What Are the Best Indoor Trees?
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Bring the outdoors in with potted indoor trees! Besides brightening up a room decoratively, there are several benefits to indoor trees. They improve health, well-being, and indoor air quality. Studies show that indoor plants have even been known to help sharpen your focus. Here are the top 6 indoor trees. Pet owners, note that most of these are toxic to dogs and cats, but read to the end for one that’s animal-safe!
1. Meyer Lemon Tree
Lemon trees have sweet-smelling, beautiful blooms and delicious lemons almost year-round. They are always either blooming or flowering. Meyer lemons are hardier than other lemons, which means that they can withstand colder conditions. But they thrive best in warmer temperatures, so you should put them outside during the summer. If you have pets, you might not want this in your home. Lemons are toxic to cats and dogs.
Botanical Name: Citrus Meyeri
Care: Intermediate – Use slightly acidic, all-purpose soil. It needs a lot of light in full southern exposure. Keep evenly moist and mist daily.
Height: 8 feet indoors
Source: Martha Stewart
2. Rubber Tree
The Rubber Tree is a popular and versatile houseplant. Its large, glossy leaves add beauty to any room. It is adaptable and grows well in average indoor conditions. Unfortunately, this plant is toxic to animals.
Botanical Name: Ficus Elastica
Care: Easy – It grows well with indirect light. Place in an eastern window facing the morning sun. The plant prefers average to somewhat warm temperatures. It needs regular, deep watering. Let the soil dry out between waterings.
Height: 10 feet indoors
Source: Maja Dumat
3. Madagascar Dragon Tree
A durable plant, the Madagascar Dragon Tree is one of the easiest trees to grow. It can tolerate low lighting and doesn’t need regular watering. The narrow leaves are dark green and edged in deep red. It’s toxic to cats and dogs – so if you have pets, you might not want it in your home.
Botanical Name: Dracaena Marginata
Care: Easy – It adapts to a variety of light conditions, but will have the best color when grown in indirect, bright light. Pot in a well-draining soil and water on a regular basis. Wait until the soil is dry before watering thoroughly with water that has set for 24 hours.
Height: 4-8 feet indoors
Source: Houston Interior Plants
4. Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
With large, veined leaves that grow upright, the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree makes a great focal point in any room. Native to the tropics, the plant thrives in wet and warm conditions. Can’t replicate tropical conditions at home? Luckily, these tough plants can tolerate less-than-ideal conditions for a pretty long time. Pet owners beware: this plant is unfortunately toxic to cats and dogs too.
Botanical name: Ficus Lyrata
Care: Intermediate – This plant needs bright, filtered light. It thrives when placed in an eastern-facing window. You should keep the tree moist, but don’t let it sit in water. Any fast-draining potting soil will work for this plant.
Height: 10 feet
Source: Gardenista
5. Norfolk Pine Tree
This plant is not actually a pine tree, but it has similar evergreen foliage and an upright, pyramid shape. The tree can grow fast – up to 6 inches a year when potted. It is a popular choice during Christmas, but can be enjoyed year-round. Warning to pet owners: It’s toxic to dogs and cats.
Botanical Name: Araucaria heterophylla
Care: Intermediate – This tree grows fine in typical indoor temperatures. It should be placed in an area where it can receive a few hours of direct sunlight and plenty of indirect light during the day. Rotate the plant a quarter every week for even light distribution. Only water this plant when the top inch of soil dries, and pour the water into the soil until it drains out through the bottom. Let the soil drain for at least 15 minutes and then dump the water.
Height: 10 feet indoors
Source: House Plants Guru
6. Kentia Palm
This plant is a fantastic indoor plant. It’s also one of the easiest palms to maintain and care for, due to its tolerance for medium to low light. Lucky for pet owners, this tree is nontoxic to cats and dogs!
Botanical name: Howea Forsteriana
Care: Easy – Even though this plant tolerates low light conditions, it grows best in conditions with lots of light. Place it in a spot that provides as much sunlight as possible. Plant this tree in a container with adequate drainage and soil formulated for potted plants. You can water this tree less often during the winter, but it must be watered regularly in the summertime. You only need to water it when it’s dry during the winter.
Height: 10 feet indoors
Source: Real Oasis
What’s your favorite indoor tree? Do you have any in your home?
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