13 Big-Leaf Plants That Make a Statement In Any Home

Elephant Ear Plant

Elephant ear plants might be commonly grown outdoors, but they also make excellent large, show-stopping houseplants. The leaves of an elephant ear plant grow up to three feet long, depending on the variety.

Keep this plant away from small children and pets, as it is toxic.12

• Name: Elephant ear (Colocasia spp.)
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Keep the soil moist
• Soil: Well-draining, peat-rich potting medium
• Mature Size: 3–6 feet tall and wide depending on variety
• Pet-Friendly: No

Bird of Paradise

The bird of paradise is a tropical plant that earned its name thanks to its unique flower, which resembles a bird in flight. These houseplants have large leaves that grow in a self-heading habit—meaning the foliage sprouts in layers from a single central stalk.

This plant is toxic to humans and pets.34

• Name: Bird of paradise (Strelitzia spp.)
• Light: Bright direct to bright indirect light
• Water: Water when the soil is dry
• Soil: Rich, well-drained potting medium
• Mature Size: 3.5-6 ft. tall, 3-4 ft. wide
• Pet-Friendly: No

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fiddle leaf fig trees are popular houseplants that make a statement in any room. They are characterized by large, waxy, fiddle-shaped leaves and can be pruned into a variety of different shapes. Despite their popularity, these plants are notorious for being temperamental and difficult to care for. However, under the right care conditions, fiddle leaf figs grow into full-sized trees.

When grown indoors, their size is normally restricted by being grown in pots and careful pruning. The plant is toxic to humans, cats, and dogs.56

• Name: Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata)
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Water when the soil is dry
• Soil: Rich, well-draining potting medium
• Mature Size: 6-10 ft. tall, 3-4 ft wide
• Pet-Friendly: No

Monstera Deliciosa

Instagram’s favorite plant—the Monstera deliciosa—is a large houseplant with stunning large fenestrated leaves that instantly adds a tropical feel to any room. When grown indoors, the plant grows up to ten feet tall, with leaves up to three to four feet long.

The plant is toxic to humans, cats, and dogs.78

• Name: Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa)
• Light: Bright indirect light to medium indirect light
• Water: Water when the soil is dry
• Soil: Well-draining, rich potting medium
• Mature Size: 3 -15 ft. tall, 3-8 ft. wide
• Pet-Friendly: No

Philodendron Xanadu

The unique large, leathery, lobed leaves of the philodendron xanadu will make it a focal point in any room. As the plant matures, the leaves become more intricate with a greater number of lobes. Each leaf grows up to 16 inches long and 12 inches wide with 10 to 15 lobes.

The plant is toxic to humans and pets.910

• Name: Philodendron xanadu (Thaumatophyllum xanadu)
• Light: Bright indirect light to medium indirect light
• Water: Water when the soil is dry
• Soil: Well-draining potting medium
• Mature Size: 3-5 ft. tall and wide
• Pet-Friendly: No

Rubber Tree

The rubber tree is a popular houseplant that comes in many different colors and shapes. Its large, waxy leaves are the focal point of this tropical houseplant. When grown in its natural habitat, the rubber tree grows up to 50 feet tall. However, when grown indoors, its size and shape is effectively controlled through pruning and root restriction. This tropical plant requires bright, direct sun to thrive indoors.

The rubber tree is toxic to humans, cats, and dogs.65

• Name: Rubber tree (Ficus elastica)
• Light: Direct light
• Water: Keep the soil moist during the growing season
• Soil: Well-draining potting medium
• Mature Size: 6-10 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide
• Pet-Friendly: No

African Mask Plant

The African mask plant is a striking houseplant characterized by large deep green leaves accentuated by deep white or light green veining. The leaves are roughly arrowhead or heart-shaped, and the underside of the leaves is usually a deep purple color. This gorgeous plant does well in bright, indirect light and rich, well-draining soil.

Alocasia is toxic to humans and pets.1112

• Name: African mask plant (Alocasia amazonica)
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Keep soil moist but not waterlogged
• Soil: Rich, well-draining potting medium
• Mature Size: 1–2 ft. tall and wide
• Pet-Friendly: No

Philodendron Gloriosum

Philodendron gloriosum is a stunning large-leafed philodendron variety that is characterized by velvety deep green leaves with white veining.

This plant is relatively rare and you likely won’t be able to find it at your local garden center and might need to order it online or from a local collector.

Philodendron gloriosum is toxic to humans, cats, and dogs.810

• Name: Creeping velvet philodendron (Philodendron gloriosum)
• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Water: Water when the top one to two inches of soil is dry
• Soil: Rich, well-draining potting medium
• Mature Size: 2.5-3 ft. tall and wide
• Pet-Friendly: No

Banana Tree Plant

The banana tree plant is famous for its large tropical foliage, and a mature specimen grows leaves up to two feet wide and nine feet long. While the banana plant is commonly grown outdoors, it does well as a houseplant when placed in a bright, sunny location. Ensure that the soil stays evenly moist during the growing season.

• Name: Banana tree plant (Musa spp.)
• Light: Full sun
• Water: Keep soil moist but not waterlogged
• Soil: Rich, well-draining potting medium
• Mature Size: 2–30 ft. tall, 1–15 ft. wide depending on species
• Pet-Friendly: Yes

Majesty Palm

The majesty palm is an attractive and popular indoor palm tree that grows up to ten feet tall, although it is relatively slow-growing. Majesty palms are characterized by large green fronds that grow atop multiple stems.

This is not the easiest palm species to keep happy indoors, and it might not be suited for those who don’t have a green thumb. The right light, temperature, and fertilization is imperative to keeping a majesty palm happy.

• Name: Majesty palm (Ravenna rivularis)
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Keep the soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged
• Soil: Cactus or succulent potting mix
• Mature Size: 4-10 ft. tall
• Pet-Friendly: Yes

Calathea orbifolia

The Calathea orbifolia is a type of prayer plant that is distinguished by its large orb-shaped leaves. This houseplant requires high humidity to thrive, which makes it difficult for some plant lovers to keep it happy indoors.

Place your Calathea orbifolia in a location that receives bright indirect light, and keep the soil evenly moist.

• Name: Round-leaved calathea (Calathea orbifolia)
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Keep soil evenly moist
• Soil: Rich, well-draining potting medium
• Mature Size: 2-3 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide
• Pet-Friendly: Yes

Tropic Snow Dumb Cane

The tropic snow dumb cane is one of the largest varieties of dumb cane and grows up to ten feet tall indoors. Its huge, variegated leaves and ease of care make it a popular houseplant.

The tropic snow dumb cane withstands lots of neglect and tolerates low light. However, it is toxic to humans, cats, and dogs.1310

• Name: Tropic Snow dumb cane (Dieffenbachia seguine ‘Tropic Snow’)
• Light: Bright to low light
• Water: Water when the soil is dry
• Soil: Well-draining potting medium
• Mature Size: 4-10 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide
• Pet-Friendly: No

Ruffled Fan Palm

The ruffled fan palm is a unique and unusual palm variety with large, pleated leaves that resemble hand fans. While ruffled fan palms might not be the easiest to find at nurseries and garden centers, keeping it happy indoors is simple.

Choose a location in your home that receives bright, indirect light and allow the top inch or two of soil to dry between waterings.

• Name: Ruffled fan palm (Licuala grandis)
• Light: Bright to medium indirect light
• Water: Average water needs
• Soil: Well-draining potting medium
• Mature Size: 5-6 ft. tall and wide
• Pet-Friendly: Yes