Small indoor trees
20 Best Indoor Trees to Grow in Your Home
From low light to full sun, these popular trees can bring greenery to your space
By
Jamie McIntosh
Jamie McIntosh
Jamie McIntosh has written about gardening and special occasion flowers for the Spruce since 2011. She has more than 20 years of experience caring for flowers and plants. She was a feature writer for Organic Gardening at Suite101, where she won awards for her writing.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 09/25/22
Reviewed by
Debra LaGattuta
Reviewed by Debra LaGattuta
Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. She is a Master Gardener and lead gardener in a Plant-A-Row, which is a program that offers thousands of pounds of organically-grown vegetables to local food banks. Debra is a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
An indoor tree serves the same function in a room as a piece of furniture: it acts as an anchor and sets a mood in a room. Trees are popular houseplants due to the structural element they add to living spaces and the air-cleaning qualities they possess. When you choose an indoor tree, consider light and moisture requirements and its mature size. You don't want a tree as tall as the room; it should be at least two feet less than the room's height.
Also, consider whether you can commit extra time to a high-maintenance tree. If you don't have time to water it daily, think about an easy indoor tree that can take a little neglect. One of the easiest plants to care for is a small jade tree; it only needs water once every couple of weeks and doesn't grow large if you're limited by available space.
Perhaps you're challenged by having a room with low light; you could consider a tree like a lady palm since it can tolerate low light.
Lady palm does not need direct sunlight and still gives your room a tropical feel. Also, remember that flowering indoor trees are rare, although if you really want blooms, look at getting a citrus tree.
Here are 20 indoor trees that are popular due to their low maintenance needs, compact size, and visual appeal.
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01 of 20
The Spruce / Corinne Bryson
The fiddle leaf fig hails from the jungle, so a bright bathroom would be an ideal indoor location. A living room will also work if you protect the tree from drafts and give it enough bright filtered light and humidity. Outdoors will also do wonders for the fiddle leaf fig, so give it a temporary home as a patio plant for the month of June.
- Light: Bright, filtered light
- Water: Moist but not wet
- Temperature: Between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Ten feet (indoors)
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02 of 20
The Spruce / Sydney Brown
The bewitching scent of an orange or lemon tree in bloom is superior to any room freshening spray you will ever encounter. Of all the popular indoor trees, citrus trees are the most demanding, especially if you want them to produce fruit. They want more of everything: water, sunlight, humidity, and fertilizer. So buy a humidity tray, sneak the tree outdoors when you can, and start looking up lemon pound cake recipes.
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Moist but not wet
- Temperature: Between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Six to ten feet (indoors)
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03 of 20
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Also known as ficus trees, weeping figs are beloved for their rich green color and ease of care.
A well-lit room goes a long way toward preventing the most common complaint about the weeping fig, which is leaf drop. A room with a large picture window, skylight, or south-facing window is most desirable. Plant your weeping fig in well-drained soil, and only water when the soil surface is dry. - Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Moist but not wet; allow to dry out between waterings
- Temperature: Between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Two to ten feet (indoors)
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04 of 20
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Native to India, rubber trees produce large, glossy leaves in a dark green hue that pops against pale paint colors. Like most tropical trees, rubber trees like moderate temperatures, a humid environment, and good air circulation without drafts. An optional step for the pampered plant is a monthly leaf wiping session with a damp cloth to remove dust.
Fertilize your rubber tree every two weeks during periods of active growth to achieve maximum leaf size. - Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Moist but not wet during the growing season; reduce water from fall to late winter
- Temperature: Between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Two to ten feet (indoors)
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05 of 20
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
Giant leaf lovers should look no further than an indoor banana tree to satisfy a desire for lush foliage. Some banana trees, such as the Cavendish, produce fruit while others, such as Musa basjoo (Japanese banana), do not. When shopping for an indoor banana tree, seek out dwarf cultivars to keep them to a manageable size. Warm temperatures, full sunlight, and regular fertilizing help these fast-growing trees reach their potential. If leaves start to brown or curl, check for mites, which are notorious banana pests.
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Moist but not wet; do not let soil dry out
- Temperature: Between 75 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Six to ten feet (indoors)
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06 of 20
The Spruce / Kortney Gloska
For the winter holidays, small potted Norfolk Island pine trees are for sale as "indoor Christmas trees." But these long-lived trees look great at any time of year. Slightly acidic soil, bright light, cool temperatures, fertilizing once per month, and moderate watering will keep your tree happy.
- Light: Full sun with some shade in the afternoon to prevent foliage bleaching
- Water: Moderate moisture
- Temperature: 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (can tolerate cooler weather)
- Average height: Two to six feet tall (indoors)
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07 of 20
The Spruce / Kara Riley
With its attractive glossy foliage, the umbrella tree is a fine choice for homes with little direct sunlight or north-facing windows.
These trees require little care, but they are attractive to pests like mites and scale, so watch out for them when you bring the tree indoors. Umbrella trees like constant moisture, but do not leave them sitting in a tray of stagnant water. Leaves will drop if soil becomes too moist or too dry. - Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Moderate moisture; water deeply then let soil dry between waterings
- Temperature: Above 60 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Three to six feet (indoors)
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08 of 20
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Yucca trees, also called yucca stick or spineless yucca, offer a striking live accent in homes. The yucca tree features a solid trunk with leathery strap-like leaves emerging from the top. Groups of three in a pot with staggered heights look very attractive. These trees prefer a well-drained sandy soil mix. The size of the container will affect the size of the plant.
Give your yucca tree as much sun as possible, and don't be afraid to cut the plant in half if it outgrows its space. - Light: Full sun or bright, indirect sun
- Water: Dry to medium moisture; let soil dry between waterings
- Average height: Up to ten feet (indoors)
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09 of 20
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
The jade tree is probably the lowest maintenance indoor tree on this list, making it perfect for beginners and anyone who doesn't have a lot of time to care for houseplants. The succulent leaves and trunk of this plant give it a sculptural look. Jade trees are also ideal as bonsai specimens. Water the plant every few weeks and locate it near a window with bright light.
- Light: Bright filtered light with afternoon shade
- Water: Does not tolerate moist soil. Water lightly and allow soil to dry between waterings; reduce water from fall through late winter
- Temperature: 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (can tolerate cooler weather in winter)
- Average height: 18 to 30 inches tall (indoors)
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10 of 20
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
The spindly trunk of Pachira aquatica, also known as the money tree, lends it to braiding and that is how many of these trees are sold.
The braids will grow with the tree over time, hardening and becoming woody as the plant matures. The money tree prefers high humidity and moisture but don't let it sit in standing water. In the wild you'll find it growing in swamps and wetlands. Make sure the container is filled with a potting medium that has excellent drainage. - Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Keep consistently moist
- Temperature: 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Six to eight feet (indoors)
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11 of 20
The Spruce / Kara Riley
The lady palm is a popular palm specimen to grow as an indoor tree thanks to its ability to tolerate low-light conditions. It also has a slow growth rate, meaning it won’t take up much space in a room. But its fan-shaped, glossy green fronds will still add a tropical feel to any space. Plan to water and feed it more frequently during the growing season and reduce water over the winter.
Also, protect your palm from direct sun, as it can burn the fronds. - Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Moderate moisture; let soil dry between waterings
- Temperature: 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Up to six feet (indoors)
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12 of 20
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
The dragon tree is a stunning houseplant with its sword-shaped green leaves with red edges. This plant is quite hardy and easy to care for. It is slow-growing and adapts well to life in a container. Keep your plant out of direct sunlight, as this can burn the foliage. And be sure not to overwater it, which can cause the leaf tips to turn brown.
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Moderate moisture; let soil dry between waterings
- Temperature: 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Four to six feet (indoors)
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13 of 20
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
As its common name suggests, the parlor palm has long been grown in parlors and other indoor spaces.
It adapts well to relatively low-light conditions, remains fairly small indoors, and adds a tropical vibe to a space with its lush green fronds on multiple stems. In fact, giving a parlor palm too much care is often what damages it, especially by overwatering. These palms also are fairly light feeders and only need a weak liquid fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. - Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Keep moisture at an even level. Err on the side of slightly too dry rather than overwatering; water when the top one inch of soil feels dry
- Temperature: 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Two to six feet (indoors)
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14 of 20
The Spruce / Kara Riley
If you're looking for a larger indoor tree, the majesty palm is sold in nurseries as an indoor tree specimen. It’s a very attractive palm tree with large, arching green fronds on multiple stems.
Indoors, it has a slow growth rate, adding no more than one foot per year until it reaches ten feet tall. These palms have a reputation for being temperamental about their growing conditions. They prefer warmth, high humidity, and lightly moist but not waterlogged soil. - Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Evenly moist but not wet
- Temperature: 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Up to ten feet (indoors)
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15 of 20
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
The corn plant does not, in fact, produce corn. Instead, it grows from one or more thick stems that form long, narrow leaves (similar to corn plants) at their tops. They make good indoor trees because they grow tall and narrow and don’t take up a lot of floor space. And they are fairly hardy plants that can withstand less-than-ideal growing conditions. But maintaining a humid environment is key for healthy growth, along with keeping them away from drafts.
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Moist but not wet
- Temperature: 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Four to six feet (indoors)
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16 of 20
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
Areca palms are commonly grown as houseplants as well as landscape plants in tropical climates. These palms have a clumping growth habit with many stems much like bamboo. In fact, another common name for the plant is the bamboo palm. They do well indoors when located by a bright window. They are slow growers and won't need to be repotted very often. Aim to keep their location humid because dry air can turn the leaf tips brown.
- Light: Full sun or bright, indirect light in a south- or west-facing window
- Water: Keep moist but let the potting mix dry out slightly between waterings
- Temperature: 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Six to seven feet (indoors)
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17 of 20
The Spruce / Kerry Michaels
Kumquat trees generally perform well in containers and even have the potential to bear fruit indoors.
The key to success is giving them as much full sun as possible and using a supplemental grow light if windows don't provide enough light. Kumquat trees don’t tolerate sitting in soggy soil, so don’t overwater them and use a container with excellent drainage. The trees have dense, glossy, dark green foliage that looks great even if they don’t happen to bear their small orange fruits. - Light: Full sun
- Water: Keep soil slightly moist but not wet
- Temperature: 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Six to 12 feet (indoors)
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18 of 20
The Spruce / Almar Creative
The bay laurel tree has pointed oval leaves that are a common cooking ingredient. It’s fairly easy to keep this plant as an indoor tree to have its leaves right at your fingertips. Bay laurel has a slow growth rate and takes well to pruning, so you will be able to keep the container plant at a manageable size.
Use a container that just fits the plant’s root ball because bay laurel likes to be a little cramped. And make sure not to overwater. - Light: Full sun or bright, indirect light
- Water: Moderate moisture; let soil dry between waterings
- Temperature: 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Four to six feet (indoors)
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19 of 20
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
Guava is a shrub or small tree that's native to tropical regions. However, it also can be grown indoors if you can mimic its preferred tropical conditions of high heat and humidity. Give your plant lots of light, warmth, and humidity. Moving it outside during the warmer months is a good option so that the tree receives the sunlight it craves. These plants grow from a single or multi-stemmed trunk. They won’t always flower and bear fruit indoors, but their mottled green bark and large green leaves still provide visual interest.
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Moist but not wet
- Temperature: 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Four to ten feet (indoors)
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20 of 20
The Spruce / Lisa Ruschioni
Ponytail palms are popular indoor trees thanks to their slow growth rate and long lifespan. It can take several years before a young ponytail palm reaches even a few feet tall, so these are perfect plants for desktops and other surfaces. Their narrow, ribbon-like, green leaves cascade down the stem. These plants like as much light as possible and don’t require much care beyond watering every one to two weeks.
- Light: Full sun or bright, indirect light
- Water: Moderate moisture, let soil dry between waterings; the bulbous stem stores water, so be careful not to overwater it. Reduce to monthly watering during the winter months.
- Temperature: Above 60 degrees Fahrenheit
- Average height: Up to six feet (indoors)
8 Top Outdoor Garden Plants That Thrive Indoors
Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.
Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Claudio, Luz. Planting Healthier Indoor Air. Environmental Health Perspectives, 119,10, A426-7, 2011, doi:10.1289/ehp.119-a426
Escobar-Garcia, Hector Alonso, Andrade, Daniel Junior. (2021) Preliminary Survey, Diversity, and Population Density of Mites in Banana, Musa AAA (Cavendish Subgroup) CV. Williams in Peru. International Journal of Acarology, 47,2,170-173, 2021, doi:10.1080/01647954.2021.1879263
30 Indoor Plants That Like Direct Sunlight
From houseplants to indoor trees and more
By
Jamie McIntosh
Jamie McIntosh
Jamie McIntosh has written about gardening and special occasion flowers for the Spruce since 2011. She has more than 20 years of experience caring for flowers and plants. She was a feature writer for Organic Gardening at Suite101, where she won awards for her writing.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 11/30/22
Reviewed by
Debra LaGattuta
Reviewed by Debra LaGattuta
Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. She is a Master Gardener and lead gardener in a Plant-A-Row, which is a program that offers thousands of pounds of organically-grown vegetables to local food banks. Debra is a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Fact checked by
Jillian Dara
Fact checked by Jillian Dara
Jillian is a freelance journalist with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. She is a writer and fact checker for TripSavvy, as well as a fact-checker for The Spruce.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Many of our houseplants originate from tropical regions where the tree canopy constantly filters sunlight. However, some plants, especially those native to South Africa and Australia, need a lot of sunshine to thrive indoors. You can transform a sunny and bright room by adding a plant that needs direct sunlight, filtered sunlight, or a very bright light when grown indoors.
Tip
At first glance, rooms with south- or west-facing windows or patio doors can seem like an ideal location for indoor plants. However, many indoor plants can experience leaf scorch or sunburn from too much direct sunlight. Fortunately, most plants come labeled with information about their sunlight preferences. It's important to know how much direct sunlight an indoor plant requires or can tolerate.
The Spruce
Understanding Natural Light for Houseplants
Plant List: Sun-Loving Indoor Plants
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01 of 30
The Spruce
Add to your first aid arsenal with a low-maintenance aloe vera plant.
The sap provides ready relief for minor cuts and burns, and plants are easy to propagate by repotting the pups (also known as offsets). Plant your aloe vera in a heavy terra cotta pot that will both support the top-heavy growth and encourage air circulation. - Light: Full sun; tolerates filtered sun
- Water: Prefers dry conditions; do not overwater; provide good drainage; tolerates drought
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02 of 30
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
With its sturdy stems and interesting, fleshy leaves, jade plants are popular houseplants for those with sunny windowsills or bright conservatories. Jade plants need at least four hours of sunlight each day, so a south-facing window is ideal. Although the Crassula argentea is a succulent, and therefore drought-tolerant, it is not a cactus. Keep your jade plant moist by watering it when the soil surface is dry to prevent shedding leaves. Jade plants can live for decades and continue to grow slowly over time, so keep your plant in a suitably heavy pot to prevent it from toppling over.
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Let soil become dry before watering, provide good drainage
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03 of 30
The Spruce / Anastasia Tretiak
The sago palm is a slow-growing cycad that fits well into modern decorating schemes. It produces no flowers and rarely sheds its leaves, making it a tidy choice for the bright bedroom or living room. Got curious cats or nibbling toddlers? This plant is toxic and should not be around pets or children.
- Light: Filtered sun
- Water: Needs consistent moisture but allow soil to become almost dry between waterings
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04 of 30
The Spruce / Danielle Moore
Euphorbia trigona is an unusual-looking plant that often elicits strong feelings of affection or dislike. Although not a cactus, this succulent does grow sharp spines that can make repotting a challenge. The African milk bush is strictly a tropical plant, and if you give it a summer vacation outdoors, be sure to bring it back in before temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Light: Bright indirect light
- Water: They are thirsty plants. Wait until the top inch or so dries completely, then water well; does not tolerate long periods of drought
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05 of 30
The Spruce / Alonda Baird
This popular "impossible-to-kill" houseplant is carried in most garden centers as an ideal specimen for those new to houseplants, or those too busy to provide much care to their plants. Sansevieria trifasciata does great in bright light, but it will grow in shady conditions as well. If you are lucky, your snake plant might even reward you with a flush of fragrant white flowers.
- Light: Full sun to low-light conditions
- Water: Let the soil dry between waterings
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06 of 30
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
The same plant the ancient Egyptians used to build boats and make paper also happens to be an interesting houseplant specimen for sunny spots.
The key to growing a happy papyrus plant is to give it constant moisture. Papyrus grows as a pond margin plant, so it is accustomed to having wet feet. Place your container in a dish of water and change it weekly to prevent it from becoming stagnant. - Light: Full sun
- Water: Provide constant water; wet roots are best
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07 of 30
The Spruce / Kara Riley
The croton is proof that foliage can be every bit as lovely and vibrant as plants that produce blooms. Croton plants need warm temperatures to thrive and might experience dieback with insufficient sunlight and if temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Water regularly to keep moist; likes high humidity
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08 of 30
The Spruce / Lisa Ruschioni
The swollen trunk and frizzy foliage of the ponytail palm make it a fun accent plant for the sunny kitchen or family room.
Care for your ponytail palm as you would a succulent plant. Give it coarse soil amended with sand and water it weekly. The ponytail palm grows slowly and will only need repotting once every year or two. - Light: Full to partial sun
- Water: Allow soil to dry out between waterings; the bulb-like base stores water
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09 of 30
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
No houseplant brings larger flowers indoors than the tropical hibiscus. A site with strong light is essential to achieving blooms when growing the hibiscus indoors. Pinch your plants monthly to keep them compact and branching and feed them regularly with a potassium-rich houseplant fertilizer. To keep your hibiscus healthy, provide regular, consistent moisture but avoid soggy soil.
- Light: Bright light but not full sun
- Water: Water regularly; needs good drainage
- Color varieties: Red, pink, orange, yellow, and white
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10 of 30
The Spruce / Alonda Baird
The areca palm is a grand specimen for entryways or living areas with vaulted ceilings.
The plants can grow about six to eight feet tall indoors and have a spread of several feet. Areca palms need little other than a brightly lit space and even moisture. Make sure no water is left standing in the dish under the pot. - Light: Mostly sunny exposure
- Water: Consistent moisture with high humidity
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11 of 30
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
Gardeners covet jasmine vines for their highly fragrant flowers that appear in late winter. White jasmine blooms are simple but plentiful, and a few cut stems make any flower arrangement special. Some varieties also bloom in pink. Jasmine plants like bright but not direct sunlight. They need humid conditions, and a summer vacation outdoors will increase their longevity and performance.
- Light: Bright indirect sun
- Water: Water regularly; keep moist; mist regularly
- Color varieties: White and pink
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12 of 30
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Senecio rowleyanus is a fun conversation piece tumbling over the edge of a container or hanging basket.
These succulent plants like bright indirect light, sandy soil, and infrequent watering. Cuttings are easy to root, so you can share some of this whimsical plant with your friends. - Light: Bright indirect sun
- Water: Water occasionally
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13 of 30
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
The Spruce / Lacey Johnson
Ocimum basilicum is a warm-weather herb that can be grown as an indoor houseplant. It is an ideal addition to a sunny kitchen windowsill where it adds glossy green color while providing tasty leaves to harvest for cooking. It's best to prevent it from blooming by steadily pinching off or harvesting the stem tips. Once the flowers appear, the plant can become woody and sparse.
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Deep, regular watering; make sure soil is well drained
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14 of 30
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
This tropical evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves can make a good indoor houseplant if you choose a dwarf variety like 'Buttons' and prune it regularly to keep it small.
Although it prefers partial shade as a garden plant, when grown indoors it thrives in a sunny location. It will bloom repeatedly with fragrant creamy-white flowers if you promptly clip off spent blossoms. It prefers acidic soil. Early spring and summer is the prime bloom period, but the foliage makes this an appealing plant year-round plant. - Light: Bright light
- Water: Water deeply once a week; do not allow soil to dry out
- Color varieties: Creamy white
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15 of 30
The Spruce / Cori Sears
This subtropical broadleaf evergreen tree from China makes an excellent indoor potted plant, where it thrives with plenty of bright indirect light but will also tolerate a limited amount of direct sunlight. It gradually will become a four to six foot tall floor plant but can be grown as a tabletop plant when young. Prune every few months to maintain its shape.
- Light: bright indirect light, avoid full sun
- Water: Consistent moisture but not wet
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16 of 30
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
This tropical woody evergreen plant with palm-like leaves makes an excellent floor plant for indoors, with colorful foliage that can include pink, green, purple, red, as well as streaked variegated forms.
Indoors, it tolerates the limited amount of direct sun available through windows and doors, but it prefers bright indirect light. As a tropical plant, it prefers humid conditions. - Light: Bright, indirect light; too much direct sun can scorch leaves
- Water: Keep consistently moist but not wet, reduce water in winter
- Color varieties: Foliage can be pink green, purple, red, or variegated
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17 of 30
Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
It's no surprise that desert cactus plants thrive in full sun, and barrel cactus is a prime example of a cactus species that makes a good houseplant. There are several different species in two different plant genera are known by the common name barrel cactus, but Echinocactus grusonii, with its green body covered with golden spines, is an excellent choice for indoors. Eventually, it can mature into a two foot tall, three foot wide spiny intimidator, but its growth rate is slow and it can spend many years as an interesting tabletop specimen.
Be careful about growing this sharp-spined plant in a home with small children, or one where pets don't quickly learn their lessons. This cactus likes warmth as well as direct sun, so make sure windows are sealed against drafts in the winter - Light: Full sun
- Water: Water once monthly; let soil dry out in between waterings; do not overwater
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18 of 30
The Spruce / Alonda Baird
Moon cacti are grafted plants, which means that the colorful top growth (the scion) has been grafted onto lower rootstock (the host) from another species. Depending on the scion species, many different colors are possible, including yellow, red, orange, purple, or white. Care for these plants is similar to that of any cactus: warm temperatures, occasional watering, and plenty of sunlight. In the case of a moon cactus, though, too much intense direct sunlight can cause the colorful scion to fade.
- Light: Direct sun a few hours per day
- Water: Allow plant to dry out completely, then water deeply
- Color varieties: Orange, red, yellow, purple, white
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19 of 30
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Also known as donkey's tail, this is a succulent plant with small blue-green teardrop-shaped leaves that cluster around stems.
The stems cascade over the rim of a pot, making for an interesting display on a tabletop or a hanging basket. Although slow growing, the stems can eventually reach lengths up to four feet. Unlike many succulents and cacti, burro's tail prefers moderate temperatures and can survive down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. - Light: Bright light with at least partial sunlight
- Water: Once a month; allow soil to dry out between watering
- Color Variations: red or pink flowers in spring (rare when grown indoors)
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20 of 30
The Spruce / Cori Sears
One of many Euphorbia species commonly grown as houseplants, this unusual cactus grows in the shape of shrub or small tree, with thick stems terminating in wide, flat fleshy leaves tipped with thorny protrusions. When grown indoors, E. lacta cristata can reach about two feet in height (though it grows much larger as an outdoor garden plant).
Although this rarely happens with indoor plants, it's possible for the leaves to become scorched and burned if they receive too much direct sunlight. Like many succulents, this plant is mildly toxic, so be wary if your pets are prone to chewing on plants. - Light: Bright light with some full sun
- Water: During the growing season, water whenever the top two inches of potting mix are dry; in winter, water only when the plant begins to shrivel
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21 of 30
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Dragon tree, one of several popular houseplant species in the Dracaena genus) is a broadleaf evergreen tree that can easily grow to touch the ceiling, though it takes this slow-growing plant many years to become that large. Ideally, this plant wants very bright indirect light from morning until night—positioning it a few feet back from a south-facing window or door is ideal. But it will do fine with some direct sunlight, provided it gets some relief for at least part of the day.
A plant that sits in harsh sunlight from dawn to dusk may develop burned leaves. - Light: Very bright indirect light; protect from direct sunlight; loses its leaf color in too much shade
- Water: Keep uniformly moist; reduce water in the late fall and winter months
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22 of 30
The Spruce / LetÃcia Almeida
Fiddle-leaf fig is is named for the shape of the large. lyre-shaped leaves that grow from a slender trunk. Indoor specimens readily grow six to ten feet tall, so this plant will need plenty of space in a room that is quite bright. Like many indoor plants, it would prefer bright indirect light, but it can tolerate several hours of direct sun, preferably in the morning. To keep it looking its best, wipe the leaves free of dust every week or two.
- Light: Bright, indirect light; protect from afternoon sun
- Water: Water regularly during the growing season
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23 of 30
Echeveria (Echeveria spp.
) The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Echeveria is a large genus with dozens of species and hundreds of cultivars that are popular as houseplants. Though sizes and colors vary considerably, all of them are characterized by fleshy leaves arranged in a dense rosette pattern. Echeveria plants provide so much diversity that you can readily construct fascinating mixed container gardens using nothing but varieties from this genus. Echeveria are also popular plants for fairy gardens and terrariums. These desert succulents genuinely want as much sun as you can give them—no bright filtered light for them. In summer, Echeveria plants love to spend a few months outdoors on a sunny patio or deck.
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Weekly during spring and summer; monthly during fall and winter
- Color varieties: Colorful flowers are possible but not common for indoor plants
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24 of 30
Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Like Echevaria, hens and chicks is a succulent with fleshy leaves that form dense rosettes.
But hens and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) is a more sturdy, durable plant that tolerates outdoor temperatures down to minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Indoors, they thrive at typical room temperature—65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Although offering less diversity than the Echevarias, hens and chicks is an excellent plant to mass together in a shallow container or as an addition to mixed succulent/cactus containers. They are easy to propagate, simply by cutting off the small offsets (the chicks) that form alongside the mother plant (the hen). - Light: Full sun
- Water: Infrequently; when soil dries out completely
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Tree Aeonium (Aeonium arboreum)
The Spruce / Kara Riley
The Aeonium genus includes several popular species grown as houseplants. One popular choice is arboreum (tree aeonium), which has leaves that form dense rosette clusters atop fleshy stalks.
Indoor specimens grow slowly to eventually become as much as three feet tall. These plants need somewhat more water than other succulents, but take care not to overwater them, as this can lead to root rot. Aeonium plants can work well in mixed succulent containers with lower-growing Echeveria plants, adding height to the design. - Light: Full sun
- Water: Occasionally, when top one inch of soil dries out
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Zebra Haworthia (Haworthiopsis fasciata)
The Spruce / Alonda Baird
Hawthoriopsis fasciata, commonly known as the little zebra plant, is one of the more popular perennial species in the succulent category, prized for the thick green leaves with horizontal white striping. Ideally, this plant prefers very bright indirect light, but it is quite tolerant of some direct sunlight, especially in the morning. If leaves turn red, yellow, or white, it's a sign the plant is getting a bit too much sun.
- Light: Full sun or very bright light
- Water: Occasionally; when top one inch of potting mix dries out
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The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
The Yucca genus includes about 40 perennial plants, ranging from 1 to 30 feet in height. For indoor use, two species are most popular: Yucca gigantea and Yucca aloifolia. Y. gigantea is especially popular because its swordlike leaves are lacking the sharp spines found on other species. Although it can eventually grow into a 30-foot tree, the growth rate is so slow that Y. gigantea can serve as a houseplant for many years before it outgrows its space. Yucca plants are very tolerant of temperature shifts, but make sure not to overwater them.
- Light: Full sun
- Water: When the soil dries out; at most, once a week
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Victoria Pearson / Getty Images
Many dwarf citrus trees can make acceptable indoor houseplants, but an especially good choice is Meyer lemon, a hybrid developed by crossing a lemon tree with a tangerine tree.
While outdoor trees grow to a height of ten feet, Meyer lemon tends to grow slower and smaller when potted for indoor growth. This tree really needs eight full hours of direct sunlight each day, so it will need the sunniest winter or patio door you can provide. This tree grows well with a temperature range between 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but it likes humidity levels of about 50 percent, so you might need to use a room humidifier, especially if you want to enjoy fruit. With indoor trees, fruit usually ripens in spring, but only after the tree is four or five years old. - Light: Full sun
- Water: Water thoroughly when the top one inch of soil dries out
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The Spruce / Kortney Gloska
Norfolk Island pine is not a true pine, but rather a species in the Araucaria genus, which also includes the monkey puzzle tree. Outdoors, it can be a 200-foot tree, but indoor specimens typically remain at three to eight feet.
The soft, needle-like leaves cover symmetrical branches extending from a perfectly vertical trunk. The species looks so much like a conifer that it is often grown to use as a living Christmas tree. Though this is a tropical plant, Norfolk Island pine is relatively forgiving of dry indoor air. - Light: Full sun or bright, indirect light
- Water: Keep evenly moist but not soggy
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The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Bird of paradise is a tropical plant related to banana, named for the distinctive look of the orange, white, and blue flowers. Although it can grow to a height of six feet, there is no central trunk. Instead, the large leaves emerge directly from the base. The unique flowers appear in late winter and spring but only appear with mature plants at least three years old. This plant requires direct sun and high humidity. Move the plant outdoors for the summer months. Mature plants should be allowed to become root-bound, as this will stimulate flowering.
- Light: Full sun but protect plants from very bright direct sun during the summer
- Water: Water frequently during spring and summer; keep drier during the winter
Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
“Excess Light on Indoor Plants.” Umd.edu, https://extension.umd.edu/resource/excess-light-indoor-plants
What Is The Problem with My Indoor Jade Plant? Missouri Botanical Garden.
“Sago Palm Poisoning.” Vca, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/sago-palm-poisoning
“Codiaeum Variegatum Var. Pictum - Plant Finder.” Missouribotanicalgarden.org, https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.
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Catalog of indoor trees and shrubs with photos and names
Trees and Shrubs
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Page 1 of 4
home care, transplanting and propagation
Among the many bonsai and coniferous plants grown at home, eucalyptus stands out for its rarity and valuable qualities.
This plant is very much appreciated by flower growers for its unusual foliage and crown, as well as for its unique aroma, which can completely change the atmosphere in the room. And this means not only the ability of the plant to release phytoncides into the air. Home eucalyptus can be a highlight of any interior. It has a spectacular appearance, but at the same time it is distinguished by the exactingness of care and conditions of detention. nine0003
Content
- 1 Features of eucalyptus
- 2 Care for eucalyptus at home
- 2.1 Cloth
- 2.2 Temperature
- 2.3 Ventilation
- 2.5 Air humidity
- 2.6 Pigitance 909 Transplanting eucalyptus
- 2.9 Diseases and pests
- 3 Propagation methods
- 3.1 Growing from seeds
- 3.2 Cuttings
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus) is a slow-growing plant and changes almost imperceptibly. At home, the height of the bush, as a rule, does not exceed 100 cm. It can be cultivated both as a tree and as a shrub.
In room culture, this plant has graceful straight shoots that adorn silver-green leafy plates, the shape of which is similar to a coin. It may seem that the eucalyptus crown is loose, this is due to the unusual arrangement of leaf plates, which are turned to the light source with an edge. The shiny and smooth surface of the leaf plates is covered with a waxy coating of a bluish-gray hue, which has a spectacular silvery sheen. Oval-rounded soft leaf plates have a sharp aroma. After some time, they become stiffer, and also lengthen a little and slightly sharpen. nine0003
The tree also stands out for its unusual flowering. In the leaf axils, small flowers are formed, which can be short-petiolate single or collected in not very large corymbose inflorescences. The petals of the flowers are fused, and they are decorated with many stamens. Fluffy flowers can be painted in a yellowish, pale cream or pale pink shade. In place of pollinated flowers, fruits of an unusual cone shape are formed.
Eucalyptus has a powerful phytoncidal property. In addition, the wonderful smell helps prevent the development of colds, and it also has a pronounced refreshing, tonic and sedative effect. This plant is great for offices and work areas. nine0003
Growing eucalyptus at home - Everything will be kind - Issue 97 - 12/17/2012 - Everything will be fine
Watch this video on YouTubeEucalyptus care at home
Indoor eucalyptus is very demanding on growing conditions. A cool and well-lit place is suitable for him. Such conditions are extremely difficult to create in a residential area, which is why the plant is so rare in room culture. Most often it is grown in a greenhouse. nine0003
Illumination
The tree needs stable, very bright light, but it is not afraid of the direct rays of the sun. Even if you put it on an eastern window sill, the bush will feel discomfort. For eucalyptus, a south window is great, or at least a southeast or southwest window.
In the cold season, the plant needs to be provided with additional lighting, but at the same time, the bush should be illuminated by direct sunlight for about 6 hours every day. Temperature
To provide the plant with an optimal temperature regime, this is the main difficulty. Such a tree reacts extremely negatively to high air temperature at any age. Even in the summer, he needs to provide coolness - about 18 degrees. To ensure such a temperature regime, the room will often have to be ventilated.
During the winter months, the eucalyptus should be moved to a cooler location (7-15 degrees). If the room is warmer than 16 degrees, then the plant may simply die, especially if you take care of it incorrectly. nine0003
Ventilation
In order for the plant to develop within normal limits, it needs to provide fresh air. Even regular ventilation will not be enough in the room. So, in the summer the window should be constantly ajar in the room or the plant can be moved to the garden or to the balcony.
A warm draft does not harm the eucalyptus, but it must be protected from a cold one. Remember that at home, the plant can suffer greatly due to any mistake. If the foliage fades, then a new one will not grow in its place. It crumbles easily even due to minor violations in care. nine0003
Watering
In summer, the plant should be watered abundantly. Some time after the procedure, be sure to empty the water from the pan. The soil mixture is moistened only after its top layer dries out a little. With the onset of the autumn period, watering should be reduced, while the surface of the substrate should dry out only a little more.
The tree reacts negatively to stagnation of water in the soil mixture. However, an even greater danger for him is the drying of an earthen coma even to the middle of the pot. This contributes to the drying of the upper branches and the foliage flying around. nine0003
It is recommended to moisten the soil mixture in a pot with melt or rain water.
Its temperature should be close to room temperature. Humidity
Indoor eucalyptus feels normal at any humidity. Please note that both rubbing the foliage and moistening it from the sprayer can harm it. To clean the leaf plates from dust, the plant is given a shower.
Fertilizer
Special fertilizers for bonsai or eucalyptus are best for feeding this crop. If they could not be found, then you can use a universal fertilizer for decorative leafy crops with a low content of nitrogen and phosphorus. It feeds the plant all year round: in the spring and summer - 2 times a month, and in the autumn and winter - 1 time per month. The dosage recommended by the manufacturer should be reduced by 2 times. nine0003
Pruning
Since the plant is slow growing, it does not require restraining pruning. To get the most spectacular crown, the plant is not cut at all, it must develop on its own. If necessary, you can give the crown the shape you want, for this they resort to systematic pruning, pinching, shaping and exposing the trunk.
This plant is suitable for creating a topiary, trunk or bonsai. Cut the bush in the spring, and pinching is carried out in the summer as needed. The tree does not suffer from pruning, it can withstand the shortening of shoots by ½ of the length. nine0003
Transplanting eucalyptus
Transplanting is carried out only in case of emergency, when the root system becomes crowded in a pot. In this case, the roots should appear from the holes at the bottom of the container. Transplantation is carried out by the transshipment method, keeping the clod of earth intact.
Fancy-shaped pots, decorated with painting or decoupage, ideal only as room decoration. The tree needs a stable pot made of natural material. A small container is perfect. When transplanting, the new container in diameter should be only 10-20 mm larger than the old one. nine0003
When planting a young bush, the volume of the container should exceed the size of the earthen clod by only a few centimeters.
If the bush grows very quickly, then the root system is pruned and the volume of the container is reduced. This leads to the inhibition of crown growth. For eucalyptus, a universal soil mixture with loosening additives and peat is suitable. To make the substrate looser, it is recommended to additionally mix it with sphagnum moss, vermiculite, perlite or coarse sand. A thick layer of drainage must be made at the bottom of the pot. nine0003
After transplanting, you need to be very careful with the tree. The transplanted bush is not recommended to be watered for 4-5 days. The resumption of watering should be slow and careful. The substrate is only slightly moistened until you notice signs of complete adaptation of the bush after transplantation.
Diseases and pests
Eucalyptus is highly resistant to diseases and pests. However, spider mites or scale insects can move from neighboring bushes on a tree. In this case, treat it with an insecticidal preparation as soon as possible.
nine0003 Root rot can quickly develop if soil moisture stagnates. A clear sign of the occurrence of this problem is that the foliage has become faded and began to fly around en masse. If, before falling off, the leaves turn yellow, then the cause of the problem lies in watering the plant with hard or cold water.
Propagation methods
Growing from seeds
Eucalyptus seeds retain good germination for a long time. Therefore, it is often propagated by seeds. Newly emerged seedlings are very capricious. Fill the container with universal substrate mixed with sand (1:1). Seeds are sown superficially. From above, the crops are covered with a film or glass. They are placed in a cool place (about 18 degrees), while making sure that the humidity of the soil mixture is always high (95–100 percent).
Seedlings can die from both overdrying and overflowing of the substrate. They need coolness and systematic ventilation. When their height is equal to 20 mm, a pick is carried out.
Seedlings are taken along with a clod of earth, trying not to touch the roots. How to grow eucalyptus at home
Watch this video on YouTubeCuttings
Propagating eucalyptus from cuttings is also not easy. The soil mixture should always be moist, and a large amount of bright light is also needed, but without direct sunlight. When the segment gives roots, the lighting should become more intense, while watering is carried out only after a slight drying of the surface of the soil mixture. nine0003
Types of indoor eucalyptus
There are 4 types of eucalyptus on sale, each of which has unusual foliage and spectacular appearance.
Ash Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus cinerea), or silver dollar
This unusual bright tree is decorated with egg-shaped matte silver foliage. As it grows, the shape of the leaves practically does not change.
Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus globulus)
The bush has a large number of branches, which are covered with rich green foliage of an elongated-lanceolate shape.
