Large House Plants and Indoor Trees

Willow | Apr 12, 2010 |

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Large house plants add beauty to the interior of your home or office, provide clean air and bring the feeling of the outdoors inside. There are numerous large indoor plants and trees from which to choose, each with their own characteristics and requirements for growth. Choose a combination of plants that prefer the optimal conditions you can provide for them. Some may need more care than others, but in most cases, these large house plants require only minimal maintenance to thrive indoors.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum Wallisii)

Large House Plants - Peace Lily The peace lily, also known as white sails for the shape of its flowers, is one of many large house plants that flowers under the proper conditions. The plant's attractive, dark-green foliage is another pleasing feature, though its blooms are what appeal to most growers. Peace lily plants reach up to 5 feet in height and large, container-grown plants are easily obtained from your local home and garden center.

For the best results, keep peace lily at a constant temperature of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and provide bright, indirect light. The plant prefers filtered natural light, but will tolerate low light levels. In fact, peace lily is one of only very few house plants that continue to bloom when exposed to low light. Fertilize the plant once per month during the spring and summer months to promote blooming, and water at least once per week to keep the soil consistently moist. Remove spent flowers by cutting the flower stalk at its base.

Parlor Palm, Neanthe Bella Palm (Chamaedorea Elegans)

Large House Plants - Parlor Palm The parlor palm, also known as Neanthe Bella palm, is a tropical tree and one of the most popular large house plants on the market. Tolerant of container growing, it reaches its full indoor height of 3 to 4 feet very slowly and can be pruned to maintain a smaller size, if desired. The plant may flower after several years of growth if provided with proper care. Parlor palm is valued for its graceful, arching fronds that create a beautiful display in any location and aside from high humidity, needs only basic care.

Parlor palm requires high humidity, which means it must be misted with lukewarm water several times per day, placed over a tray filled with water and pebbles, or placed near a humidifier at all times. For the best results, keep the plant at a constant temperature of 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Place in an area that receives low, filtered light, as the plant is accustomed to growing on the bottom of the forest floor. Fertilize every two weeks during the growing season with a balanced house plant fertilizer and water regularly to keep the soil constantly moist. Never allow the soil to dry or leaves may drop.

Weeping Fig, Benjamin's Fig (Ficus Benjamina)

Large House Plants - Weeping Fig The weeping fig, also known as Benjamin's fig, is another one of the most popular and attractive large house plants available. It can reach striking heights with proper care and most specimens reach at least 10 feet when grown indoors, although they get there slowly. Valued for its weeping branches and attractive foliage, the plant is also one of the most common drought resistant house plants. This trait is unusual for ficus trees, but the weeping fig is an exception to the rule.

To grow the plant indoors, provide bright, indirect light, temperatures of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, water once every two weeks and fertilizer once every three months. Never expose weeping fig to direct sunlight, as this may scorch the delicate leaves. Always allow the soil to dry between watering and feed using a balanced house plant fertilizer. Use well-drained potting soil to protect against rotting and over-watering.

Other Large House Plants

While peace lily, parlor palm and weeping fig may be some of the most popular and easiest house plants to maintain, there are numerous other large house plants and indoor trees that may be grown without much difficulty. Try any of the following if you're looking for something a bit different:

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) – Tolerates low-light, drought and general neglect. Water only when the top 2/3 of soil are dry, keep in indirect light and feed once per year in early spring. Reaches up to 3 feet in height.

Schefflera, Umbrella Tree (Brassaia actinophylla) – Popular large house plant that starts out small but eventually reaches up to 10 feet in height. Provide indirect light, allow the soil to dry between watering and never allow the roots to stand in water.

Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) – Large indoor tree that reaches up to 12 feet in height when grown in a container. Keep in indirect light at normal household temperatures, keep the soil moist but not soggy and never allow the roots to stand in water. Brown and yellow tips may be caused by low humidity. Keep the plant near a humidifier or mist daily to prevent damaging dry air.

Cabbage Tree, Good Luck Tree (Cordyline terminalis) – Often used in outdoor landscaping, this plant also fares well indoors in a container, where it reaches up to 5 feet in height. Provide bright light, temperatures of 60 to 85 degrees, fertilizer every two weeks during active growth and moist soil during spring and summer. Allow soil to dry between watering in winter.

Grape Ivy, Begonia Vine (Cissus rhombifolia) – Climbing growth habit, reaches up to 5 feet or more in height and grows quickly. Provide temperatures of 55 to 70 degrees in winter and 65 to 80 degrees for the rest of the year. Feed monthly, water regularly in spring and summer to keep soil moist, but allow the soil to dry slightly during winter.

Rubber Tree Plant, Indian Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica) – Reaches up to 10 feet in height, one of the most widely grown large house plants, valued for its dark-green, glossy foliage. Provide bright light, water when the top of the soil is dry to the touch (usually once per week), feed every two weeks and never allow temperatures to drop below 55 degrees or above 80 degrees.