Best Indoor Trees for Your Home (10 That Actually Survive Inside)

Indoor trees turn a room from “apartment” into “home.” A 6-foot fiddle leaf fig in the corner does more for a space than $2,000 worth of wall art. But the wrong tree in the wrong spot dies within three months, and you end up with a $75 stick in a pot.

The difference between success and failure with indoor trees comes down to three things: light, water, and knowing which trees actually tolerate life inside a house. Most of the trees sold at big-box garden centers as “indoor plants” are tropical species that grow outdoors in zones 10-12. They’ll survive indoors, but only if you match them to the right window.

Here are the 10 best indoor trees, ranked by how forgiving they are, with specific care instructions backed by university extension research.

How to pick the right indoor tree

Before you buy, figure out what your space actually offers.

Light: This is the single biggest factor. The University of Minnesota Extension breaks indoor light into three categories:

• Low light: 25-75 foot-candles. North-facing windows, rooms with small windows, hallways. Fewer trees survive here.
• Medium light: 75-200 foot-candles. East-facing windows, a few feet back from south or west windows.
• High light: Over 200 foot-candles. South or southwest-facing windows, sunrooms, large windows with direct sun.

For reference, outdoor noon sun hits 4,000+ foot-candles. A north-facing window may never reach 400. That gives you a sense of how much light drops once you move indoors.

Humidity: Most homes run 30-40% humidity in winter. Most tropical trees want 50%+. A pebble tray, humidifier, or grouping plants together helps.

Space: Indoor trees get big. A fiddle leaf fig can hit 10 feet in a living room. Make sure you know the mature indoor size before buying.

1. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

The most searched indoor tree on the internet, and for good reason. Those massive, violin-shaped leaves make a statement that no other houseplant matches. But fiddle leaf figs have a reputation for being finicky, and that reputation is earned.

• Light: Bright, indirect light. South or east-facing window. Avoid direct afternoon sun, which scorches the leaves.
• Water: Let the top inch of soil dry between waterings. Overwatering causes root rot faster than underwatering causes leaf drop.
• Indoor size: 6-10 feet tall
• Humidity: Prefers 50%+. Mist the leaves or use a pebble tray in winter.
• Pet safe: No. Toxic to cats and dogs. The milky sap causes oral irritation and vomiting.
• Cost: $40-100 for a 2-3 foot plant; $150-300 for a 5-6 foot specimen

The NC State Extension Plant Toolbox lists fiddle leaf fig as an evergreen tree that reaches 50+ feet outdoors in zones 10-12 but stays 6-10 feet in containers. The key to keeping one alive indoors: don’t move it. Ficus species are notorious for dropping leaves when relocated. Pick a bright spot and leave it there.

Common problems: Brown spots on leaves usually mean overwatering or cold drafts. Yellow leaves mean too little light. Leaf drop after moving is normal and temporary.

2. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

If you want the look of a fiddle leaf fig without the drama, get a rubber plant. Same family, similar sculptural presence, but significantly more tolerant of less-than-perfect conditions.

• Light: Medium to bright indirect. Tolerates lower light better than fiddle leaf fig, though it grows slower in dim conditions.
• Water: Let the top 1-2 inches of soil dry between waterings. Water less in winter.
• Indoor size: 6-10 feet tall
• Humidity: Adaptable to normal household humidity (40-50%)
• Pet safe: No. Toxic to cats and dogs. Same milky sap as fiddle leaf fig.
• Cost: $20-60 for a 1-3 foot plant

The burgundy and variegated cultivars (‘Burgundy’, ‘Tineke’, ‘Ruby’) add color that the standard green variety doesn’t offer. ‘Burgundy’ has deep purple-black leaves that look almost artificial. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth monthly. Dust blocks light absorption and attracts spider mites.

3. Dracaena (Dragon Tree) (Dracaena marginata)

The best indoor tree for people who forget to water. Dracaena marginata tolerates low light, inconsistent watering, and dry air better than almost any other indoor tree. The thin, spiky leaves on slender cane-like trunks give it an architectural look that works in modern spaces.

• Light: Low to medium indirect. Survives in low light, grows best in medium light. Avoid direct sun, which burns the leaf tips.
• Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings. Dracaenas are drought tolerant and far more likely to die from overwatering than underwatering.
• Indoor size: 4-8 feet tall
• Humidity: Tolerates low humidity but appreciates occasional misting
• Pet safe: No. Contains saponins toxic to cats and dogs. Clemson HGIC lists all Dracaena species among their 11 most poisonous houseplants.
• Cost: $15-50 for a 2-4 foot plant

Brown leaf tips are the most common complaint. That’s usually fluoride or chlorine in tap water. Use filtered water or let tap water sit overnight before watering. If your outdoor trees are also showing sensitivity to water quality, our guide on chlorine effects on trees explains the chemistry.

4. Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)

Money trees are sold everywhere with braided trunks and a reputation for bringing good luck. The luck is debatable, but the plant is genuinely easy to grow indoors. Native to Central and South American swamps, it handles the humidity swings of indoor life surprisingly well.

• Light: Medium to bright indirect. Tolerates lower light but grows leggy.
• Water: Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. The braided trunk stores some moisture, making it more drought tolerant than it looks.
• Indoor size: 3-6 feet tall (can reach 8 feet in ideal conditions)
• Humidity: Prefers higher humidity but adapts to average household levels
• Pet safe: Yes. Non-toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA.
• Cost: $20-50 for a braided 2-3 foot plant

The braided trunk is not natural. Nurseries weave the stems together when the trees are young and flexible. If a stem in the braid dies, it can affect the whole plant. Keep the soil consistently moist (not wet) and the remaining trunks usually compensate.

5. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

The original indoor palm, popular since the Victorian era. Parlor palms tolerate low light better than any other palm species, which is why they earned the “parlor” name. They grew in dim Victorian parlors where other plants couldn’t survive.

• Light: Low to medium indirect. One of the few true low-light indoor trees. North-facing windows work fine.
• Water: Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch feels dry.
• Indoor size: 3-4 feet tall (slow grower)
• Humidity: Prefers 50%+ humidity. Brown leaf tips in winter usually mean dry air. Clemson HGIC’s indoor palms guide recommends filling the pot saucer with gravel to increase humidity without rotting the roots.
• Pet safe: Yes. Non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• Cost: $15-40

Parlor palms grow slowly. Buy the size you want rather than waiting for a small one to grow. They rarely exceed 4 feet indoors. The delicate, arching fronds look elegant without taking over the room. Good choice for small yards that extend indoors, or anywhere you need a non-toxic option with kids and pets.

6. Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)

Not actually a pine, but it looks like a miniature Christmas tree year-round. Norfolk Island Pine is native to Norfolk Island in the South Pacific and grows 200 feet tall in its natural habitat. Indoors, it stays 3-8 feet and adds a vertical, conifer-like element that no tropical houseplant can match.

• Light: Bright indirect to direct. East or south-facing window. Needs more light than most indoor trees.
• Water: Keep soil evenly moist. Never let it dry out completely, but don’t let it sit in standing water.
• Indoor size: 3-8 feet tall
• Humidity: Needs 50%+ humidity. This is the biggest challenge. Low humidity causes branch drop from the bottom up, and lost branches don’t grow back.
• Pet safe: Yes. Non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• Cost: $20-60; often sold as living Christmas trees in December at seasonal discounts

The branches grow in symmetrical tiers, giving it a formal, architectural look. Rotate the pot a quarter turn weekly to keep growth even. If the lower branches brown and fall off, humidity is too low. A room humidifier near the tree helps more than misting.

7. Meyer Lemon (Citrus x meyeri)

The only indoor tree on this list that produces edible fruit. Improved Meyer Lemon is a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange, giving it sweeter, less acidic fruit than standard lemons. It blooms and fruits year-round indoors with enough light.

• Light: Full sun. Minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight or equivalent from a grow light. South-facing window is essential. This is non-negotiable.
• Water: Keep soil consistently moist but well-drained. Citrus hates wet feet.
• Indoor size: 3-5 feet tall in a container
• Humidity: 50%+ preferred. Mist regularly or use a humidifier.
• Pet safe: The ASPCA lists citrus as toxic to cats and dogs (the essential oils and psoralens in the leaves, fruit, and seeds can cause vomiting and skin irritation).
• Cost: $30-60 for a 1-2 foot grafted tree

You’ll need to hand-pollinate the flowers indoors since there are no bees in your living room. Use a small paintbrush or cotton swab to transfer pollen between flowers. Feed with a citrus-specific fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Move the tree outside in summer if possible. Our dwarf citrus section covers the outdoor companion varieties.

8. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)

The White Bird of Paradise creates instant tropical drama with its massive, banana-like leaves that can reach 3-4 feet long. The NC State Extension calls it “the perfect indoor plant if you are looking for an exotic and tropical vibe.”

• Light: Bright indirect to direct. South or west-facing window. Tolerates medium light but won’t bloom indoors without strong light.
• Water: Water freely in spring and summer, keep drier in winter. Good drainage is essential.
• Indoor size: 5-8 feet tall (can reach taller)
• Humidity: Prefers high humidity but tolerates average household levels better than most tropicals
• Pet safe: No. Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. Can cause abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting if ingested.
• Cost: $50-150 for a 3-5 foot plant

Don’t expect flowers indoors. UF/IFAS Extension notes that mature plants take 5-6 years to bloom, and indoor conditions rarely provide enough light for flowering. Buy it for the foliage, not the flowers. The leaves split along their veins naturally; that’s not damage, it’s how they handle air circulation in the wild.

9. Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)

The classic indoor tree that’s been popular for decades. Dense, glossy foliage on arching branches gives it an elegant, tree-like form that fills a corner beautifully. But it has one notorious habit: it drops leaves whenever anything changes.

• Light: Bright indirect. Will survive in shade but grows thin and leggy.
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil dries out. Don’t overwater.
• Indoor size: 3-10 feet tall (can be pruned to any height)
• Humidity: Average household humidity is fine
• Pet safe: No. Clemson HGIC warns that all parts are toxic, especially the milky sap.
• Cost: $30-80

Clemson HGIC explains the leaf drop plainly: weeping fig is “very sensitive to light,” and moving it will cause leaf drop as the plant produces new leaves adapted to the new conditions. Don’t place it near heat vents or drafts. Pick a spot and commit. New leaves will grow back within a few weeks. Keep the leaves dusted to prevent spider mite problems.

10. Spineless Yucca (Yucca gigantea)

The most drought-tolerant indoor tree you can buy. Spineless yucca (formerly Yucca elephantipes) is native to Central America’s dry forests and thrives on neglect. If you travel frequently or forget to water, this is your tree.

• Light: Bright direct to bright indirect. South or west-facing window.
• Water: Let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the number one killer. NC State Extension recommends a soil mix of one part potting mix to three parts perlite or sand for maximum drainage.
• Indoor size: 4-8 feet tall
• Humidity: Tolerates dry air without complaint
• Pet safe: No. Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.
• Cost: $25-75

Unlike other yucca species, the spineless variety has soft leaf tips that won’t stab you when you walk past. The thick, elephant-foot trunk stores water, making it genuinely drought-proof. It grows slowly indoors, adding maybe 2-4 inches per year in a pot. Bright light and infrequent watering are the only requirements. If you can keep a cactus alive, you can keep a spineless yucca alive.

Indoor tree comparison chart

Tree	Light	Water	Indoor Height	Pet Safe	Difficulty
Fiddle Leaf Fig	Bright indirect	Moderate	6-10 ft	No	Hard
Rubber Plant	Medium-bright	Low-moderate	6-10 ft	No	Easy
Dracaena	Low-medium	Low	4-8 ft	No	Very easy
Money Tree	Medium-bright	Moderate	3-6 ft	Yes	Easy
Parlor Palm	Low-medium	Moderate	3-4 ft	Yes	Easy
Norfolk Island Pine	Bright	Moderate	3-8 ft	Yes	Moderate
Meyer Lemon	Full sun	Moderate	3-5 ft	No	Hard
Bird of Paradise	Bright	Moderate	5-8 ft	No	Moderate
Weeping Fig	Bright indirect	Moderate	3-10 ft	No	Moderate
Spineless Yucca	Bright direct	Very low	4-8 ft	No	Very easy

Pet safety quick reference

This matters more than most people realize. The Clemson HGIC pet safety guide lists several common indoor trees among their most dangerous houseplants.

Pet-safe indoor trees: Money tree (Pachira aquatica), parlor palm, Norfolk Island pine

Toxic to cats and dogs: Fiddle leaf fig, rubber plant, all dracaenas, bird of paradise, weeping fig, yucca, citrus

If you have cats that chew plants, stick with money tree, parlor palm, or Norfolk Island pine. Place toxic trees on elevated surfaces or in rooms pets can’t access. If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

Container and soil basics

The Penn State Extension and Clemson HGIC agree on the fundamentals:

Pots: Use containers with drainage holes. If you love a decorative pot without drainage, put the tree in a plastic nursery pot inside the decorative one. Remove it to water, let it drain, then put it back. Standing water in the bottom of a sealed pot is how root rot starts.

Soil: Use a soilless potting mix (peat moss or coco coir with perlite), not garden soil. Garden soil compacts in containers, holds too much water, and may carry bacteria. A standard mix of half peat (or coir) and half perlite works for most indoor trees.

Repotting: Move up one pot size (1-2 inches in diameter) when roots circle the bottom or grow out the drainage hole. Spring is the best time. Don’t jump from a 6-inch pot to a 14-inch pot. That much extra soil holds water the roots can’t use, leading to rot.

Don’t add rocks to the bottom. Penn State Extension has demonstrated that a layer of pebbles below the soil does not promote drainage. It actually holds moisture within the pot. Skip the rocks.

Common indoor tree problems and fixes

Leaf drop: Usually caused by a change in light, temperature, or watering. Ficus species are especially sensitive. Stabilize conditions and new leaves will grow. Moving a tree from a bright nursery to a dim corner triggers this.

Brown leaf tips: Low humidity or mineral buildup from tap water. Increase humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier. Use filtered or distilled water for sensitive species like dracaena.

Yellow leaves: Overwatering (most common cause), too little light, or natural aging of lower leaves. Check the soil moisture before adding more water.

Leggy, stretched growth: Not enough light. Move the tree closer to a window or add a grow light. LED grow lights work well and cost $20-40.

Pests: The UMN Extension identifies three main indoor plant pests: spider mites (fine webbing, stippled leaves), mealybugs (cottony white clusters), and scale (brown bumps on stems). Wipe leaves with a damp cloth regularly. Isolate new plants for two weeks before placing them near existing ones. Treat infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil. If you’re battling aphids on indoor or outdoor plants, our aphid control guide covers organic and chemical options.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest indoor tree to keep alive? Dracaena marginata (dragon tree). It tolerates low light, dry air, and inconsistent watering. Rubber plant is a close second. Both are nearly indestructible if you avoid overwatering.

What indoor tree is best for low light? Parlor palm handles the lowest light of any indoor tree. Dracaena marginata is the second most tolerant. Both survive in north-facing windows and rooms with limited natural light. Fiddle leaf fig, citrus, and yucca will not survive low light.

Are indoor trees safe for cats? Most are not. Parlor palm, money tree, and Norfolk Island pine are the three pet-safe options on this list. All ficus species (fiddle leaf fig, rubber plant, weeping fig), dracaena, bird of paradise, yucca, and citrus are toxic to cats and dogs.

How often should I water an indoor tree? It depends on the species, pot size, and humidity. As a general rule, stick your finger 1-2 inches into the soil. If it’s dry, water. If it’s moist, wait. Most indoor trees die from overwatering, not underwatering. Water less in winter when growth slows.

Can I put my indoor tree outside in summer? Yes, and most will benefit from it. Transition gradually. Start with full shade outdoors for a week, then move to morning sun for another week, then to the final location. Bring it back inside when nighttime temperatures drop below 55 degrees F. Watch for hitchhiker pests before moving it back indoors.

How big do indoor trees get? Most of the trees on this list stay 3-10 feet tall in containers. The pot restricts root growth, which limits top growth. If you want a bigger tree, pot up to a larger container. If you want to keep it smaller, keep it in its current pot and prune as needed. For trees that work outdoors in small spaces, see our dwarf trees for landscaping guide.

Do indoor trees need fertilizer? Yes, but less than you think. Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar) at half strength once a month during spring and summer. Stop fertilizing in fall and winter. Citrus trees need citrus-specific fertilizer. Our tree fertilizer guide covers the basics of NPK ratios. For outdoor palm trees, the fertilizer requirements are completely different. Our palm tree fertilizer guide explains the 8-2-12 ratio palms need.

Why does my fiddle leaf fig have brown spots? Three main causes: overwatering (brown spots with yellow halos, starting at lower leaves), underwatering (brown spots starting at leaf edges, dry and crispy), or bacterial infection (dark brown to black spots that spread). Check your watering habits first. Most brown spots are water-related.