Indoor trees are in, and the bigger, the better. They’re transforming homes with big, bold shades of green that reach the ceiling.
And besides looking pretty, indoor trees are good for your health. Studies have shown that they reduce stress and fatigue, improve your mood, increase creativity and productivity, and clean the air in your home by absorbing toxins and producing oxygen. Who knew?
And small trees are versatile. They effortlessly complement any décor, make a cold room cozy, and a dull space exotic.
Here’s our list of our favorite indoor trees that will flourish in your home!
Bird of Paradise
When grown outdoors, these plants can produce gorgeous flowers that resemble birds. Their large, smooth leaves add color and texture to a room.
Birds of paradise need bright light to flourish, but it can be either direct or indirect. This plant does best in humid conditions and grows well in a drier climate with weekly watering.
Dragon Tree
Want a plant that makes a significant visible impact? A dragon tree may be for you. Its twisted trunk is topped with spiky green leaves with red edges, and even indoors, it can grow as high as ten feet tall.
Dragon trees need medium to bright indirect sunlight for growth. This plant’s leaves will start to fall off if it doesn’t get enough light. They can flourish in a wide range of temperatures and go as long as three weeks between watering because of their drought tolerance.
Triangle Ficus
Many ficus trees are finicky and require very meticulous care. But the triangle ficus is one of the least fussy plants in this family.
Also known as a weeping fig, the triangle ficus needs bright light to flourish. They don’t do well in the cold, so it is recommended you keep them in a room that won’t drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Water them very slowly until the soil is soaked through, and then let the soil dry out before the next time you water them.
Norfolk Island Pine
Around the holidays, stores will carry small potted pines for seasonal decor. They look like miniature Christmas trees and can make your home feel more festive.
Norfolk Island Pines are not like traditional pines that grow in cold regions. These houseplants are strictly tropical and needed plenty of bright direct light. Along with full sunlight, they also need acidic soil and a lot of humidity and should be misted weekly or kept in a room with a humidifier.
Parlor Palm
Parlor palms can grow up to six feet tall, so they’re perfect for people who want to make more of a statement with their plant decor.
A parlor palm does best in medium to indirect light. It can be watered weekly, but make sure that the water flows down into the roots.
Because these plants grow so quickly, they need to be re-potted about once a year, which gives you an excellent opportunity to bring in new decorative elements by changing the style of the pot.
Corn Plant
These plants feature thick stems and long, narrow leaves. The overall effect resembles stalks and husks but with a tropical vibe.
Direct sun can burn the leaves of this plant, but too little light will dull the leaves and stunt growth. A room with filtered sunlight is ideal. During spring and summer, the soil should be kept perpetually damp (but not soggy), but you should cut back your watering schedule in the autumn and winter.
Yucca
The long, spiky leaves of this tree could look intimidating, but their springy bright green color gives it a sense of whimsy.
Yucca primarily grows in southwestern climates and does well in hot arid environments. These hardy plants need full sunlight, or at the very least bright indirect sunlight. Make sure they have plenty of drainage, as overwatering is the easiest way to kill a yucca.
Split Leaf
The Monstera is a tropical shrub that features natural holes in its leaves, which has led to it having the nickname “Swiss Cheese Plant.” It can thrive in both medium and bright indirect light but should be kept out of direct sunlight. Since they’re in indirect light, they only need to be watered weekly or biweekly.
So ditch the tiny potted plants and go big with indoor trees.
