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10 Most Popular Indoor Trees

An indoor tree serves the same function in a room as a piece of furniture: it serves as an anchor, and it sets a mood in your room. Trees are catching up to houseplants in popularity due to the structural element they add to living spaces, as well as the air-cleaning qualities they possess. When you choose an indoor tree, you must consider the light needs of the tree, how much watering it will require, and its mature size. These ten trees are the most popular due to their low maintenance needs, compact size, and arresting visual appeal.  

01 of 10 Fiddle Leaf Fig   fiddle leaf fig tree indoors Hellomikee/ Twenty20 Homeowners can assess the popularity of a houseplant by the uptick in its fake counterparts sold in home and hobby stores. However, the fiddle leaf fig is so easy to care for that there's no need to opt for the silk version.

The fiddle leaf fig hails from the jungle, so a bright bathroom would be the ideal spot for your tree. However, a living room location will also work, provided you protect the tree from drafts and give it enough light and humidity. An outdoor summer vacation will do wonders for the fiddle leaf fig and many other indoor trees; why not give it a go as a patio plant for the month of June?

02 of 10 Citrus   lemon tree grown indoors LegasC/ Twenty20 The bewitching scent of an orange or lemon tree in bloom is superior to any room freshening spray you will ever encounter. Of all the popular indoor trees, citrus trees are the most diva-prone. They want more of everything: water, sunlight, humidity, and fertilizer. So buy a humidity tray, sneak it outdoors when you can, and start looking up lemon poundcake recipes.

03 of 10 Weeping Fig   Ficus benjamina Sian Irvine/ Dorling Kindersley/ Getty Images Also known as ficus trees, weeping figs are beloved for their rich green color and easy care ways. For those who feel that the weeping fig is too common, try Ficus benjamina 'Starlight,' which has variegated leaves.

A well-lit room goes a long way towards preventing the most common complaint about the weeping fig, which is leaf drop. A room with a large picture window, skylight, or south-facing window is most desirable. Plant your weeping fig in well-drained soil, and only water when the soil surface is dry.

04 of 10 Rubber Tree   rubber tree in living room Oscar Wong/ Moment/ Getty Images Native to India, rubber trees produce large, glossy leaves in a dark green hue that pops against pale paint colors. Like most tropical trees, rubber trees like moderate temperatures, a humid environment, and good air circulation without drafts. An optional step for the pampered plant is a monthly leaf wiping session with a damp cloth to remove dust. Fertilize your rubber tree every two weeks during periods of active growth to achieve maximum leaf size.

05 of 10 Banana Tree   Banana Tree DEA/C.DANI/Getty Images Giant leaf lovers should look no further than an indoor banana tree to satisfy a desire for lush foliage. Some bananas like the Cavendish produce fruit, while others like the Musa basjoo will not. When shopping for a banana tree, seek out dwarf cultivars only. "Dwarf" is a relative term in the banana world; trees may still grow up to ten feet tall. Filtered light and regular fertilizing help these fast growing trees reach their potential. If leaves start to brown or curl, check for mites, which are notorious banana pests.

06 of 10 Norfolk Island Pine   Norfolk Island Pine grown indoors Brownpau/ Flickr / CCBY2.0 Around the winter holidays, small potted Norfolk Island pine trees are available as "indoor Christmas trees," but these long-lived indoor trees look great any time of year. Although a slow-growing tree, be aware that these things can grow to 100 feet outdoors, and there isn't a dwarf variety on the market. An indoor tree will grow about two feet each year, so plan and plant accordingly. Bright light, moderate watering, and an occasional misting will keep your pine happy.

07 of 10 Umbrella Tree   Umbrella tree grown in containers Cultivar413/ Flickr/ CC BY 2.0 The umbrella tree is a fine choice for homes with little direct sunlight or north-facing windows. The trees require little care, but they are attractive to pests like mites and scale, so watch out for hitchhikers when you bring the tree indoors. Umbrella trees like constant moisture, but don't leave them sitting in a tray of stagnant water.

08 of 10 Yucca   Spineless Yucca Tree Photo: Sian Irvine/Getty Images Yucca trees, also called yucca stick or spineless yucca, offer a striking live accent in contemporary homes. The yucca tree features a solid trunk with leathery strap-like leaves emerging from the top, and groups of three in a pot with staggered heights look very attractive. Give your yucca tree as much sun as you are able to provide, and don't be afraid to cut the plant in half if it outgrows its space.

09 of 10 Jade   Jade Tree Eden, Janine, and Jim/ Flickr /CC BY 2.0 The jade tree is probably the lowest care indoor tree on this list. The sculptural look of the succulent leaves and trunk combine with the feng shui vibe of this plant to keep it on the top ten list for beginners. Jade trees make great bonsai specimens, just water it every few weeks and keep it in a sunny window.

10 of 10 Money Tree   Money Tree Photo: Matt Witherow/flickr.com/CC BY 2.0 The spindly trunk of the money tree lends it to braiding, and that's how many of these trees are sold. The braids will grow with the tree over time, hardening and becoming woody as it matures. In spite of its Latin name, Pachira aquatica, the money tree does not like excessive watering and will rot if left in standing water. Allow the soil to dry between waterings, and keep in filtered bright light.

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Best Steam Cleaners to Buy in 2019

Best Overall: McCulloch Heavy Duty Steam Cleaner Buy on Amazon The McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner takes the top spot for a best overall steam cleaner, thanks to its versatility and deep cleaning ability.

Steam Cleaner 

This multi-purpose steam cleaner from McCulloch could truly be described as a steam cleaner for everything and anything. Freshen your grout lines, rid your bathroom fixtures of water stains, restore a sparkle to your oven, refresh your auto upholstery. Users report that receiving this steam cleaner induced a ‘cleaning frenzy’ where they steamed and sanitized everything in sight.

One thing to consider is the longer warm-up time — it takes 8 minutes for the McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner to produce steam. In many people’s opinions, though, this is negated by the fact that the machine will produce steam for 45 minutes. That provides a tremendous amount of cleaning power. Many smaller machines have more limited run times before needing to be refilled with water and reheated. If you want a steam cleaner that will tackle anything and delivers overall great performance, choose the McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner.

Best Multipurpose: Shark 2-in-1 Steam Pocket Mop   Buy on Amazon Buy on Sharkclean.com For a steam cleaner that is equally useful for floors or other surfaces, the Shark 2-in-1 Steam Pocket Mop is a great choice.

Shark combined the easy use and functionality of its popular Steam Pocket Mop with a convenient lift-away design to give you a handheld steam cleaner on demand. As a single unit, the 2-in-1 Steam Pocket Mop will clean your floors using a 2-sided microfiber pad and the power of steam. But you can also detach the mop head and use the body of the unit as a handheld steam cleaner.

While it doesn’t come with as many attachments and isn’t quite as nimble as a true handheld steam cleaner, the versatility available in the Shark 2-in-1 Steam Pocket Mop makes it a great choice for a multipurpose steam cleaner.

Best Budget: Bissell Hard Surface Handheld Steam Cleaner Buy on Amazon If you want to put the power of steam cleaning in the palm of your hand for a small price, the Bissell Hard Surface Cleaner is the answer.

This small-but-mighty device will allow you to clean just about anything, thanks to the multiple attachments and ready supply of steam. It’s best used for cleaning up around the kitchen, including cabinet doors, appliance handles and knobs, or faucets. It’s also great for sanitizing sealed surfaces, including granite countertops commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms. Users like this unit is compact, and easy to use for small, quick jobs or routine maintenance. While a few people complained about a lack of power from the steam produced, many users have found the price and the value of this budget steam cleaner to be excellent.

Due to its small size, though, don’t expect to get extended runtime out of this machine. You may need to refill it frequently and let it reheat to finish bigger jobs. Still, this Bissell Hard Surface Cleaner and its attachments make a great versatile choice for handheld steam cleaning.

Best Vacuum and Steam Mop: Bissell Symphony All-in-One Vacuum and Steam Mop   Buy on Amazon If your cleaning time is limited or it seems like a hassle to run the vacuum before steam cleaning your floors, then you need an all-in-one unit like the Bissell Symphony Vacuum and Steam Mop.

This multi-functional steam cleaner sanitizes with the power of steam, vacuums up light dirt and debris, or combines the two for a double-duty cleaning experience. The nice thing about this combination steam cleaner is the fact that the vacuum and steam function are independent of each other — so choose the cleaning capacity that is right for the job.

To employ the steam function, you will need to hold down a trigger – but it’s located in the handle in a spot that is natural to hold during operation. Many users don’t find it to be an inconvenience. The suction ability of this vacuum is not necessarily as strong as standalone vacuum cleaners, but most people find it to be sufficient for quick clean-up before steam cleaning floors. It’s a great choice for pet owners, since dog and cat hair seem to be always present and pose a challenge when steam cleaning. With the Bissell Symphony Vacuum and Steam Mop, you can clear debris and steam clean floors with one swipe — saving you time and energy!

Best for Hard Surface Floors: Sienna Luna Plus Steam Cleaning System Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart If you have hard surface flooring and are looking for a steam cleaner that will clean and revitalize your tile, marble, laminate, or wood flooring, then the Sienna Luna Plus Steam Cleaning System is our top recommendation.

This steam cleaner has a reusable microfiber pad that fits over the mop head to clean flooring. What really sets the Sienna Luna Plus apart for cleaning hard surface floors is its vibrating motion that assists in removing grime and debris. Users report that the Sonic Micro Plus Vibration technology really does assist in getting floors cleaner with less effort and elbow grease. Other steam cleaning mops lack this scrubbing assist, with many being equipped with only a manual scrubber or no scrubber at all.

Like many steam cleaners, the Sienna Luna Plus comes with multiple attachments so you can use the unit for a variety of purposes. But the unit really shines when it comes to floor cleaning and users most often were satisfied with it for this purpose. A few people noted issues with parts breaking or melting, but these were speedily remedied by the manufacturer. All in all, the Sienna Luna Plus is a great choice for steam cleaning hard surface floors in your home.

Best for Carpet: O-Cedar Microfiber Steam Mop Buy on Amazon If you want to be able to zoom between hard surface floors and carpeting, then the O-Cedar Microfiber Steam Mop is an excellent choice.

This lightweight steam mop weighs in at only 5 pounds, making it easy to maneuver. It features a triangular cleaning surface (great for corners) with replaceable microfiber pads. Its claim to fame is ​as a budget hard surface steam cleaner, but we love the fact that it includes a snap-on plastic glider to allow the mop to refresh carpets and rugs.

This steam mop kills up to 99.9% of bacteria, and the ability to use this on both hard and soft surface flooring means that you can banish germs wherever they may be lurking — including your carpets. While users love the quick heating element, the one drawback is that it can be tough to tell when the water reservoir is full or approaching empty. Despite that, the O-Cedar Microfiber Steam Mop is a versatile choice for cleaning carpets and hard surfaces without having to switch tools or appliances in the middle of your cleaning session.

Best for Spot Cleaning: BISSELL Little Green ProHeat Portable Cleaner Buy on Amazon Though not specifically billed as a steam cleaner, the Bissell Little Green ProHeat Portable Cleaner combines the power of hot water and suction to deliver a spot cleaning performance that replaces the need for full-size steam cleaners.

The Bissell Little Green ProHeat Cleaner is a great tool to treat and remove stains on your upholstery, rugs, curtains, automotive upholstery and more. Instead of pulling out a large steam cleaner, tackle small stains and messes with the Little Green ProHeat Portable Cleaner. It has an onboard heating element that is specifically for heating the water used in cleaning. It also features two easy-to-clean tanks and a simple functional design.

A few people noted an odor coming from the machine after repeated uses, but this is easily remedied by keeping the tanks clean after each use and not allowing residue to build-up. Overall, users love this machine’s ability to make stains and messes vanish – even if after an extended period of time. If you’re looking to replace a full-size steam cleaner with a portable version for smaller tasks, the Bissell Little Green Portable Cleaner is the answer.