Indoor Horticultural Havens: Potted Trees and Other Surprising Houseplants

Dwarf citrus trees can produce edible fruits like lemons, oranges, or limes when grown indoors, given adequate sunlight and care​. New Africa/Shutterstock

Indoor plants improve one’s mood, environment, and overall health. The omnipresent ficus (also known as weeping fig) and its larger-leaf cousins, the fiddleleaf fig and the rubber tree, have kept office workers company for decades, and for good reason. Plants are essential for a healthy workplace, and these are long-lived, low-maintenance choices that thrive in artificial light.

But now it’s time to change things up with some plants that will garner fresh “oohs” and “aahs,” such as a striking low-light lady palm. If there’s a sunny window, how about a citrus tree or even a banana tree? There are a veritable garden’s worth of plants ready to move in. Ideally, the trick is to find a plant that suits the particular conditions of your home rather than asking the plant to adapt, although there are ways around that, too.

Bright Light Superstars

South-facing windows that get a minimum of five hours of direct sunlight (six to eight are better) are the holy grail for indoor plants. This is something to keep in mind when choosing a home, office space, or apartment.

Few plants help beat back stress or the winter blues as well as glamorous, fragrant citrus trees do. There are several smaller or dwarf varieties that, if nurtured, will even bear fruit. These include cardamom orange, Otaheite orange (a lemon/tangerine cross), tangerines, Satsuma oranges, Meyer and Ponderosa lemons, citron, and kumquats.

The plants must be hand-pollinated due to a lack of beneficial insects indoors. If possible, place them outside during the summer, but make sure to move the planter into full sun slowly. Ideally, keep nighttime temperatures above 60 degrees F.

The giant leaves of dwarf bananas bring smiles to faces and fruit to the table. These fast growers require full sun, temperatures between 75 and 95 degrees F, regular watering, and biweekly fertilizing. Another head turner, bird of paradise, requires a minimum of six hours of direct sun daily in order to display its birdlike flowers, as do hibiscus and potted roses.

At the other end of the maintenance spectrum, ponytail palms need watering only every one to two weeks and can grow from desktop size to 10 feet indoors. Yucca grows and flowers best in bright sun but can survive a variety of light conditions, while the eye-catching money tree—often sold dramatically braided—requires a minimum of six hours of sun.

The money tree is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Mid Tran Designer/Shutterstock

Cacti and succulents add a western desert ambience to a room. There are a wide variety of shapes and sizes to choose from. They have few pests or diseases and they thrive on neglect. In fact, the one thing not to do is overwater them. Jade plants and kalanchoe, which have thick leaves and beautiful flowers, also do well in winter’s dry indoor air.

No south-facing window? When lighting conditions aren’t ideal, use a grow light to fill the gap for these light-hungry plants.

East or West Window Faves

The moth orchid, the most common variety grown in homes, prefers an eastern or western exposure (or a shaded southern exposure) in order to give the best blooms. African violets feel the same and can give near-constant blooms if they are happy with their location, as will Anthuriums (also known as laceleaf or flamingo flower).

Moth orchids produce beautiful flowers that can last up to 3 months, making them a popular choice for indoor decoration​. Kristini/Shutterstock

Unfussy and eye-catching, philodendrons, from the upright and non-climbing lacy tree and xanadu to the vining types, including the colorful pink princess, require around six hours of medium sun, as bright sun can hurt their leaves.

Calathea, with its colorful foliage, and the similar-looking prayer plant (also known as maranta), which has foliage that bleaches in the sun and fades in dim light, will thrive in moderate conditions. Peperomia is a hearty plant and a good choice for beginners, while pilea (also known as the Chinese money plant) is gaining in popularity, in particular because it has “babies” that can be shared or used to expand the indoor garden.

Want more height? Both the tropical areca palm and the very long-lived “indoor Christmas tree,” Norfolk Island pine, require bright, indirect, and preferably morning light.

Low-Light Tolerant

One of the toughest plants on the planet, snake plants (also nicknamed “mother-in-law’s tongue”) have two forms: long, straight upright leaves (the “tongues”) or dwarf rosettes that grow only a few inches tall. Leaves are green or feature vibrant yellow edging.

Bromeliads are another surprisingly resilient yet glamorous grower. The key is to replicate the forest understory, with bright yet diffused to downright low lighting found in their native jungles. They are watered via their center “cup.”

Devil’s ivy, or pothos (a cousin of the vining philodendron), is a vigorous vine that’s green in low light but yellow in brighter conditions. Peace lilies, with their elegant white flowers, need more watering than typical houseplants and will “wilt” to signal they’re thirsty, while ZZ plants should only be watered when the soil has dried out. There’s something for every plant owner’s attention span.

When possible, give indoor plants a “summer vacation” in suitable outdoor conditions for the best health and longevity.

Houseplant Rules

Indoor plant fertilizers typically offer a lower percentage of active elements to prevent overfertilization. Other differences between indoor and outdoor growing include:

From the Ground Up

An ideal potting mix is well-drained and aerated, with a pH in the 5.0 to 6.5 range. To make it yourself, simply mix 1 part garden loam or potting soil, 1 part sand (or perlite or vermiculite), and 1 part peat moss. Special mixes are available for orchids, African violets, bromeliads, etc. Or find a DIY recipe online.

City Water

The fluorine and chlorine found in tap water can damage popular indoor plants such as spider plants, corn plants, prayer plants (maranta), and other long-leaf plants. Let the water stand for five days to allow the chlorine and fluorine to be fully released.

Pesky Problems

Inspect all new plants before purchase, as pest problems on indoor plants can quickly get out of control due to a lack of natural predators. If a pest problem does occur and outdoor conditions are conducive, consider moving the infested plant outside where natural predators can go to work. Resist the temptation to introduce beneficial insects indoors!