The 11 Best Large Indoor Plants for Your Home

From improved air quality to aesthetic enhancement, indoor plants are just as beneficial as your outdoor garden. Most homes have one or two small plants, but adding a plant or two to the larger indoor spaces will make any space more inviting. Today we’ll explore the best large indoor plants that can be used to create an inviting atmosphere in any home or office.

The right selection of plants is important in order to ensure that they will thrive in their new environment. Factors such as light availability, water requirements, and general care should all be taken into account when selecting the best large indoor plant for a particular space. Additionally, it is important to consider the desired aesthetic effect that you wish to achieve by adding a specific plant.

11 Best Large Indoor Plants

1. Calamondin Orange Tree (Citrus Mitis)

Citrus trees are a stunning addition to any living space, and the Calamondin orange tree (Citrus Mitis) is no exception. This tropical plant is an evergreen member of the citrus family and has fragrant white flowers that produce small edible oranges. This hardy species requires very little maintenance and will thrive in both outdoor and indoor settings with bright light, making it a great choice for those who don’t have much experience taking care of plants.

The Calamondin orange tree is easy to care for as long as you take the time to water it regularly. Soil should be kept moist but not overly wet, preferably with a soil-based potting mix. It also needs plenty of bright light but should be protected from direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. Fertilizer can be used occasionally during spring and summer to help encourage growth, though this isn’t necessary for overall health.

This lemon tree can reach up to six feet tall indoors and makes an excellent container plant when pruned regularly. Its glossy dark green leaves provide an attractive contrast against its fragrant white flowers, making it a great choice for anyone looking to bring some life into their home without having to worry about complicated maintenance requirements.

Learn more about growing potted lemon trees. 

2. Dracaenas: Corn Plant (Dracaena Fragrans), Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena Marginata)

Dracaena is a genus of plants that have become increasingly popular as houseplants due to their adaptability and ornamental value. The most common species used in homes are the Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans) and the Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata). Both offer lush foliage and strong vertical growth, making them ideal for filling corners or adding height to a room.

The Corn Plant is a tall shrub-like plant with long, glossy green leaves. Its sturdy stems make it perfect for indoor spaces where it can receive bright, indirect light. It’s also relatively low-maintenance, requiring only occasional watering and pruning to keep it looking its best.

The Madagascar Dragon Tree is an evergreen plant with broad, spiky leaves that grow in an elegant rosette pattern. It prefers bright light but can also tolerate lower light levels and requires occasional misting to keep its leaves healthy and vibrant. This tree makes a stunning statement piece in any room, especially when paired with other large plants like ficus varieties.

These two dracaena species offer great options for creating an eye-catching display of indoor greenery that can add life to any space. 

3. Ficus Varieties: Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata), Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica), Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)

Ficus is a popular genus of plants, often seen as houseplants or ornamental trees in outdoor gardens. Within the ficus family are several varieties with distinct characteristics that make them attractive to many gardeners.

The fiddle leaf fig (ficus lyrata) is a large, leafy tree that can reach heights of up to 12 feet indoors and 15 feet outdoors. Its large and glossy leaves set it apart from other indoor plants, making it a unique and eye-catching addition to any space.

The rubber plant (ficus elastica) is a smaller species that typically grows between 3-10 feet tall depending on its environment. This variety has oval leaves with pointed tips and lends a more traditional look to any room.

The weeping fig (ficus benjamina) has thin, delicate leaves shaped like needles and drooping branches that create an elegant silhouette when placed in the corner of a room.

All three varieties require bright but indirect light to thrive indoors and plenty of water during the growing season for healthy growth. All three species offer lush foliage for any indoor space, making them great options for anyone looking for beautiful but low-maintenance houseplants.

4. Palms: Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea Recurvata), Yucca (Yucca Elephantipes)

Palms are a popular indoor plant option due to their unique shape and size. They come in various forms, including the pony tail palm (beaucarnea recurvata) and yucca (yucca elephantipes).

The pony tail palm is an evergreen shrub with a trunk that resembles a swollen base, which gives it its name. The fronds of the ponytail palm grow from the top of the trunk and have long, thin leaves. Its foliage is soft and silvery-green in color.

The yucca is a tall, evergreen perennial with thick, broad leaves that fan out from the central stem. It has small white flowers that bloom in summertime that are fragrant and attract hummingbirds.

Both plants can thrive indoors if given ample light and water.

The size of palms makes them suitable for anyone looking for a large indoor plant with an interesting design aesthetic. Pony tail palm grows slowly but can reach heights of up to eight feet indoors, making it ideal for filling corners or larger spaces in the home or office. Yucca grows even slower but can also reach impressive heights when given enough light and care. They require minimal maintenance, but occasional pruning is recommended to keep them healthy and lush.

5. Lacy Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron Bipinnatifidum)

Philodendrons are a great choice for indoor plants, and the lacy leaf philodendron is a popular option. This plant is easy to care for, making it ideal for those who are new to gardening. It can grow in shade or in the sun, and its height and width can be controlled by pruning. The lacy leaf philodendron’s leaves are dark green and deeply lobed with a unique texture, adding interest to any room.

The lacy leaf philodendron requires weekly watering and should be fertilized every two weeks during the growing season.

6. Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica)

The Money Tree is a tropical plant native to Central and South America and very popular due to its adaptability and low maintenance needs. It has glossy green leaves, with five lobes arranged in a star pattern and its trunk can reach upwards of six feet in height with an impressive canopy. 

Generally easy to care for, the money tree does best when placed in bright indirect sunlight and is watered regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Apply fertilizer every couple of months during the growing season. And don’t forget to prune the branches periodically to maintain an even shape and help promote new growth.

7. Giant Bird Of Paradise (Strelitzia Nicolai)

The Strelitzia, commonly known as the Giant Bird of Paradise, is an evergreen perennial native to South Africa. It is a popular indoor plant and can reach a height of up to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide when grown outdoors. It has large leaves with an attractive fan-like shape, that are dark green in color with silvery white veins running through them. Its flowers are bright orange and blue, resembling the head of a bird.

The Giant Bird of Paradise needs plenty of light to thrive indoors and prefers temperatures between 55F and 75F. It requires regular watering but should not be left standing in water for long periods of time. Fertilizing once or twice a month will help keep it healthy. Pruning should also be done regularly to keep the plant looking its best and to prevent it from becoming too large for its surroundings.

Though the Strelitzia’s size can make it difficult to care for indoors, its attractive foliage and unique flowers make it worth the effort. The Giant Bird of Paradise is sure to bring life into any room or space and can be enjoyed for many years with proper care.

8. Jade Plant (Crassula Argentea)

Crassula, commonly known as the jade plant, is a succulent that has become popular for its thick and fleshy leaves. The scientific name of this species is Crassula argentea and it is native to South Africa. This species of Crassula is relatively easy to care for, making it an ideal choice for those who want a large indoor plant.

The crassula can reach heights of up to 8 feet in the wild, but when grown indoors they typically remain much smaller at around 2-3 feet tall. They also tend to spread out rather than grow upwards and can reach up to 4 feet wide. This makes them suitable for use as a hedging or screening plant in larger rooms or living spaces.

This drought tolerant houseplant will thrive in bright, indirect sunlight but can also tolerate low light conditions if needed. In terms of soil requirements, it prefers well-draining potting mix with some organic material added for extra nutrients.

Water only when the soil feels dry and make sure not to overwater which could lead to root rot.

9. Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria Heterophylla)

The Norfolk Island Pine, is an evergreen tree that belongs to the family Araucariaceae, and is native to Norfolk Island, a small island located in the South Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and New Caledonia. It has been widely cultivated all around the world for its fascinating foliage, drought tolerance and ability to thrive indoors for many years.

The araucaria tree can reach up to 40 feet tall with a diameter of 6 feet at maturity. Its leaves are awl-shaped and grow in whorls of three along its branches. They are often deep green or yellow-green in color, although some varieties have variegated leaves of different colors. These trees feature upright trunks with bark that may be furrowed or smooth depending on the age of the tree.

Indoors, araucaria should be kept in bright indirect light, otherwise it will not produce new growth and its lower leaves may turn yellow and fall off. Proper watering is also essential: while they do tolerate some drought conditions, they require frequent watering during their growing season and less when dormant during winter months. 

Here’s how to care for your Norfolk Island tree. 

10. Umbrella Tree (Schefflera Arboricola)

Umbrella tree has glossy dark green leaves and grows quickly when cared for properly. It needs regular watering and humidity to keep it healthy. Schefflera can reach heights of up to eight feet and is often used as an ornamental plant in homes and offices.

The care requirements for umbrella tree are relatively straightforward, making it an ideal choice for novice gardeners. It should be watered regularly, but not over-watered, and needs needs bright indirect light and occasional misting with a spray bottle to ensure adequate humidity levels. Fertilizing the soil every few months will help promote growth and keep the foliage looking lush and vibrant.

In its native environment, schefflera can be found growing wildly in tropical climates such as Hawaii or Taiwan. It is an evergreen shrub that can produce stunning clusters of white flowers during the summer months. While they are not necessary for keeping the plant alive, these blooms certainly add another layer of beauty to any indoor space they inhabit. 

11. Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera Deliciosa)

The Swiss cheese plant is a tropical evergreen that is distinguished by its large leaves with holes or fenestrations in them. Native to Central America and Mexico, the Monstera quickly became popular for indoor gardening because of its ability to tolerate low light conditions and how easy it is to care for. It has become a staple of modern interior design, valued for its air-purifying properties (more indoor plants that purify air), lush foliage and distinctive look.

Monsteras can reach heights of up to 20 feet when grown outdoors. When kept as houseplants, they typically grow between 3-6 feet tall. The leaves of this plant are often heart shaped and can grow to be up to two feet long on mature plants. They feature deep green colors with their characteristic holes or ‘swiss cheese’ patterns along the surface. These plants flower infrequently indoors but produce clusters of white blooms that have a pleasant scent when in bloom.

Due to their rapid growth rate, Monsteras require regular pruning in order to maintain their shape and size. Fertilize every few months during active growing season and water only when the soil is dry down a couple inches from the surface. Providing ample humidity through misting or humidifiers will help keep these plants looking their best even under less than ideal conditions.

More Large Indoor Houseplants

The above are some of my favorites, but there are other large houseplants you may consider: 

• snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
• parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
• banana plant (Musa)
• some fruit trees can do well indoors: lemon, lime, kumquat and orange trees, olive tree, passion fruit tree, avocado tree, apricot tree, and many more
• palm trees: areca palm, bushy palm, majesty palm, bamboo palm, etc.

Nature Hills Nursery has a nice selection of  houseplants to choose from. 

Large Indoor Plant Pots

If you plan to add large plants to your collection, you’ll need some large pots. There are many types of containers for large plants. The most popular ones are plastic (lighter in weight, but not as sturdy), or ceramic (very pretty, but also very heavy).

Large plastic plant pots

If you want a lighter pot for your large plants, plastic is the way to go. There’s a big variety of large indoor plastic planters: some are white, some are black, and others are in pretty colors. There are some square containers, oval, round and many other shapes, so there are a lot of options.

Large indoor ceramic plant pots

While plastic containers are inexpensive and easy to maneuver, if you want something more esthetically appealing, you need to check out a few large indoor ceramic plant pots. The ceramic pots are glazed in many colors, some have intricate designs, others have beautiful beaded designs, and there are even gold trimmed containers.

How To  Care For Large Indoor Plants

Caring for large indoor plants is an important part of achieving the desired level of greenery in your home. It is important to understand the types of care each plant needs and how often it should be attended to. With proper maintenance, a large indoor plant can last for years.

The type of soil and light requirements for a particular plant are important to know before introducing it into your home. Make sure that you are providing adequate air circulation and humidity levels as this will help keep the plant healthy over time. Regularly check the soil to see if it needs more water or fertilizer. If possible, rotate your plants so they get equal sunlight on all sides.

Finally, look out for signs of pests or disease and address them promptly with an appropriate pesticide or fungicide solution. This will prevent any issues from worsening and protect other plants in your home from becoming contaminated.

How To Choose A Large Indoor Plant For Your Space

It all starts with your space and what you want to accomplish by adding plants to it:

• the size of the plant
• its water and light needs
• the impact it will have on the space

For example, you can use the Swiss cheese plant  to fill up an empty corner of a room, or a kentia palm by your home’s entrance. Or, if you have family members with allergies, pothos and peace lily are the prefect addition to your indoor garden. 

Other important factors that may influence your choice for a large plant could be: 

• lack of proper light (you’ll find some great choices of indoor plants for low light)
• the type of room (plants for the office, best plants for the bedroom, or bathroom plants)

Thinking through these factors carefully will help you make an informed decision when choosing a large indoor plant for your home or office.

Pros And Cons Of Keeping Large Indoor Plants

Adding some tall large plants to your home is a great way to:

• bring color and interest to your home
• liven up your space
• act as natural air purifiers
• give you endless hours of pleasure and entertainment

But they can also have some drawbacks:

• require quite a bit more space than small indoor plants
• tall plants may not have enough light
• containers for these large plants are heavy, making it hard to move them around

Final thoughts

Large indoor plants can be a great addition to any home. They bring life and beauty to living spaces with their lush foliage, providing oxygen, clean air, and beauty. But in order for these plants to thrive indoors, they require special care: watering correctly, using the proper fertilizers and pest control, as well as repotting when needed. I hope I’ve inspired you to get at least one large plant for your home. 

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