12 Best Indoor Trees to Grow in Pots

Is that lonely corner in your living room begging for a stylish companion? Indoor trees can breathe more nature into your home and make a positive impact on your interior design. But before you run and grab the first potted tree you can find, it's important to understand the varying preferences for sunlight, moisture levels, and growth rates among different tree species. Read on for expert advice on the best indoor trees—and how to make sure they thrive in your home.

fiddle leaf fig — Kseniya Ovchinnikova/Getty Images

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Lady Palm

If you have a semi-bright corner window in your home, then a lady palm will thrive nicely there. This tree is slow-growing but is well adapted to indoor growing and is also beginner friendly. “The lady palm prefers bright, indirect light, as too much unfiltered sun can cause leaf burn," says Stephen McFarlane, regional landscape manager at Sandals Resorts International. "Because lady palms are slow-growing, it is important to check moisture levels prior to watering."

Water: Only when the top two inches of the soil are dry
Light: bright indirect light
Soil: well-draining soil that has been amended with organic matter
Height: up to 4 meters

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Fiddle Leaf Fig

Perk up your living room or bedroom almost instantly with the addition of the elegant fiddle leaf fig tree. Its attractive violin-shaped leaves stretch up to 15 inches long and 10 inches wide. “To give your personal Fiddle Leaf Fig the TLC it needs and deserves, make sure to place your plant in front of an unobstructed window that will receive direct sunshine,” advises McFarlane. Keep the soil moist, but don’t overwater. A good rule of thumb is water no more than once every seven to 10 days.

Water: every seven to 10 days
Light: direct sunshine
Soil: peat-based soil with some perlite
Height: up to 10 feet tall indoors

03 of 12

Money Tree

When you need the perfect plant to add to any room of your home to create good feng shui, consider the Money Tree, thought to bring good luck and fortune. “It's known for its ease of growth, fun braided trunk, and being pet friendly, making it a great addition to anyone who has pets,” says Paris Lalicata, plant expert at The Sill. “The Money tree will thrive well in medium-bright indirect light with even a few hours of direct sunlight, so placing it in an East, West or South window would be best to keep it happy. You may see yourself watering every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Water: every 1-2 weeks
Light: medium-bright indirect light
Soil: rich but also freely draining
Height: between 6 and 8 feet tall

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Dracaena Marginata

dracaena plant in pot — Natallia Dzenisenka/Getty Images

This Madagascar native is one of the most popular trees grown indoors prized for its easy-going nature and tolerance of lower light levels. “The Dracaena marginata has thin, sword-like leaves that can come in a variety of colors, and although this plant tolerates low light, brighter light will help keep the foliage more vibrant in color,” says Lalicata. “It will thrive in bright indirect light to some morning sun, but can tolerate low-medium indirect light levels making it suitable for almost every plant parent.”

Water: every 1-2 weeks
Light: bright light
Soil: drains well and is rich in organic matter
Height: 6 feet tall or more

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Ficus Tineke

The Ficus tineke is a variegated rubber tree with beautiful foliage adorned with yellow, pink, and green variegation and can grow 1-2 feet taller each year under optimal conditions. Lalicata advises that the Ficus tineke is a low-maintenance tree but is not suited for low light conditions and will thrive best in bright indirect light to a few hours of direct sunlight. “Ficus also don't like wet feet so be sure to allow the soil to dry out completely before giving it a thorough soak,” she says.

Water: every 1-2 weeks
Light: bright indirect light
Soil: well-draining soil
Height: up to 10 feet when grown indoors

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Dracaena Warneckii

Having a tall and slender silhouette, the Dracaena Warneckii is great for corners, behind couches, or anywhere you want to add height without bulk. “The foliage is dark green with vibrant creamy-white stripes, perfect to add a touch of color to a collection,” says Lalicata. “It will thrive in bright indirect light to some morning sun, but can tolerate low-medium indirect light levels making it suitable for almost every plant parent. Its thick trunk also helps it be more drought tolerant so you only have to water once the soil has dried out completely.”

Water: once a month
Light: bright but indirect sunlight
Soil: DIY soil mix with potting soil, perlite, and moss
Height: about 5 feet tall

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Olive Tree

Olive trees make beautiful houseplants due to their silvery, gray-green foliage, which also make a great addition to a bouquet. “This Mediterranean plant will require direct sun conditions so placing it in a south or west window will be ideal,” recommends Lalicata. “If your space doesn't have enough natural lighting, I highly recommend incorporating a grow light to keep it healthy and full." She adds that while olive trees may produce a few fruits in their early years, significant yields are typically observed after the tree reaches full maturity, which can take up to 15 years. But, if you have the patience for it, it's worth the wait.

Water: once a week
Light: at least six hours of direct sunlight per day
Soil: dry, chalky/clay-rich soil
Height: up to 6 feet indoors

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Norfolk Island Pine

Hailing, as the name suggests, from Norfolk Island, this tiny tree actually thrives in tropical temperatures, so it's a perfect fit for your 65-85-degree home. With little needle-like leaves, the Norfolk Island Pine loves medium to bright light, indirect light, high humidity, and (bonus!) can act as a Christmas tree in a pinch!

Water: every two weeks
Light: medium to bright indirect light
Soil: a sandy, peaty, slightly acidic mix
Height: 3-8 feet

09 of 12

Lemon Tree

When life gives you lemons, use them as home decor! A Dwarf Improved Meyer tree (actually a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange tree!) is the easiest lemon tree to grow indoors and oftentimes will actually give you lemons. Perfect for sitting in front of a bright window, these trees love direct sunlight, don't need a ton of water, and can grow to about 4 feet tall. Plus, they give you lemons!

Water: every one to two weeks
Light: full sun
Soil: rich and well-drained sandy loam
Height: 3-4 feet

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Ginseng Ficus

With a stunningly beautiful knotted tree truck, the Ginseng Ficus is sure to add a spark of originality to your home. Starting small, and typically staying small, this short little tree loves sunshine, and stores up water in its colorful leaves, so you can rest easy about that watering schedule.

Water: every 3-4 days
Light: bright, indirect light
Soil: peat moss, perlite, and regular potting soil
Height: up to 40 inches, indoors

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Umbrella Tree

Living up to its name, the Umbrella tree can grow up to eight feet tall indoors with lush foliage that dangles from the ceiling like, you guessed it, an umbrella. Thriving with bright sunlight, this tree does better if you underwater it rather than overwater it.

Water: once a week
Light: bright, indirect light
Soil: general-purpose potting soil with added perlite or sand to improve drainage
Height: up to 8 feet

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Banana Tree

Add an island vibe to any room with a banana tree. Their large, deep green leaves make them the perfect splash of color and their easy attitude makes them a joy to care for. Simply plop this tree down in a warm, humid, spot and it will thrive with or without bright sunlight.

Water: 2-3 times a week
Light: bright, indirect light
Soil: rich in organic matter (peat, compost, coco fiber, manure) with plenty of perlite or vermiculite mixed in
Height: up to 10 feet

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