The scale of interior trees

We had a funny family situation during the last Holidays, as one of my oldest daughter's friends gave her a huge interior tree as a gift. Well, he was moving to another State and of course he couldn't take this -apparently- laurel tree with him. One of the problems I've found while talking to moving companies, is that they don't want to move plants, they blame it on insects, parasites, etc., infesting the truck.  

I'm not sure about this sort of excuse. I think they don't want to sweep the remaining leaves inside the truck and besides, they are too fragile to be surrounded by boxes and furniture. And pretty heavy as well.

Most of the times I had to move my plants myself, with the help of my strong son.

So, the scale of interior plants and trees is a matter of consideration.

My daughter thought of putting this tree around the fireplace, forcing its branches. I advised her to take it away from the walls.

Then, it was moved to a free standing double height ceiling.

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Definitely, interior trees must have a good natural light. I like how this fig spreads horizontally next to one of the windows of the Bowers Museum, Santa Ana. And this is the other question, how the tree is going to grow, horizontal, vertical? Or both directions?

Parlor Palm

I truly love this Parlor Palm I have in my kitchen. A friend of mine gave it to me in 2005. I have changed the ceramic pot once. And the soil, two or three times in 17 years. That's it. I just water it and once in a while I spray it with Raid, house and garden. The most durable plant I have had in my life. And it looks beautiful.

Money tree

This money tree is close to the Palm tree. The upper leaves dried after one year. I have changed the pot for a bigger ceramic one. The tiny leaves it had in the braided trunk finally thrived much better than the upper leaves. Let it be.

Rubber tree

I have not thought of the Rubber tree as an interior tree, as I have in my mind the huge trees from the Arboretum. But it is very easy to propagate, just with a cut. I will try to have at least a small one inside.

I planted a tiny plant in the front yard, and it was a mistake. Along the years it began growing so fast, I have to trim it continuously. But I love how the leaves are seen in bicolor deep red and light-dark green under the morning sun.

All pictures from Myriam Mahiques' personal archives.