(Question)
I am looking to add 3 relatively low maintenance trees (ideally 6 feet in height) to my office. It faces west. Any suggestions?
(Answer)
There are a number of indoor plants that may do very well in your west facing office and which are easy to care for. I have suggested some below and included links to images and information about their care. Note that some of the suggestions may reach a height in excess of six feet if you do not prune or cut them back. Where indicated they should be kept out of direct sunlight although they do like a bright room.
- Areca palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) – indirect sunlight, purported to have excellent air purifying properties. https://www.ourhouseplants.com/plants/areca-palm
- Narrow-leaf fig (Ficus binnendijkii) – indirect sunlight. Unlike the ficus benjamina, the narrow-leaf fig is not difficult to grow.
- Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana). https://www.houseplantsexpert.com/kentia-palm.html
- Pony tail, Elephant foot tree (Beaucarnea recurvata, previously known as Nolina recurvata). https://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/ponytail-palm.html
- Canary date palm (Phoenix canariensis). https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=276700&isprofile=0&
- Umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla) – indirect sunlight. This plant may require some support and may also require that you cut it back at some point. However it is very easy to grow and lovely to look at. https://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/schefflera.html
- Spoonleaf yucca, Needle palm (Yucca filamentosa). https://houseplants.about.com/od/More_Plant_Profiles/p/Yucca-Growing-Yucca-Inside.htm
How fortunate that you have an office that will accommodate three indoor trees. Good luck!