Big House Plants
Large house plants are great to define a living space or softening the entranceway. They also purify the air and bring nature inside.
These vibrant green plants are a great way to incorporate biophilic design as well as the trend of leafy decor that is everywhere this year. Here are the top big leaf plants to bring a lush look to your home.
Cast Iron Plant
Cast Iron Plants (Aspidistra Elatior) are among the easiest houseplants. It's almost indestructible, and can withstand low light levels, unreliable watering, and a lack of attention. This makes it a great choice for beginner gardeners or those with busy lifestyles. It is often planted as a houseplant, however it can also be cultivated in the yard under shade trees, or as a ground cover.
This perennial that is slow-growing prefers partial to full shade and is not tolerant of direct sunlight. It does best in rich well-drained soil, but it can be adapted to nutrient-poor and dry conditions as well. It is easy to cultivate in pots, but will expand by rhizomes in the garden if planted in its hardiness zone.
Standard potting soil is the best for these plants. It should have some perlite to aid with drainage, but. Aim for a mixture that's 70% potting soil and 20% perlite to get the ideal balance of drainage and moisture retention.
Aspidistras need not be repotted very often however, when they do, it's important that the new container is slightly larger than the old one. Remove the roots with care from the pot, and then repot the plant in a container approximately one size larger. This will stop them from growing out of the container and causing root decay. After repotting the plants, remove any soil that has accumulated.
Swiss Cheese Plant
The Swiss cheese plant (also known as Monstera deliciosa) is a 1970s' favorite that's enjoying another moment. Its large heart-shaped leaves are perforated with holes that are reminiscent of Swiss cheese--hence the name. good house plants is a popular tropical plant that makes an impressive home plant. It's also a good choice for outdoor gardens since it can climb walls, fences, and trees, reports Patch Plant.
Like a lot of plants in the Genus Monstera, Swiss cheese plants are fairly easy to maintain. They require warmth, humidity and indirect light to flourish. They thrive best in a mix comprising one part perlite and three parts peat-based potting soil or coir, and one portion orchid bark. Find this kind of potting mix in nurseries or garden centers, or make your own by mixing together equal amounts of each ingredients.
Give your Swiss cheese plant a 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 can be placed near a window, but it shouldn't be exposed to direct sunlight, which might cause burns to the leaves.
Swiss cheese plants must be regularly hydrated. Mist their leaves. Avoid overwatering and wait until the soil's top inch is dry before watering again. If the tips of plants begin to change brown, it's the time to add more water.
Heartleaf Philodendron
A member of the philodendron family that includes 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 hang from hanging baskets or climb through shelves and walls. The leaves of the emerald-green variety are distinguished by golden yellow or yellow spots and stripes. Philodendrons can also be trained to climb a mosspole or trellis which adds vibrant color to the home.
Philodendrons tolerate a wide range in light conditions. They prefer bright indirect light but they can tolerate shade. They need a good amount of humidity to thrive. You can achieve a relative humidity of 40 percent by misting your plants with water or using a humidity machine. If you notice that the tips of your plants are starting to turn brown, this is a sign that the air is dry.
It is easy to propagate heart leaf philodendrons using stem cuttings and root division. To root a healthy cut make a clean cutting just below the nodes. Then dip it in rooting hormonal.
It is best to repot your plant every two or three years. It is recommended to give it a good soak the day before you plan to repot. This will help loosen the roots and ease the stress. This is also a good time to trim any vines that are long or cut any plants that are stunted. Some insect pests like aphids or fungus gnats could attack Philodendrons. low maintenance house plants can fight them with natural remedies like the spray of neem or insecticidal shampoo.
Calathea zebrina
Calathea is also known as a prayer plant or maranta, is a very popular tropical plant that can be found in greenhouses and gardens. Also called zebra or maranta, this plant is able to grow bigger than its counterparts (Maranta leucoreura and Aphelandra squarrosa). Like other tropical species it prefers moderate to indirect sunlight with high humidity. It's best to locate it away from drafty areas and fireplaces as well as radiators. It can withstand some direct sunlight in mornings however it's essential to keep the temperature down in the afternoon.
In the garden, it favors a well-drained soil which is kept constantly humid. It is sensitive to excessive watering, but does not thrive under conditions of standing water. It is important to water it regularly during the growing season. Allow the top two inches (or more) of soil to dry between waterings. It is less water-intensive in winter because it slows its growth.
When repotting, use the most fertile potting soil that drains well. It is also a good idea to add some organic matter, like shredded bark or compost, to the mix. Calathea zebrina needs to be repotted every spring or so, as it will grow out of its container quite quickly. If your calathea is adorned with rosettes at its base, you might prefer to separate them to prevent overcrowding. The leaves may drop or die if they are overcrowded. tall house plants is typically a sign that the air is dry or the water quality has been compromised.
Pachira aquatica
Pachira aquatica is also referred to as a money plant and is among the most popular houseplants found in modern homes. It is pet-friendly and nearly indestructible. It can grow to a size of three metres. You can expect it to reward you with a gorgeous canopy of maple-shaped leaves as well as a distinctive braided trunks, provided it is given enough light and water.
Although a native of tropical areas, money trees adapt well to indoor conditions and thrive in shaded places or in windows with indirect light. Money trees prefer moderate, regular irrigation and don't require being repotted very often. Make sure that the potting mixture doesn't get too wet. Overwatering can cause stem and root decay, yellowing and the dropping of leaves.
If you're looking to increase the size of your money tree's population, grab the stem in late summer or in the spring and dip it in the rooting hormone. Place it in peat-free cactus or garden compost and water it thoroughly. It's also possible to grow money plants from seeds, but this isn't very reliable. An alternative that is more reliable is to use air layering - manipulating the plant to grow roots on the end of a stem, which you then plant in fresh compost. It's the most reliable method to propagate a money plant but it's not as fast as cutting a stem.
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia is a tropical plant has large leaves that can grow up to 16 inches in length. It is a popular houseplant that can also be planted as an outdoor shade garden. There are many varieties of dieffenbachia, including "Camille," with a wide strip of white leaf, which is framed by bright green. The leaves are soft and leathery with a leathery texture. They can be cleaned by a damp cloth.
Dieffenbachias require heat and humidity in order to thrive, just like their native rainforest habitat. Indoors, you should be looking for temperatures that range between 60 and 75 degrees. Place dieffenbachias near bathrooms or any other areas where the air is naturally humid to increase humidity. You can also apply an air humidifier or put pots in trays that are filled with pebbles and water.
If the edges or tips of your dieffenbachia leaves become brown, it could indicate that your plant isn't getting enough water. This could be due to low humidity, frequent irrigation or an excessive application of fertilizer. If your leaves are curled and have brown edges, you can flush away salts by gently rinsing the plants in clear water.
Dieffenbachias need regular watering, but should be allowed to dry out slightly between watering sessions. It is possible to spray the foliage with water from spray bottles to moisten it. Don't use rainwater because it may contain fungus-causing residues.