It may sound crazy, but there are several species of trees that can be safely and happily grown inside your home. A small tree is just what your spaces need: tall, elegant and with a beautiful demeanour, they are the perfect complement and serve as the final piece that visually links all the elements of the place. Check out this list of trees that can be grown indoors and find the perfect species to create a small forest under your own roof.
Trees that grow best indoors
One of the easiest ways to achieve a space that inspires harmony is with the use of natural plants. This is no secret, as studies have shown that looking at nature and the greenery of plants is enough to make us secrete happiness hormones, make us more productive and happier. While mini succulents and other small plants have their charm, there's nothing like a tree to make a style statement.
If space seems limited, put that worry out of your mind.
There are tall plants that don't take up much space, while others have abundant foliage that will help you fill a space and give it character. too little light? forgetting to water? Don't worry, there's sure to be a perfect little tree to decorate your living room.
Fiddle-leaf fig - Ficus Lirata
Native to West Africa, don't be fooled by the popular name because this pretty little tree is actually a member of the Ficus family. Indoors it can reach up to 2 metres in height, if you give it all the conditions it needs to grow happily.
Its ideal owner: must be a patient person, who lives in a bright place
Soil: rich in nutrients, but with very good drainage
Lighting: it prefers abundant light. It can be direct or indirect, as long as it gets plenty of light.
Watering: this plant should only be watered twice a week in summer and once a week in winter. do you want some advice? Get a humidity meter so you don't run the risk of making a mistake.
Other care: dust the leaves with a soft, dry cloth when necessary. Frequent fertilisation is not necessary, but you can fertilise between March and October when it is growing.
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Water chestnut - Pachira
This lush plant comes from Central America. It is a survivor, easy to care for, that will make you fall in love with its lovely spreading leaves and sinuous trunk. Some say it attracts prosperity and good luck, as well as purifying the air and eliminating toxins.
Ideal owner: Someone who is relaxed, wants a low-maintenance plant and is tolerant of forgetfulness.
Substrate: you can use universal substrate, mixed with sand or perlite to improve drainage.
Lighting: Plenty of indirect light, although it can survive even in places where the lighting is not perfect.
Watering: The Pachira does not require too much water. In fact, it is best to water weekly or when you see that the top of the substrate is dry.
Other care: You can braid its trunks only when it is a very young and small plant, if you try to do it with an adult plant, it may die. Avoid dry and freezing draughts. Fertilise during the growing season.
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Olive tree
The olive tree is a tree native to the Mediterranean and is noted for its hardiness and resistance. In Ancient Greece its branches were used to make the crowns that adorned the foreheads of the Olympic victors, making it a symbol of victory and prosperity, as well as resilience and permanence due to its strong roots that resist even frost.
Ideal owner: A person who wants a small tree that thrives in a home with plenty of light and requires low maintenance.
Soil: Well drained, you can use a mix for cacti and succulents.
Lighting: They require plenty of sunlight. Can be direct or indirect.
Watering: Moderate. Water only when the substrate is drying out to avoid waterlogging the roots.
Other care: These plants thrive in dry, arid environments, so don't worry too much about humidity or spraying.
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Citrus
One of life's little pleasures is being able to grow your own food. There is something atavistic and wonderful about being able to consume that which you have watched grow and develop under your care. So if you have a sunny spot, a citrus tree is the perfect choice. Oranges, tangerines and lemons can fill your home with their incredible aroma and lots of colour.
Ideal owner: Someone who wants to show off their harvest of delicious fruit
Substrate: A rather acidic PH, universal substrate with a good organic fruit compost works very well. You can use coconut fibre and avoid using a 100% organic substrate so that it doesn't decompose so quickly.
Lighting: Bright, abundant and if possible direct. If you live in a place with little light or at a certain time of the year it is very poor, don't worry, you can always get a UV lamp to support the growth and development of your tree.
Watering: Try to keep the substrate moist but never waterlogged. Always check the substrate with a wand before watering. Remember to reduce the frequency of watering in the colder months.
Other care: You can keep it outdoors (balcony or terrace, for example) or indoors, but if temperatures drop a lot in winter, it is best to protect it indoors. The size of the pot is essential, it must have room to stretch out and keep growing. When loaded with fruit it can get heavy, so we recommend using a heavy pot and if possible with wheels so you can move it around easily.
We ship plants to all locations, you can see more options here.
Ficus Robusta - Ficus elastica
The Ficus Robusta stands out for the simple elegance of its oval, thick, deep green leaves. The glossiness of the leaves contrasts with the matt underside and the well-defined veins. It is beautiful, simple but with a lot of visual impact. It helps regulate room humidity, so it can help spaces feel cooler and more ambient.
Ideal owner: Someone who needs a cool but low-maintenance plant.
Substrate: you can use universal substrate, as long as it has good drainage and is light, allowing the roots to oxygenate.
Lighting: Ficus robusta requires abundant but indirect lighting. The sun's rays falling directly on its leaves could burn it.
Watering: It is undemanding, you should water it only twice a week but always check the substrate before watering so that you learn its particular needs in your environment. Reduce watering during the colder months. It likes humid environments, so don't forget to spray it from time to time.
Other care: Fertilise every 2 to 4 weeks during the active growing season to bring its leaves to full bloom. It can grow up to 3 metres indoors, but remember that it needs a suitable pot. Pamper it from time to time by wiping its leaves with a damp cloth to remove all the dust.
Norfolk Island Pine - Araucaria heterophylla
This conifer belongs to the Araucariaceae family and although the name may confuse you, it is not really a pine tree, but it is endemic to Norfolk Island in Australia but nowadays it is cultivated all over the world for its beauty. No one can resist the symmetrical beauty of its crown and branches, which grow horizontally from the trunk. Some people use them in December as "indoor Christmas pines" but they are not just a seasonal accessory, you can enjoy their exuberance all year round.
Ideal owner: A person with a taste for minimalist, modern décor and who can appreciate their tropical version of a fir tree.
Soil: The soil should be slightly acidic, as this facilitates its development.
Lighting: Lots of indirect light if possible. It will be much happier if it receives direct sun for a few hours and in the afternoon it is in the shade, as this prevents the foliage from discolouring.
Watering: It requires moderate levels of humidity, so water when the substrate feels dry to the touch.
Other care: Although it is a tropical tree, do not expose it to excessively high temperatures. It prefers cool environments. Fertilise once a month and do not panic if you see the lower branches die, as this is part of its natural cycle.
Boxwood - Ficus benjamina
Boxwood, Indian Laurel and Boxwood are some of the names by which this marvellous tree is known. It is native to South Asia and Australia. In the wild it reaches up to 15 metres in height, but in a pot it can only grow to about 4 metres, depending on the size of the pot and the environmental conditions, as its roots require a lot of space to develop. In fact, this makes them unsuitable for outdoor planting in urban areas.
Ideal owner: Someone who wants to open their home to a hardy, easy to care for tree and wants to shape it with some selective pruning.
Substrate: universal with very good drainage, to prevent the roots from waterlogging.
Lighting: Abundant light, very bright, but always indirect so that UV rays do not burn its beautiful oval leaves.
Watering: Moderate. Wait for the substrate to dry out well before watering again.
Other care: This tree is very hardy, so as long as it gets plenty of light, you can prevent it from losing too many leaves and becoming bald. Avoid moving it around too much, as it can also become unsettled, and keep it away from cold or dry draughts.
Schefflera arboricola
Scheffleras are beautiful plants, with their clustered green leaves that almost resemble flowers. But apart from their beauty, the other great attraction of Scheffleras is that they are very hardy, undemanding plants that can thrive even if you don't pay much attention to them. Another detail is that there are several species, some stay low but others stretch a lot and grow into small trees.
Ideal owner: Someone with a bad memory, who wants a low-maintenance plant that allows them to purify the air.
Soil: Loose and well drained. You can use universal substrate enriched with some organic fertiliser.
Lighting: Schefflera is happy almost wherever you put it. Ideally it should have plenty of indirect light, but if it gets direct sun, it will survive. low light? Don't worry, it will continue to grow.
Watering: Frequent, but do not flood. The substrate should feel moist to the touch, so water when it starts to dry out.
Other care: Keep it away from air conditioning, draughts and frost. Dry air does not do them much good either. You can spray it with water from time to time to keep its humidity levels high.
Brazilian Logwood - Dracaena Fragans
While this plant is technically not a tree, it can surprise you with the size it can reach in the right pot. In fact, I have some in my garden that grow to over 4 metres and in the right pot it can grow to about 1.5 metres or more. Curious fact: it is capable of eliminating harmful substances in the air, purifying it.
Its ideal owner: someone in love with its lines and leaves of different shades, but with little free time to look after it.
Substrate: You can use universal substrate, but mixed with something that improves its drainage.
Lighting: Light should be abundant, although it can be direct or indirect.
Watering: Moderate. Water abundantly when you see that the substrate is beginning to dry out. You can spray to improve humidity.
Other care: the most important thing about this plant is its substrate. Make sure it drains well and allows the roots to breathe freely.
We ship plants to all locations, you can see more options here.
