Big House Plants
Large house plants are ideal to define a living space or softening an entryway. They also purify the air and bring a sense of nature indoors.
The trend for leafy decor is all over the place and these vibrant green plants are the perfect way to take advantage of it. Here are the best big leaf plants that will bring a lush look to your home.
Cast Iron Plant
The Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) is among the easiest houseplants to care for. It is almost indestructible, and can withstand poor lighting, infrequent watering and minimal attention. It's a great choice for those who are just beginning to learn about gardening or live a busy lifestyle. It is often used as a plant for the home, but can also be grown in the yard under shade trees, or as ground cover.
This slow-growing perennial prefers partial to full shade and is not tolerant of direct sunlight. It prefers rich soil that drains well, but is able to adapt to dry and nutrient-poor environments. It is easy to cultivate in pots, however it can grow through rhizomes in a garden if it is planted within its zone of hardiness.
tall house plants potting soil is perfect for these plants. It should include some perlite to aid in drainage, but. Try to find a mix that's 70% pot soil and 20% perlite to create the right balance of drainage and retention.
Aspidistras don't need to be repotted frequently However, when they do, it's crucial that the new container is slightly larger than the previous one. Gently remove the roots from the pot and then repot the plant in a pot that is about one size bigger. This will prevent them from overgrowing their containers and leading to root rot. After repotting, remove any excess soil.
Swiss Cheese Plant
The Swiss cheese plant (also known as Monstera deliciosa) is the 1970s favorite that's having another moment. The large heart-shaped leaves of this plant are perforated to appear like Swiss cheese and hence the name. This tropical vine makes an amazing houseplant. tall house plants reports that it's ideal for outdoor gardens since it can climb walls, fences, and trees.
Like a lot of plants in the Genus Monstera, Swiss cheese plants are relatively easy to maintain. They require warmth, humidity and bright indirect light to thrive. They grow best in a mixture that contains one part perlite, three parts peat-based potting soil or Coir, and one piece of orchid bark. Look for this kind of potting mix in nurseries or garden centers. You can also create your own by mixing equal amounts of each ingredient.
Give your Swiss cheese plant a the moss pole to encourage climbing. This helps recreate the natural environment where it evolved to survive, climbing up the mossy trees in jungles. The trellis should be placed near a large window. However it should not get direct sunlight as this could cause burns to the leaves.
Mist the leaves of your Swiss cheese plant regularly to keep it hydrated. Avoid overwatering and wait until the top inch of soil dries out before watering again. If the tips of your plant start to turn brown, it's an indication that it requires more moisture.
Heartleaf Philodendron
The heartleaf Philodendron is a member of the philodendrons family with more than 450 varieties, according to Smart Garden Guide. It is one of the most popular houseplants. It has long hanging vines that be seen hanging from hanging baskets or crawl up shelves and walls. Its emerald green leaves are marked by golden yellow or yellow stripes and spots. Philodendrons can also be trained to climb a moss trellis or a moss pole and add bright color to your home.
Philodendrons can tolerate a wide range in light conditions. They prefer bright indirect light however, they are tolerant of shade. To thrive, they need a lot of humidity. You can achieve a relative humidity of 40 percent by misting your plants or using a humidifier. If you notice the tips of your plants turning to brown, this is a sign of dry air.
Heart leaf philodendrons are easy to propagate by stem cuttings or root division. To root a healthy cut, make a clean cut below a set of nodes and dip it in the rooting hormone.
Repotting your plant should be done every two to three years. good house plants should be watered thoroughly prior to repotting, in order to loosen the roots and lessen stress. It's also a good time to trim long vines and prune any stunted growths. Philodendrons are susceptible to insect pests, like the fungus gnats and aphids. You can fight them with natural solutions such as neem spray or shampoo for insecticide.
Calathea zebrina
Calathea is also known as a maranta or prayer plant, is a very popular tropical plant that is a staple in gardens and greenhouses. Also called zebra, prayer plant or maranta, this plant is able to grow bigger than its relatives (Maranta leucoreura and Aphelandra squarrosa). It likes high humidity and moderate to indirect sun similar to other tropical species. It is recommended to keep it away from areas that are drafty such as fireplaces, radiators, or fireplaces. It can withstand some direct sunlight in mornings, but it's important to keep the temperature low during the afternoon.
It prefers a soil that is well-drained and consistently humid in the garden. It is sensitive to excessive watering, however it does not thrive in conditions of standing water. It is essential to water it frequently during the growing season. Allow the top 2 inches (or more) of the soil time to dry between waterings. In winter watering, it is less frequent, as its growth slows down.
Repotting requires a rich, draining pot soil. You can add organic matter to the mix, for example compost or the shredded bark. Calathea zebrina should be repotted each spring or so, because it will outgrow its pot very quickly. If your calathea has rosettes at its base, you might want to separate them in order to avoid overcrowding. When overcrowded, its leaves will fall off or die. This is usually a sign that the air is too dry or the water quality has been compromised.
Pachira aquatica
Pachira aquatica, also known as the money plant, is among the most popular houseplants to be found in modern homes. It is pet-friendly, and nearly indestructible. It can grow to the height of three meters. You can expect it to reward you with a gorgeous canopy of maple-shaped foliage and distinctive braided trunks as long as it is provided with enough light and water.
Money trees are native to tropical areas, but they are able to adapt well to indoor environments. They thrive in shady places or in windows that receive indirect sunlight. Money trees require moderate but regular irrigation and don't need to be frequently repotted. Make sure the potting mixture doesn't get too wet. Overwatering can cause root and stem rot, yellowing and dropping of leaves.
If you want to increase your money tree's population, take an apron cut in the late spring or summer and dip it in rooting hormone. Place it in a peat-free cactus or house plant compost, and then water thoroughly. You can also grow money trees from seeds, but this isn't the most reliable method. Air layering is the most reliable method. It tricks the plant into growing roots at the base of the stem, which can then be planted in fresh compost. It's the most reliable method to propagate a money plant but it's not as fast as cutting the plant.
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia is a tropical plant has large leaves that can grow up to 16 inches in length. It is a popular home plant that can also be planted in a shade garden. There are many varieties of dieffenbachia. One is the 'Camille' variety, that has a wide swath of white leaf, which is framed by bright green. The leaves are soft and leathery, with a leathery texture. They can be cleaned with an aqueous cloth.
As with their rainforest home, dieffenbachias need warmth and humidity to flourish. Indoors you should aim for temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees. Place dieffenbachias near bathrooms or any other areas in areas that are naturally humid to boost humidity. You can also use a humidifier or set the pots in pebble trays that are filled with water.
If your dieffenbachia's leaves develop brown edges or tips this could be a sign that the plant is not getting enough moisture. This could be caused by low humidity, a lack of hydration or excessive fertilizer. If the leaves are curled with brown edges, try flushing away accumulated salts by gently cleaning the plants with clean water.
Dieffenbachias need regular watering, but should be allowed to dry out a little between sessions. You can also spritz the foliage with a spray bottle to give it a moist feel, but do not use rainwater as it can contain fungus-causing residues.