Indoor plants

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants

 
Irene Juste
By Irene Juste, Editor. December 20, 2024
Large and Hardy Indoor Plants

By incorporating large, statement-making plants into your home decor you can dramatically transform a space. Not only do they add visual interest and a touch of the natural world, but they also offer numerous benefits. Studies have shown that indoor plants can improve air quality by filtering out toxins, reduce stress levels, and even boost mood and creativity.

This article by thedailyECO features 20 large and hardy indoor plants, each accompanied by stunning photos and fascinating facts.

You may also be interested in: Best Aromatic Indoor Plants
Contents
  1. Living Christmas tree (Araucaria heterophylla)
  2. Ficus
  3. Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana)
  4. Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
  5. Spineless yucca (Yucca gigantea)
  6. Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa)
  7. Lacy tree philodendron (Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum)
  8. Ming aralia (Polyscias scutellaria 'Fabian')
  9. Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
  10. Japanese aralia (Fatsia japonica)
  11. Umbrella plant (Schefflera arboricola)
  12. Desert rose (Adenium obesum)
  13. Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
  14. White bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)
  15. Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata)
  16. Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
  17. Ponytail palm (Nolina recurvata or Beaucarnea recurvata)
  18. Money tree (Pachira aquatica)
  19. Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)
  20. The giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza)
See more >>

Living Christmas tree (Araucaria heterophylla)

The living Christmas tree, grows as a common indoor plant. It reaches 60 meters (197 feet) on Norfolk Island but stays under 2 meters (6.5 feet) indoors, limited by pot size.

This plant needs bright light but can't handle drafts. Put it near a sunny window, but keep it away from windows you open often.

Though it looks like a pine, it comes from an old group of conifers that grew during the time of dinosaurs. These trees live for hundreds of years in nature, but last about 20-25 years as houseplants.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - Living Christmas tree (Araucaria heterophylla)

Ficus

The Ficus genus encompasses several popular indoor plants, with the weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) being the most common houseplant species. While these plants can grow quite large indoors, reaching heights of 2-3 meters (6.5-10 feet), they need careful attention to thrive.

Each Ficus species has distinct care requirements. The fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) prefers consistent conditions, while the Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) tolerates more variation. The ginseng ficus (Ficus microcarpa) adapts well to bonsai training, and the Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila) grows as a climbing vine.

Despite these differences, these plants share some interesting traits. They produce a milky sap that was once used to make rubber, and in their natural habitat, they often begin life as epiphytes, growing on other trees before sending roots to the ground.

All Ficus species form a unique relationship with specific species of wasps for pollination, and each Ficus species has its own wasp partner.

Experiencing leaf drop with your Ficus? Discover common causes and troubleshooting tips in our dedicated article.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - Ficus

Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana)

The Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana), also commonly known as the paradise palm or sentry palm, rates as one of the most adaptable indoor palms. It grows up to 3 meters (10 feet) indoors, though in its native Lord Howe Island it reaches 18 meters (60 feet).

This palm handles low light conditions better than most indoor plants. It needs consistently moist soil - not wet or dry. Water needs increase in summer and during heating season when indoor air gets dry.

These palms grow so slowly that a single plant can serve as an indoor specimen for decades, and it earned its early fame in Victorian England where it became a status symbol due to its high cost and elegant appearance. The British Royal Family still uses these palms in their palace halls.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana)

Jade plant (Crassula ovata)

The jade plant (Crassula ovata), also known as the money plant or lucky plant, adapts easily to indoor growing. Like most succulents, it stays compact in small pots but can grow to 1.5 meters (5 feet) in larger containers.

This plant needs minimal attention but thrives in bright, indirect light. As a succulent, it stores water in its thick leaves and stems, making it drought-tolerant. The growth rate stays slow but steady, adding to its value as a long-term houseplant.

Its stems can grow woody with age, making older specimens look like miniature trees, and its leaves develop red edges when exposed to proper sunlight. In some Asian cultures, people place these plants near business entrances, believing they bring financial prosperity.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - Jade plant (Crassula ovata)

Spineless yucca (Yucca gigantea)

The spineless yucca, also known as stick yucca, grows well in both indoor and outdoor settings. While it can reach 9 meters (30 feet) outdoors, indoor specimens typically stay between 1.8-2.4 meters (6-8 feet).

This plant features long, sword-shaped leaves and needs plenty of direct sunlight. It doesn't like wet feet, so let the soil dry between watering and never let water sit in the saucer beneath the pot. This plant follows the typical growth pattern of desert plants, storing water in its thick trunk.

Its trunk acts like a natural water reservoir, letting it survive months without water, and in its native habitat, it relies on a specific species of moth for pollination, known as the yucca moth (Tegeticula yuccasella), which lays its eggs exclusively in Yucca flowers.

Looking for inspiration for your living room? Discover the best indoor plants to enhance your space and bring the outdoors in.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - Spineless yucca (Yucca gigantea)

Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa)

Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa), ranks among the largest indoor plants. While it sprawls widely outdoors, indoor specimens typically grow 2-3 meters (6.5-10 feet) tall with proper support.

This plant thrives in bright indirect light. You don't need to place it right by a window. Its distinctive leaves grow up to 90 centimeters (35 inches) wide, developing natural splits and holes as they mature. These holes, called fenestrations, let light pass through to lower leaves in its natural rainforest habitat.

It produces edible fruit that tastes like a mix of pineapple and banana (though it takes years to fruit indoors), and its aerial roots can absorb moisture and nutrients from the air, helping it climb trees in the wild.

Intrigued by the Monstera's unique foliage? Discover the diverse world of Monstera plants, from the classic deliciosa to the rare adansonii.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants -  Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa)

Lacy tree philodendron (Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum)

The lacy tree philodendron (Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum) grows as a dramatic indoor plant. While it can reach 4.5 meters (15 feet) outdoors, indoor specimens typically grow 1.8-2.4 meters (6-8 feet) tall.

This plant handles low light conditions well, though it grows best in bright indirect light. Its deeply cut leaves can span 1 meter (3.3 feet) wide, creating a tropical look. The leaves start small and simple, developing their characteristic deep lobes as they mature.

It develops a thick trunk-like stem over time that can store water, and in the right conditions, it produces unusual flowers that heat up to attract pollinating insects.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - Lacy tree philodendron (Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum)

Ming aralia (Polyscias scutellaria 'Fabian')

The ming aralia (Polyscias scutellaria 'Fabian'), also known as shield aralia, makes an elegant indoor plant. Indoor specimens typically grow to 1.2-1.8 meters (4-6 feet) tall, staying much smaller than their outdoor height of 6 meters (20 feet).

This plant needs bright, filtered light. Ideally, place it near a window with a sheer curtain. The glossy, dark green leaves stay on the plant year-round, and you'll need to water moderately, letting the top soil dry between waterings.

Its leaves were traditionally used in Indonesian medicine to reduce fever, and despite its delicate appearance, it can be trained as a bonsai specimen due to its woody stems and small leaves.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - Ming aralia (Polyscias scutellaria 'Fabian')

Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)

The croton (Codiaeum variegatum) brings bold color to indoor spaces. While outdoor plants can reach 3 meters (10 feet), indoor specimens typically grow to 0.9-1.5 meters (3-5 feet) tall.

This plant needs bright light to maintain its vibrant colors. The more sun it gets, the more intense its leaf patterns become. The thick, glossy leaves display combinations of yellow, red, orange, and green, with each leaf showing unique patterns. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not wet.

Their sap contains compounds that can temporarily stain skin and clothing, and the plant's colors change with the seasons. The leaves often show brighter colors in fall and winter when days are shorter.

Want to add a vibrant splash of color to your indoor garden? Explore our guide to plants with stunningly colorful foliage.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)

Japanese aralia (Fatsia japonica)

The Japanese aralia (Fatsia japonica) thrives as an indoor plant. While it can reach 4 meters (13 feet) in outdoor gardens, indoor plants typically grow 1.2-1.8 meters (4-6 feet) tall.

This plant tolerates low light conditions well, though it grows best in bright indirect light. The large, glossy leaves can span 45 centimeters (18 inches) wide, creating a tropical look without needing tropical care. It handles normal indoor temperatures and average humidity levels well.

Its flowers attract pollinators like bees even in late autumn when few other plants are blooming, and it belongs to the same family as ginseng. In fact, some cultures have used its roots medicinally.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants -  Japanese aralia (Fatsia japonica)

Umbrella plant (Schefflera arboricola)

The umbrella plant (Schefflera arboricola) grows as a popular houseplant. While outdoor specimens can reach 8 meters (25 feet), indoor plants typically stay between 1.2-2.4 meters (4-8 feet) tall.

This fast-growing plant produces glossy, umbrella-shaped leaf clusters, each leaflet radiating from a central point. The variegated varieties show patterns of dark green and yellow. Though it adapts to different light levels, bright indirect light brings out the best leaf color and growth.

It can grow as a multi-stemmed shrub or be trained into a single-trunk tree form. It is native from Taiwan and it often begins life as an epiphyte, growing on other trees before sending roots to the ground.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - Umbrella plant (Schefflera arboricola)

Desert rose (Adenium obesum)

The desert rose (Adenium obesum) brings a sculptural presence indoors. Wild specimens grow to 3 meters (10 feet), but houseplants stay between 0.6-1.2 meters (2-4 feet).

The plant's most striking feature comes from its bulbous trunk, which stores water much like a natural reservoir. Pink to deep red flowers bloom when the plant gets plenty of sun and warmth. Give it your sunniest windowsill and cut back on water during its winter rest period.

This African native shares its lineage with oleander and periwinkle, though its thick trunk and showy blooms might suggest otherwise. Remember to wear gloves when pruning or handling, as all parts contain toxic sap.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - Desert rose (Adenium obesum)

Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae)

The bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) earns its name from its spectacular blooms, bright orange and blue flowers that rise above the foliage like exotic birds in flight. Indoors, these plants grow to about 1.2-1.5 meters (4-5 feet) tall.

Success with this plant depends on light and humidity. Give it a spot near your sunniest window, as these plants evolved in bright South African conditions. High humidity helps too, regular misting or a humidity tray makes a difference.

While many houseplants flower quickly, bird of paradise takes its time. Don't expect flowers for about five years of indoor growth. But the large, paddle-shaped leaves make it worth the wait, adding a bold tropical touch to your space even before it blooms.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae)

White bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)

The white bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai) stands taller than its orange-flowering cousin. While outdoor plants can tower to 6 meters (20 feet), indoor specimens usually reach 2-3 meters (6.5-10 feet).

Unlike the more common bird of paradise, this variety produces dramatic white and blue flowers, though blooming rarely occurs indoors. The large, banana-like leaves span up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) long, creating a bold tropical statement in large rooms.

Inside the white flowers lives a fascinating mechanism. When a bird lands on the flower to feed, its weight opens a hidden petal, covering the bird in pollen. And unlike many tropical plants, these thick leaves resist breaking in air conditioning drafts, making them reliable indoor specimens.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - White bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)

Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata)

The dragon tree (Dracaena marginata) grows slowly but steadily indoors, reaching 1.8-3 meters (6-10 feet). Its thin, arching leaves with red edges spiral around slender stems that often branch as they grow.

This plant fits into darker corners where other plants struggle. While it looks delicate, it tolerates neglect and forgives inconsistent watering. The stems start straight, but may develop graceful curves over time as they reach for light.

Dragon trees clean indoor air particularly well, removing airborne toxins like formaldehyde from their surroundings. In nature, they grow so slowly that native peoples used to mark boundaries with them, knowing the trees would stand as living property markers for generations.

Want to learn more about the fascinating world of ornamental plants? Explore their unique characteristics and their significant role in our lives.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata)

Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) isn't actually bamboo at all. It's part of the same family as dragon trees. Indoor plants typically grow 30-90 centimeters (1-3 feet) tall.

This plant grows in water or soil and tolerates low light conditions. The stems can be trained into spirals or other shapes while growing. Many people place it in clear containers with pebbles and water, making it a low-maintenance desk or tabletop plant.

In Chinese feng shui traditions, the number of stalks holds different meanings: two for love, three for happiness, five for wealth. The stems last for years with fresh water, though leaves may yellow and need removal. Despite its hardiness, this plant contains compounds toxic to pets.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

Ponytail palm (Nolina recurvata or Beaucarnea recurvata)

The ponytail palm (Nolina recurvata or Beaucarnea recurvata) isn't actually a palm at all. Indoor specimens grow to 1.2-1.8 meters (4-6 feet), while outdoor plants can reach 9 meters (30 feet).

The plant's swollen base stores water like a barrel, and thin, long leaves cascade down like a fountain. It handles indoor conditions easily. You can forget to water it for weeks, and it grows in any light, from bright to low.

This Mexican native can live for centuries in nature, growing so slowly that a 30-year-old plant might only be 1 meter (3 feet) tall. The base holds enough water that indigenous peoples once used these plants as emergency water sources during droughts.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - Ponytail palm (Nolina recurvata or Beaucarnea recurvata)

Money tree (Pachira aquatica)

The money tree (Pachira aquatica) grows well indoors, reaching 1.2-2.4 meters (4-8 feet) tall. Most come with braided stems, though this happens through training, not natural growth.

The plant produces clusters of five leaves at branch tips. It needs less water than you might expect - let the soil dry between watering. Though it comes from swamps in Central and South America, it adapts well to typical indoor conditions.

In the wild, money trees produce large seed pods containing nuts that taste like peanuts when roasted. The trunks store water like a sponge, helping them survive in their natural wetland habitat where water levels change often.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - Money tree (Pachira aquatica)

Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)

The areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) grows as a cluster of thin stems indoors, reaching 2-3 meters (6.5-10 feet) tall. It's often sold as a houseplant mislabeled as "butterfly palm" or "bamboo palm."

The plant needs filtered light and regular moisture. Its feathery fronds turn yellowish in direct sun or when the soil stays too dry. Though people sometimes buy it for air cleaning, it works better as a natural humidifier, releasing moisture into the air through its leaves.

In Madagascar where it grows wild, these palms face extinction from habitat loss. Indoor plants rarely flower or produce the small yellow fruits that give them their botanical name ("lutescens" means "becoming yellow").

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - Areca palm (Dypsis lutescens)

The giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza)

The giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza) makes a bold statement indoors, growing 2-3 meters (6.5-10 feet) tall in containers while outdoor plants reach 5 meters (16 feet).

The plant produces large heart-shaped leaves that can span 1 meter (3.3 feet) wide. It needs bright indirect light and consistent moisture. Keep the soil damp but never soggy, and mist the leaves to maintain humidity.

Like other taro plants, giant taro stores energy in an underground corm that traditional Pacific Island cultures processed carefully to remove toxins before eating. The leaves also channel rain water down the stems to its roots, a feature that helps it survive tropical downpours.

Looking to add some romance to your indoor jungle? Discover stunning plants with heart-shaped leaves in our next guide.

Large and Hardy Indoor Plants - The giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza)

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