Big House Plants
Large house plants are great to define a living space or softening an entryway. They also purify the air and bring nature indoors.
These vibrant green plants are a great way to embrace biophilic design and the trend for leafy decor that's all the rage this year. Here are the best large leaf plants to create lushness in your home.
Cast Iron Plant
The Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) is one of the easiest houseplants to care for. It is nearly indestructible and can survive low lighting, irregular watering, and a lack of attention. This makes it ideal for novice gardeners and those who lead busy lifestyles. It is typically grown as a houseplant but can also be grown in the yard, under shade trees, or as a ground cover.
This perennial with slow growth prefers shade that is full to partial and is not tolerant of direct sunlight. It prefers rich well-draining soil, however it can be adapted to dry and poor nutrient conditions. It's easy to cultivate in containers, but it will spread through rhizomes if planted directly in the area where its hardiness zone is located.
When it comes to soil an ordinary potting mix is suitable for these plants. It should also include perlite for drainage. To achieve the perfect balance between drainage and moisture retention, aim for a 70 percent potting mix, and 20 percent perlite.
Aspidistras do not need to be repotted frequently, but when they do, it's vital that the new pot is slightly larger than the original one. Take the roots gently out of the pot and then move them into the container that's one size bigger. This will prevent them from outgrowing the pot and leading to root decay. After repotting, be sure that any soil that is left over is removed.
Swiss Cheese Plant
The Swiss cheese plant, also called Monstera deliciosa is a favorite of the 1970s that is now having a moment. The large, heart-shaped leaves of this plant are perforated so that they resemble Swiss cheese, hence the name. This green vine is a popular tropical plant that makes an impressive houseplant. It's also a great choice for outdoor gardens because it can climb fences, walls and even trees, according to Patch Plant.
Like a lot of plants in the genus Monstera, Swiss cheese plants are fairly easy to care for. They require humidity, warmth and indirect light to thrive. The ideal mix is one part perlite mingled with three parts peat-based pots, or coir and one part of orchid bark. It is possible to find this kind of potting mix in garden centers and nurseries, or you can make it yourself by mixing equal parts of all the ingredients.
Give tall houseplants of a moss pole, which will encourage it to climb. big house plants helps recreate the environment where it evolved to endure, climbing mossy trunks in the forest. The trellis can be set close to a window, however it shouldn't get direct sunlight, which could cause the leaves to burn.
Mist the leaves of your Swiss cheese plant regularly to keep it well-hydrated. Wait until the top inch or two of soil has dried prior to watering your Swiss cheese plant. If the tips of your plant start to brown, it's an indication that it requires more moisture.
Heartleaf Philodendron
A member of the philodendron species, which boasts more than 450 varieties, according to Smart Garden Guide, the heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) is one of the most renowned house plants. It has long, dangling vines that can be seen hanging from hanging baskets or climb up shelves and walls. The leaves of the emerald-green variety are adorned by golden-yellow or yellow stripes and spots. Philodendrons can also be trained to climb a moss trellis or a moss pole which will bring bright color to your home.
Philodendrons are tolerant of a wide range of light conditions. They do best in indirect light, bright however they can also tolerate shade as well. To be successful they require plenty of humidity. You can achieve a relative humidity of 40 percent by misting your plants or using a humidity machine. If you notice the tips of your plants turning to brown, this is an indication of dry air.
It is simple to propagate heart leaf philodendrons using stem cuttings and root division. To root a healthy cut, create a clean cut just below the set of nodes. Then, dip it into the hormone that helps root it.
It is best to repot your plant every two or three years. It is best to water it thoroughly the day before repotting. This will allow the plant to loosen its roots and ease the stress. It is also a good time to trim any vines that are long or prune any stunted growing. Certain insect pests such as aphids or fungus gnats may attack Philodendrons. You can fight them off with natural solutions like neem oil spray or insecticidal soap.
Calathea zebrina
Calathea zebrina is among the most popular tropical plants that are used in greenhouses and gardens. Also known as zebra plant or maranta, this plant is able to grow bigger than its cousins (Maranta leucoreura and Aphelandra squarrosa). It is a fan of high humidity and moderate to indirect sunlight similar to other species of tropical plants. It is best to keep it away from drafty areas such as fireplaces, radiators, or fireplaces. It can tolerate a bit of direct sunlight in the morning, but it is essential to prevent the temperature from getting too hot in the afternoon.
In the garden, it prefers a well-drained soil that is kept always moist. It is prone to overwatering however, and does not thrive in waterlogged conditions. It is a good idea to water it frequently throughout the growing season by allowing the top two inches of soil to dry out between waterings. In winter you should water it less frequently, as its growth slows down.
Repotting requires a well-drained, rich potting soil. You can also add organic matter into the mix, such as compost or the shredded bark. Calathea zebrina should be repotted every spring or so, since it will outgrow its pot quite quickly. It may be beneficial to separate the rosettes on your calathea to prevent overcrowding. If it is overcrowded, the leaves will fall off or die. This is usually a sign of low humidity in the air or a problem with the quality of the water used.
Pachira aquatica
Pachira aquatica, commonly known as the money plant is one of the most sought-after houseplants that can be seen in modern homes. It is pet-friendly and nearly indestructible. It can grow to a size of three metres. You can expect it to provide you with a stunning canopy of maple-shaped leaves as well as a distinctive braided trunks, as long as it is provided with enough light and water.
Money trees are native to tropical regions, but they are able to adapt well to indoor environments. They thrive in shady places or windows that receive indirect sunlight. Money trees require moderate, regular irrigation and don't need to be regularly repotted. Just ensure that the potting mix doesn't become too wet - this is this plant's biggest problem, leading to stem and root rot, as well as yellowing or dropping leaves.
If you want to increase the size of your money tree's number of people, get the stem in summer or late spring and dip it into the rooting hormone. Place it in a cactus compost or house plant compost that is free of peat, then give it a good soak in water. You can also grow money trees by seeds, however it is not very reliable. The most reliable method is to use air layering - tricking the plant into growing roots at the end of the stem, which you can then plant in fresh compost. This is the most reliable method to propagate money plants, but it's not as quick as cuttings.
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia is a tropical plant that has large leaves that can grow to 16 inches in length. It is a popular house plant and can be grown in a shade garden. There are several varieties of dieffenbachia, including "Camille," with a wide strip of creamy white across the leaf that is framed by bright green. The leaves have a smooth texture and smooth surfaces that can be wiped with a damp cloth to keep it fresh.
As with tall houseplants , dieffenbachias need warmth and humidity to thrive. When they are grown indoors, look for temperatures that fall within the 60 to 75 degree range. You can increase humidity by putting dieffenbachias in bathrooms or other areas where air is naturally damp. You can also apply an air humidifier, or place pots in trays filled with pebbles and water.
If the edges or the tips of your dieffenbachia leaves become brown, it could be a sign that your plant isn't receiving enough water. This could be due to low humidity, infrequent irrigation or a high amount of fertilizer. If your leaves are curled and have brown edges you can flush out salts by gently washing the plants in clear water.
Dieffenbachias require regular watering but should be allowed to become slightly dry between watering sessions. You can also spritz the foliage with a spray bottle of water to make it more moist however, do not use rainwater because it could contain fungus-causing residues.