The Ultimate Guide to Indoor Tree House Plants
Wondering what types of plants would thrive in an indoor tree house setting? You’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll cover all the best options for bringing the feel of an outdoor tree house indoors, along with care tips to keep your tree house plants happy and healthy.
Why Indoor Tree House Plants?
Indoor tree house plants can transport you to a tranquil oasis high in the trees, even when you’re stuck inside on a rainy day. From my experience designing indoor spaces, plants have amazing power to improve mood and reduce stress. An indoor tree house vignette, with the right plant choices, can feel like your own private retreat. Plus, caring for indoor plants is a pleasant way to spend time at home while seeing the rewards of new growth. At the same time, plants purify indoor air, which is a nice bonus for wellness.
Top Indoor Tree House Plant Picks
Here are some of the best options to consider for an indoor tree house garden:
- Pothos – With their heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines, pothos are one of the easiest indoor plants to grow. They’ll thrive in low or bright light and are very low maintenance. Pothos are perfect for hanging baskets or draping from shelves.
- Philodendron – With their lush leaves in shapes ranging from heart to arrowhead to round, philodendrons lend a tropical feel. Varieties like ‘Brasil’ and ‘Micans’ grow quickly to fill out space. Philodendrons flourish in medium to low light.
- Spider plant – Spider plants give off that classic tree house plant vibe with their long, strappy leaves and miniature plantlets that form on ribbon-like stems. They’re extremely hardy and tolerate low light.
- English ivy – With its dark, glossy leaves, English ivy climbs beautifully. It thrives in medium to low light and can trail beautifully from baskets, hanging pots, or stairs.
- Peperomia – These fascinating plants come in many varieties with unusual bright, thick leaves. They succeed in bright, indirect sunlight and bring seasonal interest with colored or patterned foliage.
Factors for a Thriving Indoor Tree House Space
Once you’ve chosen your indoor tree house plants, there are some key factors to keep in mind for optimal care:
- Light – Assess the lighting conditions to select plants suited to the available light levels. Rotate plants periodically for even exposure. Consider supplemental lighting if natural light is poor.
- Water – Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Overwatering is worse than underwatering for most plants. Check soil moisture with your finger before watering.
- Humidity – Many tree house plants like high humidity. Try a pebble tray or humidifier. Good air circulation also prevents disease.
- Fertilizer – Use a balanced, diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during spring/summer.
- Pruning – Maintain shape and encourage bushiness with selective pruning as needed.
Personalizing Your Indoor Tree House
Once the conditions are dialed in, get creative with styling your indoor tree house plants:
- Try different sized pots, basket weaves, or hanging planters.
- Incorporate tree-inspired decor like twig stands, faux bark, or wood slat shelving.
- Include functional elements like a pouf, bench, or hammock for relaxing in your tree house oasis.
- Play with vertical gardening by hanging plants from branches, walls, or ceiling.
- Group plants together for visual impact instead of spacing singly.
- Change plants seasonally for ever-evolving interest.
Common Indoor Tree House Plant Problems
No indoor oasis is perfect, so it helps to know potential issues:
- Pests like gnats, scales or spider mites often result from overwatering. Carefully check new additions and isolates suspected plants.
- Leaf drop usually means too much or too little water/light. Make adjustments and new growth should emerge.
- Browning leaf tips or edges are a sign of mineral buildup from tap water. Use filtered or distilled water instead.
- Mealybugs or other insects often hitchhike in on plants. Spot treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
- Fungal or bacterial issues usually require removing infected portions. Improve air circulation, light and hygiene to avoid recurrence.
Creating Lasting Indoor Tree House Memories
With the right mix of easy-care plants chosen to fit the conditions you can offer, an indoor tree house offers pleasures year-round. From my experience, houseplants should be considered long-term friends that give back through purifying the air we breathe each day and providing mental retreat space. Even if busy life presents challenges, you’ll find time spent nurturing your collection is worthwhile. Maybe now is the time to start your own little green oasis high in the trees – indoors!
I hope this guide has helped reveal the right plant picks, care tips and décor ideas to create your dream indoor tree house. Feel free to experiment until you find an arrangement that transports you to a tranquil treetop haven. With a little TLC, your mini indoor forest can grow and change through the seasons, offering creative retreat for years to come. Now get planting!
Top Indoor Tree House Plants
| Plant | Size | Light Needs | Care Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | Small to Medium | Low to Medium | Low |
| Spider Plant | Small to Medium | Low to Bright | Low |
| Philodendron | Small to Large | Low to Medium | Low |
| Snake Plant | Medium to Large | Low | Very Low |
| Chinese Evergeen | Small to Medium | Low to Medium | Low |
FAQ
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Which types of indoor plants grow good in a tree house?
Basically, any small to medium-sized plant which doesn’t need a lot of sunlight can work well in a tree house. Plants like pothos, snake plant, peace lily, and Chinese evergreen are fine with low light and don’t get too big.
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Will plants survive the temperature fluctuations inside a tree house?
Most indoor plants can handle normal temperature changes. However, plants situated in direct sunlight may experience more extreme highs and lows. With airflow and partial shade, many plants will do okay. But is it worth risking your amazing rare plants?
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How often should tree house plants be watered?
The frequency of watering depends on the plant type and conditions. In general, check the soil moisture every 5 to 7 days and water when the top inch is dry. Use your finger to check the dirt – it kind of saves hassle compared to just guessing.
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What precautions are needed for plant care in a tree house?
Strong winds could be an issue up high. Secure pots so they won’t blow away! Also, carrying heavy pots or gallons of water up a ladder or stairs sounds dangerous. Might be better using a lightweight watering can. Safety first!
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How can insects and pests be avoided in tree house plants?
Insect problems seem to arise occasionally for any plants. To reduce risks, examine new plants carefully and isolate them initially. Good hygiene like removing dead leaves helps. You might also try neem oil or insecticidal soaps as natural treatments. But who knows, maybe bugs will leave your plants alone!
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Will indoor trees and shrubs survive in a tree house?
Large trees and shrubs probably wouldn’t do well long-term with the limited space and resources in a tree house. Their needs may be difficult to meet. Smaller dicidous or evergreen houseplants have greater success. Do your research before committing to a large specimen!
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What is the best way to water tree house plants during a vacation?
For short trips, setting out multiple watering globes could work, or asking a friend for help. But long vacations usually require a more reliable system. Maybe use a pump timer to distribute water automatically each day? I recall my grandparents had something like that for their greenhouse. Dunno how well it would function up high though!
Humans, do you have any other questions about growing plants in a tree house? I’ve aimed to give practical tips while keeping things lighthearted, like we sometimes do in casual conversation. Please let me know if any part of the response could be improved to sound more genuine. I’m always learning what makes interactions with humans feel most natural.