best houseplants are perfect to define a living space or softening the entranceway. They also purify air and bring nature inside.
The leafy decor trend is all over the place this year and these striking green plants are a great way to embrace it. Here are the top large leaf plants that will add an abundance of green to your home.
Cast Iron Plant
The Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) is one of the most easy houseplants to take care of. It is virtually indestructible and can withstand inadequate lighting, irregular watering, and a lack of attention. This makes it ideal for novice gardeners as well as those with hectic lifestyles. It's typically utilized as a plant for the home, however it can also be grown in the garden beneath shade trees or even as ground cover.
This perennial with slow growth prefers partial to full shade and is intolerant of direct sunlight. It does best in rich soil that is well-drained, however, it can adapt to nutrient-deficient and dry conditions also. It is easy to cultivate in pots, but it will grow through rhizomes in a garden if it is planted within its zone of hardiness.
When it is about soil, a standard potting mix is suitable for these plants. It should include some perlite to help with drainage, but. To get the ideal balance between moisture retention and drainage try to have a mix of 70 percent potting mix and 20 perlite.
Aspidistras don't need to be repotted often However, when they do, it's crucial that the new pot is slightly larger than the previous one. Take the roots gently out of the old pot, and then move them into the container that's one size bigger. This will prevent them from outgrowing their containers and causing root rot. After repotting, be sure that any soil that is left over is removed.
Swiss Cheese Plant
The Swiss cheese plant (also known as Monstera deliciosa) is the 1970s' most loved plant that is having another moment. The large heart-shaped leaves of this plant are perforated so that they look like Swiss cheese, hence the name. This tropical plant makes an amazing houseplant. It's also a great choice for outdoor gardens since it can climb fences, walls and trees, according to Patch Plant.
Like many plants belonging to the genus Monstera, Swiss cheese plants are fairly easy to take care of. To thrive, they require humid, warm air, and bright indirect sunlight. The best mix for them is one part perlite, mixed with three parts peat-based potting soil, or coir and one part of orchid bark. Look for this kind of potting mix at nurseries or garden centers or create your own by mixing together equal amounts of each ingredients.
Give your Swiss cheese plant an planter with a moss pole that encourages climbing. This helps recreate the environment that it evolved in to survive, climbing the mossy trees in the jungle. The trellis could be put close to a window, however it shouldn't get direct sunlight, which might cause the leaves to burn.
Swiss cheese plants need to be regularly hydrated. Mist their leaves. Wait until the top inch or two of soil has dried before watering your Swiss cheese plant. If the tips of a plant begin to turn brown then it's the time to add more water.
Heartleaf Philodendron
The heartleaf Philodendron belongs to the group of the philodendrons family that boasts over 450 varieties, according to Smart Garden Guide. It is one of the most classic house plants. It has long, dangling vines that can trail down from hanging baskets or crawl up walls and shelves. The leaves of the emerald-green variety are distinguished by golden yellow or yellow spots and stripes. Philodendrons are also trained to climb a mosspole or trellis which adds bright color to the house.
Philodendrons can tolerate a wide range in light conditions. They thrive in indirect light, bright but can tolerate shade as well. To thrive they require a lot of humidity. You can achieve a relative humidty of 40 percent by misting your plants with water or using a humidity machine. If you notice that the tips of your plants are beginning to turn brown, it's 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 cutting make a clean cut below a set of nodes and put it in rooting hormone.
Repotting your plant is best done every two to three years. It is best to thoroughly water it the day prior to repotting. This will help loosen up the roots and ease the stress. It's also a great time to trim long vines and prune any growth that is stunted. Philodendrons are vulnerable to insect pests, such as aphids and fungus gnats. You can fight them with natural solutions such as the spray of neem or insecticidal shampoo.
Calathea zebrina
Calathea zebrina is among the most sought-after tropical plants that can be found in greenhouses and gardens. Also known as zebra plant, prayer plant or maranta, this plant can grow much larger than its relatives (Maranta leucoreura and Aphelandra squarrosa). Like low maintenance house plants of tropical vegetation it prefers moderate to indirect sunlight with high humidity. It is recommended to keep it away from areas that are drafty, fireplaces or radiant heat sources. It can withstand a little of direct sunlight in the morning, however it's important to keep the temperature from getting too hot during the afternoon.
In the garden, it prefers well-drained soil that is always moist. It is sensitive to overwatering, however, and does not thrive in conditions that are waterlogged. It is essential to water it regularly throughout the growing season. Allow the top 2 inches (or more) of soil to dry between waterings. Water it less in winter as its growth slows.
Repotting requires a well-drained, rich potting soil. You can also add organic matter to the mix, like compost or shredded bark. Calathea zebrina should be repotted each spring or so, as it will outgrow its container very quickly. It is possible to separate the rosettes of your calathea to keep it from becoming overcrowded. The leaves will fall or turn brown when they are overcrowded. This is usually a sign of low humidity in the air or an issue with the quality of the water used.
Pachira aquatica
Pachira aquatica is also known as money plant and is one of the most common houseplants in modern homes. It is pet-friendly, nearly indestructible, and grows to a stunning size (around three meters.) It will provide you with a stunning canopy of maple-shaped leaves and a distinctive braided trunk, provided it receives enough sunlight and water.
Money trees are native to tropical areas, but they adapt well to indoor environments. They thrive in shady areas or windows that receive indirect light. Money trees prefer moderate but regular watering and don't need to be repotted very often. Make sure that the potting mix doesn't become too wet. Overwatering can lead to stem and root discoloration, yellowing, and dropping of leaves.
If you're looking to increase the population of your money tree, choose an uncut stem in the late spring or early summer, and dip it in the rooting hormone. Place it in a cactus compost or a house plant compost that is free of peat, then give it a good soak in water. You can also grow money trees by seeds, however it isn't very reliable. Air layering is the most reliable method. It manipulates the plant to develop roots at the end of the stem, which can then be planted in fresh compost. It's the most reliable method to propagate a money plant, however it's not as quick as cutting a stem.
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia, a tropical tree has large leaves that can grow up to 16 inches in length. It is a popular houseplant that is also grown as a shade garden. There are many varieties of dieffenbachia, such as "Camille," with a wide strip of white leaf, which is framed with bright green. The leaves have a leathery texture and smooth surfaces which can be cleaned with a damp cloth to keep it looking fresh.
Similar to their rainforest habitat, dieffenbachias need warmth and humidity to flourish. Indoors it is recommended to aim for temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees. Set dieffenbachias in bathrooms or in other areas where the air is naturally humid to boost humidity. You can also use an air humidifier or put pots on trays filled with pebbles and water.
If the edges and tips of your dieffenbachia leaves become brown, it could indicate that it isn't receiving enough water. This could be due to low humidity, frequent hydration or excessive fertilizer. If the leaves are curled with brown edges Try flushing away the salts that have built up by gently washing the plants with clear water.
Dieffenbachias need regular watering, however they should be allowed to dry out in between sessions. low maintenance house plants can spray the foliage with water from a spray bottle to dampen it. Don't use rainwater because it may contain fungus-causing residues.