10 Tree Varieties You Can Grow Indoors

Yucca

Similar in appearance to a snake plant, Yucca (Yucca gigantea) has upright, blue-green sword-like leaves that give it an architectural appearance. "It's a fabulous addition to bright indoor spaces because of its contemporary look, slow-growing nature, and low-care needs," says Justin Hancock, horticulturist at Costa Farms. "It's delightfully drought tolerant, so it forgives you if you forget to water it from time to time." Yucca doesn't require any pruning beyond removing old leaves and it's relatively resistant to diseases and pests.

• Mature size: 6 feet tall x 4 feet wide
• Growing conditions: bright light (within 3 to 4 feet of an east- or west-facing window); all-purpose potting mix

Money Tree

Money tree (Pachira aquatica) often presents as several trees growing together with the trunks braiding to form a single stem. "I really love money tree because it's so lush and full (when happy)—it grows an abundant, thick canopy," says Hancock. "The foliage is also delightfully textural, especially as it grows and the leaflets get bigger and bigger."

Note that money tree is a relatively slow grower, especially when grown in low light, so it won't take over your space.

• Mature size: 6 feet tall x 4 feet wide
• Growing conditions: bright light (within 3 to 4 feet of an east- or west-facing window); all-purpose potting mix

Citrus 'Meyer' Lemon Tree

Believe it or not, citrus trees can be grown indoors—and a citrus Meyer lemon tree (Citrus × meyeri) is a great choice for an interior garden. "It is a semi-dwarf cultivar that is valued not only for fruit production but also for ornamental purposes," says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed's From Seed to Spoon app. "The tree blooms prolifically in clusters of showy, highly fragrant, waxy white blossoms with yellow anthers."

Note that growing citrus trees indoors requires proper care and growing conditions, including ample sunlight, well-draining soil, proper watering, and occasional fertilization.

• Mature size: 8 to 12 feet tall x 8 to 12 feet wide (can be pruned to any size)
• Growing conditions: bright, direct light (at least eight to 12 hours); well-draining soil

Fiddleleaf Fig

Despite its reputation for being difficult to grow, fiddleleaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is actually a relatively low-maintenance indoor tree. The plant's big leaves make it a major draw to people looking for statement variety. "It has a distinct look and instantly gives any indoor space a rich feeling," says Hancock. "The key to success—and where a lot of folks have gone wrong with it—is that fiddleleaf fig wants a lot of light and tends to sulk in a spot that's too dim."

• Mature size: 6 to 10 feet tall x 6 feet wide
• Growing conditions: bright light (within 3 to 4 feet of an east- or west-facing window); all-purpose potting mix

Rubber Tree

Rubber tree (Ficus elastica) has both variegated and non-variegated varieties, giving you options when choosing one for your home. "Rubber tree features large, paddle-like leaves that are dark green and often infused with bronzy or burgundy accents," says Hancock. "If dark green isn't your thing, look for variegated varieties like Ruby, which feature patches of white and pink on the leaves." When it gets enough light, rubber tree is a relatively quick grower.

• Mature size: 6 feet tall x 6 feet wide
• Growing conditions: bright to medium light; all-purpose potting mix

Madagascar Dragon Tree

Thanks to its distinct appearance, Madagascar dragon tree (Dracaena marginata) is commonly featured in shopping malls, offices, and other public buildings. "It's characterized by a relatively thin bamboo-like trunk topped by clusters of long, thin leaves," says Hancock. "The foliage is rich green in color, and some varieties have reddish-purple edging to the leaves." Over time, the trucks lean and twist, which gives each plant its own unique look.

• Mature size: 6 feet tall x 3 feet wide
• Growing conditions: bright to low light; all-purpose potting mix

Ficus 'Little Ruby' Fig

An unexpected indoor tree variety is Little Ruby fig (Ficus carica), which is a compact multi-branched small tree that doesn't grow to be too big. "This fig variety has a dense and bushy growth habit, creating an attractive and full appearance indoors," says Spoonemore. "The tree has broad and deeply lobed deciduous leaves and has ornamental value in the garden or container." Little Ruby is self pollinating and begins producing fruit about one to two years after planting.

• Mature size: 4 to 6 feet tall x 4 to 6 feet wide
• Growing conditions: bright, indirect light; well draining, all-purpose potting mix

Corn Plant

One of the easiest indoor trees to care for, corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) has a stocky trunk topped by green leaves that are usually variegated with a light green stripe along the center. "You'll often see this tree grown with several trunks—often in staggered heights for extra interest—in a single pot," says Hancock. The beginner-friendly plant usually lives for decades and is easy to find at your local garden center.

• Mature size: 6 feet tall x 3 feet wide
• Growing conditions: bright to low light; all-purpose potting mix

Norfolk Island Pine

Commonly available around the holiday season, Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) looks a bit like a pine or a spruce. "The needles along the branches give it a distinctively different texture, and as it grows, it fits in with just about any home décor style," says Hancock.

As the tropical tree matures, its branches tend to grow horizontally, giving it tiered appearance as it matures—Hancock's favorite feature of the tree.

• Mature size: 6 feet tall x 4 feet wide
• Growing conditions: bright to medium light; all-purpose potting mix

Majesty Palm

A popular type of houseplant, majesty palm (Ravenea rivularis) has big, feathery-looking fronds that will give any space a tropical look. "Like fiddleleaf fig, I don't recommend majesty palm unless you have a lot of bright light (natural, artificial, or a mix of both)," says Hancock. "In bright conditions, it shines with its arching fronds and upright form."

Additionally, majesty palm is very susceptible to spider mites, particularly in dry air, so focusing on the humidity levels in your home is important.

• Mature size: 6 feet tall x 4 feet wide
• Growing conditions: bright light (within 3 to 4 feet of an east- or west-facing window); all-purpose potting mix