There’s a quick fix for rooms that lack something: houseplants. They truly bring life into any space and aren’t too hard to take care of, for the most part. Some of the best plants for the home are “big-leaf” plants. They’re huge and have bright, shiny leaves, so they’re great for that forgotten corner of your home office or to put in the middle of your kitchen and make it stand out.
As with all good things in life, though, you need to go through a screening process to make sure you choose the right plant and don’t get too busy with daily care. Marianne Willburn is a gardening columnist and author of books like Tropical Plants and How to Love Them. Before bringing a plant home, she says, do a lot of study on what conditions are best for it and always err on the side of caution.
“Many gardeners and houseplant fans want to bring big-leaf plants inside,” Willburn says. “But not all of them do well indoors, and some are prone to pest problems.” “The key is to find the right balance of plants that look good and don’t take away from the look of your home decor.”
Getting that elusive Goldilocks balance with big-leaf plants is hard to do. That’s why we’re here to help you narrow down your choices with some tried-and-true ideas based on the helpful advice of two gardening and horticulture experts. Are you ready to make your home feel like a warm island? Here are the 12 best big-leaf plants that can make it happen.
1. Dwarf Umbrella Plant:
Be careful not to be fooled by the “dwarf” moniker given to the Schefflera arboricola: Not only does this plant grow tall and wide, but it also has leaves that are variegated, which may potentially do a greater job of uplifting your interiors than a wall print ever could. Additionally, this plant has the virtue of being extremely forgiving. As stated by Marianne Willburn, umbrella plants can “sort of roll with the punches a little bit,” which means that even if you are not very careful with their care, they will not quickly become shriveled. It is recommended by The Spruce that these infants be located in soil that is rich, somewhat moist, and exposed to sunshine that is brilliant but indirect.
2. Swiss Cheese Plant:
There are no doubts about the fact that the Monstera deliciosa provides a delectable presentation. The gloss and distinctive leaf perforations that it possesses make it an excellent complement to any home that is focused on style. Plant enthusiasts are strongly encouraged by Angel Lara, who serves as the vice president for botanical horticulture at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, to water this Swiss cheese plant more frequently than the other plants. Lara explains to us that they are really hungry, that they desire high humidity, and that they want their soils to be moist. The purchase of a plant saucer can ensure that your floors remain immaculate while also assisting with the retention of water.
3. Crystal Anthurium:
Lara is without a doubt a member of “Team Anthurium” when it comes to plants with large leaves. He once planted a unique type of anthurium at home, which was called the Anthurium wendlingeri. He couldn’t speak more highly of the interesting leaf designs that anthuriums have, as well as the fact that to put it simply, they don’t require a lot of water. Lara says, “If they are truly content, they will grow to be quite large.” It is recommended by The Spruce that you keep your next Anthurium crystallinum in soil that drains well and that you seriously consider supporting it with a trellis. This will ensure that you experience happiness.
4. Creeping Velvet Philodendron:
It is the veiny, heart-shaped leaves of the Philodendron gloriosum that will immediately win you over. These leaves are larger than the average human head. Willburn warns that philodendrons are susceptible to attacks from pests; nonetheless, this should not prevent you from accepting them as a companion plant. What is her speedy and effective method for eliminating pests? Horticultural oil or soap that is administered with a mister, acts as an additional barrier to the natural defenses that the plants already possess in their waxy leaves.
5. Cast-Iron Plant:
Based on scientific research, the cast-iron plant, also known as Aspidistra elatior, is indigenous to Asia and is capable of giving back one million times more than it receives. Even if you fail to water it for three months in a row, it will still adore you. This is a serious statement. Other advantages include the fact that it is safe for canine and feline companions to consume, as stated by House Beautiful, and that it thrives in low-light environments. To avoid causing the Aspidistra to perish as a result of your kindness, you should wait until the soil has completely dried up in between waterings.
6. Fiddle-Leaf Fig:
Plants of the genus Ficus lyrata are referred to as trees, and they are notorious for being more difficult to satisfy than the majority of their counterparts. It has been reported by The Spruce that the maturity size of the fiddle-leaf fig that is grown inside is approximately ten feet. This is provided that the plant receives the appropriate amount of filtered light, moist soil, and leaf dusting. You should make plans to place it in a location where there is, well, a lot of storage space. Willburn suggests highlighting the structural peculiarities of the plants “by giving them a corner to enjoy against a neutral background” and experimenting with the designs of the pots. Have a wild time.
7. Peace Lily Plant:
The peace lily plant, also known as Spathiphyllum wallisii, is truly a double-edged sword. It has blooms and leaves that are a gorgeous off-white color, and it has luxuriant foliage. The plants in question are what Lara refers to as “understory dwellers,” which means that they are indigenous to the forest floor and so require a significant amount of light. When it comes to recreating the circumstances of a forest inside of your own home, “dappled sunlight and consistent moisture and humidity” is the ideal approach, as stated by The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
8. Giant Elephant Ear:
This perennial plant, which originates from East and Southeast Asia, thrives in humid air and adores its shade. Therefore, it is imperative that you do not end up scorching it with direct sunlight (a telltale indicator that this has already occurred). Leaves that have shrunk!). Willburn cautions that spider mites are a common problem for Alocasia odora. These mites can be removed by washing the leaves with a gentle cloth or even by placing the entire plant in the shower for a soothing rinse.
9. Snake Plant:
Regarding this compilation, the Dracaena trifasciata plant stands out as an anomaly. Even though it has large leaves, they are tall rather than in width. This “very large vertical statement,” as Willburn puts it, is what elevates the snake plant to the status of a purposeful design choice. For example, in the picture that is seen above, the dark green and yellow leaves offer a striking contrast to the terra-cotta wall that is located behind them, while also bringing the viewer’s attention upward. Something else that should be celebrated is the snake plant’s extraordinary tolerance. Because you placed it in the room of a teenager, it managed to thrive! A joke from Willburn.
10. Prayer Plant:
What is the reason behind the common name “prayer plant” for the Calathea orbifolia plant? Time to respond: As a result of the fact that it frequently droops in a manner that resembles prayer during the night, which, according to The Sill, is a deliberate method of “following the movement of the sun in the sky to maximize light absorption.” When it comes to making a statement, prayer plants go above and beyond (those bands of silver-green? Obsessed, but they are also creatures that are quite particular! It is possible to maintain their loyalty till the end of time by imitating their preferred tropical conditions, which include filtered light, high humidity, and loose soil that retains moisture effectively.
11. Heart of Jesus:
There is a good chance that this is the most beautiful plant on our list of big-leaf plants. It is always a delight to have around in terms of aesthetics because any given Caladium bicolor can have an infinite number of varieties, including pink, white, green, and even red. According to Garden Design, this plant, which originates from South America, has a strong desire to be in “warm rooms with saunalike conditions, such as bathrooms, sunrooms, and solariums.” Think about it: You can decorate your marble bathroom vanity top with Heart of Jesus’s leaves, which are modeled after Barbie. Now that is a visual experience that is comparable to a religious one.
12. Ruffled Fan Palm:
I would like to introduce you all to the Licuala grandis, a palm tree that is quite remarkable in its pleated, colorful, and fan-shaped leaves, which serve as a significant “face card.” According to The Spruce, this palm is typically grown outside, where it “produces white flowers that give rise to small round, red fruits.” This palm is commonly utilized for outdoor cultivation.
On the other hand, when you keep the plant indoors, you have more opportunity to truly observe its growth, which in turn allows you to develop an emotional attachment to it. Lara informs us, “That level of observation is what I like,” showing that she agrees with the notion that taking care of plants might eventually become a form of movement meditation. First, I want to comprehend what I am observing, and then I want to be able to recognize when something is not functioning properly. This is what horticulture is all about taking care of and maintaining plants. You’ve been like a caregiver for the entirety of your life. I hope that you and your plants both get the experience of being well cared for, which is one of the most wonderful pleasures in life.
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