A large plant is a long-term purchase, so start with the spot, not the plant. Measure the ceiling height and the floor space, and check the light where the leaves will be. A floor plant sits below the window line, so it often gets less light than a plant on the sill. Then use the tables below to match a plant to that spot.
Indoor sizes are from NC State Extension and are typical container sizes, far smaller than the same plants reach outdoors in the tropics.
Large plants for bright spots
These need a position close to a large, bright window. Several tolerate some direct sun.
| Plant | Botanical name | Size indoors | Light | Cats and dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiddle-leaf fig | Ficus lyrata | 0.6–3 m (2–10 ft); leaves up to 46 cm (18 in) | Bright, indirect; NC State lists partial shade | Toxic (NC State) |
| Bird of paradise | Strelitzia reginae | 0.9–1.2 m (3–4 ft) | A well-lit, sunny spot | Toxic (NC State) |
| White bird of paradise | Strelitzia nicolai | Large; 6–9 m (20–30 ft) in the wild | Partial shade | Toxic (NC State) |
| Ponytail palm | Beaucarnea recurvata | 1.8–2.4 m (6–8 ft) in a pot; slow | Sunny window | Non-toxic (ASPCA, bottle palm) |
| Spineless yucca | Yucca gigantea (syn. Y. elephantipes) | Compact in a container | Full sun to part shade | Toxic (ASPCA) |
| Areca palm | Dypsis lutescens | Large clumping palm | Bright location, high humidity | Non-toxic (ASPCA) |
| Umbrella tree | Schefflera actinophylla | Large shrub or small tree | Bright, sunny spot; high humidity | Toxic (ASPCA) |
Large plants for medium light
These suit a spot a few feet back from an east or west window, or near a north window.
| Plant | Botanical name | Size indoors | Light | Cats and dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber plant | Ficus elastica | 0.6–3 m (2–10 ft) with training | Partial shade | Toxic (NC State) |
| Weeping fig | Ficus benjamina | 0.6–3 m (2–10 ft) | Bright, indirect; survives shade | Toxic (ASPCA) |
| Banana leaf fig | Ficus maclellandii (‘Alii’) | 1.8–3 m (6–10 ft) | Bright, indirect | NC State: contact dermatitis |
| Monstera | Monstera deliciosa | 1.8–2.4 m (6–8 ft) | Moderate brightness, no direct sun | Toxic (ASPCA) |
| Tree philodendron (selloum) | Philodendron bipinnatifidum | 1.2–3 m (4–10 ft) tall, 1.8–3 m (6–10 ft) wide | High light preferred; tolerates low | Toxic (ASPCA, split-leaf philodendron) |
| Money tree | Pachira aquatica | 1.8–2.4 m (6–8 ft) | Indirect; direct sun scorches | Non-toxic (ASPCA) |
| Dumbcane | Dieffenbachia seguine | 0.9–2.4 m (3–8 ft) | Partial shade; Missouri: medium light prevents lower leaf loss | Toxic; NC State rates severity high |
Large plants for low light
The most shade-tolerant big plants. They still grow faster and fuller with more light.
| Plant | Botanical name | Size indoors | Light | Cats and dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentia palm | Howea forsteriana | Slow-growing large palm | ”Requires little light” (NC State) | Non-toxic (ASPCA) |
| Lady palm | Rhapis excelsa | 1.2–3.7 m (4–12 ft); slow | Withstands deep shade (NC State) | Non-toxic (ASPCA) |
| Corn plant | Dracaena fragrans | 0.9–4.4 m (3–14.5 ft); slow | Tolerates low light (Missouri) | Toxic (ASPCA) |
| Madagascar dragon tree | Dracaena marginata (NC State: D. reflexa var. angustifolia) | 1.8 m+ (6 ft+); slow | Bright, indirect is ideal; NC State lists dappled light to deep shade | Toxic (ASPCA) |
For floor-level spots that are dimmer still, see our low light houseplants guide, which includes the 60 cm–2.3 m parlor palm.
Pet-safe large plants
The ASPCA lists these as non-toxic to dogs and cats:
- Areca palm: bright light, high humidity.
- Kentia palm: low light.
- Lady palm: deep shade.
- Parlor palm: low light; up to 2.3 m (7.5 ft).
- Ponytail palm (listed as bottle palm): sunny window.
- Money tree: indirect light.
Notes on the popular choices
Fiddle-leaf fig. A tree from western and central Africa that reaches 18–30 m in the wild but 0.6–3 m indoors. It rarely flowers or fruits as a houseplant. Its milky sap can irritate skin. NC State lists scale, aphids, mealybugs, thrips and spider mites as pests to monitor, and notes leaf scorch can occur in too much direct sun. See our fiddle-leaf fig care guide.
Rubber plant and weeping fig. NC State says weeping fig is very sensitive to light. If moved, it may drop its leaves and grow new ones suited to the new light. Water it just often enough to keep the soil from drying out completely. Missouri Extension says ficus grow best in medium light, and low light may cause leaf drop. See our rubber plant care guide.
Bird of paradise. NC State recommends a well-lit, sunny spot, fertile well-drained soil, free watering and regular feeding in spring and summer, drier soil in winter, and nights of 13–18 °C (55–65 °F). See our bird of paradise care guide.
Monstera. Needs a sturdy support so the stems do not break, moderate brightness without direct sun, and high humidity. Let the top quarter to third of the soil dry before watering. See the monstera hub.
Ponytail palm. Not a palm but a slow-growing succulent from Mexico. NC State notes it prefers dry winters and copes with indoor heated air that many houseplants dislike. Use a cactus mix and a sunny window. It is hardy only to 10 °C (50 °F).
Areca palm. A clumping palm from Madagascar. NC State recommends a bright location, a warm to average room, high humidity, and well-drained soil kept moist but not soggy in the growing season.
Dracaenas. Corn plant and Madagascar dragon tree grow slowly and tolerate low light. NC State notes the leaves of corn plant narrow if light is too low and burn in direct sun, and that dracaenas are sensitive to fluoride, which discolours leaf tips.
Before you buy a large plant
- Check the ceiling and spread, not just the height. Tree philodendron and lady palm grow wide.
- Plan the pot and saucer. A large pot of wet soil is heavy; a wheeled plant stand makes rotating and cleaning easier.
- Avoid moving it once placed, especially ficus.
- Rotate it a quarter turn every few weeks so it grows evenly toward the light.
- Repot only when root-bound. A much larger pot holds water the roots cannot use.
For how much light each spot gets, use our houseplant light requirements chart. If no spot is bright enough, see our grow lights for monstera, alocasia and pothos for a floor-plant setup.
References
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Ficus lyrata, Ficus elastica, Ficus benjamina, Ficus maclellandii, Strelitzia reginae, Strelitzia nicolai, Monstera deliciosa, Philodendron bipinnatifidum, Dracaena fragrans, Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia, Yucca gigantea, Dypsis lutescens, Howea forsteriana, Rhapis excelsa, Beaucarnea recurvata, Pachira aquatica, Schefflera actinophylla, Dieffenbachia seguine
- University of Missouri Extension, D. H. Trinklein (rev. 2016): Lighting Indoor Houseplants, G6515
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Toxic and non-toxic plant list