A practical comparison of snake plant and ZZ plant for small apartments, focusing on space, light, maintenance, air quality, and real-life indoor plant care experience.
Choosing the right indoor plant for a small apartment isn't just about aesthetics; it also depends on space, light, and how much time you can realistically dedicate to plant care. Snake plants and ZZ plants are often recommended for apartments, but they behave quite differently when you live with them. From narrow corners to low-light rooms, both plants promise easy care. And this guide, based on real-world indoor plant experience, explains what actually works in small living spaces.
Quick Answer Box:
Overall best for small apartments : Snake Plant Best for very low light and neglectful care : ZZ Plant Best for narrow vertical spaces : Snake Plant Best for minimal interaction and slow growth : ZZ Plant
One of the most common questions asked by apartment dwellers is which plant takes up less space in a small apartment. Snake plants grow upright, making them ideal for tight corners, entryways, or next to furniture. Their vertical leaves don't spread out much, regardless of how large the plant gets.
Photo : A visual comparison of upright snake plant growth and outward-spreading ZZ plant structure indoors.
ZZ plants, on the other hand, grow outwards with arching stems. While they remain compact initially, older plants may gradually require more horizontal space, which can be a problem in studio apartments.
Apartment Lighting Needs
Many apartments suffer from low light, leading people to ask whether a snake plant or a ZZ plant is better for low-light apartments. ZZ plants tolerate very low light conditions better and maintain their glossy appearance even in shady rooms.
Snake plants also survive in low light but grow more slowly and may lose some of their leaf rigidity. In my own experience, keeping a snake plant far from a window made it look dull over time, while my ZZ plant remained unchanged for months.
Watering and Maintenance Comparison
If you're wondering which plant survives irregular watering in an apartment, both are tolerant, but in different ways, which you can understand more easily through this table:
Feature
Snake Plant
ZZ Plant
Water Frequency
Every 2–3 weeks
Every 3–4 weeks
Drought Tolerance
High
Very High
Root Sensitivity
Moderate
Very Sensitive
Growth Speed
Moderate
Slow
One thing that didn't work for me was watering my ZZ plant on a fixed schedule, as overwatering caused its stems to become soft. Snake plants, however, give clearer visual cues before problems arise.
Air Quality and Bedroom Use
Many readers ask which plant is better for an apartment bedroom. Snake plants are often placed in bedrooms because they tolerate low airflow and direct placement near walls. ZZ plants are also safe, but due to their dark color, they don't provide as much visual freshness in sleeping areas.
For small apartments with limited ventilation, snake plants adapt more easily to everyday living spaces.
Photo : ZZ plant placed on a minimalist shelf demonstrating tolerance to low-light interiors.
Safety, Pets, and Practical Limitations
One thing to note is that both plants are toxic to pets. If you live in a small apartment with cats or dogs, keeping them can be challenging. ZZ plants, with their glossy leaves, are particularly tempting to pets.
Also, people often ask if the ZZ plant grows too slowly for apartment decor. Yes, if you want noticeable growth or the satisfaction of frequent repotting, ZZ plants might seem underwhelming.
Styling and Visual Impact
For renters who often ask which plant looks better in a modern apartment, snake plants offer sharper lines and more variety (tall, short, variegated). ZZ plants are perfect for minimalist interiors, but they don't offer much in the way of size variation.
Snake plants, on the other hand, adapt well to smaller pots, shelves, and corners, which is important when every square foot counts.
Which one should you choose for your small apartment?
If your goal is maximum adaptability, minimal space requirements, and easy placement, the snake plant is the better option. However, if your apartment receives very little light and you want a plant you can practically forget about, choose the ZZ plant.
This comparison is intended to help apartment dwellers choose plants that truly fit their living situations, not just survive, but thrive and remain stress-free for the long term.
Deepak Kumar is an indoor gardening content contributor who focuses on practical plant solutions for small homes and apartments. He has spent years observing common plant problems faced by indoor plant owners and enjoys breaking down complex plant care topics into simple, easy-to-follow guidance. At IndoorPlantify, Deepak contributes articles based on everyday experiences with houseplants, helping readers understand what works, what doesn’t, and why consistency matters in indoor plant care.