4 Best Indoor Trees

When a client has large foyers, grand entryways, ballrooms or stately hallways they wish to fill with elegant, live greenery, a tree may be ideal to create the desired effect. Lining a hallway with luxurious palms or framing a stage with sculptured trees is sure to please any client and create a fresh, professional atmosphere. The following is a list of 4 trees that are ideal for growing indoors.

1) The Weeping Fig

The Weeping Fig is a variety of ficus that grows beautifully indoors. It has dark glossy leaves that droop downward and the trunks can be braided for a formal look. Some varieties can grow as tall as 10 ft, however, they will reach this height at a very slow pace. According to Guide to Houseplants, weeping figs do not deal well with change and should be moved as little as possible. This makes the weeping fig ideal for hallways and foyers, but not for ballrooms or other entertaining areas where they may need to be moved frequently. The weeping fig prefers a lot of bright, indirect light and high humidity. If the tree begins to drop leaves increase the humidity not the frequency or amount of water.

2) The Kentia Palm

The Kentia Palm will grow slowly to 8 feet tall. Guide to Houseplants indicates that the palm fronds can grow to 2 feet long and a foot wide. Each palm only has one frond so several palms must be planted together to create a full look. While Kentia palms thrive in indirect light, but can survive in lower light conditions. This makes them more ideal for interior locations.

3) Schefflera

The Schefflera is also known as the umbrella tree. It has large lobed leaves that give it the shape of an umbrella. The schefflera survives well with little care, but Plant-Care suggests that regular pruning will result in a plant with thicker foliage. There are several varieties some with solid green foliage and others with variegated foliage. There are also dwarf varieties. The variegated varieties require more light than solid colored schefflera. Schefflera.org warns that if leaves begin to turn black the schefflera is being overwatered and if the leaves turn yellow it is not receiving enough water.

4) Dracaena

The Massangeana or corn plant is a very popular variety of Dracaena. It has thicker trunks and broad leaves with yellow variegation down the middle. They are ideal for indoor climates as they can survive well in low light and at a temperature around 75 degrees. According to Dracaena.com, they were used in NASA’s clean air study and are proven to help remove formaldehyde from the air.  The variety referred to as the “Madagascar Dragon Tree” has thinner foliage with a red stripe on the outer margins. There are also several varieties that are shaped and grow more like shrubs than trees.

When paired with an elegant container, trees can have a stunning effect in grand spaces. The trees listed are just a few examples of trees that will work well in indoor spaces. Do you have any favorite indoor trees to work with? What other plants do you partner with trees in indoor landscapes?

Photo “Dracaena Massangeana” courtesy of Ashley Kyd.