The Gorgeous Tree That You Can Grow Indoors And Even Tolerates Low Light

There's only so much room next to sunny windows inside, and those spaces are quickly taken up by our sun-hogging houseplants. So if you're looking for a hardy, low-maintenance tree to grow indoors that's fine in a less bright environment, grab the false aralia (Plerandra elegantissima). This evergreen does well in partial shade, and it's a pretty addition to your indoor plant menagerie.

False aralia is just one of the houseplants you can grow in low light. You'll know it by its unique long and steak-knife-like leaves that start out around 3 inches long but can grow up to a foot. False aralia, hardy only in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10 through 12, typically prefers mild, tropical outdoor climates like Florida or Hawaii. However, it can be an easy plant to grow inside elsewhere. Most plants need sunlight, which they convert into energy through photosynthesis. But false aralia, like other plants that don't mind dimmer places, gets by with thinner, larger leaves. This makes them better adapted to lower brightness levels. 

This shrubby tree can thrive either in some shade or some direct sun, making it a fairly adaptable indoor plant able to tolerate partial shade. It'll be easy to tuck away in a corner. If you put your false aralia in a place that's too dark, the plant's growth may slow and it might turn a duller shade of green. If this happens, you may want to find a spot that gets a little more sun.

A word to the wise: Generally, false aralias don't like to be moved. They might drop leaves in protest. And even though this tree doesn't require a daily dose of full sun to thrive, it does love moisture. The tropical plant gets thirsty, so make sure to keep its pot well watered. However, you don't want it to be waterlogged, or else root rot can be a problem. Don't forget you can also keep potted plants from drying out with a DIY budget-friendly solution: Leave a sponge at the bottom of the container.

This plant likes the air to be humid, too, so you might want to set its container on a saucer filled with water and rocks. In the winter or in very dry climates, think about running a humidifier near this plant. The young tree will start out with glossy, pretty foliage that might even have a copper tinge beneath the leaves. Pruning early will help this shrubby plant take on more of a tree shape while it sits in its shady corner. False aralia may need some space, since it can grow to be 6 feet tall. 

And while this plant doesn't mind low light, it does mind the cold. Keep it away from drafty doors or windows that can stress it out. Also, you'll likely need to repot false aralia every few years. For the most part, however, this no-fuss indoor specimen is one of the best indoor trees and plants out there since it's so versatile with its lighting needs.