Image - TheSpruce.com
It is still curious to have a tree inside a house or flat, but the truth is that there are certain species that manage to adapt if they are placed in a room where they receive the light they need, and if they are watered and change the pot every time they need it.
Although I am not in favor of having these plants in a home, since we are talking about ones that exceed 5 meters in height and that, therefore, we will have to prune frequently if we want to prevent them from touching the ceiling, I will not deny that if they are well placed and cared for, they are very useful to beautify the home. That's why, I'm going to show you what are the indoor trees.
What are indoor trees?
First of all, it is important to clarify something: there are NO indoor trees (or indoor plants, by the way). What happens is that there are certain species that cannot resist the winter of an area, they have to be protected so that they arrive alive in the spring.
That is why it is not uncommon to go to a nursery and find a greenhouse where they only have these types of plants, which are mostly native to tropical and subtropical regions. But be careful: because it would not be strange if they had, for example, a tree “for indoors” when it really should be outside in our area.
Sometimes I have found some ficus and citrus in that greenhouse, being in Mallorca, that is, being on an island where they can be kept outside without problems. Therefore, when in doubt, We leave you a list of trees that are usually kept indoors in Spain:
types of indoor trees
Trees are plants that far exceed the height of a house, but sometimes due to their exoticism we get carried away and buy some to decorate our home. These are the most popular:
Bertholletia excelsa
Image - Wikimedia / RoRo
This is the scientific name of the tree known by the name of Brazil chestnut or Brazil nut. The truth is that it is rarely seen in nurseries, so without a doubt we could say that it is a very rare tree. But if you ever meet him, know that In its natural habitat it exceeds 20 meters in height., being able to reach 40m, and unlike other trees grown indoors, its leaves are deciduous.
Ficus benjamina
Image - Wikimedia / Forest & Kim Starr
This is one of the ficus that are most grown indoors, although we must bear in mind that it is a tree that, if planted in the ground, could reach 15 meters if the weather was warm. Its leaves are green or variegated depending on the cultivar, smaller than those of other species of the genus.. It does not resist frost, but it tolerates cold (temperatures of up to 10ºC, or even 5º if it is protected).
Ficus elastica
Image - Wikimedia / B.navez
Known by the names of gum or rubber tree, is a tree that reaches a height of 20 meters. It has elliptic leaves, up to 30 centimeters, and green, blackish-green, or variegated depending on the variety and/or cultivar.. It is very beautiful, but it does not support frost, which is why it is usually kept indoors or in protected outdoors.
ficus lyrata
El ficus lyrata, called fiddle leaf fig, is a tree that reaches 15 meters in height. The leaves are green, and measure up to 45 centimeters long.. It is very, very sensitive to cold: if the temperature drops below 10ºC, its leaves will fall and the plant will soon die. Luckily, it is difficult for the thermometer to drop so low in a Spanish house.
Pachira aquatica
Image – Wikimedia/DC
La pachira, or Guiana chestnut, is an evergreen tree that can reach a height of 18 meters. In Spain it is usually sold in groups, with the trunks braided, which may make them look prettier, but it is not natural. The pachira is a tree with a single trunk, which has palmate green leaves, and unfortunately it does not support frost.
Radermachera sinica
Image - Wikimedia / Forest & Kim Starr
This scientific name is that of the snake tree, a plant with dark green bi- or tripinnate leaves. In its natural habitat it reaches 10 meters in height, but in a pot it is very difficult for it to exceed 3 meters, since it also needs high temperatures (not extreme, but warm) throughout the year to grow. Can't stand the cold.
Schefflera elegantissima
Image - Flickr / Forest and Kim Starr
Known as false aralia, It is not a tree as such, but it is a bush that can be kept as a small tree.. It reaches a height of 4 to 7 meters, and has highly divided leaves with toothed margins which are dark green. It is a very beautiful plant, but also delicate, since the temperature must always be above 10ºC.
Which of these trees that are most grown indoors did you like the most?