Bring The Outdoors In

And elevate your interiors

1. MONEY TREE

The tree thrives under fluorescent lighting, so makes a nice home office idea

Photo: Matthieu Salvaing. Design: Laura Gonzalez

The tree is relatively low maintenance, liking humidity and bright, indirect light.

In this scheme, designer Laura Gonzalez(opens in new tab) has used one of these elegant trees for the final touch to her French countryside home in Mainneville.

2. FIDDLE LEAF FIG TREE

bringing a sculptural element to your interiors, drawing the eye and making a great statement with their mere presence in the corner of the room.

Photo: Bill Abranowicz. Design: Matt Blacke

To look after your fiddle leaf, protect the tree from drafts and give it enough bright filtered light. Keep the soil moist, but not wet (a self-watering pot can make caring for this tree a lot easier). Keep the leaves healthy by giving them a dust - as broad surfaces they can accumulate quite a bit of dust.

Designer Matt Blacke(opens in new tab) has used a statement fiddle leaf in this room to add interest to the otherwise sparse walls, and bring height to the scheme.

3. OLIVE TREE

An olive tree makes a beautiful indoor plant, particularly in the kitchen.

Photo: Sola Kitchens

'Olive trees are exotic and of course they produce olives and olive oil so are closely connected to cooking and kitchens hence it is a really lovely type of tree to have in the kitchen,' explains CEO of Sola Kitchens, Sofia Bune Strandh.

4. BLACK OLIVE TREE

The black olive tree, also known as Bucida buceras, isn't actually an olive tree at all, but that doesn't stop it from being an indoor favorite of designers

Photo: Haris Kenjar

''They are a beautiful and excellent choice for those seeking a tall and elegant plant with lovely green foliage and branches that form their own particular journey,' explains plant expert Ryan Hroziencik from The Tropics Inc(opens in new tab). 'No two are alike.'

Sometimes known as the Shady Lady, it's worth noting that the black olive tree needs a large amount of sun and warmth to keep healthy and looking its best, so it might not be the best choice for smaller homes or when decorating an apartment.

5. FISHTAIL PALM

If you're working with a pitched roof, a tree can be a brilliant way to introduce an element that fills the space, avoiding the ceiling feeling too high and un-cozy.

Photo: Charlotte Lea. Design: a Naber Design

'It was selected for its height,' Abbie tells us. 'This room had high ceilings and I desperately needed to fill that corner with a statement.' Fishtail palms can grow incredibly tall, but given they need bright light and humidity to really thrive, you'll find that their manageable as an indoor plant.

Ensure it's in a sunny spot, and give it a little help on the humidity front when the air is particularly dry. It may also benefit from a little fertilizer now and again to help fight any deficiencies.

6. ROUND FAN PALM

A round fan palm makes for a beautiful addition to your home, with big, circular palm leaves that are slightly unusual, tropical looking and reminiscent of far-flung lands.

Photo: Carmel Brantley

The palm can grow to around 6-10' when cared for properly, so treat it with love - giving it partial shade and keeping it warm in a minimum of 32°F to make sure it thrives in your home.

In this design by Branca(opens in new tab), the all-blue scheme is broken up with these great palms showing off their bold and verdant green coloring.

7. DWARF UMBRELLA TREE

As well as the way the shape of the leaves contributes to the space, consider the trunk, too.

Photo: Roberto Garcia

Choosing a dwarf umbrella tree for the hallway of this Hollywood home, the designers from LaLa Reimagined ha one thing on their mind. ''We were drawn to the braided trunk,' explains co-founder Azar Fattahi.

Umbrella trees are a relatively easy-going choice, so they're a great tree choice if you're worried about keeping your houseplants looking their best.

8. BANANA TREE

With attention-grabbing leaves, the banana tree can make a splash of architectural greenery to your interiors.

Photo: Sproutl

he dwarf banana tree is a slightly smaller version, that may suit any height restrictions of your home and is relatively simple to look after, making it one of our favorite indoor trees to grow.

The banana tree has height and big leaves, so it does need substantial watering.

9. PARLOR PALM

It's the perfect combination plant that requires little maintenance yet yields great results.

Photo: Anna Stathaki

'A great specimen to have as it adapts well to relatively low-light conditions, remains at a reasonable size and adds a tropical vibe to a space with its lush green fronds on multiple stems,' says Thomas.

When it comes to parlor plant care, they thrive on little attention and do not like too much attention, especially overwatering.

These palms do not require limited feeding and only need a weak liquid fertilizer once or twice during the growing season.'

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