There’s no denying the popularity of houseplants in recent years. Nothing lifts and enlivens a space quite like a plant does, and then there’s the health benefits they can have in your space. If you’re looking to maximise the greenery at home, an indoor tree is a great way to add scale and drama. Some indoor trees may suit you better than others, depending on your room requirements and style. So here’s a list of the best indoor trees & how to care for them.
Images Clockwise from top left: one // two // three // four // .five // six //
Best Indoor Trees & How to Care for Them
Olive Tree
If you’re after a Mediterranean vibe or something with muted colours, Olive Trees are an up-and-coming choice for indoors. Olive trees grow best in full sun. So if you have a extra sunny spot that’s too hot for other houseplants, it’ll be a great spot for an Olive Tree. Maximise the amount of sun exposure it gets by placing it in your sunniest location or on a balcony, and rotate it regularly so that it grows evenly. Olive Trees are more likely to suffer from being over-watered then not having enough. So if you’re one who forgets to water, an Olive Tree might be a good choice for you! Another way to utilise an Olive Tree is to use a mid-sized one as a table centrepiece. To plant your olive tree, use a large pot and add a layer of gravel or rocks at the bottom for drainage.
Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)
A lot of plants in the fig variety as great to use indoors, and the Ficus Benjamina or Weeping Fig is no exception! Like their name says, the leaves of this plant tilt downwards and they are often grown with their trunks braided. For indoors, look for varieties with darker leaves as they tend to do better in lower light. However the Weeping Fig can still get some direct morning sun. In the right conditions this is a fast growing plant so if you’re looking to grow some impact quickly, this could be the plant for you.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Fiddle Leaf Figs are by far one of the most popular houseplants at the moment and are enjoying a long time in the limelight! While they may have a reputation for being fussy, looking after them is not as hard as you might think. Fiddle Leaf Figs prefer bright but indirect light. Place them close to a window but out of direct sunlight and they will be happy. These plants don’t like change, so once you’ve found the perfect spot for it, leave them there. Water them when the soil is starting to dry out, being careful not to overwater them. For more info check out this care guide.
Palms
Did you know you can most types of palm trees can be grown indoors? Palms are another popular indoor tree at the moment and with multitudes of varieties available, you are sure to find one that suits your needs. Ask at your nursery for specific information on the best type for your location. Lady Palms are a great indoor palm that prefer mostly shade. If you’re after a slow-growing palm, check out a Parlour Palm which is another common house plant variety.
Bird of Paradise
The Bird of Paradise has striking foliage with large leaves and stunning flowers. There are a couple of different types when it comes to the Bird of Paradise, including the ‘giant’ version which has striking white flowers and grows to 6m in the wild. This is another plant that needs a certain amount of sunlight if grown indoors. Place it in front of a window or on a balcony where it can get direct light during the day. If your plant is not getting enough light, the leaves will start to curl in and it will bloom less often.
As the Bird of Paradise is a tropical plant, it can match well with current interior trends such as a resort-like feel. It is used to high humidity, so give it regular mistings. These plants often grow best when their roots get crowded in the pot, so you don’t need to worry about repotting them too often.
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6 Comments. Leave new
What is the name of the tree in the cover image on the top right? Thank you 🙂
Not sure which image you are referring to, but the palm one is a pygmy date palm and in the other image top right is a Ficus Benjamina 🙂
What olive tree are you referring to as I know some need full sun?
That’s correct! The post above has some tips for growing them indoors. If your space isn’t bright enough, a grow light can help too – more info on grow lights here.
I have grown a few of the figs you mentioned. But haven’t thought of an olive tree! Thanks for the inspiration! I will definitely make that my next project. Married to an Arborist so he should be able to give me some guidance.
Particularly like the olive tree ideas Em. Did you know we have a jar of olives from our tree?