Women like to change the look and decorations in the apartment every day. And what is a better way to do that than by adding a few new plants to your apartment? Especially with big leaf houseplants.
Two or three new pots with plants and your apartment immediately have a different and fresher look.
In the continuation of this article, I will bring you everything you need to know about big leaf houseplants. And how to fit them perfectly into your home.
Of course, you will also read useful tips on how to take care of them. Make yourself some coffee and let us start.
Fiddle Leaf Fig As A Big Leaf Houseplant
The fig fiddle (Ficus lyrata) is a popular houseplant specimen with very large, strong veins and shiny violin-shaped leaves that grow upright on an elegant trunk.
Fiddle leaf fig is one of the most popular ficus plant types.
- Fiddle figs require strong, filtered light to grow and look their best. Direct sun can burn the leaves, especially exposure to the hot afternoon sun. Plants kept in very low light conditions will not be able to grow quickly. Provide it with bright indirect light instead.
- Any quality mixture for planting houseplants should be suitable for fig fiddle. Ensure that the soil drains well.
- Fig fiddles like a moderate amount of moisture in the soil. And if it gets too much water, the plant could drop leaves and suffer from root rot, which can ultimately kill it.
- Fiddle figs do not like extreme temperature fluctuations. A room that has between 140 and 150 F is usually fine, although you need to place the plant away from drafts as well as ventilation and air conditioning vents. This can cause sudden temperature changes.
- Aim for a humidity level between 30 and 65 percent. If you need to replenish moisture, lubricate the plant daily with clean water in a spray bottle.
- Fertilize during the growing season with plant foods rich in nitrogen, following the instructions on the label. Fertilizers specifically made for fig fiddles are available.
- The violin fig has the benefit of cutting its leaves now and then. Cut off damaged leaves, and healing or cruciform branches to allow the plant to breathe. But what when the fiddle leaf fig leaves are drooping?
- Every spring, plan to transplant young fig fiddles a year. Choose a solid container that is approximately 2 inches larger than the existing one. Gently release the plant from the current pot, lift it while supporting the substrate, and place it in a new pot.
African Mask Plant Indoor Plant
If you are a fan of houseplants and are looking for a unique addition to your collection of houseplants, then Alocasia with its deep green leaves (Alocasia x amazonica ‘Polly) may be the ideal plant for you.
Also known as the African mask or Kris plant, Alocasia does not come from Africa at all. It originates from the Philippine Islands.
- Proper care of Alocasia plants begins with the soil. It should be porous, and the recommended mixture would be one part earth, one part perlite or coarse pot sand, and one part peat. Ventilated, well-drain, and remain moist in the potting mixture.
- Propagation is best done in the spring because new growth occurs by separating and transplanting rhizomes. Your African mask plant prefers a firm grip in your pot, so don’t rearrange too often.
- Moisture is second on the list of supplies for your new houseplant. Alocasia thrives in a humid environment and needs plenty of water during active growth. This is a plant that needs a tray with gravel under it. Keep the soil damp. Alocasia’s need for water is drastically reduced during dormancy and should be reduced to soil moisture from time to time.
- Your indoor Alocasia seedling should be well lit with bright but diffused light. Direct sunlight will burn the leaves. Fortunately, average household temperatures are sufficient for African mask plants, although they prefer a little warmer, around 85 F in summer.
- Use a fertilizer formulated for the leaves, such as a slow-release fertilizer that is applied every few months during the growing season.
- There is another important note to mention when referring to the houseplant Alocasia in all its forms. They are poisonous and should be kept out of the reach of small children and pets.
What To Know About Banana Plant Indoor Plants
Not infrequently in front of houses in our area in recent years we can see how banana plant (Musa acuminate) have spread their large leaves.
- The banana tree plant is a tropical plant that is grateful for growing indoors. With enough light and water, large, smooth leaves will ennoble any space.
- The indoor banana plant needs rich, humus-rich, and well-drained soil, as well as plenty of sunlight. For most varieties, the rule of 12 hours of strong sunlight per day applies. However, you need to protect it from overheating so do not keep it in direct sunlight. Ideal in a well-lit room overlooking the south.
- Water it abundantly, but until the next watering let the soil dry, otherwise its root will rot. Hydrate the leaves regularly by spraying, and occasionally wipe them with a soft, damp cloth to remove dust.
Banana Is Not Just A Fruit, But Also A Big Leaf Houseplant
- Banana is propagated by dividing the lateral shoots that grow at the bottom of the stem.
- When the weather is colder, prepare the banana for the winter. If you grow it in pots, bring it to a warm place and water it twice a month. But if you planted it in the garden, preparing for winter will be a little more complicated.
- In summer, you can keep the banana plant outdoors, but protect it from wind and cold. As a reminder, the night temperature should be 64 F. Before returning them inside, be sure to acclimatize the banana plant in the hallway, veranda, or similar space.
- The banana plant is one of the largest herbaceous flowering plants, and it is interesting how it belongs to the berries in a strictly botanical sense.
- It originates from Southeast Asia, and is believed to have been cultivated there and in Papua New Guinea and cultivated in the distant past, at least up to 5000 BC and possibly up to 8000 years.
Ruffled Fan Palm For Your Home Decor As Big Leaf Houseplant
Fan palm (Licuala grandis) is a very resistant plant, up to -55 F. Creates lower trees or shrubs from more trees. It requires a lot of sun, its habitat is Northern Morocco, the Cote d’Azur, there are some specimens in Sweden and the Mediterranean.
It has large tropical foliage that will be a treat for your yard or home at the begging of its growth.
- The terminal bud is sensitive to long periods of moisture, and the leaves are damaged by ice. On the tree, the remains of the stems are turned into thorns. It creates shoots from the roots through which it multiplies. The flowers are yellow and can withstand long periods of drought.
- If you decide to grow a fan palm, place it in a lighted place and provide it with a sufficient supply of water every day.
- If you’re growing ruffled fan palm indoors, you can place it on east or west-facing windows, location is not so important for these plants with big leaves.
- As for the soil suitable for the development of the fan palm, it is good to fertilize the soil well, and changing the soil by transplanting the palm is recommended every year. It is the only one that can be found in the continental part. It is planted in parks.
Elephant Ear Plant: Bring Some Joy To Your Home
You can also recognize it as Colocasia Esculenta Black Coral. It is recognizable by its heart-shaped leaves. It looks like a water lily, and if grown well it can grow up to two meters.
With its attractive leaves, it will fit perfectly into any living space. This very beautiful and grateful plant is not too demanding but it’s one of the best tall indoor plants for your home.
- Bright, sunny, and airy spaces suit these plants but never expose them to direct sunlight as it could burn their leaves. It is advisable to always keep it in the same place, and if it suits her she will thank you with large fleshy leaves and a strong long stalk. Indirect sunlight is a great option for an ear plant.
- If individual leaves dry out, they should be torn off so that the plant has enough strength to grow other healthy leaves. Don’t be alarmed if the plant loses individual leaves in the winter – in the spring they will grow back and your plant will wake up.
- The plant requires regular watering, and the more you fertilize it, the faster it will grow. Moist soil is very important for this plant.
- You can grow the plant from seed, but it grows well if grown from cuttings. If you are growing the plant from cuttings, cut the stem with at least two leaves exactly at the part where it joins the main stem.
- Place gravel or clay balls on the bottom to make a good drainage foundation, then lay a layer of soil and then a plant. Ear plant does not like frequent transplants, so do it once every two years or if you notice that the plant is already too big for a jar.
Care Guide For A Big Leaf Houseplant – Rubber Tree
In its original environment, it is normal for a rubber plant (Hevea brasiliensis) to grow to over 100 feet in height. Don’t worry, as a houseplant, rubber plants usually reach around 8-10 feet. By carefully pruning, you can shape the rubber tree to be exactly as you want.
- It is a beautiful and durable houseplant that has been proven to remove formaldehyde from the air. Rubber trees are picky when it comes to change, so be sure to choose a place to set it up and don’t move them.
- Rubber trees do not need a lot of light, but they bloom in bright, indirect light. Many people place their rubber trees near windows where light is filtered through a pair of transparent curtains.
- While your wood is in the growing season, you keep the soil moist. Pour it deep. Keep the soil dry during the dormant season … but not too dry. It is possible to deceive him.
- The tank for your rubber tree should be large enough to grow wood 4 feet high. Make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom, otherwise you risk root rot.
- Place a 1-inch layer of small rock on the bottom to help drain. Add equal parts of quality peat moss, sand, and garden loam. This will avoid damp, damp conditions that the tires despise. The soil will dry quickly enough to make the rubber wood feel right at home.
- Cut below the thinner parts, just above the thick part of the branches. Cut just above the leaf nodes. Try pruning the entire size of the plant. Wherever you prune, new branches will sprout.
- The best way to propagate rubber is to sweeten the air.
Swiss Cheese Plant And Its Features
Monstere Adansonii is better known as Swiss cheese because of its leaves, which spread as they get older and get the distinctive look of Swiss cheese. A houseplant that is part of the Araceae family, native to North and Central America. Easy to grow and loves to climb.
- If the leaves of your Monstera start to turn yellow, it is usually a sign of excessive watering. Feel the soil with your fingers as deep as you can and if the soil is not wet, water your Monster thoroughly.
- Make sure that the water passes through all parts of the jar to reach all the roots. It is important that the pot in which you planted it has holes in the bottom so that excess water can come out after copious watering.
- The worst thing you can do is let Monster stay in the water for a long time. Monstera adansonii will withstand a wide range of different lighting, from medium to north window lighting to strong indirect light and bright light.
- It is only important not to be exposed to direct sunlight. Be sure to protect it with a curtain if you have it or want to put it in front of the south window.
- Monster Adansonii, like 99% of plants, fertilizes once a month with diluted liquid fertilizer for green plants. Start fertilizing in March/April and since then fertilize them once a month until October. Monstera adansonii is poisonous if eaten. It is recommended to put it out of the reach of children and curious pets.
Bird Of Paradise Flower For A Nice Home Atmosphere
Growing and caring for birds of paradise (Strelitzia) is not demanding. With a little care and effort, this plant will reward you with beautiful flowers, which is why it has gained great popularity among gardeners and growers of houseplants. The bird of paradise, the flower of the original name strelitzia, is a tropical plant with an exotic flower.
- It needs moderate watering and only when the potting soil dries. Water must not remain in the pot. The leaves need to be sprayed with lukewarm water. Don’t expect it to grow heigh since it’s not a tall indoor plant.
- During the summer, you can take the arrow to the garden or terrace, when the temperatures are moderate and when the nights are not cold, or when the temperature fluctuations are not drastic.
- Transplant the bird of paradise every year in a larger pot. Use humus soil that is rich in clay and add a little manure to it. You need to do the transplant carefully because the roots of the plant are very sensitive to damage. Feeding is needed once a week.
- Strelitzia can be propagated from seeds or rhizomes. Growers most often propagate it by dividing the bokor. However, it is best to buy an adult plant, because if you raise a bird of paradise from seed, you will probably have to wait up to six years for it to bloom for the first time.
- Since it can form about 30 flowers, strelitzia is a favorite among florists. When the flower is cut from the plant, it can last in the vase and maintain its freshness for about twenty days, so it is very popular as a cut flower.
Dragon Tree: Create Some Magic In Your Home With Big Leaves
The dragon tree (Dracaena draco) grows slowly, gradually its trunk begins to branch. This plant does not have growing rings, making it impossible to determine the exact age of the trees. However, according to some estimates, the age of individual trees growing on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands) is 2600-3000 years.
- To get a dragon tree from the seeds of the dragon tree, you need to prepare in advance for sowing. Sow the seeds in a pot no larger than 4 inches in diameter, and the soil can be prepared, intended for growing dracaena, or prepare it yourself.
- Take one piece of humus leaves, the same amount of earth, sand, or vermiculite. Move it all. Dracaena seeds germinate only in the presence of light, so they are not sprinkled with soil and lie on their surface, like a petunia. The pot is covered with a bag or glass to maintain an optimal moisture level.
- Sowing is best done in March and April. At a temperature of 80 to 90 F for 30-180 days, germinate, but unevenly.
- Water it once a week. During this procedure, you must make sure that the seeds are not covered with soil. The greenhouse is ventilated every day, otherwise, mold can form there and all the crops will die.
- The reef must be fed occasionally. Use organic or mineral fertilizers for this. In the warm season, it is recommended to combine them by watering the plant with “tasty” water (indirect light water) once a day.
Tree Philodendron: Everything You Need To Know About
Philodendron (Philodendron) or Philodendron, as many call it, is a plant from the goat family to which more than 220 species belong.
The literal translation of the name means “tree that loves”, which describes the habit of this plant to clinging to tree trunks with its flexible tree to break through to the sunlight.
- Indoor flowers Philodendron will thrive indoors all year round without any difficulty, but it also enjoys the occasional stay outdoors in the shade when weather conditions allow.
- A mixture of black and white peat that you can mix with humus soil is best for planting philodendrons. If you buy land in large stores that are not intended for agriculture, make sure that the land is permeable because it must not retain water for longer than necessary and must absorb water.
Philodendron Is A Gorgeous Big Leaf Houseplant
- You will not make a mistake if you spray the plants as often as possible with a sprayer – ideally with rainwater or distilled water. Spray water on the leaves three times a week, always on the underside of the leaves. You can also use bright indirect sunlight water.
- This plant enjoys high humidity, make sure to provide it with the needed humidity percentage.
- It should be fertilized with flower fertilizer, but it is more important than it has the appropriate size of the pot. You can top up Philodendron with a well-balanced fertilizer.
- In late spring, cut off about ten centimeters of the stem from the top of the plant, just below the bud, remove the lower leaves, and stick an oblique twig into a mixture of moistened peat, sand, and perlite.
- Pruning is necessary for large philodendron plants. Cut it into the desired shape, with scissors or a scalpel and encourage its branching. In case you want to read more about philodendron or specifically about one variety, this link will give you all the information you need.
Ultimate Care Guide For Tropic Snow Dumb Cane
Tropic snow dumb cane (Dieffenbachia) also known as a fickle plant will need a little experimentation to achieve its needed conditions.
- Dieffenbachia likes moderate to high humidity, and if the air becomes too dry, the edges of the leaves will start to turn brown.
- Feed your plant a balanced fertilizer formulated for houseplants once every two weeks. In winter, feed only once a month. You can read my review of this fertilizer to see why I like it so much. But in short, it provides balanced nutrients for all your plants and encourages leaf growth.
- Never place it in direct sunlight and avoid low light situations as the marks on the leaves may fade. The ideal location is a window facing north or east. If you place it on a window facing east or west, filter the light through airy curtains.
- Stupid reeds grow best at temperatures between 65 and 75 F. Normal room temperatures in the household are usually good. Never allow the temperature to drop below 59 F or the dieffenbachia will most likely not recover. Keep the plant away from drafts and heat sources such as heating openings and wood stoves.
- Transplant the plant in the spring every other year, when it seems to have outgrown the current pot. Dieffenbachia grows slowly, so avoid planting in too large a pot.
- Use any well-draining potting mix formulated for houseplants. Dieffenbachia is easily propagated. My mom always had a few cuttings in jars of water, ready to share with friends.
Interested in other sorts of dieffenbachia? Read our guide about the dieffenbachia reflector.
Big Leaf Houseplants Pests Alert
These plants do not have serious problems with pests but can be prone to spider mites, scale, and bacterial or fungal diseases.
With these problems, you may notice leaf damage, such as spots or dark spots, as well as small flaws on the leaves.
Solve the problem as soon as possible with an appropriate fungicide, pesticide, or other medicine.
Make sure your plant has proper air circulation and does not sit in too humid conditions, which can help prevent future problems.
Beware of Possible Big Leaf Houseplants Diseases
Plants with large leaves can be sensitive to the environment and watering schedule, so when something is wrong, you can tell by the behavior of the leaves.
The plant can develop spots on the leaves or drop leaves, sometimes at high speed. Watch out for the first signs of leaf trouble.
Big Leaf Houseplants – Bleached Leaves
If you see light brown or bleached spots on top of the leaves, the plant may get too much direct sunlight.
This is called a leaf burn or leaf burn. In the case of the fiddle plant, you can prune the leaf with sharp scissors and move the plant away from sitting near direct and sharp sunlight.
Big Leaf Houseplants – Brown Stains On Leaves
If you develop green leaves with dark brown spots or browning of the edges, the plant may suffer from root rot because it sits in too much water. Make sure the roots are brown and mushy.
Cut off the spotted leaves and gently cut off the mushy parts of the roots. Transplant and monitor watering to make sure the plant is not watered.
Big Leaf Houseplants – Yellow Leaves
If the newer fig leaves are yellow, this may indicate a bacterial problem. Maybe it’s too late to save the plant. But try to cut off the affected leaves and transplant the plant into fresh soil.
Big Leaf Houseplants – Leaf fall
When the fig fiddle loses its leaves, it is generally a sign that the plant is getting too much or not enough water.
In addition, the plant can be exposed to extreme temperature changes, which can cause the plant to drop leaves. Keep the plant away from any heating or air conditioning units, vents, or drafts.
How To Decor Your Home With Big Leaves Plants
They’re not only air purifying, but they’re also giving us the best house decor with their fiddle leaf fig feature, fiddle-shaped leaves, and their waxy leaves.
This large houseplant, no matter which one do you chose will be the best plant choice for your home.
Majesty palms, of ruffled fan palm licuala, it doesn’t matter. They will go great with your minimalistic furniture providing you with an aesthetic minimalistic look.
Since these plants’ leaves are usually deep green leaves or bright green, they will fit perfectly in a home where there is yellow, gray, red, and white furniture.
Place them near your furniture and you’ll notice the difference. Enjoy your great indoor houseplant.
Wrapping Up About Big Leaf Houseplants
Evenly moist soil, soil dry, root rot, direct light, what’s the best indoor area for your new plants, you name it, you know it now!
Now that you’ve read everything about big leaf houseplants, you can go to your favorite flower shop and get one, or two.
With our tips and your natural talent for the care of plants, you’ll make your home fresh and new by adding some new big leaves plants to it.