Big colorful house plants plants are perfect to define a living space or softening the entranceway. They also purify the air and bring nature indoors.
The trend for leafy decor is all over the place this year, and these bold green plants are an excellent way to embrace the trend. Here are the top extra large house plants 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 virtually indestructible and can withstand low lighting, irregular watering and little attention. It's perfect for those who are just beginning to learn about gardening or live a busy life. It's often used as a houseplant, but it can be grown in the garden beneath shade trees or even as a ground cover.
This perennial with a slow growth rate is sensitive to direct sunlight. It prefers moist, well draining soil however it can be adapted to dry and poor nutrient conditions. It is easy to cultivate in pots, but it will grow through rhizomes in a garden if it is planted in its zone of hardiness.
When it is time to plant, a standard potting mix is perfect for these plants. It should contain some perlite to help with drainage, however. To find the ideal balance between drainage and moisture retention you should aim for a 70 percent potting mix and 20% perlite.
Aspidistras aren't required to be repotted frequently however, if they do the new container must be slightly larger than the one before it. Gently remove the roots from the pot and then transplant the plant in a container approximately one size larger. This will stop them from outgrowing their containers and causing root rot. After repotting the plants, remove any soil that has accumulated.
Swiss Cheese Plant
The Swiss cheese plant, also known as Monstera deliciosa is a favorite of the 1970s that is experiencing a new era. Its large heart-shaped leaves are perforated with holes that look like Swiss cheese, hence the name. This green vine is a tropical favorite that makes a striking home plant. Patch Plant reports that it's a great option for outdoor gardens, since it can climb fences, walls and even trees.
Like many plants in the genus Monstera, Swiss cheese plants are fairly easy to take care of. To flourish, they require humidity, warmth and bright indirect sunlight. The ideal mix for them is one part perlite mixed with three parts peat based potting soil, or coir and one piece of orchid bark. You can purchase this kind of potting mix at nurseries and garden centers, or common houseplants you can make it yourself by mixing equal portions of all the ingredients.
Give your Swiss cheese plant a the moss pole to encourage climbing. This helps recreate the environment in which it evolved to survive, climbing up the mossy trees in the forest. The trellis can be set near a window, but it shouldn't get direct sunlight, which could cause burns to the leaves.
Mist the leaves of your Swiss cheese plant frequently 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 a plant begin to turn brown then it's time to add more water.
Heartleaf Philodendron
The heartleaf Philodendron belongs to the group of the philodendrons family with more than 450 varieties, according to Smart Garden Guide. It is among the most popular common houseplants. It has long, dangling stems that can hang from hanging baskets and climb up walls and shelves. The leaves of the emerald-green variety are distinguished by yellow or golden-yellow spots and stripes. Philodendrons can be trained to climb the trellis or moss pole and add vibrant color to your home.
Philodendrons can withstand an array of lighting conditions. They prefer bright indirect light, however, they are tolerant of shade. To be successful they require a lot of humidity. You should aim for a relative humidity of around 40 percent which can be achieved through misting or using a humidifier. If you notice that the tips of your plants are beginning to turn brown, it's a sign that the air is dry.
Heart leaf philodendrons are easy to propagate by stem cuttings or root division. To root a healthy cut, create a clean cut just below the set of nodes. Then dip it in the rooting hormone.
It is recommended to repot your plant every two or three years. It is recommended to thoroughly water it the day before repotting. This will help loosen up the roots and reduce the stress. It's also a good time to trim long vines and prune any growth that is stunted. Certain insect pests such as aphids or fungus gnats may attack Philodendrons. You can control them by using natural remedies like Neem oil spray or insecticidal soap.
Calathea zebrina
Calathea Zebrina is one of the most well-known tropical plants that can be found in greenhouses and gardens. This houseplant, also known as zebra, prayer or maranta can grow to be much larger than its cousins, Aphelandra sqarrosa and Maranta leucoreura. As with other species of tropical plants, it prefers moderate to indirect sunlight with high humidity. It is recommended to keep it away from cold places, fireplaces and radiant heat sources. It can tolerate some direct sunlight in mornings however it's essential to keep the temperature low in the afternoon.
It prefers a soil that is well-drained and consistently moist in the garden. It is prone to being overwatered however, and does not thrive in waterlogged conditions. It is crucial to water it regularly throughout 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 the growth slows down.
Repotting requires a rich, draining soil for potting. It is also an excellent idea to add organic matter, like shredded bark or compost, to the mix. Calathea zebrina should be repotted every spring or so, since it will outgrow its pot quite quickly. You may want to separate the rosettes on your calathea to keep it from becoming overcrowded. If it is overcrowded, the leaves will fall or wilt. This is usually an indication of low humidity in the air or an issue with the quality of the water used.
Pachira aquatica
Pachira aquatica is also known as a money plant, and is among the most common houseplants in modern homes. It is pet-friendly, and nearly indestructible. It can grow to the height of three meters. You can anticipate it to reward you with a gorgeous canopy of maple-shaped leaves and distinctive braided trunks, provided 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 shaded areas or in windows that receive indirect light. Money trees require moderate but regular irrigation and don't require being repotted very often. Just ensure that the potting mix isn't waterlogged - excessive watering is typically the main issue with this plant, leading to root and stem rot and dying or dropping leaves.
If you want to increase the population of your money tree, use an uncut stem in late spring or early summer, and dip it in the rooting hormone. Place it in a cactus or a unique house plants plant compost that is free of peat. Then, water it thoroughly. You can also cultivate a money tree from seeds, but this isn't the most reliable method. A more reliable method is to use air layering, which is tricking the plant into growing roots at the end of a stem, which you can then plant in fresh compost. It is the most foolproof method of propagating money plants, however it's not as fast as taking cuttings.
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia is a tropical plant that has large leaves that grow up to 16 inches in length. It is a popular houseplant that can be used as a shade garden. There are a variety of dieffenbachia, including the 'Camille' variety, which has a broad swath of creamy white across the leaf that is framed by bright green. The leaves are smooth and leathery with a textured texture. They can be cleaned by an aqueous cloth.
Dieffenbachias require warmth and humidity for their growth similar to their rainforest home. When grown indoors, aim for temperatures in the 60 to 75 degree range. Place dieffenbachias near bathrooms or other places in areas that are naturally humid to increase humidity. You can also use an air humidifier or put pots on trays filled with pebbles and water.
If your dieffenbachia's leaves show brown edges or tips they may be an indication that the plant is not getting enough moisture. This could be due to low humidity, frequent irrigation or a heavy application of fertilizer. If the foliage is curled with brown edges Try flushing out the salts that have accumulated by gently cleaning the plants with clean water.
Dieffenbachias require regular watering, but should be allowed to dry in between sessions. It is possible to spray the foliage with water from a spray bottle to dampen it. Don't use rainwater because it may contain fungus-causing residues.
