One interior tree can make your apartment, no matter how small, look like a tropical paradise lush. But, as everything has a price, some conditions are non-negotiable: for example, it is necessary to have a ceiling high enough to shelter the plant comfortably and natural light to make it feel at home.
So no, the dark corner of a room is probably not the best place for this. The best thing to do is buy a young tree and let it grow and adapt to the conditions in your home. Many species can thrive this way if cared for properly.
Check below the 17 best trees to grow at home and the main care to have with each one of them:
1. Starlet (caesalpinia)
If you’re looking for a jungle vibe, bet on paradise tree. “Inland, they usually reach a maximum of about 1.8 meters in height and the leaves divide naturally as they mature”, says Eliza Blank, from The Sill portal.
Needs: strong sun and high humidity.
2. Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata)
“For that mid-century feel,” Eliza recommends these tall, thin plants. Indoors, they can grow to over 10 feet, but don’t expect straight vertical growth.
Needs: Medium to high indirect sunlight. “She will drop leaves if she doesn’t get enough sunlight,” she warns.
3. Norfolk pine (Araucaria heterophylla)
Although they somewhat resemble Christmas trees (sometimes being used instead), this tropical plant has much softer and more delicate leaves.
Needs: Full sun and acidic soil.
4. Caryota
Featuring lush leaves with scalloped edges, this bushy palm variety will transport any environment to the tropics.
Needs: Abundant strong light and plenty of water.
5. Oliveira (European oil)
As long as you’re willing to move them outside occasionally (or regularly, during the summer months), potted olive trees can be quite happy indoors for short periods of time.
Needs: Good drainage and ample direct sunlight.
6. Triangular ficus (ficus triangularis)
“From the same genus as the classic ficus elastica and ficus lira, but with a unique triangular leaf and an open, airy growth habit,” is how Jesse Waldman of Pistils Nursery portal describes this lesser-known (and much less demanding) alternative. ).
Needs: strong light and low humidity.
7. Dracena (Dracaena fragrans)
With a charming palm-shaped silhouette and yellow-green striped leaves, the dracaena needs filtered sunlight.
8. Elegant camedorea (Chamaedora elegans)
Its long palm-like leaves sprout profusely around a central stalk and can grow quite large even indoors.
Needs: Low light and high humidity.
9. Umbrella tree (Schefflera amata)
“This larger-leaved version of the classic ‘umbrella plant’ is easy to care for,” says Jesse. According to him, the “soliel” version features neon foliage.
Needs: medium light and standard watering.
10. Yucca (yucca elephantipes)
In addition to being great at filtering air, these plants with spiky spikes add a distinct desert feel to any room.
Needs: Partial sunlight and little water (they are drought tolerant!).
11. Ficus-lyra (ficus lyrata)
While they aren’t the easiest plants to keep alive, these broadleaf beauties are super popular «and can grow well over 10 feet indoors,» points out Eliza.
Needs: Strong, indirect sunlight and “a very consistent environment” (so don’t move it or the leaves will fall!).
12. African candlestick (euphorbia ammak)
While technically not a tree (it’s a succulent!), this tree-like plant is recommended by Kristina Smith of the Jungalow portal and can grow up to 20 feet tall.
Needs: Full or partial sunlight and good drainage.
13. Fern
“Whether it’s a Dicksonia or Cyathea, tree ferns are native to Australia and New Zealand and are absolutely amazing,” says Jesse. “They grow very tall in the wild (they don’t grow very tall indoors) with large leaves on a hairy ‘trunk’”.
Needs: Bright light, lots of water (don’t let it dry out) and high humidity.
14. elastic ficus
Although they are most commonly seen in small sizes, these glossy leaf beauties can be found in tree form. They can reach up to two meters in height.
Needs: strong, indirect light and some care (clean the leaves when they get dusty).
15. Rhapis (rhapis excelsa)
With finger-shaped leaves on fan-shaped branches, these elegant plants are believed to be native to southern China and Taiwan.
Needs: Indirect sunlight from east-facing windows.
16. Mafurreira (Trichilia emetic)
With “big, thick, dark green leaves that can fill a void,” this low-light tolerant tree is full of character and volume. “It will provide that lush, summery depth you might be looking for, as long as you water regularly (even misting the leaves to simulate more humid environments),” says Tara Heibel, owner of Sprout Home portal in Brooklyn and Chicago.
Needs: medium light and water at least once a week. Most of the indoor trees on this list will survive if you skip a week of watering, but not Mafurreira, which will not recover if the soil dries out.
17. Adam’s rib (delicious monstera)
This hardy, easy-to-grow tropical indoor plant can grow up to 2.7 meters.
Needs: Bright light and 11 inches of space on each side of the plant so the leaves have room to grow out. Weekly watering.
* Via Architecture Digest