Skip to main content

The best indoor trees to add interest to your home decor

Ancient Chinese, Egyptian, and Greek gardeners grew fruiting and ornamental trees in decorative containers thousands of years ago. For centuries, the practice was exclusive to the wealthy, educated, and cultured. It was also limited to those in relatively mild climates. Without glass windows and central heat, it would prove difficult to grow plants indoors through the winter in the colder regions of the world.

In our contemporary world, we can be thankful for big insulated windows, efficient household climate control, and access to a huge diversity of flora from all over the world. Potted trees from tropical and subtropical areas of the world, such as indoor palm trees, have become important design elements in our temperate homes. For some gardeners, moving a tender tree indoors is a temporary solution to keeping it alive through the winter. 

Recommended Videos

Like our ancient ancestors, in order to be successful growing potted trees inside, we have to replicate the tree’s habitat. Pot size, soil type, and lighting are key considerations from a growing perspective. Plant selection matters, too. In addition to various indoor tree sizes, forms, and textures, if you live with children or pets, beware of potential allergens and toxicity. Read on as we explore what it takes to grow the best indoor trees for your home.

woman sitting on a sofa watering a houseplant
Vlada Karpovich / Pexels

Bring tender trees indoors when the temperature drops

Olives, citrus, and other fruit trees from warm climates need lots of sunshine to make flowers and fruit. The best place to grow them is outdoors — until cold temperatures threaten. Palm trees and tropical hibiscus that adorn the pool deck or patio throughout the summer won’t survive freezing winters, either. Safely overwinter them indoors after a well-planned transition. 

In late summer or fall, when the nighttime temperatures are around 50 degrees and decreasing, it’s time to bring tender plants inside for the winter. Wash the foliage with plain water to knock off insects that you won’t want to bring inside. Then, spray them with horticultural oil as a final precaution against insects and diseases.

small potted palm tree on a balcony
Evgenia Basyrova/Pexels

Give them enough sunshine

Keep these trees in a bright, sunny room near a south-facing window. Most of the plants will initially experience some yellowing and leaf drop, but that is normal. They’ll begin to grow fresh foliage in late winter. Refrain from fertilization until the new growth begins to emerge. 

Most of these plants go through a rest phase in fall and winter. Water them as normal (when they dry out, water deeply). Repot and fertilize them in the spring. When night temperatures reach at least 50 degrees and are rising, transition the trees back outdoors. Place them in the shade first, and slowly expose them to increasing amounts of direct sunlight. Add a few hours each day until they are in their final summer position.

Choose the right pot size

The right pot size allows ample room for the roots to grow for a season or two and provides a sturdy foundation that resists tipping. When you purchase a container-grown plant, turn it on its side and gently slide it out of its pot. If the sides of the root mass appear tangled and tightly matted, repot it into a larger container. The new pot should have an inner diameter two inches larger than the old one. And it should be about half the height of the tree, measured from the soil surface to the top.

Use a quality indoor/outdoor potting mix with a medium-coarse texture. If the tree is pot bound, with a thick, dense layer of roots wrapping around the rootball, use a sharp knife to slice from top to bottom through the mass in four or five places. Gently tease out the roots, and then plant the tree in the new container. Water well after repotting.

potted Shefflera tree in the corner of a living room
Rachel Claire/Pexels

Trees to steer away from

A critical part of gardening success is choosing plants that are right for the gardener and the location. A few otherwise excellent houseplant choices may be toxic to inquisitive children or pets. Some of these include Dieffenbachia, Oleander, and Sago Palm. Also, those with latex sensitivity should use caution with members of the Ficus genus, including Rubber Tree, Fiddle Leaf Fig, Weeping Fig, and others. If you or anyone in your home suffers from serious allergies, it’s best to consult your physician before making a selection. 

The best trees for indoors look great, don’t require a cold dormant period, and need little care beyond occasional watering and feeding. Below are our top picks for easy care, high impact, and general safety for most homes. For more suggestions of houseplants that are safe for kids and pets, check out this list from HGTV.

Indoor trees worth considering 

There are so many great kinds to purchase, but some we think you’d love include:

  • banana tree
  • Norfolk island pine
  • Madagascar dragon tree
  • birds of paradise
  • European olive (here’s our guide to growing an olive tree that thrives)

There’s nothing quite like plants to make the home feel warm and inviting. They help purify the air, and they go with any decor. An indoor tree can anchor a larger plant collection, soften the appearance of a large wall, establish scale and proportion in an open space, and create a sense of intimacy. Be sure to choose trees that are adapted to the conditions your home offers and you’ll enjoy all the benefits of your own personal oasis.

Topics
Mark Wolfe
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Mark Wolfe is a freelance writer who specializes in garden, landscaping, and home improvement. After two decades in the…
Add a kick to your cooking: How to plant and grow your own ginger
Keep your ginger thriving with these tips
Ginger root on a table

Ginger is an incredibly useful plant to have in your kitchen. You can grind or grate it and use it to season meats or meat substitutes for stir-fries and soups. Ginger tea and ginger ale are often used to soothe upset stomachs. You can even make your own ginger beer and ginger candy at home.

While ginger is easy to find in most grocery stores, it's also easy to grow at home. You can grow ginger hydroponically or in a traditional garden, and can even plant grocery store ginger! This guide on how to grow ginger will walk you through everything you need to know to add this useful plant to your home or garden.
Can you grow ginger from a grocery store?

Read more
Add whimsy and magic to your yard with these lovely fairy garden ideas
Tips and tricks to help you plan a fairy garden
A small pot with a tiny house plant and succulents

If you’re a fan of fantasy, whimsy, and fun, then you’ll love fairy gardens. These little gardens are perfect spring projects that can add a little extra color and life to your home and garden. Making fairy gardens is a fun activity for the whole family, and you can easily tailor them to fit your personal tastes and aesthetics. There are garden kits you can use to build one, but it’s also easy to make your own.

Whether you want something simple and elegant or a little bit goofy, fairy gardens are a great way to express yourself creatively in the garden. Here's what you need to know to get started, plus a few tips to help inspire you!
What is a fairy garden?

Read more
4 types of lawn grasses and how to choose the best one for your yard
Choosing the right grass for you
A home with a grass lawn

The secret to a lush, healthy lawn isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Even before you consider upkeeping factors such as watering and mowing, there's the matter of choosing the ideal type of grass for your yard. Where you live and how much time you have to maintain your yard all play into how healthy your grass will look.

There are many different types of grass available to choose from, and trying to pick one can be overwhelming. This guide will walk you through the most common types of grass and what to consider when choosing between them.
What to consider when you choose lawn grass

Read more