Garden & Home TeamTrees are the backbone of many South African gardens. These towering features provide shade, clean our air, and support essential wildlife like birds. Those with small gardens, or no garden at all, may feel like they are missing out on the many benefits trees provide, but that doesn’t have to be the case. There are several tree species that grow well indoors, filling the space from floor to ceiling and creating the perfect green home décor feature.
Ficus lyrata
Due to its popularity and ubiquity, it’s safe to say a houseplant lover’s collection is incomplete without at least one Fiddle Leaf Fig. One of the most well-known houseplants around (second only to the famous Monstera deliciousa), this tree can reach massive heights when properly cared for. Outdoors, they can reach an impressive 15m tall, but will stick to a maximum of 3m tall indoors. Ensure your plant has plenty of light and a large enough pot to accommodate growth. Slowly but surely, it will shoot up to fill any empty corner of a room and make it a design highlight.
Chamaedorea elegans
Another houseplant staple, the Parlour Palm, is one of the most widely sold indoor plants globally. This is largely due to its ability to thrive indoors. Parlour Palms are satisfied with less light than many other indoor trees and can live with a forgotten watering or two. The only thing they won’t tolerate is cold, and they should be kept away from windows in winter, cold draughts, or air conditioners. Besides it’s beginner-friendly nature, this tree is loved for its looks, instantly reminding us of a tropical island summer.
Yucca spp.
Those with a more structured and sharp interior design may want to opt for Yucca plants. These beauties have long, pointed leaves topping thick, impressive stems that grow slowly, but with time are guaranteed to fill a room. As an added bonus, these plants are incredibly drought-tolerant and prefer to be underwatered rather than overwatered. Pot your plant into a large pot, place in a sunny spot, and it will be happy for years and years.
Citrus Trees
When gardeners consider growing fruit for the first time, they typically reach for a citrus tree. In colder climates, growing citrus outdoors may not be possible without extreme care, but many citrus trees can be grown indoors year-round without fuss. Growing indoors will also lessen the risk of encountering common citrus diseases that can quickly cause the demise of your beloved tree. Choose a dwarf tree variety to ensure it won’t outgrow its space and place next to a sunny window with direct light to get the most fruits out of your tree indoors.
