Is It OK to Grow Low Light Indoor Trees?
Growing indoor plants is one of the most popular ways to infuse some nature within a home, especially in areas where direct sunlight coming from outside is scarce.
While many plants thrive well in bright conditions with direct sunlight, there is more interest nowadays in low-light indoor trees, that is, plants that will survive and even thrive under minimal natural light.
In this write-up, we will tackle the concept of low light environment, types of trees suitable for such an environment, and care of these indoor trees.
The problems you might encounter raising low-light indoor trees, and all the benefits one can reap from indoor trees, even when the lighting is low, besides having a deeper understanding of how to grow them successfully in your home or office.
Understanding Low Light Conditions
Before diving into which low-light indoor trees suit your home, it’s important to understand what “low light” means in indoor gardening. Many people think of low light as complete darkness, but that’s untrue.
Low light refers to areas of your home or office that receive indirect or very little sunlight throughout the day. Such rooms would be small-windowed, north-lit windows in the case of Northern Hemisphere classrooms or generally poor lighting conditions because of large buildings or trees blocking the view from outside.
Plants grow poorly under low light conditions because most fail to get the energy they need for photosynthesis. Still, some plants are suited for such conditions, especially those native to floor forests or tropical areas where light passes through the canopy layer.
When we speak of low light, we usually talk about spaces that cannot receive direct sunlight and will probably get a few hours of indirect or filtered sunlight during the day.
Advantages of Growing Low-Light Indoor Trees
Growing trees can pay off within your space, even in spaces that do not offer much light. For reasons you may want to start thinking about bringing a low-light indoor tree to the house or office include:
1. Air Purification
Indoor trees also include low light indoor trees and are said to purify the air. This removes toxins, such as formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia, from the air while improving indoor air quality. This is very important in today’s sealed homes and offices, which are likely sealed to conserve energy and not ventilated.
2. Aesthetic Appeal
Tall, dramatic, and breathtaking, trees can be a great focus in any room. This indoor low-light tree adds texture, dimension, and natural elements to soothe the environment and welcome spaces. Even in minimalist rooms, a large leafy tree is making a statement.
3. Psychological Benefits
It has been scientifically demonstrated that surrounding nature creates a positive environment for one’s mental health. Indoor plants reduce stress levels, add a positive mood-evoking factor, and contribute positively to well-being.
Some trees and plants are believed to be highly effective in mitigating the effects of stress even at low light intensities and enhancing productivity, so they are perfect for offices and homes.
4. Noise Reduction
Large indoor plants and trees can also reduce noise levels in a room by catching the sound. In other words, low-light indoor trees can be very useful in offices or apartment buildings where one has disturbing noises. The larger the tree, the greater the surface area to absorb sound, creating a quieter environment.
How to Select the Best Low-Light Indoor Trees
Now that we have learned about some benefits of planting indoor trees in low-light environments, we will discuss some of the best low-light indoor trees.
We appreciate most the fact that some of these plants can survive for a long time indoors when light is scarce, or sunlight barely reaches them.
1. Ficus Trees (Ficus Elastica and Ficus Benjamina)
Ficus trees are also cultivated indoors because they tolerate various lighting conditions and accept meager light. Among the most grown inside are Ficus elastica, or the rubber tree, and Ficus benjamina, or the weeping fig.
- Ficus Elastica: This has big, shiny, deep green leaves and can tolerate lower light levels, though it will grow slightly slower in this light. It prefers indirect light but can tolerate some low light. This tree will thrive if your space receives indirect light several hours daily.
- Ficus Benjamina: Weeping figs are also tolerant of low light, although they prefer medium light. Dense foliage and an elegant, cascading shape for indoor spaces make this plant ideal. Although they tend to lose a few leaves when grown under low light, they still do well when conditions are adequate.
2. Dracaena Trees (Dracaena fragrans and Dracaena marginata)
Another excellent low-light plant for the indoors is the Dracaena tree. Dracaenas are very hardy and versatile plants. They will tolerate indirect light but also work well in lower-light situations. They have striking architectural appearances with long, slender leaves and a tree-like structure.
- Dracaena fragrans (Corn Plant): This is the favorite tree for indoor gardeners. Of course, it can survive in low light, but this tree has broad green leaves with a light yellow center. It could even be A rather tolerant plant with some neglect, making it suitable for beginners.
- Dracaena marginata (Dragon Tree): Dracaena marginata has decorative, spiky foliage and is extremely tolerable in low-light conditions. This plant does not grow fast, but it is low-maintenance, perfect for busy or novice gardeners.
3. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)
Although technically not a tree, per se, the ZZ plant is often grown as a small, tree-like indoor plant. It is very light loving but can also get by with neglect, making it a great recommendation for beginners.
The ZZ plant has waxy, dark green leaves giving a lush, tropical appearance. Such places as bathrooms or basements due to low lighting are tolerable, and it does not need much watering, making them perfect for low-maintenance indoor gardening. Most pests keep their distance from the ZZ plant as well.
4. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
The Chinese Evergreen is another excellent choice for growing under low-light conditions. This is a low-maintenance plant with attractive variegated foliage ranging from deep green to silver or red. This adaptability to low light with its easy-care characteristics makes it one of the best trees and shrubs for indoor spaces.
On top of these qualities, Chinese evergreens are also neglect-resistant and highly resistant to pests, which are attractive. They tolerate indirect or filtered light; they can even thrive in rooms where direct sunlight is often negligible, such as bathrooms, bedrooms, or offices.
5. Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum)
Not strictly a tree, this can be trained to go vertically or drape like a tree. Extremely tolerant and will grow well in low light; that’s why people with less bright spaces love this. Pothos is known for its heart-shaped, glossy green leaves that sometimes have white or yellow variegation.
Pothos can thrive in a myriad of light conditions, though they will grow slower if the intensity is low. They can be pruned to fit their desired shape or size and require minimal care.
6. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea Elegans)
The parlor palm is a slow-growing small palm that does wonderfully in low light. It’s a stately tree-like plant grown so often for ornaments to use as an indoor tree, reaching a mature height of about 4 feet.
Parlor palms are very compatible with low-light areas and could thrive where dim, indirect lighting conditions are already present inside most places.
With feathery, arching fronds and compact stature, parlor palms bring the tropics into any room. Their tolerance of neglect also makes them ideal for busy homeowners.
Low Light Indoor Trees Care
Though they are highly tolerant and not difficult to care for, low-light indoor trees still need the right kind of care to live and thrive indoors. Here are some care tips on how to grow indoor trees in low-light environments:
1. Watering
While most of the low-light indoor trees mentioned here prefer to be watered when the soil dries out, this is a common error, especially in low-light conditions where it tends to hold moisture for longer. Find the soil moisture and observe your plant’s drainage so that root rot does not happen.
2. Temperature and Humidity
Most indoor low-light trees prefer temperatures between 60°F and 75°F (15°C and 24°C). These also like moderate humidity levels, so if you live in a dry climate, consider placing a humidity tray or using a room humidifier to help keep optimal conditions.
3. Fertilizing
Low-light plants need less fertilizer, but they still like a feed occasionally. Feed your tree during the growing season, spring and summer, once a month using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half strength. Do not feed the tree during fall and winter while it is dormant.
4. Pruning
These low-light trees, especially indoors, would need some occasional pruning to a certain extent because of their shape and size, eliminating dead or yellowing leaves, as well as cutting back leggy or overgrown branches that facilitate a good flow of air around the plant and push up new growth.
Wrapping Up!
Contrary to most perceptions, low light, indoor trees are very possible and rewarding for those dwelling in areas with low natural light.
Many species of trees and plants accommodate low light, bringing a little serenity and natural beauty to your home or office. There’s enough to choose from elegant Ficus Elastica to hardy ZZ plant: all these species thrive well in low light.
It is possible to attain desirable indoor space benefits by choosing the right trees for that space, knowing how to care for them, and, of course, offering a little patience, even when the sunlight is not abundant.
Whether you need to purify air, dampen noise, or just add a splash of greenery to your living space, low-light indoor trees can be a perfect solution for enhancing your indoor environment.
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