Don't Buy Into These "Trends" Concerning Big House Plants

· 6 min read
Don't Buy Into These "Trends" Concerning Big House Plants

Big House Plants

The large house plants can be used to soften an entranceway or define an space. They also purify the air and provide an atmosphere of nature inside.

The trend for leafy decor is everywhere this year and these striking green plants are the perfect way to take advantage of it. Here are the best large leaf plants to create an abundance of green to your home.

Cast Iron Plant

Cast Iron Plants (Aspidistra Elatior) are among the most simple houseplants. It's nearly indestructible, and can withstand low levels of light, irregular 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, but can also be grown in the backyard under shade trees, or used as ground cover.

This slow-growing perennial is sensitive to direct sunlight. It thrives in moist well-drained soil, but it can be adapted to nutrient-poor and dry conditions as well. It's easy to cultivate in containers, but it will spread via rhizomes when placed directly in the area where its hardiness zone is located.

When it is time to plant the standard potter's mix is ideal for these plants. It should also contain perlite for drainage. To find the ideal balance between drainage and moisture retention you should aim for a 70 percent potting mix, and 20 percent perlite.

Aspidistras don't need to be repotted very often However, when they do, it's important that the new container is slightly larger than the previous one. Carefully remove the roots of the old pot, and then repot them into containers that are one size larger. This will stop them from growing out of the pot 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 the 1970s' favorite that's enjoying another moment. The large, heart-shaped leaves of this plant are perforated to resemble Swiss cheese and hence the name. This green vine is a tropical favorite that can be a stunning home plant. It's also a good choice for outdoor gardens as it can climb fences, walls, and trees, reports Patch Plant.

Swiss cheese plants, like many other plants of the Monstera Genus, are easy to take care of. To thrive, they require humid, warm air and bright indirect light.  houseplants near me  grow best in a mixture that contains perlite in one part, three parts peat-based potting soil or Coir, and one piece of orchid bark. Find this kind of potting mix in nurseries or garden centers, or create your own by mixing equal amounts of each ingredient.

Give your Swiss cheese plant a moss pole to encourage climbing. This helps recreate the natural environment in which it evolved to survive, climbing mossy trunks in jungles. The trellis can be placed close to a window, however it shouldn't be exposed to direct sunlight, which could cause the leaves to burn.

Swiss cheese plants need to be hydrated regularly. Mist their leaves. Wait until the top inch or two of soil has dried before watering your Swiss cheese plant. If the tips of your plant start to turn brown, that's a sign that it needs more moisture.

Heartleaf Philodendron

A member of the philodendron species that includes more than 450 varieties as per Smart Garden Guide, the heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) is among the most well-known house plants. It has long, dangling vines that can hang from hanging baskets or crawl up walls and shelves. The leaves of the emerald-green variety are characterized by yellow or golden-yellow spots and stripes. Philodendrons can also be trained to climb the trellis or moss pole and add bright color to your home.

Philodendrons tolerate a wide range in light conditions. They prefer bright indirect light however, they are tolerant of shade. To be successful they require a lot of humidity. You can achieve a relative humidity of 40 percent by misting your plants with water or using a humidity machine. If you notice the tips of your plants starting to turn brown, this could be an indication of dry air.

Heart leaf philodendrons are simple to propagate from stem cuttings or by root division. To root a healthy cut create a clean cut just below the nodes. Then, dip it in the rooting hormone.

It is best to repot your plant every two or three years. It is best to thoroughly water it the day before you plan to repot. This will allow the plant to loosen its roots and ease the stress. It's also the ideal time to trim any vines that are long or cut any plants that are stunted. Philodendrons are prone to some insect pests, such as Aphids and fungus gnats. You can fight them with natural solutions like Neem spray or insecticidal shampoo.

Calathea zebrina

Calathea is also known as a maranta or prayer plant is a well-loved tropical plant that can be found in gardens and greenhouses. This houseplant, also known as maranta, zebra or prayer can grow to be much larger than its cousins, Aphelandra sqarrosa and Maranta leucoreura. As with other tropical species it prefers indirect to moderate sunlight with high humidity. It is best to keep it away from cold places, fireplaces and radiant heat sources. It can take a bit of direct sunlight in the morning but it's important to keep the temperature from becoming too hot in the afternoon.

In the garden, it prefers well-drained soil which is kept constantly moist. It is prone to being overwatered however, and does not thrive in waterlogged conditions.  houseplants near me  throughout the growing season and allow the top two inches of the soil to dry out between waterings. In winter, it is less frequent to water because it slows its growth.

Repotting requires a well-drained, rich potting soil. It is also a good idea to add organic matter, like shredded bark or compost, to the mix. Calathea Zebrina is able to quickly outgrow the container it is placed in. If your calathea is adorned with rosettes at its base, you may need to separate them to prevent overcrowding. The leaves will fall or wilt when overcrowded.  houseplants near me  is often an indication of low humidity in the air or an issue with the quality of the water used.

Pachira aquatica


Pachira aquatica, often referred to as the money plant is one of the most sought-after houseplants that can be found in modern houses. It is pet-friendly and nearly indestructible. It can reach a size of three metres. It will reward you with a beautiful canopy of maple-shaped foliage and a distinctive braided trunk, provided that it receives enough water and sunlight.

Money trees are native to tropical regions, but they adapt well to indoor environments. They thrive in shady areas or in windows that receive indirect light. Money trees like moderate but regular irrigation and don't require being regularly repotted. Just make sure the potting mix isn't soggy - overwatering is usually this plant's biggest problem, leading to root and stem rot and dying or dropping leaves.

If you'd like to increase the population of your money tree, choose an uncut stem in late spring or early summer and put it in rooting hormone. Place it in some peat-free cactus, or house compost and water it thoroughly. It is also possible to grow money plants from seeds, but this isn't very reliable. The most reliable method is to use air layering - making the plant grow roots on the end of the 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 taking a cutting.

Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia is a tropical plant that has large leaves that grow up to 16 inches in length. It is a common houseplant that can be grown as a shade garden. Dieffenbachia is available in a variety of and varieties, including 'Camille' which has a wide swath on the leaf of creamy white, which is surrounded by bright green. The leaves have a textured leathery feel and smooth surfaces that can be wiped down with a damp cloth to keep it clean.

As with their rainforest home, dieffenbachias need warmth and humidity to thrive. Indoors, you should be looking for temperatures that range between 60 and 75 degrees. Place dieffenbachias near bathrooms or in other areas in areas that are naturally humid to increase humidity. You can also utilize a humidifier or set the pots in trays of pebbles that are filled with water.

If your dieffenbachia's foliage develops brown edges or tips this could be a sign that the plant is not getting enough moisture. This could be due to low humidity, frequent irrigation or the use of too much fertilizer. If your leaves are curled and have brown edges you can flush out salts by gently washing the plants with clear water.

Dieffenbachias require regular watering, but should be allowed to become slightly dry between sessions. Spray the foliage with water from spray bottles to moisten it. Do not use rainwater because it could contain fungus-causing residues.