5).

Zebra Cactus cannot tolerate cold at all. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 10a (as cold as 30 degrees Fahrenheit or –1 degree Celsius).

This plant grows to a height of 6 to 8 inches, with a width of 4 to 6 inches.

You can propagate Zebra Cactus by division, leaf cuttings, or by seed.

You can learn more about Zebra Cactus from the North Carolina State University Plant Toolbox.

You can find Zebra Cactus from Planet Desert.

Conclusion

Now you have a list of 11 low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants that stay small and fit in tiny spaces. If you live in an area with cold winters, make sure to choose one that can tolerate your USDA Hardiness Zone!

If you have limited space to plant, you might also want to check out these articles:

I hope you found this article helpful. If so, please share it with someone who can use the information.

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