Indoor greenery adds warmth, life, and character to any home.
However, plants need a little love and care in order to keep providing beauty and freshness, along with those quiet health boosts.
You can’t just place them in random pots and water them whenever you remember. You need to understand their unique needs. This guide will show you exactly how to keep your trees thriving inside.
Let’s begin!
Choose the Right Species
Start by assessing the lighting in your home to determine which types will grow best there. Fiddle-leaf figs generally thrive by south-facing windows, while Kentia palms flourish in dappled shade near north-facing windows.
Next, you need to figure out whether your chosen specimens will fit in your space after they fully mature.
Norfolk Island Pines, for example, can reach 1.8-2 metres, making them unsuitable for apartments with low ceilings. In contrast, dwarf citrus trees maintain their compact size when fully mature, so they can easily fit in smaller rooms.
Consider your experience level and availability as well. If you’re just getting started or tend to travel frequently, go with low-maintenance varieties. ZZ plants and Dracaenas are both wonderful options that tolerate irregular watering and unstable conditions.
Speaking of which, you should also factor in how your local climate affects indoor conditions. Artificial heating can stress tropical species, while drafty windows disrupt the natural cycles of temperature-sensitive flora.
If you live in an area with relentless winters, a humidifier will help with the dry air. As for scorching summers, drought-tolerant species have a better chance of surviving them.
In any case, it’s best to purchase your trees from local nurseries rather than chain stores. They’ll have a wide selection of native plants that have already acclimated to your local climate and can provide expert advice on regional growing challenges.
Before making any payments, examine each tree thoroughly. Look under the leaves for signs of pests and check for new growth, as it’s an indicator of good health.
Ensure Optimal Light and Airflow
Checking the light conditions is quite simple. Just hold your hand about 30 centimetres above a white paper in your chosen spot. If you see a sharp shadow, this indicates that the area receives bright light, whereas a fuzzier shadow points to moderate illumination.
Place your flora based on these results. Most indoor trees need bright, indirect light. As such, they should be placed 1-2 metres away from south-facing windows.
On the other hand, north-facing windows are better suited for shade-loving strains, like parlour palms and corn plants, as they typically receive less light.
To combat harsh sunlight, especially during summer afternoons, use net curtains or move your specimens 2-3 metres away from the windows.
You also have to be mindful of the air circulation to prevent mould from creeping up on your green pals. All you need to do is open the windows for 15 minutes a day when the weather conditions are suitable.
If the leaves flutter gently, then the flow is spot on. However, if they sway excessively, this means that the room they’re in is too windy.
Last but not least, avoid exposing your trees to intense heat. Keep them at least one metre away from radiators and air vents, as the hot air can dry them out.
Use Proper Irrigation Techniques
When it comes to watering, the line between a thriving tree and a rotting specimen is thinner than you think. To get it just right, check the soil’s moisture levels before each watering session.
Use a probe or a stick to examine it. If it comes out dry, it’s time to irrigate your plants.
A moisture meter takes the guesswork out of the equation. It’s an inexpensive yet handy solution for large pots or vast collections.
You should water your plants more frequently during the spring and summer while they’re actively growing. Come winter, though, you’ll need to ease up, as most species enter a natural rest period during the colder months.
Use room-temperature tap water and leave it out overnight. This will allow the chlorine to evaporate and prevent temperature shock.
Furthermore, always use pots with drainage holes and saucers. The holes prevent water from pooling around the roots, while the saucers help keep your floors dry.
That said, it’s important to note that different species have different needs. So, pay attention to how yours responds and adjust your approach accordingly.
Meet Their Soil and Feeding Requirements
Indoor greenery needs soil that drains efficiently while still retaining enough moisture for healthy root growth.
To strike the right balance, mix regular houseplant compost with perlite in a 70:30 ratio. This combo works for most indoor species. As for desert strains, like cacti, add more perlite and some coarse sand to mimic their natural, arid environment.
Moreover, you need to repot your tree into a larger container every 2 years. Your new pot should only be around 5 centimetres wider than your current one. If you opt for one that’s too large, it can lead to soggy soil and waterlogged roots.
For optimum results, apply a balanced, liquid fertiliser every two weeks during the spring and summer. Once autumn rolls around, halt the feeding, as that’s when plant activity typically slows down.
Monitor your leafy companions closely. If a plant is exhibiting yellow or pale green leaves despite receiving enough light, that means it needs more nutrients. Conversely, dark green foliage with brown tips indicates excessive fertilising.
To ensure you’re on the right track, watch how your tree responds to different feeding patterns. If new growth appears regularly, then you’ve found the perfect balance.
Trim and Groom Your Trees
Regular pruning is also vital for maintaining both the health and appearance of your indoor trees. You’ll need a sharp pair of pruners to groom your plants during the spring and summer.
During these peak growth periods, keep an eye out for branches that intersect or rub against one another. Trim those promptly, as they can create weak spots that attract pests or promote diseases.
Also, remove yellow or brown leaves as soon as you spot them to keep them from diverting energy away from new growth.
Try not to fuss with your flora too much in the winter. Remove only the dead or damaged parts, as plants heal more slowly during this natural rest period.
If you’re unsure whether major cuts are necessary, expert tree pruners can demonstrate proper techniques.
Local gardeners often have extensive experience with a wide range of species and can spot early signs of trouble that less experienced growers might overlook. So, don’t hesitate to seek their help when in doubt.
One final tip to keep your plants safe: clean your tools with rubbing alcohol between each use to minimise the risk of transmitting plant diseases.
Keep Pests Under Control
Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time for the final step: pest control.
Check on your green friends weekly to spot any signs of trouble before they spiral out of control.
Look beneath the leaves and along the stems for sticky residue, tiny webs, and small holes. These are clear indicators of pest activity. Yellowing or curling leaves on otherwise healthy plants can also be a warning sign.
You might even see the culprits behind these issues lurking on the undersides of leaves or nestled in the soil around the base.
The most common indoor intruders include spider mites, aphids, and scale, all of which feed on plant sap and can weaken your greenery over time. That’s why you must address them right away.
You can create your own DIY pesticide if you wish to avoid harsh chemicals. Simply mix one teaspoon of neem oil with half a teaspoon of liquid soap in a litre of water, and you’ll have a potent, natural pesticide.
Just be sure to spray it over the affected foliage in the evening to prevent leaf burn. If you spot any pests, reapply the solution weekly until they’re gone.
It’s also wise to isolate new trees for 3 weeks before placing them alongside your other plants.
During this time, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth and check them thoroughly for the abovementioned signs. This simple step prevents bugs from spreading to your healthy greenery.
You won’t have to worry about unwanted intruders too much as long as you take good care of your flora. Healthy specimens resist insects better, so make sure yours receive enough light and water so they can repel them more effectively.
That said, not all bugs are harmful. So, if you spot ladybirds hanging around your flora, leave them be. They actually feast on many common pests and will help keep your indoor collection healthy.
Conclusion
As you can see, caring for indoor trees isn’t all that complicated. It just takes a little consistency and know-how.
So, put these tips into action today, and let your indoor garden become a daily source of joy and inspiration!
