Houseplants have become quite the accessory for Millennials, giving them something to care for with low risk. While the risk may be low, it’s easy to overwater or forget about your houseplant and ultimately destroy it. Each plant has its own specific set of needs, from succulents to snake plants. The San Francisco climate can be an additional challenge when striving to achieve your leafy oasis. The climate in San Francisco can be defined as Mediterranean with dry summers. The winters are mild, and the summers are filled with sunlight.
To help your plant aesthetic thrive in your space, we’ve listed the perfect plants for each San Francisco home based on space and light and noted how to care for them. Say goodbye to brown leaves and go ahead and name your new friend—they’ll be around for a while.
For Those Living in Small Spaces
If you live in a small space such as a studio or a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, space may be limited. You’re unlikely to have a spacious balcony and a street view with plenty of sunlight. But that’s okay—you can still grow your own little plant sanctuary right in your home or on your small balcony. These plants thrive in pots and love the shade, making them perfect for your small space.
Sticky Monkeyflower
Full shade - full sun
The sticky monkeyflower is moderately easy to care for. It requires a low amount of moisture and will grow in full sun, but it can even thrive with full shade. The plants' flexibility makes it easy to place on a patio as the sun levels fluctuate. Native to California, the sticky monkeyflower grows into a yellow and orange color. This outdoor plant is best in a pot hanging over the edge of your balcony rail or in a rectangular planter.
Succulents
Partial shade - indirect sunlight
If you’re known to forget about your plants or are just beginning to create your plant sanctuary, shade-loving succulents are the best place to start. They can thrive inside by a window or on an outside balcony. Specific shade-loving succulents include the fairy crassula, aloe vera, jade, devil’s backbone, snake plant, and sedum. These succulents will tell you if they need extra care. If they start to look weak or brown and refuse to flower, then you might want to try switching their location and monitoring their water intake.
Hosta
Shade - some sun
Hosta plants are commonly known, yet a fan favorite year after year for their leafy green foliage. They can live happily in pots and grow best in partial shade. The hosta plant does require a little more care, though, as they don’t like dry conditions, so frequent watering is a necessity.
Lamium
Partial shade - full sun
The lamium is part of the mint family. This plant loves shade and blooms in the summer. It produces clusters of pink and white flowers, often resembling the snapdragon. The lamium is the perfect choice to add some color to your leafy plants without needing a large garden for them to thrive. Lamium’s thrive in shaded pots alone or with other shade-loving plants.
Brunnera
Full shade - partial shade
The heartleaf brunnera is a gorgeous-looking plant with its heart-shaped leaves and frosty appearance. The brunnera blooms in spring and produces its biggest blooms with a decent amount of shade. This plant does well in a container, so find a bright pot to spice up your small outdoor space and give your brunnera a new home.
For Those With A Rooftop
If you’re lucky enough to have a rooftop with space for a garden in San Francisco, you’ve got to take advantage of it by accessorizing with plants. You’ll need tough and drought-resistant plants that can grow amidst all San Francisco seasons. These plants will thrive high in the sunny California climate, and your neighbors will be jealous of how green and healthy your rooftop oasis looks. With proper care, these plants will be thanking you for their home on your roof!
Pearly Everlasting
Part sun - full sun
The pearly everlasting plant does well in full sun and part shade, which means it’ll love the never-ending bright days and even the cloudier ones. It’s moderately easy to care for and tolerates cold weather. The Pearly Everlasting grows very fast but is short-lived, so you won’t experience its gorgeous white and yellow flowers once the spring and summer drift away. However, the beautiful blooms of the Pearly Everlasting aren’t one you’ll want to miss, so with proper landscaping and care, this plant will thrive on your rooftop.
California Sage
Full sun
Consider planting some California sage on your rooftop to give your space a natural aroma. This plant is very tolerant during a drought, so you won’t have to worry about constant watering or the hot California sun. Not only will it give your space a lovely scent, but it will also grow to a silvery color that glimmers when backlit by the sun.
Lamb’s Ears
Partial shade - full sun
Growing lamb’s ear is fairly simple if you set the plant up in proper conditions. A lamb’s ear plant will grow in full sun or partial shade. They make a great addition to a long pot as they provide foliage and fill in other vibrant plants. Planting lamb’s ears alongside other perennial plants offers a beautiful look, but they can also thrive in a container. After planting them in their new home, you’ll only need to water when the soil appears dry.
False Indigo
Full sun
The false indigo plant blooms with vibrant blue flowers, filling any garden space. It takes false indigo about a year to reach full height, standing about 4 feet tall. They require full sun but do well with fairly dry soil. The maintenance of the false indigo is manageable. It’s important to keep it watered for the first year, but once it’s established, the false indigo is drought-tolerant, making it excellent for San Francisco’s climate.
For Those With A Garden
If you have personal green space in your San Francisco home, starting a garden is a great hobby for many reasons. There are endless amounts of things you can do with a personal garden, from design, potting, and the type of plants in it. Not only are they beautiful to the eye, but they’re sustainable and help maintain the health of birds, bees, and other insects necessary to help your plants survive. These plants are some of the most sustainable and bright blooms guaranteed to take your garden to the next level.
Herbs
Partial sun - full sun
Having a large garden not only gives you something beautiful to look at, but it can also be resourceful and sustainable. The type of herb you grow determines the exact amount of light they need; however, most herbs require partial to full sun. Herbs can tolerate a great deal of sunlight, making them perfect for an outdoor garden. The best herbs to grow in a large outdoor garden include:
◾ Basil
◾Chives
◾ Mint
◾ Coriander
◾ Dill
◾ Fennel
◾ French Tarragon
◾ Parsley
◾ Rosemary
◾ Sage
If you’re looking to grow herbs but don’t have a large garden, try growing shade-loving herbs in an indoor or outdoor herb planter. The best herbs for container gardening include:
◾ Basil
◾ Oregano
◾ Rosemary
◾ Thyme
◾ Mint
◾ Lemon Balm
California Rose
Partial shade - full sun
The native California rose is a gorgeous member of the rose family. It makes the perfect addition to your leafy green garden since it produces fragrant, pink flowers. The California rose requires wet moisture, so placing it in an accessible and well-cared-for garden is necessary.
Zinnia, Magellan Coral
Full sun
The zinnia magellan coral plant blooms in radiant colors. They’re a great addition as they illuminate the garden with their coral petals. When planted in the garden, the zinnia requires little maintenance. Provide the plant with lots of sun and a normal amount of water, and the zinnia will thrive with luminous blooms.
Argyranthemum, Comet Pink
Partial sun - full sun
The comet pink argyranthemum is a great addition to a garden with its pink blooms. It gives off a daisy-like appearance with its springtime-colored blooms. This plant grows best with access to ample amounts of sun. They like a decent amount of water and can be grown in containers or garden beds. Comet pink argyranthemum can be nicely complemented by flowers such as flowering kale, viola, and pansies.
If you’re looking for a new space to accommodate the garden of your dreams, Team Missy Wyant Smit can help you find the perfect place. With almost 20 years of experience, Missy Wyant Smit has been helping clients find San Francisco homes for sale. Missy has received several awards over the years as a Bay Area realtor with ample knowledge in the luxury industry. Contact Team Missy Wyant Smit today and make your plant sanctuary dreams come true.
