Big Plants, Big Impact
Posted by Jessie Jacobson on Feb 26th 2024
Floor Plants for Your Home
Plants are an essential fixture in every room in the home both for their beauty and architectural interest. For many, plants are an essential part of their home's decor - just as important as art, furniture, and fixtures.
Bringing large plants into the home can be a bit overwhelming. They are big and bulky, hard to transport, and hard to repot. Guess what? Tonkadale is here to help! Not only do we have the knowledge to help you select the best plant for your place, but we can take of the repotting, and delivery right to your door!
Top 5 Tips
1. Most large specimen plants do need bright light to thrive. Place in a bright window with a huge view of the sky for best results. ZZ, Sansevieria, Pothos, and trailing philodendrons do tolerate low light conditions.
2. Without as many choices in low light conditions, you can elevate plants on a plant stand, small table, or stool for bigger impact.
3. Get your watering routine down! In general, larger plants will need watering less often, but will need more water with each hydration event. Water well when its time, then allow to dry down several inches.
4. Wipe your leaves! Take the time to wipe the tops and bottoms of leaves with a damp cloth at least once per month. This will prevent dust build up and also interrupt any pest populations from taking hold. Use leafshine to keep your plants looking their best!
5. Pounce on Pests. Inspect leaves, cracks, and crevasses when watering and caring for large plants. If you see something, spray something! J/K. Jump on pest treatment as soon as you can. Easy treatment options to grab for that are also safe for organic gardening include Bonide's Insecticidal Soap and We the Wild's Protect Spray with Neem.
Top 8 Floor Plants
Bird of Paradise
This statement floor plant is popular for its large, attractive leaves and vase shaped form. Each new leaf unfurls from the base of the plant showcasing gorgeous blue-green foliage.
light
Grow in bright to bright, indirect light indoors and bright, filtered light or morning sun outdoors in the spring and summer months. Direct sun may burn the leaves.
soil
Plant in a well-draining, all-purpose potting soil rich in organic matter.
water
Keep consistently moist, but not water-logged during periods of active growth. In fall and winter, let soil dry slightly between waterings to avoid root rot. BOPS love humidity. Increase humidity by adding a humidifier.
fertilizer
Fertilize weekly with an all-purpose, indoor plant fertilizer during periods of active growth.
tips and troubleshooting
Bird of Paradise don’t normally bloom when grown indoors unless conditions are perfect. Wipe foliage with damp cloth to keep them clean. Inspect both sides of leaves each time you water for signs of insect populations.
Learn more
Blog Post: Bird of Paradise
Ficus Audrey
This statement floor plant is popular for its large, attractive leaves and vase shaped form. Each new leaf unfurls from the base of the plant showcasing gorgeous blue-green foliage.
light
Ficus like bright, indirect light, but may do well in medium light or an Eastern exposure. Outdoors, place in indirect light to avoid leaf burn.
soil
Plant in an all-purpose potting soil. Repotting will encourage Ficus to grow larger. To keep size in check only repot every other year.
water
Water when the top several inches of soil are dry. Under-watering causes new leaves to drop while over-watering causes mature leaves to brown; first at the edges and then all the way through. An even watering schedule is ideal.
fertilizer
Feed weekly during periods of active growth; spring and summer.
tips and troubleshooting
Ficus altissima has beautiful yellow and lime green variegated leaves while Ficus Audrey has sage-green, fuzzy leaves.
learn more
Fiddle Leaf Fig
These big, showy plants are making quite the scene in style blogs and magazines. Perfect for big windows, bright corners as the anchor of any room. Gorgeous, but also prone to diva behavior, but practice makes perfect.
light
Ficus like bright to bright, indirect light. Place directly in a southern or western facing window.
soil
Plant in a well-draining, all-purpose potting soil rich in organic matter.
water
Water when the top few inches of soil are dry. Under-watering causes new leaves to drop while over-watering causes mature leaves to brown - first at the edges and then all the way through. An even watering schedule is ideal.
fertilizer
Fertilize weekly with an all-purpose, indoor plant fertilizer during periods of active growth.
tips and troubleshooting
Re-potting encourages new growth. Prune at a node to increase fullness or control growth. Treat with a fungicide and move to brighter light at the sight of browning on the leaves. Wipe foliage with a damp cloth to keep them clean. Inspect both sides of leaves each time you water for signs of insect populations.
learn more
Monstera
Monsteras are relatively easy, fast-growing, and forgiving indoor plants. They are best known for their beautiful leaf shapes that become fenestrated as they mature.
light
Monsteras prefer bright, indirect to medium light. Direct sun may burn the leaves.
soil
Plant in a well-draining, all-purpose potting soil rich in organic matter.
water
Water thoroughly when the top few inches of the soil are dry.
fertilizer
Fertilize weekly with an all-purpose, indoor plant fertilizer.
tips and troubleshooting
Monsteras love humidity. Higher humidity leads to larger leaves and big fenestrations. Plant with the support of a moss pole for best growth potential. With so mnay varieties to choose from, its hard to pick just one.
learn more
Palms
Palms are majestic specimen plants that add a tropical touch to any setting. Many varieties grow to be quite tall and wide so plan accordingly. True palms are also pet safe.
light
Palms like bright, indirect light. A full Eastern exposure or filtered light facing South is ideal indoors. Palms can take half day sun when planted outdoors.
soil
Plant in a well-draining, all-purpose potting soil rich in organic matter.
water
Keep palms evenly moist. Water when the top 2 inches of soil have dried out. Do not let them dry all the way out or sit in saturated soil.
fertilizer
Fertilize weekly with an all-purpose, indoor plant fertilizer during periods of active growth. Use a slow release palm specific fertilizer 3-4 times per year for easy use.
tips and troubleshooting
Place Palms outdoors in the summer for a tropical feel. They will love the heat and humidity of the summer and reward you with massive growth. Check for pests often. Spider mites are common on Palms.
learn more
Philodendron
Philodendron are part of a large and varied group of plants. Vining, upright, and climbing varieties are all quite popular.
light
Philodendron grow vigorously in bright or medium light. Some varieties tolerate low light, but color may dull or variegation may fade.
soil
This Aroid likes a well-drained, all-purpose potting soil with added bark and perlite. Combine 1 part all-purpose potting soil, 1 part orchid bark, 1 part perlite, 1/2 part charcoal, 1/2 part worm castings.
water
Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. Cut back on watering in the winter to avoid root rot. Do not allow to completely dry out.
fertilizer
Fertilize every 2 weeks during active growth. Cut fertilizer strength and frequency in half October - March.
tips and troubleshooting
As a member of the Aroid plant family, Philodendron exhibit many classic features such as spathe like flowers and easy care.
learn more
Rubber Tree
As member of the Ficus family, Rubber Plants are easy to grow. They can live for years and can grow to the size of small trees.
light
Rubber Trees prefer bright light indoors and indirect light outdoors. Too much sun will result in scorchd or bleached spots. Too little light and the plants will begin to stretch.
soil
Sharply or well-draining potting soil is a must! Plant in all-purpose potting soil with added perlite and bark for drainage.
water
Easy on the water! Water and drain thoroughly, then let soil dry completely between waterings.
fertilizer
During active growth fertilize every other week with an all-purpose fertilizer. Stop fertilizing during the winter.
tips and troubleshooting
Rubber tree stems contain a milky-white, latex sap. Take caution, sap can stain surfaces and irritate skin.
learn more
Schefflera Amate
Schefflera have long enjoyed popularity as an indoor plant dating back to Victorian Era.
light
Place in bright, indirect light. Tolerates medium light.
soil
Plant in an all-purpose potting soil.
water
Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. Cut back on watering in the winter to avoid root rot. Do not allow to completely dry out.
fertilizer
Schefflera are heavy feeders. Fertilize once per week with an all-purpose fertilizer during active growth, monthly during fall and winter.
tips and troubleshooting
Schefflera do not like cool drafts or blasts of hot air. Keep them happy with a consistent air temperature.
learn more
ZZ
If low maintenance plants are just your style then this tough plant is the one for you.
Whether you’re a busy jet setter or just busy enough, this structural, upright plant will
keep your growing style looking good without fuss and muss.
light
ZZ does great in low light, and even does well under florescent office lights. Just about any corner of the home or office will suffice.
soil
Plant in an all-purpose potting soil, or you can use a cactus and succulent specific mix if you are prone to overwatering,
water
Water when the top couple inches of soil is dry. If you forget, or go on vacation, no worries! ZZ can handle a coupld weeks without water and can even survive a drought period. The plant will drop leaves to conserve moisture, so if this happens just give it a good drink and it will likely nrecover.
fertilizer
Fertilize once per month during active growth with an all-purpose potting soil.
tips and troubleshooting
ZZ plants like to be root bound. No need to repot until roots are nice and tight in the pot.