Indoor tree

[atomicnotsoblonde]

I have a large wall with a moderately sized tv on an oak tv bench against it - looks ok, but the wall feels really bare. The room has a large window which this was is opposite, the room is west facing. It gets light but is not in full sunlight.

I've been thinking that I will frame each side of the tv with an indoor tree. I need something circa 1m that will grow a bit taller and I can shape.

I was thinking either bay trees or olives?

Will these plants work? Any other ideas?

Anyone? Or is it a crazy idea? 😱

Bay and olive trees would really suffer indoors, they do need to be outside in the open, where they get full sunlight. You should look at suitable indoor plants that don’t mind shade - maybe Ficus benjamina the weeping fig, or even a Kentia palm, which grows into a very elegant specimen in time. There may be others, but I can’t remember any right now, so google is your friend.

I second ficus benjamina and look at other varieties of ficus as well. Ikea often has big ones in stock.

You can prune them into shape (they do bleed sticky sap but it soon stops) and they are often used for indoor bonsai. Cuttings grow quite easily too.

I'll will have a look at that plant. Google hit me to bay and olive so clearly I was going wrong. I'll try again!

Bay and olive trees grow in the mediterranean region so unless you can replicate that hot sunny climate in your living room, it isn't going to work.

Tropical plants such as ficus and other houseplants grow in the jungle undergrowth so can cope with the reduced light levels indoors and the winter central heating.