I am grieving hard for my inability to go get lost in forests since I became disabled.
What, if any, indoor trees are available for me to grow at home?
I already have a room filled with spider plants, 2 avocado plants (one trying to die), a Monstera, a snake plant, and a dracaena marginta.
I would like a tree tree, something native to the UK, something that feels foresty, but can live happily indoors and ideally with minimal care needs.
@alexisbushnell can't help you with names but you're looking for sub canopy trees. they grow in darker conditions. and you might want to look into led grow lamps
@alexisbushnell
My instinct would be to try silver birch
They do need reasonable light but, unless they dry out completely (shallow rooted) they seem to survive most things really well
They also grow fast and i am sure someone can find one already growing in a hopeless spot that would appreciate relocation
BTW Avocados always seem to get to a certain point then stop, IIRC there are reasons to do with soil microbiology
100% feel the need for real greenery in my life too, good luck
@OliverNoble ah good to know the avocado problem isn't just me!
This is the second lot I've had just stop. Although one of them still seems healthy and ok, but it's sister is determined to die!
Thinking the range of possible trees would expand a lot if "grow lights" were used.
Don't know if low watt ( low power consumption) LED grow lights exist.
But I hear that hemp varieties grow well under grow lights.
@skua I don't think light is an issue, my room is very well lit and I don't want to add extra cost and energy usage. I'd prefer to just grow stuff that will do well in the environment I can provide naturally
@alexisbushnell UK natives will struggle with indoor conditions (too warm and dry). Instead of trees, would ivy or ferns give that forested feel? While the best indoor options might not be exactly what you get in a UK forest, we have versions of both so might give a similar vibe. That said, H. helix cultivars of our native ivy should be okay inside.
Do you have the option of a window or patio where you could position a UK native that will cope in a pot as a backdrop to your indoor displays?
@alexisbushnell sorry I can't help with your plants, but one of my birding mates is a quad and what he does might work for you if mobility is the only thing keeping you out of the bush?
@adamantichrist thanks. I'm an electric wheelchair user so they won't work for me.
It's so awesome they exist though, thank you for sharing
@alexisbushnell my mate also uses an electric chair but if you can't transfer it wouldn't be any good for you. He set up his with a car seat welded to the frame so it's very comfortable. I have driven it putting it on and off the trailer. Now he can go anywhere other than muddy areas as long as there's no steps. But yeah, he needs a hoist or something to get him into it because it's not an easy transfer. Anyway, whatever is keeping you out of the bush I hope that changes 🩷
@alexisbushnell That grief for the forests is so real - I miss long walks in nature too. For something foresty that survives indoors in the UK, have you considered a dwarf birch (Betula nana)? They're native and can adapt to containers. Japanese maples also give that woodland feel and do surprisingly well indoors near a bright window. A small rowan might work too if you have enough light. The tactile bark and leaf shapes really do bring some of that forest energy inside. 🌿
@alexisbushnell It's not a uk plant but Norfolk Pine can be happy indoors and they have nice conifer vibes
Plants used to UK outdoors are not going to thrive - or even survive - indoors for any length of time.
At this time of year I would go for a succession of willow stems, opening first to catkins then to leaf. Somewhere outdoors to keep stock willow plants would be great.
For medium survival indoors, all I can suggest is holly or cherry-plum. They are trees and native-ish, although maybe not quite what you mean.
@alexisbushnell Ones that are native to the UK might need a little time outside if they’re deciduous, so they can lose their leaves and have a dormant period. (My husband’s UK-native bonsai go all year round on the patio) but this could be an opportunity to look a little further south and go for citrus - evergreen, with beautiful scented blossom in season.
@crinolinerobot oh that's a good point, a citrus tree might work for me.
@alexisbushnell I boosted in the hope of helping you find an indoor tree that works for you!
@alexisbushnell Same here. A local landscaper could probably tell you what might work. I tried to grow a Japanese maple from seed, but apparently that’s not the preferred method so it didn’t make it. I often find tiny trees growing in the flower pots on my front steps, and this summer I’ll pot one or two to see what happens. It’s a tree until it isn’t anymore.
@alexisbushnell@toot.walesI'm currently trying to grow an acorn in a water vase. I'll let you know how it goes! But it seems you can grow an acorn into an oak inside.
@Tattooed_Mummy you can definitely grow them initially, it's the long term survival I'm concerned about. I ideally want a larger tree that will survive indoors.
Love your acorn growth!
@alexisbushnell I wish that was my acorn. Sadly that's a stock image to demonstrate the vase type .
But if mine gets that good I'll let you know!
Online gardening sites say you can continue the oak inside of you pot it up.
@alexisbushnell Would bonsai trees cut it?
@alexisbushnell You could have a little forest of them and lay with your face at the edge, giving you a veiw like they were full size!
@greenpete hmm I guess I could try. I was hoping for large in size.
I will have a look into bonsai though. Maybe I could make it work
@Pinchy63 hmm too small I think. Also I killed the last one I had so clearly I don't have the fiddler's touch!
