Nate Berkus' Sculptural Indoor Trees Are the Perfect Cure for Winter Blues – Experts Explain How to Recreate this Key Trend for 2026
Winter doesn't have to feel flat. Discover Nate Berkus' approach to sculpture-worthy indoor trees and expert tips on keeping them thriving.
Nate Berkus recently shared an Instagram photo of a serene dining room scene that featured a tall, sculptural indoor tree with a beautifully twisted trunk and slender, elegant leaves. It’s the kind of tree that adds instant structure and calm, which is especially welcome in winter when outdoor gardens are on pause, and houseplants often get forgotten about.
Even in the depths of winter (especially after the post-holiday depression hits), indoor trees can be statement makers, adding height, greenery, and a sense of life back into our homes. Whether you prefer a ficus, an indoor olive tree, a mature dracaena, or another architectural indoor tree, the care remains largely the same.
Here’s how you can keep your indoor tree happy and healthy all winter long.
Get the Look
Get that long, braided trunk and lolipop foliage with this gorgeous Benjamina ficus tree.
Same braided trunk, bigger, more luscious leaves. Money trees are the kings of funky, sculptural trunks.
Get that imposing height that really grounds a room... at a third of the cost. And get some edible olives out of it, too!
Light: Measure It, Don’t Guess
One of the biggest challenges people have when caring for trees indoors in winter is light, or more accurately, a lack of it. Julie Bawden-Davis, a houseplant expert, University of California Certified Master Gardener, and owner of www.HealthyHouseplants.com, explained to us why your intuition is never enough. She says, “Many people try to use the eye to determine lighting… but the human eye is not a good judge of light.”
Sun in the winter is a lot weaker, days are shorter, and the light angles in your home change dramatically from one season to the next. Bawden-Davis says, “I suggest people use a light meter to check the available light in their homes, and to do the testing throughout the day.”
This digital light meter from Amazon will help you be able to tell if your tree is actually getting enough light or just looks like it. If the readings come out too low, a supplemental light also helps. Bawden-Davis adds, “If in doubt about how much light is actually getting to your indoor trees, add additional full-spectrum lighting.”
She also says to position lights above the tree when you can. “Think of it this way – the sun hits the tops of trees outdoors, not the sides. You are trying to simulate Mother Nature indoors,” she said. This one from Amazon is not only a grow light, but it doubles as decor for your house.
Humidity: The Winter Factor Most People Miss
In winter, there is a lack of humidity everywhere it seems, and it’s a major stressor on indoor trees. Bawden-Davis tells us you can actually measure the humidity in your home. She says, “A hygrometer is a very handy, easy-to-use tool that will tell you the humidity level in your home.”
If the humidity level falls to 40 percent or lower, your indoor trees will definitely struggle. You can buy a simple hygrometer like this one from Amazon, which will also tell you the temperature in your house.
While a humidity tray or misting is great for smaller plants, it’s often highly impractical for larger trees. Bawden-Davis says, “The best way to maintain a higher humidity level for trees is to use a humidifier and to group plants.”
More Sculptural Trees
Want the look without the worry? This artificial olive tree is 7 feet tall and will never drop a leaf!
Get some tropical flair with this flowering hibiscus tree, complete with braided trunk.
This fiddle leaf fig has gorgeously thick leaves and can reach 4 feet in height.
Adjust Your Watering Routine
Bawden-Davis has a lot to say about your watering routine when it comes to caring for indoor trees in winter. She says, “Generally speaking, houseplants slow down water consumption in the winter months.”
She adds that overwatering can also be a danger during the cold season. “When in doubt, wait a day or two before watering, as root rot is more likely to kill an indoor tree than underwatering,” she told us.
Rather than using guesswork, Bawden-Davis recommends using some tools to help. “Use a moisture meter or a long skewer to determine the moisture level of the soil, including deeper down,” she says.
This 4-in-1 Soil Meter from Amazon tells you everything you need to know: PH value, moisture, temperature, and sunlight, and it can be used indoors and out. You should only water your tree when readings drop to around 3-4 or when the skewer comes out mostly dry.
Choose Trees That Handle Winter Well
Your choice of tree is also very important; however, many architectural indoor trees are surprisingly resilient when they get the proper care. Popular choices include several ficus varieties, dracaenas, indoor olive trees, and woody houseplants that will mature into tree form eventually.
The exact species you choose doesn’t matter as much as proper care: stable light, good watering, and steady humidity.
Avoid Common Winter Placement Mistakes
Bawden-Davis has one final caution: “Avoid placing indoor trees in the direct line of drafts, including from open windows or doors and heating ducts.”
Nate Berkus reminds us that winter doesn’t have to feel flat or lifeless just because it’s cold outside. A beautifully twisty, architectural tree can bring a lovely visual to an otherwise dull season.
