Living in a tiny Chicago apartment with basically no natural light has taught me more about plants than I ever expected to know. When I started trying to bring some nature into my depressing studio during the pandemic, I fell down this whole rabbit hole about plant selection that I’m still climbing out of.
At first, I was just grabbing whatever looked good at the grocery store or Home Depot. But after killing approximately fifteen plants in my first few months (RIP to all my failed snake plants), I started actually researching what I was doing. That’s when I discovered this whole debate about native versus exotic plants that goes way deeper than just “what looks pretty in my apartment.”
**Why Native Plants Actually Make Sense**
I learned about native plants the hard way when I started helping with our building’s rooftop garden project. The other residents who actually knew what they were doing kept talking about choosing plants that would thrive in Chicago’s climate without needing tons of water or maintenance.
Turns out native plants are basically the low-maintenance option I desperately needed. They’ve evolved to handle local weather patterns, soil conditions, and seasonal changes. A native prairie dropseed grass can survive Chicago winters and summers without me having to baby it constantly, unlike some exotic ornamental grass that needs special soil amendments and winter protection.
The ecological benefits are pretty compelling too, even for small urban spaces. Native plants support local insects and birds in ways that exotic species just don’t. I read that a single native oak tree can support over 500 species of caterpillars in North America, while most non-native trees support maybe 10 or fewer. Even in our tiny rooftop garden, we started seeing more bees and butterflies once we added native wildflowers.
There’s also something satisfying about growing plants that actually belong here. When our Chicago native wild bergamot blooms in summer, it feels connected to the prairies that used to exist where our city now stands. It’s like honoring the original ecosystem, even in this small way.
**The Appeal of Exotic Plants (And Why I Still Have Some)**
But let’s be real – exotic plants can be absolutely stunning. I have a Bird of Paradise in my apartment that I bought specifically because it looked like something from a tropical paradise, and every time it unfurls a new leaf, I get this little hit of joy imagining I’m somewhere with actual sunshine and humidity.
Exotic plants bring diversity and visual interest that you sometimes can’t get with native species alone. My fiddle leaf fig (which I somehow haven’t killed yet) creates this dramatic focal point that native Chicago plants just wouldn’t provide indoors. And some exotic houseplants are actually better adapted to indoor conditions than native outdoor plants would be.
The downside is that they’re usually way more high-maintenance. My tropical plants need specific humidity levels, particular watering schedules, and grow lights to survive Chicago’s indoor conditions. I’ve learned to research care requirements obsessively before buying anything exotic, because the pretty Instagram photos don’t show you the daily misting and weekly fertilizing some of these plants demand.
There’s also the bigger ecological concern about invasive species. I’ve seen what happens when exotic plants escape cultivation and take over natural areas. The rooftop garden committee has strict rules about what we can plant specifically because we don’t want anything spreading to nearby parks or natural areas.
**Finding Balance in Small Urban Spaces**
In my apartment and on our rooftop, I’ve found that using mostly native plants as the foundation and adding a few carefully chosen exotics works best. On the rooftop, we planted native prairie grasses and wildflowers that can handle Chicago weather, then added some non-invasive exotic herbs and vegetables in containers.
Indoors, I stick mostly to houseplants that are adapted to indoor conditions (many of which happen to be exotic) but I try to choose ones that aren’t water-hungry or super finicky. I also started growing native herbs like wild mint on my kitchen counter using grow lights, which has been surprisingly successful.
The key thing I’ve learned is to research everything thoroughly. I check whether plants are considered invasive in Illinois, what their care requirements actually are, and whether I can realistically meet those needs in my space and budget.
**The Problem with Plant Sourcing**
One thing that shocked me when I started getting more into plants was learning about wild harvesting. Apparently, a lot of trendy houseplants and exotic species are literally taken from their natural habitats to meet demand, which is devastating to wild populations.
I started paying attention to where I buy plants and looking for nurseries that propagate their own plants rather than wild-collecting them. It’s not always easy to figure out, but asking questions about sourcing and choosing local growers when possible seems like the responsible thing to do.
There are also cool community initiatives like seed swaps and plant exchanges that help people share plants without contributing to demand for wild-harvested specimens. Our neighborhood has a Facebook group where people trade cuttings and seeds, which has been great for getting native plants and sharing successful varieties.
**Practical Lessons from Small-Space Urban Gardening**
After three years of trial and error, here’s what actually works in small urban spaces:
Start with what can survive your conditions. My apartment is dark and dry, so I focus on low-light, drought-tolerant plants rather than fighting against my environment.
Research care requirements honestly. That gorgeous monstera might look amazing in someone’s loft, but if you can’t provide bright indirect light and consistent humidity, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
Consider your time and budget. Native plants generally need less maintenance and resources, which matters when you’re busy and not wealthy.
Think about your goals. If you want to support local ecosystems, native plants make more sense. If you want to create a specific aesthetic or bring memories of other places into your space, some exotic plants might be worth the extra effort.
**Making Responsible Choices**
The more I’ve learned about plants and urban ecology, the more I realize that what we grow in our small spaces actually matters. Even apartment plants and tiny rooftop gardens are part of larger systems.
I try to make choices that support local ecosystems when possible, source plants responsibly, and create spaces that are sustainable for my lifestyle and budget. It’s not about being perfect – I still have that Bird of Paradise, and I’m not giving up my pothos collection anytime soon.
But being more intentional about plant selection has made me feel more connected to the place where I live and more aware of how urban spaces can support or harm local environments. It’s also resulted in healthier plants and less plant-related stress in my life, which was honestly the original goal.
Whether you’re working with a tiny apartment like mine or a bigger space, the native versus exotic question comes down to understanding your conditions, your goals, and your capacity to provide care. The best plant choices are the ones that work for your specific situation while considering the bigger ecological picture.
For small-space urban dwellers especially, I’d recommend starting with a foundation of low-maintenance plants (often native or well-adapted species) and then adding a few special exotic plants if that’s what brings you joy. Just do your research first, source responsibly, and be honest about what you can realistically maintain.
The goal is creating spaces that support both human wellbeing and ecological health, even in small ways. Every plant choice is an opportunity to make that happen.
Robert is a retired engineer in Michigan who’s spent the past few years adapting his longtime home for accessibility and wellbeing. He writes about practical, DIY ways to make homes more comfortable and life-affirming as we age — from raised-bed gardens to better natural light.
