How to Grow Your Own Food in an Apartment

If you live in a city or a small apartment, growing your own food might seem impossible.

No backyard, no extra space—how could it work? 

The truth is, plenty of people are making it happen with what they have, and you can too.

In this article, I’ll show you simple and practical ways to grow fresh food in tight spaces, even if all you’ve got is a windowsill, a balcony, or a corner of your living room.

What You Need to Consider Before You Start

So, before you start planning to grow your own food right in your living space, you’ll want to first consider these things to prevent mistakes along the way.

Sunlight

Light is one of the most important things your plants need to grow. In an apartment, natural light might be limited, so take a good look at where the sun shines in your space. 

South-facing windows usually receive the most light, while north-facing ones might be too dim for some plants. The closer to the window, the better.

If your apartment doesn’t get much sunlight, you can use grow lights to compensate. They’re easy to set up and provide your plants with the light they need, even in darker rooms.

Soil

I believe this is the most important thing to consider when planting.  

Regular garden soil is too heavy for pots, so opt for a light, well-draining potting mix instead. Some mixes are even formulated specifically for vegetables and herbs.

Temperature

Another thing you should consider in your apartment is the temperature. We all know that plants have needs, and those needs include the proper temperature they should be exposed to.  

Most food plants prefer a consistent temperature, usually between 60°F and 75°F.

Take note that extreme heat or cold can stress your plants, so try to keep them away from drafts, air conditioning vents, or heaters.

If you’re growing on a balcony or near a window, keep an eye on sudden temperature changes, especially in the winter. 

You’ll want to move your plants indoors, or using insulation like plant covers can help protect them.

Watering

Overwatering and underwatering are two of the biggest reasons plants struggle in apartments. Check your plants regularly and only water them when the top inch of soil feels dry.

One thing I keep mentioning is to make sure your pots have drainage holes to allow excess water to escape. If water collects at the bottom, it can cause root rot, which will harm your plants. 

Using a saucer under your pots can help catch drips and protect your floors.

Space

In a small apartment, every inch of space matters. Find an area where you can place your plants so they get enough light and stay out of the way. 

Windowsills, shelves, and even vertical wall planters can work well.

For balconies, consider using stackable containers or hanging pots to maximize your growing area. Indoors, multi-tiered plant stands can help you grow more without taking up too much space.

What Can You Grow in an Apartment?

When growing indoors, it’s important to pick the right plants.

To give you an idea, here are some plants you can grow in your apartment:

Herbs

Herbs are probably the easiest place to start when growing food in an apartment. They don’t take up much space and are quite forgiving.

You can keep them in small pots or containers and place them on a windowsill where they’ll get sunlight. If your apartment doesn’t get much natural light, a small grow light can help.

Check the soil with your finger—if it feels dry, give the herbs a drink. Trim them often to prevent them from growing too tall or scraggly. Herbs like mint, basil, parsley, thyme, chives, and lavender thrive indoors.

Mint grows quickly, so it’s best to keep it in its own pot to prevent it from taking over.

Microgreens

Microgreens are perfect for small spaces since they don’t require much room or time to grow. You can grow them in a shallow tray with soil or even on a damp paper towel.

These tiny greens grow quickly, allowing you to start harvesting them in about two weeks. Keep the growing medium slightly damp, but be careful not to overwater.

Plant them in batches a few days apart to ensure you always have fresh greens. Good varieties to try include radish, mustard, sunflower, and arugula.

If you're a beginner, check out our guide on how to grow microgreens indoors for more detailed instructions.

Leafy Greens

If you love fresh salads, growing leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, or kale is a great idea. These plants grow quickly and can be harvested a little at a time, so you always have fresh leaves ready to eat.

Grow them in pots, trays, or even vertical planters if space is tight. Just like other plants, make sure they get enough light, as they need at least a few hours of sunlight each day.

Root Crops

Root crops might sound difficult to grow in an apartment, but they’re actually quite possible with the right container. Deep pots (around 6 to 12 inches) work well for crops like radishes and baby carrots.

You'll also want to use loose soil so the roots can grow without hitting hard spots.

Water consistently to keep the soil moist, but not too much. Make sure they get enough light, and thin out any that are too close together so they don’t crowd each other.

Best Containers for Apartment Gardening

You'll also want to choose the right container so your plants get the perfect space and nutrition they need. The good news is, there’s a container for just about every kind of plant and space.

Here are some of the containers you can use in your apartment:

Small Pots for Herbs

For herbs and small plants, simple pots or small containers work perfectly. Choose ones with drainage holes at the bottom to prevent water from sitting in the soil and causing root rot. 

If you’re concerned about water dripping onto your furniture or floor, place the pots on trays or saucers.

Planter Boxes for Greens

For leafy greens and larger plants, consider using wider containers like planter boxes or tubs. These provide the roots with plenty of space to grow and allow you to plant multiple greens in the same container.

Ensure the containers are deep enough for the plants you’re growing.

Hanging Planters for Vertical Gardening

Hanging baskets or wall-mounted planters are excellent for saving space. You can grow trailing herbs like thyme or even small flowers, and they won’t take up any floor space.

They’re also easy to move around if you need to adjust their light exposure.

Deep Containers for Root Crops

For root crops like radishes or carrots, consider deep pots. Look for containers that are at least 6 to 12 inches deep so the roots have room to grow without hitting the bottom too quickly.

Creative Repurposed Containers

If you’re feeling creative, repurposing household items can work too. Old bins, mason jars, or even tin cans can make great planters.

Matching Container Size to Plants

No matter which containers you choose, the main thing to remember is to match the container size to the plant’s needs. 

Keep in mind that small pots work well for herbs, but greens and root crops will need more room to grow. 

With the right containers, you can make the most of your apartment space and give your plants the best chance to thrive.

Creative Ways to Make the Most of Your Apartment Space

When you’re gardening in an apartment, space can be limited, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow a lot. Here are some creative ways to make the most out of every inch.

Vertical Gardens

When space is tight, think about going up instead of out. Vertical gardening is perfect for apartments. 

You can use hanging planters, wall-mounted pots, or shelves to grow plants. These setups don’t take up much floor space and can turn a plain wall into a mini garden.

Not only that, it’s easy to move things around to make sure your plants get the light they need.

Windowsills

A sunny windowsill is one of the best spots for growing herbs and small plants. If the sill isn’t wide enough, consider using a rack or extender to create more space for your plants.

Balconies

If you have a balcony (even a tiny one), it’s a great spot for container gardening. Use pots, buckets, or even repurposed items like old bins to grow your plants. 

Arrange them to maximize the sunlight your balcony receives. You can also hang planters from the railing to create even more growing space.

Indoor Gardening

If natural light is hard to come by in your apartment, don’t worry—grow lights can solve that problem and let you grow plants anywhere indoors. 

You can also try hydroponics, which allows you to grow plants in water instead of soil. It’s a great option for small apartments since you don’t need pots or dirt, and it keeps things clean.

These ideas make it easier to grow food, even if your space is limited.

See how a little creativity can turn almost any corner of your apartment into a productive garden?

Happy gardening!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)