Add a Touch of Nature: 15 Foliage Plants for Your Home

Daffodils, trailing greens, and orchids make charming additions to windowsills and shelves. But do you ever feel like your space still needs something... more? If you're craving a bolder, lusher vibe, a foliage plant is the answer. With their striking foliage and undeniable presence, these leafy plants effortlessly fill empty corners, turning any room into a vibrant oasis. 

Ready to make a statement? Here are 15 big leaf plants to bring a touch of the jungle into your home. Let’s dive in!

1. Monstera Deliciosa 

The Monstera Deliciosa is a popular plant known for its large, fenestrated leaves. Native to the tropical forests of Central America, it can grow 3 - 15 feet tall. This low-maintenance plant prefers bright, indirect light and requires minimal care, making it a great choice for beginners. Occasional pruning and wiping its leaves will keep it looking vibrant. 

Pet-Friendly: No

2. Calathea Orbifolia

Calathea orbifolia is prized for its large, round leaves adorned with silvery stripes. Reaching 2-3 feet in height, this graceful plant prefers the dappled light and gentle humidity of bathrooms or kitchens. For optimal care, offer it the purity of filtered water, complemented by regular misting to maintain its lush vitality.

Pet-Friendly: Yes

3. Elephant Ear Plant

With its striking, oversized leaves resembling elephant ears, the Elephant Ear Plant can reach 3 - 6 feet in height, depending on the variety. It does well in high humidity and indirect light, making it perfect for bathrooms or warm indoor spaces. Keep the soil damp but not soggy, and occasionally fertilize during the growing season to encourage lush foliage.

Pet-Friendly: No

4. Bird of Paradise

Native to South Africa, the Bird of Paradise can reach 3.5 to 6 feet tall indoors. It thrives in bright light and requires regular watering to maintain health and striking foliage. With proper care, it may even produce striking orange and blue flowers that resemble a bird in flight.

Pet-Friendly: No

5. Prayer Plant

The Prayer Plant gets its name from its leaves, which fold up at night like praying hands. Growing 1-2 feet tall, it features vibrant green leaves with bold red veins. It loves medium to bright, indirect light and consistently moist soil. While it enjoys humidity, it adapts well to most homes. Its unique nightly movement adds a captivating touch to any space.

Pet-Friendly: Yes

6. Fiddle Leaf Fig 

The Fiddle Leaf Fig is admired for its broad, violin-shaped leaves that add a bold, vibrant touch to your room. It grows 6 - 10 feet tall. This plant needs bright, filtered light and consistent watering to flourish. It is slightly finicky about its environment, so ensure it is placed in a stable spot with no sudden temperature changes or drafts. 

Pet-Friendly: No

7. Rubber Tree

The Rubber Tree has thick, glossy leaves that range from deep green to burgundy. Indoors, it usually grows 6 - 10 feet tall, bringing a lush, tropical vibe. It’s pretty low-maintenance—just give it medium to bright light and water when the soil dries out. Well-draining soil works best, and an occasional trim helps it stay full and shapely. 

Pet-Friendly: No

8. Umbrella Plant

The Umbrella Plant charms with its glossy, hand-shaped leaves that radiate from a central stem like a vibrant green canopy. Adaptable and forgiving, it grows 4-6 feet tall indoors, thriving in bright, indirect light (though it tolerates medium light). Water when the top inch of soil dries out, and use well-draining soil to prevent soggy roots.

Pet-Friendly: No

9. Cast Iron Plant 

True to its name, the Cast-Iron Plant is one of the toughest large leaf house plants you can own. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall indoors, with long, deep green, strap-like leaves. This plant can tolerate low light and withstand neglect, including infrequent watering and poor soil conditions. The Cast-Iron Plant is nearly indestructible and ideal for low-maintenance plant lovers.

Pet-Friendly: Yes

10. Banana Tree

When grown as a houseplant, a banana tree usually reaches between 6 and 10 feet tall, depending on the variety and how well it's cared for. It can grow in bright, indirect light to full sun and needs regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist—but not waterlogged. For best results, maintain high humidity and feed it occasionally with a balanced fertilizer.

Pet-Friendly: Yes

11. Peace Lily

The Peace Lily enchants with its elegant, dark green leaves and graceful white blooms. Reaching 1 to 4 feet tall indoors, this plant adapts well to low to medium light, though it flowers best with bright, indirect light. Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy), and it will reward you with lush foliage and occasional blooms.

Pet-Friendly: No

12. African Mask Plant

The African Mask Plant enchants with its striking, arrow-shaped leaves, deep green tones, and delicate silvery-white veins. It typically reaches 1 to 2 feet in height, making it an ideal addition to tabletops or shelves. This tropical beauty loves bright, indirect light and requires consistently moist soil, though it should never be waterlogged. For optimal growth, it also enjoys high humidity.

Pet-Friendly: No

13. Majesty Palm

The Majesty Palm boasts elegant, feathery fronds that arch gracefully from slender trunks. Growing 6 to 10 feet tall in containers, it makes a striking statement in bright spaces. It prefers bright, indirect light but can adjust to medium light. Keep the soil consistently moist (without letting it sit in water) and mist regularly to maintain the humidity it needs.

Pet-Friendly: Yes

14. Snake Plant

The Snake Plant stands out with its tall, sword-like leaves in striking patterns of green and yellow. Reaching 2 to 4 feet indoors, this hardy plant thrives in nearly any light condition - from low light to direct sun. It needs water only when the soil completely dries out, making it perfect for forgetful plant owners.

Pet-Friendly: No

15. Dumb Cane

Dumb Cane is an attractive foliage plant with large, variegated green and cream leaves. It typically grows 3 to 5 feet indoors, making it a great medium-sized plant for homes and offices. It thrives in medium to bright indirect light and prefers evenly moist soil, though it can tolerate occasional drying out.

Pet-Friendly: No

Safety Tips

While these large leaf plants are undeniably beautiful, many are toxic. Their lush foliage may intrigue children and pets, but contact with or ingestion of the sap can cause painful irritation, swelling, or digestive distress. To ensure safety, research a plant’s toxicity before bringing it into your home or garden. If necessary, keep poisonous plants out of reach or opt for non-toxic varieties.