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How to Grow Lemon Trees and Other Large Potted Plants in Your Apartment
Living in an apartment doesn't mean you need to abandon your green thumb ambitions. With the right creativity and know-how, anyone can complement their apartment with a range of flourishing indoor plants.
Here at Summer Brook Apartments in Longview, Texas, our residents have become veritable experts at decorating their homes naturally, featuring plants of all shapes, sizes, and species. Often, its the larger potted plants that need the most care and attention, which is why weve put together a blog filled with tips & tricks for responsible maintenance of lemon trees and other large plants. This handy dandy guide will reveal which plants do best in apartment settings and how to best take care of them.
Potted Palm Trees
Few plants can invoke a specific feeling quite like palm trees. These tall plants have a tropical feel that will make your home feel like a popular vacation spot. As Garden Design notes, palm trees add a nice touch of texture, color, and drama.
For inside the apartment, it is critical that you select the right species of palm tree. The Majesty Palm (Ravenera rivularis) is perhaps the most popular species of potted palm trees. It is well known for its lushness and feathery fronds. The Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens) is a similar species known for its airy feel. Should you be tight on space, the Parlor Palm (Chamaedora elegans) is slow-growing, and does better in low light.
No matter which potted palm tree species you choose, they all have similar requirements. Potted Palms will need bright, indirect light. Direct light can be harsh on potted palms, sometimes causing irreversible damage to the fronds. For lighting considerations, north or east-facing windows are often best.
Potted Palms are a bit high maintenance when it comes to watering. Soil should be constantly moist but never waterlogged. Only the top inch of soil should be dry between waterings. Well-draining soil is best, as it prevents root disease. Palms are tropical natives, so they will naturally crave humidity. Misting potted palms may be necessary.
Generally, potted palm trees will need to be repotted about every 2-3 years.
Potted Christmas Trees
Who says you can only enjoy a Christmas tree in December? A year-round potted Christmas tree will provide your apartment with a pleasant aroma every month of the year. For an indoor potted Christmas tree, the Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is a popular choice. While technically not a pine tree, this tropical conifer is celebrated for its soft and symmetrical needles. Additionally, the Norfolk Island Pine has a soft and subtle pine aroma.
The Norfolk pine is flexible with lighting conditions. Direct light will allow the plant to grow faster, but it will do just fine in bright indirect light. As these plants are native to a subtropical island, they will need constant moisture. Waterings are important, and the soil should be evenly moist but never waterlogged. The soil should never go completely dry between waterings. If the soil is dry to the touch, it is time to water. This potted Christmas tree loves humidity, and a 50% humidity level is ideal. For more details, see this growing guide from Better Homes and Gardens.
How to Grow a Lemon Tree in a Pot
Few things in life are better than a freshly plucked lemon to accompany your dinner. Growing a lemon tree in a pot is fairly easy, and it also enhances home decor. The Meyer Lemon Tree (Citrus x meyeri) was specifically bred for indoor container growing.
Lemon trees are notorious for being finicky about light. They will need 8 hours of direct light daily. South-facing windows are ideal, but light can also be supplemented with a grow light. Lemon trees need deep, infrequent waterings. Wait until the top two inches of soil are dry in between each watering. Lemon trees are also vulnerable to root rot, so overwatering should be avoided. As this lemon tree will be indoors, you will need to play the role of a pollinating bee to ensure fruit production. To do this, simply transfer pollen between the flowers with a Q-tip. For best fruit production, use special citrus fertilizer in the spring and summer. For more details, see this growing guide from the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Best Olive Trees for Indoors
Nothing completes a Mediterranean theme quite like a live olive tree. While olive trees can get quite large in agricultural production, they remain a manageable size when potted. Several varieties of the olive tree do especially well in indoor, potted conditions. Arbequina olive trees (Olea europaea "Arbequina") will only get a few feet tall when in a pot. Additionally, it can produce flowers and fruit in ideal conditions. The Koroneiki Olive Tree (Olea europaea "Koroneiki") is very drought-hardy, making it an excellent low-maintenance option. Lastly, the Amfissa Olive Tree (Olea europaea "Amfissa") will remain quite small, making it an ideal solution if you're tight on space.
No matter which variety you choose, it will need lots of sun. At a minimum, it will require 6 hours of daily direct sunlight. Olive trees are low-maintenance in terms of watering; overwatering is far more risky than underwatering. Plants should only be watered when the pot is completely dry. For more details, see this growing guide from Gardening Know How.
Plant Lovers Enjoy Living at Summer Brook Apartments
If you're a plant lover looking for your next home in Longview, visit us at Summer Brook Apartments. Our 1, 2, and 3 bedroom floor plans, named “Brazos,” “San Marcos,” and “Rio Grande” after major Texas rivers, are fitted with an impressive suite of amenities including unique kitchen layouts, granite-inspired countertops, energy-efficient appliances, hardwood-style flooring, and other modern design elements.Schedule your tour today and discover Summer Brook Apartments— home begins here.