When it comes to making no-fee apartments in NYC feel like home, there’s a lot to consider. What kind of lighting does your space need? How should you arrange your furniture? Where is the perfect place to hang that beloved work of art? Few design elements, however, can multitask like the humble houseplant. Perennially underrated, a houseplant can purify the air, regulate humidity, and boost your mood — all while looking fresh and lovely. This may be why houseplants have enjoyed a surge in popularity, especially among Millennials. But indoor greenery has never really gone out of style. Whether you’re moving into a brand-new space or just want to revitalize and rejuvenate your home, indoor plants are a breath of fresh air — literally.

Clean air is a cause that most people can get behind, but for some, the idea of nurturing a living plant can be a little intimidating. But for those lacking a green thumb, there are plenty of low-maintenance, virtually indestructible plants — the kind that can withstand whatever hardships you may inadvertently impose upon them. Aloe, for example, can tolerate being watered every two to three weeks, and the snake plant “thrives on being ignored,” according to HGTV. The hardy pothos plant is an excellent choice for first-timers. When it needs water, it will begin to visibly droop, basically telling you, “I’m thirsty!” Once drenched, it will perk back up again.

Different plants have different needs, based on the climate found in their native environment. Tropical plants will crave humidity and warmth, while desert plants prefer dry, arid conditions. The key to nurturing a plant is taking these conditions and applying them to the three major elements a plant depends upon for life: soil, light, and water. Make sure the soil you use is composed correctly — depending on your plant, you may need to add sand, peat, or perlite. For light, refer to the guidelines that came with your plant, or hop online and do a little research. But it is also important to be responsive to the signals your plant gives. If the leaves begin to look singed around the edges, your plant may be receiving too much direct sun. Try moving it to a location in your apartment that offers bright, indirect light, and see how it fares there. Water may be the trickiest component of all. Some plants will drown or rot in an abundance of water, while others will quickly wither without enough of it. Guidance from your local nursery can help you perfect your watering schedule.

It may take a little work to get your indoor garden going, but the innumerable benefits of indoor foliage are worth the effort. Before you know it, your no-fee apartments in Manhattan will feel like a verdant paradise.

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