Indoor Trees For Home and Office

Trees. I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon than fishing underneath a large tree… or climbing the sturdy branches. They add color and majesty to our land, as they have for thousands of years. They improve air quality and remove carbon dioxide and other gasses that trap heat.

An indoor tree can do these same things for your home or office space. Not only do they add beauty and charm, they offer the same benefits to an enclosed area as outdoor trees do for the planet. They are a lovely accent to any home, and can provide depth to an otherwise plain office area. There are several to choose from, and with just a little bit of maintenance, you can have a bit of the great outdoors in your own area!

One of the most popular indoor trees is the ficus, or fig tree, of which…

How to Care For Croton’s

Crotons are some of the most colorful houseplants that you can find. Their broad, long leaves can sport red, pinks, greens, yellows, oranges and many other colors. They’re very exotic looking plants that can really brighten up any room with their wide range of colors.

The waxy feeling leaves start out as dark or medium green and the colors appear as the leaf matures and can reach ten inches in length. Croton’s are small shrubs that can grow as high as six feet, but when grown indoors they usually only grow a few feet tall.

As with most plants that have lot’s of color, Croton’s prefer bright lighting. But, many of the newer varieties of the plant can survive in low lighting conditions. If leaves are still mainly green after they reach maturity, the plant isn’t receiving enough light.

Zebra Plant

Common Name: Zebra Plant
Latin Name: Aphelandra squarrosa ‘Louisae’
Family: Acanthaceae
Plant Type: Broadleaf shrub
Origin: Brazil
Blooming Time: Year round
Humidity: High
Temperature: 60 – 85 *F
Height: 4′ – 6′
Color: Green, white variegation
Insects and Diseases: Aphids, scale, spider mites, mealy bugs, whitefly

Description:
The Zebra Plant has dark green, glossy leaves that are ovate with pointy tips. The contrasting white variegated veins make this a striking plant for the home. Flowers are yellow to bright yellow and grow in bracts that are clustered on a spike that can reach up to 4″ long.

Dwarf Umbrella Tree

Common Name: Dwarf Umbrella Tree, Umbrella Tree, Parasol Plant, Octopus Tree
Latin Name:  Schefflera arboricola
Family: Araliaceae
Plant Type: Tree, shrub
Origin: Taiwan
Blooming Time: Early to Late Summer
Humidity: Moderate
Temperature: 60 – 85*F
Height: 5′
Color: Green, yellow
Insects and Diseases: Scale, mealy bugs, aphids, spider mites

Description:
The Dwarf Umbrella Tree is a beautiful foliage plant to use inside the home. It’s very popular because it’s not an overly picky plant that can tolerate some neglect and a variety of home conditions.

The tree has long oval shaped leaves with pointy tips that grow on delicate stems. Each stem tip has five to nine shiny leaves that are arranged in a circular, or umbrella shape.

The Umbrella Tree comes in both green and a variegated variety. The solid variety is a dark,…

China Doll

Common Name: China Doll, Emerald Tree, Serpent Tree
Latin Name: Radermachera Sinica
Family: Bignoniaceae
Plant Type:  Tree
Origin: China
Blooming Time: Mid Spring
Humidity: Moderate
Temperature: 50 – 75*F
Height: 30′
Color: Green
Insects and Diseases: Mealy bugs, spider mites, aphids

Description:
The China Doll is a fairly compact plant that has became very popular in recent years. The tree like plant has medium to dark green leaves that are glossy and almost look oily. The leaves are divided into separate leaflets and are generally thin and delicate looking. The blooms are white, but it rarely blooms in the home.