Indoor trees add beauty and improve air quality, and also create a calming atmosphere. But not all trees are suitable for indoor environments.
So, here’s a guide to some of the best indoor trees for your home.
Best Indoor Trees for Your Home
1. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
The Fiddle Leaf Fig is trendy. Its large, violin-shaped leaves are quite nice looking, this tree can grow up to 10 feet indoors.
It thrives in bright, indirect light, so make sure to avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch its leaves, and water it when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.
- Watering Needs: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Humidity and Temperature: Prefers moderate humidity and stable temperatures.
- Visual Impact (Aesthetics): 9.5/10 – Striking, large violin-shaped leaves.
2. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
The Rubber Plant is hardy and has big dark green leaves, and some varieties have burgundy or variegated foliage.
This tree prefers bright, indirect light, and it also can tolerate lower light but might grow slower. Ensure that soil dries out between watering sessions. It can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors.
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light; tolerates lower light.
- Watering Needs: Water every 1-2 weeks; let soil dry between waterings.
- Humidity and Temperature: Prefers moderate humidity and stable temperatures.
- Visual Impact (Aesthetics): 9/10 – Glossy, dark green leaves.
3. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
The Areca Palm, also known as the Butterfly Palm, is elegant, and it’s feathery leaves can add a tropical feel to any room.
It also grows well in bright, indirect light, so avoid placing it in direct sunlight, and water it when the top inch of soil feels dry, because overwatering can cause root rot.
It can reach heights of 6-7 feet indoors.
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.
- Watering Needs: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Humidity and Temperature: Prefers high humidity and stable temperatures.
- Visual Impact (Aesthetics): 8/10 – Elegant, feathery fronds.
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4. Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
The Money Tree is popular in Feng Shui, because it’s believed to bring good luck and prosperity, its braided trunk and glossy leaves are attractive.
This tree thrives in bright, and indirect light, it can tolerate lower light levels but prefers a bit of brightness.
It can grow up to 6-8 feet tall indoors.
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light; tolerates lower light.
- Watering Needs: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Humidity and Temperature: Prefers moderate humidity and stable temperatures.
- Visual Impact (Aesthetics): 8/10 – Attractive braided trunk and glossy leaves.
5. Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
The Dragon Tree is stylish and low-maintenance house plant, it has slender, arching leaves with red edges.
It grows well in moderate to bright indirect light. Water it once a weeks, and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
It can reach up to 6 feet tall indoors.
- Light Requirements: Moderate to bright, indirect light; tolerates lower light.
- Watering Needs: Water once every week, and let soil dry between waterings.
- Humidity and Temperature: Prefers moderate humidity and stable temperatures.
- Visual Impact (Aesthetics): 7/10 – Slender, arching leaves with red edges.
6. Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)
The Norfolk Island Pine is a very choice. In my opinion, it looks like a mini Christmas tree.
Water it when the top inch of soil is dry, and again remember, overwatering can lead to root rot, and it can grow up to 6 feet tall indoors.
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.
- Watering Needs: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Humidity and Temperature: Prefers moderate humidity and stable temperatures.
- Visual Impact (Aesthetics): 7/10 – Mini Christmas tree appearance.
7. Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
The Weeping Fig is graceful choice, it has arching branches and glossy leaves, this tree thrives in bright, indirect light.
It can tolerate some direct sunlight, water it when the top inch of soil feels dry.
It can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors.
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light; tolerates some direct sunlight.
- Watering Needs: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Humidity and Temperature: Prefers moderate humidity and stable temperatures.
- Visual Impact (Aesthetics): 9/10 – Graceful, arching branches and glossy leaves.
8. Olive Tree (Olea europaea)
The Olive Tree is a Mediterranean beauty, it has silvery-green leaves and a gnarled trunk, these trees loves bright, direct light.
Place it near a south-facing window, and water it when the top inch of soil is dry
It can grow up to 6 feet tall indoors.
- Light Requirements: Bright, direct light.
- Watering Needs: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Humidity and Temperature: Prefers moderate humidity and stable temperatures.
- Visual Impact (Aesthetics): 8/10 – Silvery-green leaves and gnarled trunk.
9. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
The Parlor Palm is compact and elegant, and it’s perfect for small spaces. This tree thrives in low to moderate light.
It prefers indirect light but can tolerate lower light levels. It can grow up to 4 feet tall indoors.
- Light Requirements: Low to moderate, indirect light.
- Watering Needs: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Humidity and Temperature: Prefers moderate humidity and stable temperatures.
- Visual Impact (Aesthetics): 7/10 – Compact and elegant.
10. Umbrella Tree (Schefflera arboricola)
The Umbrella Tree is lush and vibrant, its glossy, umbrella-like leaves are striking, and this tree grows well in bright, indirect light.
It can tolerate lower light but might grow slower. It can grow up to 8 feet tall indoors.
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light; tolerates lower light.
- Watering Needs: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Humidity and Temperature: Prefers moderate humidity and stable temperatures.
- Visual Impact (Aesthetics): 8/10 – Glossy, umbrella-like leaves.
11. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
The Bird of Paradise is an exotic choice, its quite large, and have banana-like leaves. This tree thrives in bright, indirect light.
Water it when the top inch of soil is dry. It can grow up to 7 feet tall indoors.
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light; tolerates some direct sunlight.
- Watering Needs: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Humidity and Temperature: Prefers moderate humidity and stable temperatures.
- Visual Impact (Aesthetics): 9/10 – Large, banana-like leaves.
12. Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana)
The Kentia Palm is graceful plant, its feathery fronds add a tropical touch. This tree prefers bright, indirect light.
It can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors.
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light; tolerates lower light.
- Watering Needs: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Humidity and Temperature: Prefers moderate humidity and stable temperatures.
- Visual Impact (Aesthetics): 8/10 – Graceful, feathery fronds.
13. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ Plant is virtually indestructible, it has glossy, dark green leaves, and this tree thrives in low to bright indirect light.
It can tolerate low light and neglect. Make sure to allow the soil to dry out between waterings. It can grow up to 3 feet tall indoors.
- Light Requirements: Low to bright, indirect light; tolerates low light.
- Watering Needs: Water every 2-3 weeks, let soil dry between waterings.
- Humidity and Temperature: Prefers moderate humidity and stable temperatures.
- Visual Impact (Aesthetics): 7/10 – Glossy, dark green leaves.
14. Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree (Citrus × meyeri)
The Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree is fragrant and fruitful plant, it produces sweet, tangy lemons. This tree loves bright, direct light.
So, place it near a south-facing window. Water it when the top inch of soil is dry. It can grow up to 4 feet tall indoors.
- Light Requirements: Bright, direct light.
- Watering Needs: Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Humidity and Temperature: Prefers moderate humidity and stable temperatures.
- Visual Impact (Aesthetics): 8/10 – Fragrant and fruitful.
Related: Planter Ideas For Indoor Plants
Choosing the Right Indoor Tree
When choosing an indoor tree, consider the following:
- Space: Measure the available space in your home, choose a tree that fits well without overcrowding the room.
- Light: Assess the light levels in your home, select a tree that matches the available light conditions.
- Maintenance: Consider how much time you can dedicate to plant care, some trees require more attention than others.
- Aesthetic: Think about the look you want to achieve, and make sure to choose a tree that complements your home’s decor.
Conclusion
Indoor trees can transform your living space, and can add beauty, improve air quality, and create a calming atmosphere.
Whether you choose a trendy Fiddle Leaf Fig or a robust Kentia Palm, there’s an indoor tree for every home.
With proper care, your indoor tree will thrive and enhance your living environment.