Your Guide to the Best Large Houseplants for Your Living Room
If you’re searching for “big real plants for living room” then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll cover all the important factors to consider when choosing oversized houseplants to liven up your living space. From low-light lovers to fast-growing beauties, here are some top options to transform your interior without breaking the bank.
Light Requirements
The first thing to assess is the light levels in your living room. Most large houseplants require medium to bright indirect sunlight. However, there are a couple hardy options that can tolerate low-light conditions. If your space only gets morning sun or filtered light through windows, focus on plants like fiddle leaf fig, Chinese evergreen, or snake plant. These beauties can handle low light for much of the day. At the same time, rubbing aloe vera and ZZ plant are tough as nails and will flourish with only a few hours of sunlight.
Size Potential
It’s also crucial to consider how immense a plant may become over time. For example, palms like lady palm and bamboo palm can reach ceiling-high proportions if conditions are optimal. Whereas types like dracaena, monstera, and pothos have a more manageable mature size around 4-6 feet tall. To avoid future crowding, measure your space and only pick varieties that will suit the scale long term. From experience, I’d advise going a bit smaller than the maximum area to allow for plant growth.
Water Needs
When choosing large indoor plants, think about your watering abilities and schedule too. Some thirstier candidates like peace lily, corn plant, and Chinese evergreen will need water once the topsoil dries out – typically twice a week. On the other hand, sizeable air plants like snake plant and ZZ plant only require water every couple weeks and can tolerate drying out more. Experienced plant parents also know that adjusting water amounts seasonally is key. In warmer months, all pots will require more frequent drinks.
Plant Preferences
- Low Care: Snake plant, ZZ plant, Chinese evergreen, pothos
- Medium Care: Monstera, fiddle leaf fig, palm, dracaena
- High Care: Rattlesnake plant, English ivy, peace lily, calathea
Different plant varieties also have their own ideal conditions. Assessing your home environment and lifestyle will help narrow down the most suitable large indoor friends. For example, calatheas dig humidity but palm trees appreciate drier air. Best to opt for mid-range “medium care” plants if balancing family/work responsibilities.
Decor and Aesthetic
Finally, consider how a plant’s appearance and texture might complement your living space’s design. Heartleaf philodendron, Chinese evergreen, and monstera sport lush broad leaves perfect for filling out a corner. Whereas tall, stately bamboos or date palms provide an airy statement. For modern farmhouse vibes, you can’t beat the structural interest of dracaena, corn plant, or fiddle leaf fig. Play around with contrasting patterns and leaf shapes for visual interest.
From experience decorating client homes, I’ve found mixing plant forms with various pots and groupings creates a natural look. Size up plants together in clusters for high impact. Also good to alternate between vines, shrubs, and trees for complexity.
Top Large Houseplant Picks
Here are some of the hardiest, most attractive choices to suit various light and care levels:
Fiddle Leaf Fig
A stunning statement tree that can reach 6-10ft tall. Thrives in medium to bright light and prefers moist but well-draining soil. Can tolerate some low-light periods too. Broad, waxy leaves resemble fiddle shapes. Though no joke to water correctly, their elegance makes them a worthwhile investment.
Chinese Evergreen
With its leathery deep green leaves adorned in cream or pink variegation, Chinese evergreen (aglaonema) lives up to its tough reputation. Content in low light, it only needs water when the soil dries slightly between waterings. Not fussy whatsoever and matures to a 4-5ft bushy shrub. An easy option for beginners.
Monstera
No home is complete without a monstera’s lusciously split leaves! As a fast grower, this climber or shrub can reach up to 10ft tall indoors. It thrives with medium light and prefers consistently moist soil. Young plants start as a compact bush before unfurling huge leaves with maturity. Their jungle vibes make monstera a trendy favorite for good reason.
Bamboo Palm
With arching canes wrapped in narrow leaves, bamboo palms lend an airy yet sculptural presence. Capable of 15ft tall, these beauties demand bright indirect sun and average home temperatures above 65°F year-round. They do best with consistent moisture and occasional fertilizer. A stately centerpiece that will only improve with age.
Snake Plant
One of the toughest houseplants around, snake plants are legendary for surviving long periods without water. Their upright foliage patterned like adder skins add texture to any room. Ideal for low-light spots, these air purifying legends soak up toxins like formaldehyde too. Slow-growing to 3-4ft, they keep trucking for decades with very minimal care.
So in summary, big plants like fiddle leaf figs, Chinese evergreens, monsteras, palms, and snake plants will give your living space lush landscaping without major effort. Focus on their needs, your light levels, and personal style. Properly placed large plants are guaranteed to elevate your space.Let me know if any other questions come up!
Top Houseplants for Living Rooms
| Plant | Size | Light Needs | Watering | Care Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZZ Plant | Medium | Low | Let dry between waterings | Low |
| Spider Plant | Small-Medium | Low-Medium | Let dry slightly between waterings | Low |
| Snake Plant | Medium-Large | Low | Let soil dry out between waterings | Low |
| Pothos | Small-Medium | Low-Medium | Let dry slightly before watering | Low |
| Peace Lily | Medium | Medium | Water when top inch of soil is dry | Low |
FAQ
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What types of big plants are good for a living room?
There are a number of trees and shrubs that basically work well in a living room. Some popular options include:
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Are big plants hard to care for?
While larger plants may need a bit more attention than tiny ones, they aren’t super difficult to look after. The key is choosing kinds that don’t demand too much water or sun. At the same time, most big plants are pretty resilient.
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How much sunlight do large indoor plants need?
The amount of light needed varies depending on the type of big plant. A money tree or Chinese evergreen can survive in low light. Meanwhile, a fiddle-leaf fig or araucaria pine might demand a brighter spot, possibly near a south or west window. Nevertheless, it’s possible to find big beauties that flourish in medium light.
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Do large houseplants give off oxygen at night?
Many folks think plants only produce oxygen when the sun is out. Yet some research shows certain kinds may release a small amount of O2 even after dark. Kinda makes you wonder – do plants breathe out at night like we do? Maybe scientists should check that out further. Regardless, big plants no doubt pump out good air all day long.
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How often should giant indoor plants be watered?
The frequency of watering depends on the plant type and growing conditions. As a general guideline, check the soil of your whopper every 5-7 days and water when the top inch feels dry. Dracaena, ficus, and palm trees often need water every 5-10 days during the growing season. On the other hand, certain types like Chinese evergreens may only require water every couple of weeks. The best approach is using your fingers to test soil moisture.
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Is it hard to care for really large houseplants?
Giant plants can certainly seem intimidating. However, with just a bit more effort than for mid-sized types, huge beauties are honestly pretty simple to maintain. Most importantly, overwatering is the main issue to watch out for. As long as you only water when the soil is parched, transplant to larger pots as needed, and provide sufficient light, even colossal specimens will thrive. In fact, monsters may surprise you with how low-maintenance they can be.
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What are some problems with keeping big indoor plants?
A handful of potential issues might crop up with larger houseplants. Pests occasionally invade, and big guys mean more leaf area for bugs. Overwatering also poses more of a risk with huge pots. Moreover, massive plants may not suit smaller living spaces. At the same time, heavy specimens need secure positioning away from kids/pets and high traffic areas. Despite such considerations, most problems can be avoided with close care.
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Are large houseplants worth the effort?
Although whoppers do command extra elbow grease, many folks find the awesome impact of gargantuan greenery well worth it. Nothing enlivens a room like a truly towering tree or shrub. Plus, big beauties can provide cool air-purifying perks for larger areas. Maybe most notably, colossal indoor plants offer stunning style for longer. So while “go big or go home” isn’t always best, in the plant world bigger definitely means bolder impact – if you’re up for it.