Exceptional Houseplant Trees
Here is a variety of indoor trees that you can grow. Some will be appropriate for lower light and some need higher light. There are appropriate indoor tree varieties for many different conditions.
Fiddle Leaf Fig – You can’t look anywhere these days without finding a fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata). These can grow in a variety of light conditions ranging from bright indirect light to pretty sunny conditions. What they will not tolerate well are extremes in soil moisture. You’ll want to find a happy medium for these to be happy. Otherwise, they can be quite finicky. Be sure to clean their leaves occasionally, as their broad foliage is prone to collecting dust.
Bird of Paradise – Bird of paradise is not technically a tree but it is a large, dramatic plant with banana-like leaves. If you give it plenty of sunshine, it will reward you with their characteristic flowers. They also enjoy higher humidity which can be tricky to provide in average indoor conditions.
Rubber Plant – Rubber trees (Ficus elastica) can make dramatic indoor trees. There are various varieties including ones with dark green leaves and different colored variegated varieties. They do best in at least bright indirect light, but some direct sun will promote stronger growth. They can get leggy over time, but this can be easily fixed with pruning, which will encourage bushier growth.
Norfolk Island Pine – A wel- grown Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is a beautiful sight. These trees, normally sold around Christmas time, enjoy bright light, so give them a western or south window for best results. Some direct sunshine is very beneficial. These tend to be picky with soil moisture levels. Keeping these too dry or too wet will result in branches dropping. Once they drop, they will not grow back.
Money Tree – The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is a beautiful plant that is said to bring good luck. These trees are native to swampy areas in South America so you don’t have to worry as much about overwatering, although they do appreciate good drainage inside the home. Bright indirect light, or even dappled sun, would benefit these beautiful foliage plants. It is often sold with a braided trunk.
Schefflera – The umbrella plant, or Schefflera, comes in a variety of sizes as well as those with plain green or variegated leaves. The smaller varieties will grow to about 3 feet (1 m.) or so, and the larger varieties can grow at least twice that size indoors. These like at least bright indirect light or even a little direct sunshine. Be sure to inspect regularly for pests because they can be prone to scale and others.
