The most common recommendation for amateurs is Ficus, as far as
I
can see. Looking in one of my mother's books on indoor plants, I found
there
are at least 10 Ficuses to choose between, so now I'd very much like to
have
a closer hint at which one of these will do best.

You want a species with small leaves that will get a thick trunk. There
are a number of cultivars of Ficus benjamina (rubber tree) that fit this
bill, but the trouble with benjamina is that it buds back poorly. I have
a Ficus diversifolia (mistletoe fig) that has nice leaves, but it won't
get a thick trunk. F. retusa is recommended, but I don't have direct
experience with it. F. salicifolia (willowleaf fig) gets a thick trunk
easily and buds back to some degree. F. religiosa has leaves that are a
little large, but it develops a nice trunk. You should probably shop
around and see what kinds of figs are carried by nurseries around your
area. When you see a species that appeals to you, you can try it.

Other plants that I have had success with indoors: camellias and
gardenias (if your house is cool and humid), orange jasmine (Murraya
paniculata), and natal plum (Carissa grandiflora).

-Nina

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