If you enjoy interior décor or design in general, you are probably familiar with the phrase "little is a bit much," which is often true. On the contrary, for some, less is not enough, and they prefer more or bigger things in life; luckily for you, tall houseplants are here to the rescue.
For bold, passionate, and expressive plant parents with an immense love for a sophisticated interior, there is no reason to hold back on tall plants in your spaces. It is, therefore, time to invite some of nature's towering botanicals indoors. In that case, here are the most popular tall houseplants to confidently define the personality and style of your indoor space.
Reasons Why You Should Grow Tall Houseplants
Despite their impressive height, you might presume these towering botanicals are daunting to tend, but no, they are super easy to grow and maintain. Most of these tall houseplants are among the trending and widely loved, and grown plants.
Miniature items often get absorbed or swallowed by larger items in indoor spaces. Among larger digital screens, couches, and study tables, among other interior décor items, miniature houseplants have little chance to stand out, especially in larger spaces.
Tall houseplants, by contrast, provide the right amount and feel of nature and greenery to your indoor environment. The low-light-tolerant tall houseplants provide bold aesthetic impact, as well as benefits such as air purification, improved productivity, and a calm, peaceful ambiance.
Turning an ordinary indoor space into a spectacular one is easy with the right tall houseplant. Transform your interior space with nature's giants, introducing yourself to a new dynamic when it comes to your connection to nature and its aesthetic value, with the following 12 tall houseplants.
- Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
- Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica)
- Monstera (Monstera deliciosa)
- Yucca Plant (Yucca elephantipes)
- Banana Plant (Musa acuminata)
- Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta)
- Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
- Lemon Tree (Citrus x meyeri)
- Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
- Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
- Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
- Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
Photo by @plantsofjoy_wholesale
1. Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica)
Money Tree (Pachira aquatica) features a striking braided trunk, making this tall houseplant an interesting choice. The Money Tree plant should be watered only when the soil is parched, and it should be exposed to bright or indirect light throughout the day.
Pachira aquatica is associated with good fortune, and therefore, it is a perfect plant to gift your loved ones. Under optimal conditions, Money Tree can grow to 2 meters (6 ft.) and can easily be the focal point of your indoor décor.
2. Rubber Tree (Ficus Elastica)
The rubber tree is a fast-growing, tall houseplant that can easily reach 3 meters in a few years. However, the Ficus elastica is a thirsty houseplant that prefers frequent watering; be careful not to overwater.
This elegant, tall houseplant has long, glossy foliage that shines when exposed to the right amount of light, adding bright greenery and character to your space. Because of its adaptability in both bright and low-light conditions, the rubber plant has become a popular choice for tall indoor plants. Growing and caring for a rubber tree plant is easy, as it is less finicky. With proper watering intervals, well-drained potting mix, and exposure to bright or low light, you can support optimal growth.
3. Monstera (Monstera Deliciosa)
Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss cheese plant, is a tall houseplant and a statement piece. Monstera has large, dark green leaves that can grow wider than 2 meters, but this elegant houseplant can reach a height of 5 meters when properly watered and exposed to bright indirect light.
Its leaves form evenly distributed gaps that not only enhance its appeal but also allow light to reach the lower parts of the plant. Monstera is toxic to people and pets, so protect your pets from chewing the leaves and the children, too!
4. Yucca Plant (Yucca Elephantipes)
Although the Yucca plant is known for its spiny foliage, Yucca elephantipes is spineless and suitable for indoor growing as a tall houseplant. Yucca elephantipes thrives in well-drained soil, bright indirect light, and minimal watering, as it is drought-tolerant.
Interestingly, Yucca plants can easily grow to 9 meters (30 ft.) when grown outdoors, but indoors, you can achieve a height of 3-5 meters, depending on what your indoor space can accommodate. Yucca plant leaves have a striking appeal, adding a touch of greenery to your indoor space.
5. Banana Plant (Musa Acuminata)
The banana plant (Musa acuminata), also known as Dwarf Cavendish, is a not-to-miss tall houseplant for your indoor spaces. It's relatively easy to care for and can grow to 3 meters tall when grown near a window with bright, indirect sunlight and watered frequently.
However, Banana plants cannot produce fruit when grown indoors because they lack the tropical conditions required to trigger fruit set. Regardless, it is a tall, stately houseplant that cannot be ignored.
6. Elephant Ear (Colocasia Esculenta)
Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta) has extra-large, dark green leaves, hence the name. Its large leaves can grow up to 1 meter long, and the plant itself can achieve 2 meters tall when it fully matures.
Elephant ear, a tall, upright houseplant, prefers a moist environment; do not allow the soil to dry out before watering again. The soil should always be wet. Indirect sunlight is enough for Elephant Ears to thrive indoors.
7. Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)
The weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) is a statement houseplant. With its moderate size, dark green foliage, and impressive potential height of 2 meters, it is a reliable choice for a tall interior décor houseplant.
Grow weeping fig in moist soil, but moderate the watering to avoid waterlogging, expose the plant to bright indirect sunlight, and maintain enough distance from the window to give the plant adequate breathing space. Keep the children and pets away from this tall houseplant due to its toxicity.
8. Lemon Tree (Citrus x Meyeri)
Although lemon trees prefer warm climates, with proper care, you can grow them indoors to a height of 1-1.2 meters. The lemon tree prefers bright indirect light and, occasionally, direct sunlight, well-drained soil, and frequent watering.
Though 1-1.2 meters might not feel tall enough compared to other tall houseplants, the addition of fruits makes this houseplant a stunning tall houseplant to make a statement in your living spaces.
9. Dragon Tree (Dracaena Marginata)
Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata) has a unique statue and personality. Its spiky spray foliage appears at the top, leaving intertwined branches below, adding a dramatic, yet sleek and aesthetic appeal to your interior décor.
Dragon tree prefers bright sunlight and infrequent watering; keep the watering to once a week, and the plant will reward you with a height of 2.5 meters eventually.
10. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia Reginae)
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is a striking, flowering tropical houseplant that can grow to 1.5 meters tall indoors. Both bright and indirect light, a well-drained potting mix, frequent watering, and fertilizer during the growing season are ideal conditions for achieving optimal growth in your Bird of Paradise plant.
Providing the conditions mentioned above and growing your Bird of Paradise plant near a south-facing window will result in unique orange or blue blooms that contrast with the already aesthetic, blade-shaped Bird of Paradise foliage.
11. Croton (Codiaeum Variegatum)
For plant parents who prefer to add a touch of color to their indoor spaces, Croton (Codiaeum variegatum), also referred to as Variegated Croton, is the best tall houseplant for you. Croton comes in different colors, ranging from red, pink, yellow, green, and orange; you are at liberty to choose a Croton with a befitting tone, one that complements your interior décor theme.
Growing conditions of Croton are not quite a stretch as some might presume; but with the provision of either bright direct or indirect sunlight, frequent watering, and growing in a well-draining potting mix, your Croton plant will reward you with an impressive height of 1.2 meters when it matures.
12. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata)
The fiddle leaf fig is undoubtedly the most popular tall houseplant, primarily due to its large, dark-green foliage, which commands attention. Ficus lyrata prefers bright light, so grow it near a window that receives ample light throughout the day. Water only when the topsoil dries out. Well-drained potting mix with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal for promoting desired growth.
Given that fiddle leaf figs can grow to an impressive height of 3 meters (10 ft.), ensure your ceiling is high enough to accommodate the height. Avoid moving this tall houseplant frequently, as it can easily detect changes and begin wilting.
Tall and Easy to Grow
As evident above, it is easy to grow and maintain tall houseplants despite their astonishing height and width. Miniature plants can do the job, but the 12 tall houseplants above can revolutionize your houseplant collection and elevate the feel and indoor ambiance.
Adopting these tall houseplants is not about filling up that corner space that bothers you; it's an intentional choice to add natural vitality to your home. From the imposing presence of the Fiddle Leaf Fig to the fascinating elegance of the Money Tree, each houseplant has a distinct character, adding depth, contrast, and visual impact to your indoor spaces.
Make that bold and stylish statement with tall houseplants!
Feature image by @mannyplantas. Header image by feey.
