Trees will clean your stale indoor air and add a pop of color/green to a white-out winter. Fortunately, trees grow surprisingly well indoors with the correct care and conditions. This guide will take you through choosing which tree is correct for your home, planting it, and how to take care of it!

Tips For Planting

  • Choose a pot that is relevant to the size of the tree

  • As the tree grows, change the size of the pot until your tree is the size you want it

  • Use a pot with drainage holes to prevent overwatering

  • If you have pets, research to make sure that the tree you choose is not poisonous to them

  • Use high-quality soil to ensure the best growth and drainage

 

Types of Trees That Grow Well Indoors

Below is a list of popular options for planting trees in your home. A lot of these trees listed are considered bonsai trees or ficus trees, which are becoming very prevalent for decoration purposes.

 

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Characteristics: Tall, large green leaves

Preferred Condition: Bright light with no drafts

Care Tips: Water when the soil feels dry and watch for bugs

 

Norfolk Island Pine

Characteristics: Short, green pine needles

Preferred Condition: Medium to bright light

Care Tips: Water enough so that the soil is always moist

 

Yucca

Characteristics: Sword shaped leaves, wide woody stems, can come in shades of green, blue, yellow, white, or cream

Preferred Condition: Sun to part shade

Care Tips: Don’t need much water, don’t keep in cold temperatures

 

Parlor Palm

Characteristics: Green, long, thin leaves

Preferred Condition: Can live in low light and humidity

Care Tips: Use a container with drainage holes, palms develop root rot if the soil stays wet too long

 

Corn Plant

Characteristics: Thick trunk, striped green leaves, grow to be about 6ft tall

Preferred Condition: Bright light and moderate humidity

Care Tips: Let the top dry out before watering again

 

Madagascar Dragon Tree

Characteristics: Tall, windy trunk, green pointy leaves, reach about 8ft tall over time

Preferred Condition: Bright, filtered light. Direct sunlight will burn the leaves

Care Tips: Keep the soil slightly moist, keep away from pets- the leaves are poisonous to them

 

Ficus

Characteristics: Tall, windy trunk, bright and bushy leaves

Preferred Condition: Medium to bright light

Care Tips: Water when the top of the soil is dry, prune them to keep a nice shape

 

Ponytail Palm

Characteristics: Thick trunk, long curvy leaves

Preferred Condition: Medium to low light

Care Tips: Apply a houseplant fertilizer in the once in the spring and summer, does not need to be watered often

 

Dracaena Anita

Characteristics: Tall trunk, green pointy leaves

Preferred Condition: Bright light and high humidity

Care Tips: Mist it often if your home is dry and keep it watered

 

Rubber Tree

Characteristics: Fast-growing, rubber-like leaves

Preferred Condition: Bright, filtered light

Care Tips: Water regularly, give it liquid fertilizer while it is growing, re-pot yearly until it has reached your desired size

 

Fishtail Palm

Characteristics: Leaves resemble fins and fishtails

Preferred Condition: bright light, warm temperature, high humidity

Care Tips: Keep them near a humidifier, water regularly

 

Majesty Palm

Characteristics: Thin, fan-like leaves

Preferred Condition: Medium to bright light

Care Tips: Keep soil moist but not wet

 

Money Tree

Characteristics: Rich green leaves

Preferred Condition: Bright light

Care Tips: Water regularly

 

If there is another tree that you are considering planting, be sure to consult with your florist to learn about the conditions it thrives in.

 

Overall Tips For Care

  • Check your tree regularly for pests

  • Don’t move your plants too often, they acclimate to their surroundings

  • When watering, avoid the foliage

  • Dust the foliage of your tree regularly with a damp cloth

  • Give your plant new soil at least once a year

  • Use room temperature water

 

Common Problems

  • Under-watering or over watering

  • Too much or too little humidity

  • Too much or too little light

  • Relocation or repotting

  • Drafts

  • Change in temperature (too hot or cold)

  • Pests

 

Having trees in your home can really brighten up the winter months. Now that you have learned all about how to plant them, use your green thumb and get planting!

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