Lush Indoor Trees May Be the Finishing Touch Your Space Needs
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Lush foliage can elevate any interior, whether it's a "lucky" money tree in the corner of the living room, mini olive tree beside the bed or a lemon tree thriving in a sunny kitchen. Not only do indoor trees look beautiful, but large houseplants can improve the air quality inside your house and play a role in your mental well-being. Since, finding the right greenery for your space can be a challenge — especially if you're a beginner, we've rounded up the best indoor trees that make plant parenthood look easy.
As you scroll, you'll find important details about each plant, including the tree's average height, preferred sun exposure, temperature and recommended watering schedule. Most indoor trees, like the bird of paradise or cat palm, thrive in bright, indirect light, while others, including the mass cane, can flourish in low light. Meanwhile, banana trees and areca palms prefer full sun, which means six or more hours of direct sun per day.
Whether it's a spacious living room or compact space, like the hallway or bathroom, we've included a houseplant for every room. While some indoor trees can grow upwards of 8-10 feet tall (like the fiddle leaf fig), you can find small indoor trees that will stay between 3-4 feet tall, such as a Ming Aralia or some Norfolk Island Pines. The best part? It's easy to buy houseplants online and we've included a shoppable link for each pick.
Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)
While most popular during the holiday season as a Christmas tree alternative, the Norfolk Island Pine looks gorgeous year round with its thin, needle-like leaves. This cone-bearing tree is actually a tropical plant that originates from Norfolk Island (hence the name), so it prefers temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees and can thrive in high humidity, according to The Sill. The indoor tree thrives in medium to bright, indirect light, but appreciates a few hours of direct sun.
Height: 3-8 feet
Water: Every 1-2 weeks
Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
Temperature: 65º - 85ºF
Cat Palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum)
Add a tropical touch to any space with this small palm plant, originating from rainforests in Mexico and Guatemala. The feathery, green fronds love bright, indirect light, but the delicate leaves may burn in direct sunlight. Since overwatering can lead to root rot, it's best to water a cat palm only once the top inch or so of soil has dried completely, according to Planet Natural. As the name may suggest, this clustering palm is non-toxic to cats (and other pets).
Height: 4-6 feet
Water: Every 1-2 weeks
Light: Bright, indirect light
Temperature: 70º - 80ºF
Mass Cane (Dracaena massangeana)
Originally from Africa, this lush houseplant is known for its stalky stems and long, light green leaves. While it prefers bright, indirect light, it can tolerate low light, making it a versatile choice for indoors. The low-maintenance houseplant will be content with watering once per week or when soil is a little damp or slightly dry, according to Dengarden.
Height: 4-6 feet
Water: Every 1-2 weeks
Light: Bright, indirect light
Temperature: 65º - 90ºF
Lemon Tree (Citrus limon)
The easiest lemon tree to grow indoors is a Dwarf Improved Meyer, which is technically a cross between a lemon and mandarin orange tree. Depending on the season, the tree will produce beautiful white blooms or sweet, tangy lemons. An indoor lemon tree will do best with 8 to 12 hours of direct light from a south or southwest facing window, according to Terrain. Let your lemon tree dry completely between waterings, and feel free to mist it occasionally.
Height: 3-4 feet
Water: Every 1-2 weeks
Light: Full sun
Temperature: 50º - 80ºF
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia)
Native to South Africa, this tropical houseplant is popular for its large leaves and exotic flowers that range in color from creamy white to bright orange. The Bird of Paradise, similar in appearance to a banana tree, can grow upwards of six feet tall indoors, so ensure you've got plenty of space for its leaves to sprawl out. The tropical plant thrives in bright, indirect light and should be watered once the soil has completely dried.
Height: 3-6 feet
Water: Every 1-2 weeks
Light: Bright, indirect light
Temperature: 65º - 80ºF
RELATED: How to Grow Stunning Bird-of-Paradise Plants That Bloom Year After Year
Money Tree (Pachira aquaticas)
Pachira thrives in more swamp-like situations similar to its original home in the South American wetlands. It can tolerate overwatering if there's good drainage and it appreciates bright, indirect light. You'll typically find it sold with a braided trunk under the name "money tree" due to its fortuitous associations in East Asia.•
Height: Up to 6-8 feet, indoors
Water: 1-2 times per week
Light: Bright, indirect light
Temperature: 60º - 85 ºF
RELATED: How to Care for a Money Tree to Garner Good Luck
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
This tall and hardy beauty comes in many varieties, from tricolor and variegated leaves to almost black ones. Put yours in a spot with bright, indirect light and water it about once a week without water-logging, advises The Little Book of House Plants and Other Greenery.
• Height: Up to 2-10 feet, indoors
• Water: Weekly
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Temperature: 65º - 85ºF
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Also known as the bamboo palm, the areca palm is an eye-catching home addition for its feathery and arching fronds that feature more than 100 leaflets on each one. Keeping them in humid environments and by a sunny window will help them grow. Gardening Know How recommends fertilizing them in the spring and using a micronutrient spray in the summer.
• Height: Up to 6-7 feet, indoors
• Water: Weekly
• Light: Full sun or bright, indirect light
• Temperature: 65º - 70ºF
Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
This uber-trendy plant keeps popping up in design magazines and chicly styled Instagram shots, thanks to its wide, textured leaves. Young plants feature dense foliage that spreads out as they age and grow more "tree-like." Give it bright, indirect light — near an east-facing window is perfect. Water once the top inch of soil is dry, drench until water comes out the bottom of the pot and then let it dry out again.
• Height: Up to 6-10 feet, indoors
• Water: 2-3 times a week
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Temperature: 60º - 80ºF
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
Large, lush leaves sprout out of this fast-growing plant, which can reach 5 feet tall or more when content. It's easy to propagate too: Just lop off a thick stem, leave in water until roots appear and then replant in a new pot.
Height: Up to 3-5 feet, indoors
Water: Biweekly
Light: Bright and indirect light
Temperature: 65º- 70ºF
Calamondin Orange Tree (Citrus mitis)
While many dwarf fruit trees do well outdoors in pots, this particular variety can survive inside all year long. Calamondin orange trees produce tiny, very sour fruits, and even better, fragrant white flowers that will make your room smell amazing.
• Height: Up to 3-6 feet, indoors
• Water: Weekly
• Light: Bright, direct and indirect light
• Temperature: 55º - 70ºF
RELATED: Fruit Trees You Can Grow Right on Your Porch
Mini Olive Tree (Arbequina)
If you value a multipurpose plant, why not invest in one that will actually bear fruit? The self-pollinating olive tree will begin to produce olives and small white flower clusters once it reaches two to four years old. It should be kept in a sunny location and watered frequently.
Height: Up to 8 feet tall, indoors
Water: Twice a week
Light: Direct
Temperature: 45ºF and above
Ginseng Ficus (Ficus microcarpa)
This plant's unique thick trunk will make a beautiful statement in your home. The tree usually stays small indoors and loves sunlight, but bright and indirect light is best. The thick leaves store water, so if you accidentally miss a watering, your plant should still be in good shape.
Height: Up to 40 inches, indoors
Water: Every 3-4 days
Light: Bright, indirect light
Temperature: 60º - 75ºF
Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)
With their glossy and long hand-shaped leaves, these evergreen palms need indirect light to grow. They can withstand deep shade and low humidity, along with the cool winter air, making them good picks to keep near the door, according to North Carolina Extension Gardener.
• Height: Up to 6 feet, indoors
• Water: Weekly
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Temperature: 60º - 80ºF
Umbrella Tree (Schefflera arboricola)
This plant can grow up to 8 feet tall inside if you give it sufficient light — too little and the stems can look leggy and sparse. It's better to be on the side of under-watering versus overwatering, which can cause leaf loss and root rot.
• Height: Up to 3-8 feet, indoors
• Water: Weekly
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Temperature: 60ºF and above
Banana Tree (Musa spp.)
The large leaves of the banana tree can give any room a tropical feel. According to Houseplant Central, it's easy to care for a Dwarf Cavendish banana, one of the Musa banana plants, indoors. Keep them in a warm, humid environment where they'll grow in bright or indirect sunlight. While beautiful, the leaves are prone to damage and tears, so place your tree where they're less likely to be touched.
Height: Up to 6-10 feet, indoors
Water: 2-3 times a week
Light: Full sun
Temperature: 75º - 95ºF
Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
The dragon tree is known for its spiked, sword-shaped leaves. This species is great for beginners due to its ability to withstand a wide range of light exposures and temperatures. Plus, it's drought-resistant so it'll forgive you if you forget to water it once or twice. Keep in mind that this tree has a vast root system, so potting in a large vessel would be best.
• Height: Up to 6 feet tall, indoors
• Water: Weekly to biweekly
• Light: Low, bright direct to medium, indirect light
• Temperature: 65º - 80ºF
Jade Plant (Crassula argentea)
It starts small, but over time, this succulent develops thick, woody stems and grows into a 3-foot-tall (or more) miniature tree. Plant in a well-draining mix, and aim for warm, dry conditions. Moist but not wet soil is the goal — shriveled or brown leaves signal you're under-doing it on the H2O, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.
• Height: Up to 3-6 feet, indoors
• Water: Every 2-3 weeks
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Temperature: 65º- 75ºF
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
If you need to breathe a little life into a dark dining room, here's your solution. Tried-and-true parlor palms can withstand sporadic watering and low-light conditions, including near north-facing windows. Bonus: They're pet-friendly, the ASPCA confirms.
• Height: Up to 2-6 feet, indoors
• Water: Weekly or biweekly
• Light: Low and filtered light
• Temperature: 65º-80ºF
Yucca (Yucca elephantipes)
With spiky, structural foliage, this desert native thrives on as much sunlight as possible. Forgetful waterers will rejoice too: It's extremely drought-tolerant and needs only infrequent dousing.
Height: Up to 10 feet, indoors
Water: Every 7-10 days
Light: Bright, direct and indirect light
Temperature: 30ºF and above
Ming Aralia (Polyscias fruticosa)
Moist soil is the key to making sure the slow-growing Ming Aralia thrives in your home — but don't overwater since this species can easily drown. Keep an eye on the roots — the tree's roots can easily rot if the soil is not well-drained and survives best in warmer weather. Its irregular shape and feathery leaves create an interesting focal point in any room.
• Height: Up to 3 feet, indoors
• Water: Weekly
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Temperature: 70º-85ºF
Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
The leaves of this sweet bay leaf tree are often used as seasoning in soups, stews and pasta sauces. They have leathery and stiff leaves and can grow 4 to 8 feet tall when exposed to the sun indoors. Train them to form into topiaries while they're young and keep them in areas with temperatures ranging from 45º to 64ºF, says Gardening Know How.
• Height: Up to 4-8 feet, indoors
• Water: Weekly
• Light: Full sun or indirect light
• Temperature: 45º - 64ºF
Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans)
We're sad to say these trees don't grow corn. Instead, similar to corn plants, they grow from thick stems that form long leaves at the top. They're described as being one of the easier houseplants for your indoor collection (humidity being their top necessity), according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.
Height: 4-6 feet, indoors
Water: Weekly
Light: Bright, indirect light
Temperature: 60º - 75ºF
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
The classic ficus has stuck around for a reason — it's more tolerant of low-light than other indoor trees, and it makes do with moderate watering. If you notice significant leaf drop, it's likely due to a sudden change in temperature or light, the Gardening Know How says.
• Height: Up to 2-10 feet, indoors
• Water: Weekly
• Light: Low, indirect light
• Temperature: 65º - 80ºF
Majesty Palm Tree (Ravenea rivularis)
Tall ceilings are a must for this majesty palm tree that can grow up to 10 feet indoors but luckily if you don't have space at the moment, it grows about one foot every year. This tree requires a bit more care — it's essential to keep track of soil moisture and that it's given enough light.
• Height: Up to 10 feet, indoors
• Water: Weekly or bi-weekly
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Temperature: 65º - 85ºF
Ponytail Palm Tree (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Also known as Elephant's Foot, this free-flowing palm tree can add an organic touch to your living space with its long curly leaves. The thick stem holds water, so you only need to water once a week or every other week, depending on the temperature and humidity within your household.
• Height: Up to 6-8 feet tall, indoors
• Water: Weekly to biweekly
• Light: Direct
• Temperature: 60ºF and above
Fountain Palm (Livistona chinensis)
The Fountain Palm, also known as the Chinese Fan Palm, should be watered frequently and kept in bright but indirect light to thrive. It also grows large paper fan-like leaves, but be careful — the stems have spikes that can damage your skin.
• Height: 34-42 inches, indoors
• Water: 2-3 times per week
• Light: Bright, indirect to direct light
• Temperature: 65º - 85ºF
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