GROUNDED IN GREEN

The ultimate list of indoor trees to promote peace and vitality 

When winter settles over Central Virginia and the garden sits bare and quiet, you may feel the absence of greenery in your home. While cut flowers can bring beauty and joy, they are short-lived. A tree, though, changes everything — it’s a long-lasting means to shifting a room’s mood and giving it presence. It adds shape, dimension, color and vitality. From nearly indestructible standbys to more finicky showpieces, there’s a tree to fit your lifestyle and carry you through the season. 

Choosing by personality
Indoor trees each have a personality. Some hardly notice if you forget them for a week. Others need regular care but don’t mind a slip here or there. A few are demanding, but their beauty makes the effort worthwhile. Think of them as belonging to one of three groups: 

• Easygoing growers: adaptable and forgiving 
• Steady companions: want routine but aren’t strict about it 
• High-maintenance divas: demanding but unforgettable 

Easygoing growers
These are perfect if you’re new to houseplants or just want something that won’t add to your “To Do” list. Give them a bright spot and a little water now and then — they’ll handle the rest. 

• Rubber tree (Ficus elastica): Glossy, broad leaves and a forgiving nature. Wipe the leaves now and then to maintain the shine. 
• Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata): Slim trunks topped with burgundy-edged leaves give a clean, sculptural look. Slow growing, so it won’t outgrow its space anytime soon. 
• Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans): Tall, narrow and happy in corners or hallways. Tolerates a range of conditions. 
• Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans): A favorite since Victorian times. It handles low light and cooler rooms, making it ideal for apartments or offices. 

Steady companions
These trees will ask a little more from you, but they return the favor with striking appearances or leaves you can use in the kitchen. A little weekly attention keeps these plants thriving. 

• Fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata): Big, violin-shaped leaves make it a design favorite. Needs bright, indirect light and steady watering. Once you find its happy spot, don’t move it; a monthly fertilizer will increase its growth. 
• Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina): Graceful and classic. It tolerates lower light but may drop leaves if stressed. Given time, it will settle in and live for decades. 
• Money tree (Pachira aquatica): Usually sold with braided trunks, it’s easygoing and playful in appearance. Likes medium-light and steady moisture. 
• Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis): Slow-growing and perfect for kitchens. Place near a sunny window, and you’ll have fresh leaves for using in those winter stews. 

High-maintenance divas
If you’re willing to go the extra mile, these species deliver standout beauty (and sometimes fruit). They may be more temperamental, but for committed plant lovers, the reward is well worth it. 

• Citrus trees (lemon, kumquat, orange): Glossy leaves, fragrant blooms, and they even fruit indoors — but only with plenty of light, steady water and extra humidity. 
• Olive tree: Silvery foliage and a Mediterranean style. Needs abundant sunlight and excellent drainage. 
• Majesty palm (Ravenea rivularis): Elegant and statuesque, but thirsty for humidity. Mist often or run a humidifier. 

Care essentials
Light matters more than anything else when it comes to indoor trees. South- and west-facing windows suit citrus and fiddle-leaf figs the best, while east-facing windows are fine for steady companions. Low-light corners are best matched with parlor palms or corn plants. If your house doesn’t get enough natural light, LED grow lights are an inexpensive and discreet fix. 

Most indoor trees would rather be slightly dry than constantly wet. Check soil by sticking your finger an inch or two into the dirt. If it’s dry, water; however, be mindful that overwatering is the fastest way to lose a plant. And since Central Virginia homes get especially dry in winter, grouping plants, setting up pebble trays or running a humidifier helps keep leaves from crisping. 

Some trees can even stand in for the holidays. A Norfolk Island pine, a small citrus or a Ficus can be strung with lights in December, then enjoyed long after the decorations are packed away. Unlike a cut tree, these keep growing and become part of your regular home décor. 

A note for Central Virginia homes
Our Zone 7 climate doesn’t matter much for indoor trees since they live in controlled conditions but avoid drafty windows and heating vents. Rotate pots every few weeks so all sides catch the light. Expect slower growth in winter — plants, like gardens, rest a bit in the colder months. 

Indoor trees do more than look good. They bring life to quiet rooms, freshen the air and create a sense of calm. Whether you start with a resilient rubber tree, a graceful weeping fig or a citrus for a challenge, you’ll be surprised how quickly a house feels different. Try one, learn its rhythm and you might end up building a small indoor collection to carry you through the winter. 

Summer vacation for indoor trees
Some house trees thrive if you move them outdoors once Central Virginia warms up in late spring. The boost in natural light and humidity can encourage growth and even flowering. 

• Citrus (lemon, kumquat, orange): Benefit from summering outdoors in full sun. Just bring them in before nights drop below 55°. 
• Fiddle-leaf fig, rubber tree, weeping fig: Can go outside in bright, indirect light (not full harsh sun right away). Acclimate slowly to prevent leaf scorch. 
• Money tree and bay laurel: Enjoy a shady patio or porch during summer. Bay laurel thrives outside and grows more vigorously. 
• Palms (areca, majesty, parlor): Can go out in dappled shade or morning sun but be careful of drying winds. 
• Yucca, dragon tree, corn plant: Tough enough for outdoor life in bright, indirect light, but avoid heavy rain exposure. 
• Olive tree: Loves full sun outside but needs a sheltered spot with excellent drainage. 

Always acclimate gradually: place the plant outside for a few hours at first, increasing time over a week or two. And reverse the process when bringing them back in for fall to minimize shock and pest problems. ✦