If you love your cute little succulents and small houseplants, why not take it up a notch or three, and get yourself an indoor tree? A larger plant makes a bold statement in any space and is a breath of fresh air (like, literally!) inside your home. Here are some things to consider when selecting an indoor tree and Sundance Creek apartments’ top three picks.

Before You Buy

Measure the area you’re thinking of putting your tree and factor in the floor space, height, and volume your intended plant will take up – both at the time you bring it home and in a few years when it’s fully grown. Assess the conditions in the intended location (light levels, humidity, drafts, etc.) and choose a tree that suits that space. Research how much care your tree requires, and maybe don’t go for a high-maintenance species if you’re renowned for your brown thumb or have to travel frequently for work (unless you have a willing roommate or significant other who’ll help out with plant nanny duties).

Fiddle Leaf Fig

The Fiddle Leaf Fig is tall with glossy, broad leaves and is the current “it” houseplant in the background of trendy decor magazines and hip influencers’ at-home Instagram posts. A young Fiddle Leaf Fig looks like a lush shrub, but as it grows, the foliage spreads and becomes more tree-like (topping out between 6 and 10 feet tall). Known to be finicky, these tropical plants like well-drained soil, plenty of bright but indirect light, and a humid environment, so you probably need to mist it frequently or place a humidifier nearby to help it thrive.

Yucca

Absentminded waterers, meet Yucca – your perfect plant match. This slow-growing, sculptural desert native wants you to ignore it and let it do its own thing. For real! If you manage to kill a Yucca, it’s probably due to overwatering, because this hardy plant will survive just about anything else you do (or don’t do) to it. Yuccas soak up bright sunlight (both direct and indirect) and their soil should dry out completely between infrequent waterings. The leaves can be toxic to animals, but are generally safe for cats and dogs who are deterred by the bitter taste. There are many different Yucca varieties, but a spineless species is your best bet indoors.

Schefflera

With graceful clusters of softly arching leaves that look like little umbrellas (hence its nickname, the Umbrella Tree), Schefflera makes a striking addition to any room. Standard varieties will grow up to 3 feet per year and reach a height of 10 feet tall indoors, or they can be pruned occasionally to keep them smaller. Schefflera is known as an undemanding plant, and occasional fertilizing and regular watering should generally be all that’s required.

For more great ideas to level up your lifestyle, take a look at the Sundance Creek blog.