Best picks by light
- Brightest spot (south or west window): Fiddle leaf fig, bird of paradise, olive tree
- Medium to bright indirect: Rubber plant, monstera deliciosa, schefflera
- Low to medium: Dracaena marginata, corn plant, kentia palm
- Most forgiving overall: Rubber plant, monstera, schefflera, dracaena
- Most dramatic and fussy: Fiddle leaf fig, bird of paradise
High light indoor trees (south or west window)
Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
The most coveted and most demanding large indoor plant of the past decade. The fiddle leaf fig has enormous, violin-shaped dark green leaves and can grow into a stunning statement tree 6 to 8 feet tall indoors. It needs the brightest possible spot, a south or west window with 6 or more hours of bright indirect light, and dislikes being moved once it has settled.
The most common mistakes: moving it (even rotating it frequently causes leaf drop), placing it near heating vents or drafty windows, inconsistent watering, and overwatering. Brown spots on leaves signal different problems depending on location. Spots at the edges indicate underwatering or cold air; dark spots spreading from the center with a yellow halo indicate bacterial infection, which can be severe and has no cure once established.
Toxic to cats, dogs, and humans due to latex sap. For the full care walkthrough, see our fiddle leaf fig care guide.
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae and S. nicolai)
Two species are sold as indoor bird of paradise. Strelitzia reginae, the orange-flowered one, stays compact at 3 to 5 feet and can bloom indoors in the brightest conditions. Strelitzia nicolai, the white bird of paradise, grows much larger and can reach 5 to 7 feet indoors, with enormous paddle-shaped leaves that naturally split at the edges. This splitting is normal growth and not damage.
Both species need intense bright light and are drought tolerant once established, preferring soil to dry out between waterings. They are slow to establish and slow to grow, but very long-lived. Non-toxic to humans; mildly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Bird of paradise rarely blooms indoors outside of very sunny climates.
Olive Tree (Olea europaea)
Indoor olive trees are ornamental trees with a sculptural, silver-gray appearance that works beautifully in modern interiors. They need the maximum light possible indoors: a south-facing window with direct sun for several hours per day is ideal. In lower light they survive but grow spindly and may drop leaves.
Drought tolerant once established; water deeply and then let the soil dry substantially before watering again. Good airflow reduces the chance of fungal disease. Olive trees will not produce meaningful fruit indoors but are beautiful architectural plants that tolerate the low humidity of most homes. Non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Medium to bright indirect light indoor trees
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
The most beginner-friendly large houseplant. Rubber plants tolerate a range of light from low to bright indirect, adapt well once established, and can grow into dramatic trees with glossy, paddle-shaped leaves in deep green, burgundy, or variegated forms. Burgundy and Tineke (cream and green) varieties are especially popular.
Like all Ficus species, rubber plants dislike being moved and may drop leaves when relocated. Once in a stable spot, they are low-maintenance. Toxic to cats, dogs, and humans due to latex sap. For full care details, see our rubber plant care guide.
Monstera Deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)
Monstera is one of the most popular large tropical houseplants for good reason: it is dramatic, grows readily in medium to bright indirect light, tolerates some neglect, and produces its iconic perforated and split leaves in good conditions. Young plants have solid leaves; the characteristic holes (fenestrations) develop as the plant matures and gets adequate light.
In bright indirect light, monstera grows vigorously and can reach 4 to 6 feet wide indoors with leaves up to 2 feet across. It climbs in its natural habitat using aerial roots, and a moss pole or stake lets it grow taller and produces larger leaves. Toxic to cats and dogs. Water every 1 to 2 weeks, letting the top inch of soil dry between waterings.
Schefflera / Umbrella Tree (Schefflera actinophylla and S. arboricola)
Schefflera grows into a bushy upright tree with whorls of glossy, oval leaflets radiating from each stem like umbrella spokes. It adapts to medium light better than most large indoor plants and tolerates irregular watering. In good conditions it grows quickly. Toxic to cats and dogs.
Schefflera arboricola, the dwarf umbrella tree, stays smaller at 3 to 5 feet and is even more adaptable to lower light. Actinophylla can reach 6 to 8 feet indoors. Both are low-maintenance compared to the fiddle leaf fig or bird of paradise.
Low to medium light indoor trees
Dracaena (various species)
Dracaenas are a large family with several varieties sold as statement plants. Dracaena marginata (dragon tree) has slender trunks and long, narrow striped leaves with red edges. Dracaena fragrans (corn plant) has wide, arching leaves similar to corn. Both tolerate low light and are very forgiving of irregular watering.
Toxic to cats and dogs. Particularly sensitive to fluoride in tap water, which causes brown leaf tips; switch to filtered or distilled water if tips brown consistently. Among the most low-maintenance large indoor plants available.
Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana)
One of the best indoor palms for lower light conditions. Kentia palm grows slowly but elegantly, producing long arching fronds in a graceful fan shape. It tolerates shade better than most palms and is more cold-tolerant. Non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Slow growth means it is often sold at a substantial size and priced accordingly. It is long-lived and rarely needs repotting. Water when the top third of the soil is dry. Avoid direct sun, which scorches the fronds.
Comparison table
| Plant | Light needed | Max indoor height | Pet safe? | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiddle leaf fig | Bright indirect (6+ hrs) | 6 to 10 ft | No | Difficult |
| Bird of paradise | Bright (some direct) | 5 to 7 ft | Mildly toxic | Moderate |
| Olive tree | Direct sun (south window) | 4 to 6 ft | Yes | Easy if bright |
| Rubber plant | Low to bright indirect | 6 to 10 ft | No | Easy |
| Monstera deliciosa | Medium to bright indirect | 5 to 8 ft | No | Easy |
| Schefflera | Medium to bright indirect | 5 to 8 ft | No | Easy |
| Dracaena marginata | Low to medium | 4 to 6 ft | No | Very easy |
| Corn plant (D. fragrans) | Low to medium | 4 to 6 ft | No | Very easy |
| Kentia palm | Low to medium indirect | 6 to 8 ft | Yes | Easy |
Tips for growing large indoor plants
Use the right pot size
Large plants in pots that are too big for their root system are prone to root rot because excess wet soil has no roots absorbing moisture. Go up in pot size gradually, typically 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter per repotting, rather than jumping to a very large pot hoping the plant will grow into it.
Stake or support tall plants
Monstera, fiddle leaf fig, and schefflera can become top-heavy as they grow. A stake, moss pole, or bamboo cane keeps stems upright and prevents the plant from leaning or toppling. For monstera, a moss pole also encourages larger leaf fenestrations because the plant can climb as it does naturally.
Wipe the leaves
Large-leafed plants accumulate dust, which blocks light and reduces photosynthesis efficiency. Wipe leaves monthly with a slightly damp cloth. Never use leaf-shine products, which clog leaf pores. Wiping the leaves also gives you a chance to spot pests early when they are easier to treat.
Patience with establishment
Most large indoor plants drop some leaves when moved to a new environment and spend their first season establishing their root system rather than producing visible new growth. Do not over-fertilize or over-water a newly acquired plant trying to push growth. Give it a stable spot with appropriate light and consistent watering and wait for it to settle.