Large, exotic leaves are ideal for indoor settings because they are found in tropical plants. Indoors, big-leafed tropical plants thrive. Tropical foliage plants, such as philodendron, monstera, fiddle leaf fig, and dumb cane plants, for example, bring the tropics to a room. Also, adding red, purple, orange, or white leaves to colorful exotic plants can transform a room’s interior.
Growing tropical houseplants thrives in average household temperature and humidity, which is wonderful. It is feasible to cultivate tropical plants indoors in temperate areas, but not outdoors. Some of the greatest large-leafed tropical houseplants are listed in this article. You’ll discover something to fit your home’s interior on this list if you’re interested in growing exotic foliage plants indoors.
About Exotic Tropical Foliage Plants with Large Leaves
Exotic leafy plants that thrive in tropical or subtropical rainforests are known as exotic tropical, big-leafed houseplants. In USDA zones 10 through 12, most tropical foliage plants flourish outdoors. In dappled light and relatively humid settings such as jungles or the tropics, large leaf tropical plants flourish.
Cold conditions are not compatible with tropical plants. Tropical plants are typically adaptable when it comes to indoor cultivation. This implies that you may grow exotic plants in any climate, even your own. Average room temperatures and a humidity level of at least 40% are usually adequate for most indoor tropical plants.
Large leaf tropical plants’ exotic foliage is one of their most distinguishing characteristics. Any room can be focalized by the massive green or colorful leaves. In a bright room, the big leaves may make a strong impression by filling out a corner. Hanging baskets may be filled with some vining tropical houseplants, which has a tropical vertical accent thanks to its trailing stems.
Where to Place Plants with Large Leaves
Most rooms of the house are filled with exotic huge houseplants with huge tropical leaves. Generally, placing in your home away from direct sunlight is recommended. Therefore, it’s a good idea to determine how much light the tropical foliage plant needs.
Some tropical plants prefer bright indirect light, whereas shade-loving exotic varieties prefer it. Where to put tropical houseplants is determined by their height and spread. On a desktop or near a window, for example, a small potted philodendron will thrive. However, a big, big-leafed Swiss cheese plant may need to be allowed to grow on the floor for a long time.
Tall tropical houseplants are ideal for highlighting in a bright corner. A 6 foot (1.8 meter) tall fiddle-leaf fig, for example, may include the bird of paradise (Strelitzia), dumb cane plants, and other flora. Nonetheless, African mask plants are optimum since they don’t grow particularly tall when you don’t have a lot of space to develop a tropical plant with huge exotic leaves.
The Best Tropical Foliage Plants with Large Leaves (with Picture and Identification)
Let’s take a closer look at the excellent tropical, large leaf foliage plants that may be cultivated indoors for maximum impact and to furnish your space with a tropical feel.
Large-Leaved Philodendron
Philodendron plants have huge tropical heart-shaped, oval, or lance-shaped leaves that are well-known. Trailing vines with huge deeply-lobed leaves are seen in many Philodendron species. You may cultivate Philodendron in hanging baskets to allow tropical vines dangle, or you may grow them up a moss pole to create a towering statement.
Green tropical leaves are just part of the Philodendron plant. Green and orange leaves are found on several Philodendron cultivars, such as the ‘Prince of Orange.’ The spectacular glossy green waxy heart-shaped leaves of the uncommon Philodendron Gloriosum are adorned with prominent cream white veins.
Exotic philodendron plants, such as this one, are worth considering for indoor cultivation:
- Philodendron Xanadu—The huge, evergreen leathery leaves of the tropical Philodendron Xanadu plant may be up to 15 inches (40 cm) long. The deep lobes that run the length of these unusual glossy green leaves give them a finger-like appearance.
- Philodendron ‘Congo Rojo’—Large lustrous tropical leaves that are deep burgundy to dark green make up this philodendron cultivar.
- Philodendron Pink Princess—The philodendron is a tropical houseplant with huge colorful foreign leaves in ponk and green.
Exotic Tropical Foliage Alocasia Plants
Exotic, broad leaves with a heart or spearhead shape are characteristic of Alocasia plants. Leaves up to 3 or 4 feet (1.2 meters) long may be seen on some of the larger Alocasia species. The triangular pointed leaves of many potted houseplant Alocasia cultivars are approximately 18″ (45 cm) long.
African Mask Plant, Elephant Ears Plant, Alocasia Leopard, and Alocasia zebrina are just a few of the names for Alocasia plants. The plant’s exotic leaves or stems are frequently referred to by these common names.
Here are a few indoor cultivars of strange Alocasia plants with huge leaves:
- Alocasia amazonica—Because of the form of the tropical leaves, this Alocasia is commonly referred to as the African Mask plant. With deep lobbing, the arrow-shaped glossy leaves have broad prominent veins and wavy margins. The Alocasia amazonica cultivar ‘Polly’ has a compact growth and is suitable for indoor cultivation.
- Alocasia micholitziana ‘Frydek’—The triangular, velvety green leaves of the Alocasia Frydek cultivar have striking white veins that give it an exotic appearance. Alocasia amazonica leaves are glossy, but alocasia ‘Frydek’ leaves are matte and velvety, earning it the nickname Green Velvet plant.
Monstera – Exotic Large Leafed Indoor Plant
Monstera plants are large leathery green leaves with lobed and split leaves that grow in the tropics. The popular name for some Monstera plants is Swiss-cheese plant, since they develop holes in the leaves. On climbing vines, big monstera leaves develop.
Between 10″ and 51″ (25 – 130 cm) long and broad, the huge tropical leaves range from 25″ to 75″. The leaves of all types of tropical Monstera houseplants are not as big. Two of the most well-liked monstera types you can cultivate at home are as follows:
- Monstera Adansonii—The tropical foliage plant Monstera is distinguished by its large exotic oval leaves with round holes. The monkey face plant is another name for the Monstera Adansonii.
- Monstera Deliciosa (Swiss cheese plant)—Big glossy heart-shaped leaves with deep splits along the leaf margins make the Monstera deliciosa a popular houseplant.
Because of its rare white and green variegated foliage, the Monstera Albo Variegata is one of the world’s most expensive houseplants.
Colorful Ti Plants (Cordyline fruticosa)
Various shades of red, maroon, and magenta leaves are available in Ti Plant (Cordyline fruticosa) cultivars. Ti plants, thanks to their stunning large red or pink lanceolate leaves, add vibrant and exotic beauty to any space from left to right.
Ti plants have fiery-looking spiky foliage that grows in a rosette shape and can grow to be 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 meters) tall indoors. Grow Ti plants in bright light, with a few hours of full sun daily, to enjoy the spectacular multicolored red and green exotic foliage known as Rubra Cordyline (Cordyline fruticosa ‘Rubra’), Cordyline fruticosa ‘Firebrand,’ and Cordyline fruticosa ‘Lilinoe.’
Tropical Bromeliad Houseplants (Bromeliaceae)
Bromeliad exotic plants thrive indoors, giving your house a vibrant tropical appearance. Large, broad, pointed green leaves with a tight rosette form grow on many plants in the family Bromeliaceae.
The crimson, maroon, white, gold, or yellow leaves of certain bromeliads are a striking characteristic. In low-light situations, bromeliad plants thrive. Because of their need for high humidity, they are ideal exotic bathroom plants.
Caladium – Plants with Exotic Colorful Leaves
Caladium plants feature stunning bright leaves that make them seem cool and exotic. Heart-shaped (cordate) leaves or strap leaves characterize exotic caladiums. Brilliant red, deep pink, pure white, or luscious green are some of the showy multicolored leaves that may be seen.
Caladium bicolor cultivars account for the majority of tropical caladiums. The striking colorful designs of the unusual foliage have made it famous. Deep green caladium leaves have crimson or pink streaks that seem to seep into the leaf, and they are heart-shaped.
Large white, virtually transparent leaves with green edges are characteristic of other caladium cultivars. Caladium ‘Florida Sweetheart’, Caladium ‘Red Flash’, Caladium Lindenii, Caladium ‘Bombshell’ and Caladium ‘Carolyn Whorton’ are all beautiful caladium cultivars with broad colorful leaves.
Fiddle-Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
Fiddle-leaf figs have a tall central stem and large oval, glossy leaves. At the widest section, the thick, attractive tropical leaves reach 18″ (45 cm) long and 12″ (30 cm) broad. It’s crucial to provide this fussing houseplant sufficient sunlight and avoid transferring it excessively in order to encourage healthy development. Fiddle-leaf figs reach a height of 10 feet (3 meters) as a tall tropical indoor plant.
Since it’s a slow-growing indoor tree, you don’t have to be concerned about it taking over your room. The shiny leaves of the fiddle-leaf fig have an peculiar form. The lyre-shaped leaves have a wide end part and a narrow center, as opposed to obovate or oblong leaves. The violin or fiddle shape of the fig leaves resembles.
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) – Banana-Like Plants With Exotic Flowers
The Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) is a magnificent tropical foliage plant with massive leaves that resemble banana plant leaves. The flowers, which resemble a bird’s head and arching green leaves, are among the appealing aspects of the tall and unusual flowering Bird of paradise.
Give this tall plant enough indirect light and full sun to grow to its full potential. In a bright corner of a room or conservatory, Bird of Paradise plants are perfect. Tropical Strelitzia plants grow up to 5 feet (2.1 meters) tall and broad indoors. Look for a variegated bird of paradise plant to brighten up your tropical garden.
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
Dumb cane is a green and creamy-yellow variegated oval leaf indoor plant that grows to be tall. Dieffenbachia varieties are available, and the majority of them are suitable for growing indoors in low-light situations such as bedrooms. The leaves of the dumb cane may reach 20 inches (47 cm) in length and 10 inches (25 cm).
A central straight cane supports the large rounded tropical leaves. Dumb cane plants are ideal for giving a dead corner some height and beauty. Leopard Lily is another name for dumb cane plants. Some cultivars feature leaves that are up to 24 inches (60 cm) broad and heavily variegated.
Dieffenbachia seguine, Dieffenbachia maculata, and Dieffenbachia amoena are some of the most attractive dieffenbachia species with large leaves.
Plants of the genus Deffenbachia Dieffenbachia maculata ‘Camille, Dieffenbachia maculata ‘Rudolph Roehrs,’ and Dieffenbachia amoena are clockwise from top left.
Umbrella Plant (Schefflera arboricola)
Umbrella plants have broad palmate leaves that enhance interiors with lush greenery and are popular tropical houseplants. The foliage of this jungle plant is arranged in the shape of an umbrella, giving it its name. On the ends of long stems, clusters of lustrous little leaves grow in a circle. Variegated umbrella plants with lovely cream and yellow leaves are also available.
Variegated schefflera arboricola grows quickly to a height of 4 to 8 feet (1.2 to 2.4 meters). To keep the leaves looking lush and healthy, place the potted plant in bright filtered sunlight.
Canna Lily (Canna indica) – Colorful Exotic Flowering Plants
Canna lilies are gorgeous green or variegated leafy tropical plants with colorful exotic flowers. Large leaf blades may reach a width of 8 inches (20 cm) and lengths of 12 inches (30 cm). The arching stems, which may reach 8 feet (2.5 meters) in height, support the tropical leaves.
Canna lilies produce clusters of gorgeous blooms that rise up from the huge pointed ovate leaves. indoor or outdoor canna lily plants have an exotic appeal thanks to their red, yellow, or orange blooms.
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) – Houseplants with Large Colorful Leaves
Among the tropical plants that thrive indoors are croton variegatum plants, which have some of the most colorful and exotic foliage. Red, green, yellow, orange, and brilliant yellow are some of the color combinations available in multicolored exotic croton plant leaves.
Plants with huge leaves that may be egg-shaped, oblong, lanceolate, or violin-shaped are also found among the hundred or so Codiaeum variegatum cultivars. Croton houseplants that grow indoors in the tropics seldom become taller than 3 feet (1 meter). In a contemporary interior, the huge leaves form dense clusters to make a bold statement.
Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus)
Persian shield is a rare houseplant with beautiful purple leaves and an iridescent sheen. It is known as Strobilanthes dyerianus. Lanceolate leaves, 7 inches long and 3 inches broad (18 x 7.5 cm), grow on the purple-leafed tropical plant.
Indoors, the densely growing leaves mature to a height of about 3 feet (1 meter) and breadth. The persian shield plant is also known as the royal purple plant due to its tropical purple foliage.
Red Aglaonema
Crop varieties of red aglaonema. Red aglaonema plants have stunning crimson leaves with splashes of green and grow from tropical environments in a clockwise sequence from top left: ‘Siam Aurora,’ ‘Lady Valentine,’ ‘Red Anjamani,’ and ‘Super Red Star.’
Heart-shaped or lance-shaped leaves characterize these red-leafed exotic plants. Variegated red or pink and green hues are seen in some of the most stunning cultivars. Between 4″ and 12″ (10 – 30 cm) long and 2″ and 4″ (5 – 10 cm) broad, the colorful red aglaonema leaves grow.
The tropical houseplant grows to be about 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 1 m) tall when grown indoors in pots. The ‘Siam Red,’ ‘Red Emerald,’ ‘Siam Aglaonema,’ and ‘Red Anjamani’ cultivars are among the most outstanding red-colored aglaonema tropical varieties available.
Heliconia
Heliconia is a genus of tropical rainforest plants that includes the Heliconia species. Large banana-like leaves grow between 6″ and 10 feet (15 cm – 3 m) tall on sturdy stems, and the tropical plants are distinguished by this. The flowers of Heliconia plants, which look like a bird’s beak, are another unusual characteristic.
In Florida and California, these giant leaf plants with scarlet or orange blooms thrive outside. You may, however, cultivate potted Heliconia plants indoors if you have enough space. Toucan beak, wild plantain, lobster claws, and false bird of paradise are some of the common names for Heliconia species.
Flowers may be orange, pink, red, or yellow in color insisting on the species.
Calathea — Tropical Plants with Large, Showy, Decorative Leaves
Calathea is a group of tropical plants with large green leaves and dazzling patterns. Patterns on the lance-shaped leaves are common names for calathea plants. Zebra plant, Pinstripe Calathea, Jungle Velvet Calathea, Medallion Calathea, Peacock plant, and Network plant are just a few of the varieties available.
Large tropical calathea leaves have a number of other fascinating features. Calathea leaves, for example, have purple undersides with green patterned top sides. Because its leaves fold up like hands in a prayer pose, Calathea plants are also known as prayer plants. Here are descriptions of great, showy leaves in tropical Calathea plants:
Jungle Velvet Calathea (Calathea warscewiczii)—Long tropical leaves with a velvety purple underside and green fishbone patterns on the top side make this exotic foliage plant a pleasure to grow.
Pinstripe Plant (Calathea ornata)—White pinstripe patterns on big leaf indoor plant with oblong tropical green leaves.
Calathea ‘Medallion’—The leaf-like green and lime-yellow patterns on the tropical Calathea Medallion plant are rounded oval leaves.
Peacock Plant (Calathea makoyana)—The lovely green patterned leaves that resemble a lovely peacock’s tail inspired the name for this calathea.
Network Plant (Calathea musaica)—The network-like patterns on the light green leaves of the Calathea musaica plant look like binary code.
Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica)
The rubber tree is a tropical plant with tough, leathery, glossy green leaves that grows in clusters. The leaves are up to 12 inches (30 cm) long and 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) broad. Indoors, the rubber tree thrives to provide a tropical feel to well-lit spaces. Potted rubber trees reach a height of 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters).
The cultivars of the Ficus elastica tree. Bordered on the left by burgundy, variegata, and shivereana