How to Make an Indoor Tree at Home with DIY Ideas

How to Create Your Own Indoor Tree: Answering All Your Questions

Whether you want to add some greenery to small living spaces or simply can’t have an outdoor tree due to weather or bylaws, an indoor tree is a great option. From my experience putting together DIY trees over the years, I’ve faced all sorts of questions. In this article, I’ll try to cover everything you need to know to choose, design and care for your own custom indoor tree.

Choosing a Tree Type

The first decision is which type of tree works best for your space. Some popular indoor tree varieties include:

1. Pothos: One of the easiest houseplants to care for, pothos vines trail beautifully and add lush texture. You can’t go wrong starting with this kind!
2. Ficus: Ficus trees come in many forms like rubber plant and weeping fig. They thrive in low and bright light. Just beware their sap can stain furniture.
3. Palm: Palms like parlour palm and bamboo palm have lush fronds ideal for a tropical vibe. Palms require more light than pothos or peace lilies.

Think about light levels in your space and how much time you have for care. Low-light tolerant plants make it simpler to create an indoor tree virtually anywhere.

Designing Your Tree’s Structure

Once you pick plants, the fun part is designing a structure. You basically have two options – using a tree form or branching out from a central pole or stem:

1. Tree form: Find a realistic molded plastic tree form from a craft store. Hot glue clips or pots onto branches for an instant tree effect.
2. Central pole: For a more rustic look, use a wooden or bamboo pole. Secure pots radially around the pole at varying heights using tied string, wire or plant clips.

Should you make your tree single-trunked like an oak or multi-trunked to mimic a birch clump? Get creative with the shape and consider proportional pot sizes from smaller at the bottom to gradually larger upwards.

Placing the Tree

Now onto logistics – where will you put your tree? Placement considerations include:

• Light level needs of chosen plants
• Proximity to windows for sunlight
• Avoiding direct AC vents or heating ducts
• Accessibility for watering and maintenance
• Clearance from furniture to avoid drips
• Sturdy surface that can support full weight when watered

Corner spots, by a sliding door or near a bright lamp are great spots. Avoid placing trees where curious pets or kids can knock them over, too.

Potting and Planting

At this stage I mix potting soil with perlite or gravel for drainage and added aeration. Pothos, philodendron and peace lilies prefer soil kept lightly moist. I fill pots about 2/3 full, lightly compacting soil as I go. Then I secure the plants in the pots, making sure roots aren’t pot-bound before setting them on the tree form or pole.

For stability, I like to use twist ties or plant Velcro to initially secure plants until they become established. Be sure to acclimate plants slowly if moving them from lower indoor light to your new tree spot.

Caring for Your Indoor Tree

Proper care will keep your tree looking it’s best. Here are the basics:

1. Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Feel weight before watering.
2. Mist foliage to raise humidity if heat kicks on. Wipe leaves occasionally, too.
3. Fertilize every few months in spring/summer with a dilute solution.
4. Trim or prune as needed to shape the tree and remove dead growth.
5. Rotate the tree quarterly so all sides receive adequate light.
6. Repot only when roots fill the pot for healthy root growth.

As with any DIY project, indoor trees may require troubleshooting. Yellowing leaves could mean too much or too little water, while browning tips could be from low humidity. With some trial and error, your indoor tree skills will improve over time!

Finishing Touches and Display

Almost done! Once your tree has taken shape, it’s time to show it off. Consider adding decorative moss, pinecones or mini tree ornaments. A tree skirt, plant stand or tray below catches any drips and pulls the design together into a cohesive statement piece.

Place your tree in a high-traffic area of your home so others can appreciate the results of your hard work. Invite comments and tales of your indoor tree adventures! With some TLC, it will be a conversation starter and source of joy for many years to come. Enjoy your new creation!

Creating an indoor tree allows you to bring the feeling of nature indoors even without an outdoor yard. With plenty of plant options and structure styles to choose from, I’m sure you’ll develop your own tree that best matches your space and design tastes. Let me know if you have any other indoor tree questions!

Factors to Consider When Making a DIY Indoor Tree

FAQ

1. What kinds of trees can I grow indoors?

   There are quite a few trees that will basically flourish within the confines of a home. Stuff like dwarf citrus trees, bonsai trees, and some smaller tropical trees like fiddle-leaf fig trees work amazingly well as indoor plants. Nevertheless, trees do need sufficient access to natural sunlight, so pick ones that will thrive with the light levels you’ve got.

   

2. How do I care for an indoor tree?

   Caring for an indoor tree is pretty straightforward. To keep it healthy, make sure it receives bright yet indirect sunlight for most of the day. You’ll also need to water whenever the top inch or two of soil looks dry. Additionally, give it fertilizer during the growing months. But is that enough? Indoor trees may require pruning or pest control down the road too. So be prepared to put in some extra effort, especially at first, to help it adjust to life inside.

3. What kind of container do I need?

   The container you pick for an indoor tree matters. Go with something that’s wide rather than tall, as trees tend to spread their roots outward. Choose a pot at least twice the width of the root ball. Plastic nursery pots work, yet clay or ceramic containers allow moisture to evaporate better. Maybe drill drainage holes in the bottom if it doesn’t already have them. And make sure to use a soil blend tailored for houseplants instead of regular garden dirt.

4. How do I transport a tree into my home?

   Transporting a newly purchased tree into your place requires care. Shield the root ball from jostling with a garbage bag or burlap. Then pad the container with blankets or towels before placing it inside your vehicle. Drive slowly and try not to stop too quickly. Upon arrival, take the tree straight to its spot and gradually acclimate it to any differences in light or temperature. Appears like a bit of stress is unavoidable during the move. But with patience, the tree should settle in soon enough.

5. What pests might I encounter?

   A wide range of creepy-crawlies could potentially bug an indoor tree. Keep an eye out for sap-sucking plant lice or scale insects. Spider mites might also spin tiny webs on leaves. Then there’s always the chance of boring beetles or caterpillars munching foliage. If you spot tiny bugs, choose a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap for treatment. Consult with an expert or reference book to properly identify pests and pick the right control method. But hopefully with some preventive care, issues stay minimal.

6. How do I prune an indoor tree?

   Pruning an indoor tree isn’t too different from pruning one outside. Kind of trim off any dead or diseased wood first using clean pruning shears. Then shape the plant by removing inward-growing branches to increase airflow and light penetration. Some trees respond well to being trimmed immediately after flowering too. Stronger specimens can tolerate heavier shedding of small shoots. But on weaker trees, restraint is best. And be careful not to cut into the trunk layer, called the cambium, which can damage the plant. Overall, less is usually more when it comes pruning inside.

   

7. How can I maximize the life of an indoor tree?

   To help an indoor tree have a long and healthy existence in your home, strive to mimic its natural growing conditions as much as possible. Keep providing ample sunshine and air circulation near an open window. And don’t forget timely watering or fertilizing. You might also spray leaves with a mister every now and then to boost humidity. Or place the pot on a pebble-filled tray with water. Additionally, minimize stress from sudden temperature shifts. Does following this type of routine sound daunting? Then choose low-maintenance species to start. With good care, indoor trees will rewardyou for years.