Plants with large green leaves are wonderful: they can be used to give a tropical touch to the house or garden, and they are also beautiful. However, they are usually demanding; Not in vain, most of them come from regions where the climate is warm throughout the year, and they have a hard time when temperatures drop below ten or fifteen degrees.
But don't worry because there are several species that, providing them with minimal care, will be precious.
Indoor
There are many green plants that can be indoors, but not all of them are as adaptable and easy to maintain as the ones you will see below:
Aspidistra (Aspidistra elatior)
Image - Flickr / Hornbeam Arts
La aspidistra It is a rhizomatous herb that reaches an approximate height of 60-70 centimeters. It has green and lanceolate leaves, which are about 40-50 centimeters long.. It is one of the most recommended for beginners, since it resists drought quite well, so it only has to be watered from time to time.
Climbing Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
image - Wikimedia / David J. Stang
El climbing philodendron It is a plant with large green leaves that, as its name suggests, is a climber. In its natural habitat it can exceed 10 meters in length, but indoors and in a pot it is very difficult for it to measure more than 3 meters. These leaves measure approximately 30 centimeters long by 20 centimeters wide, and are leathery.. So don't hesitate to put it, for example, in doorways and/or window arches, away from direct light.
Bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus)
If you like ferns, one of the favorites to have inside the house is the one known by the name of bird nest. Its leaves, called fronds, can measure up to 1 meter long, and are bright green.. It can live in low light conditions, but I recommend putting it in a place where there is a lot of light, since that way it will grow better. In addition, it must be sprayed with water daily if the ambient humidity is less than 50%.
Adam's Rib (Monstera delicious)
Image - Flickr / Maja Dumat
La Monstera delicious It is an epiphytic herbaceous plant that you can use either as a climber or as a pendant. In its natural habitat it is about 20 meters long, but indoors it rarely exceeds 2 meters. Its leaves are very large, between 90 centimeters long and 80 centimeters wide, and green. It therefore needs a lot of space, but also (indirect) light, as well as high humidity.
Elephant ear (Alocasia macrorrhizos)
Image - Wikimedia / David J. Stang
La elephant ear It is a herbaceous plant that can measure between 1 and 2 meters in height. It develops a stem from which the leaves emerge, which are petiolate and can measure up to 70 centimeters long. Therefore, it is a very interesting species to have in spacious rooms, as long as it is placed away from the window, since direct light causes damage. Likewise, it is important that it is watered regularly, and sprayed with water daily if the environmental humidity is low.
outdoor
If what you are interested in is knowing which are the best plants with large, green leaves that can be kept outdoors, whether in a garden, on a patio or on a terrace, take a look at the ones we recommend:
blue bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)
The blue bird of paradise, unlike the orange which is the most common (its scientific name is Strelitzia reginae in case you are curious), it is a plant that can easily measure 4-5 meters in height. It develops a thin stem about 20 centimeters thick, and large green leaves with a leathery texture that grow in only two directions.. These can measure about 60 centimeters long by about 30 centimeters wide.
The flower is blue, and larger than that of S. reginae, but you should know that it takes much longer to bloom, at least ten years. It tends to produce many pups, but you can remove them in the spring if you wish. Yes indeed, it must be in a sunny place and protected from strong winds and frost. It tolerates the cold without problems, as well as slight frosts of up to -3ºC.
Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
If you are interested in having a really nice tree with big green leaves, I definitely recommend the horse chestnut. Of course, it needs a lot of space, since it can measure 30 meters in height and develop a wide crown of 5-6 meters. But, I insist, it is wonderful. It has palmate leaves, up to 30 centimeters wide, and they are green, although in autumn they turn orange before falling.. As if that were not enough, its flowers are grouped in pyramidal panicles about 30 centimeters high, so they stand out a lot.
Perhaps the only drawback is that it does not resist drought. Besides, needs mild temperatures in spring and summer, and frost in winter. In fact, it is capable of withstanding up to -18ºC, but extreme heat causes damage.
giant guinea cane (Canna indica 'Musifolia')
Image - Flickr / edgeplot
The giant Indian cane, also called achira, is the variety of canna largest of the genus, since it can measure 4 meters in height while the other species do not exceed two meters. It is rhizomatous, and develops green leaves up to 50 centimeters long by 20 centimeters wide. It blooms throughout spring and summer, producing red flowers that are grouped in inflorescences.
It is a plant with large green leaves that must be placed in a sunny exposure, and which cannot lack water since it does not resist drought. It resists up to -3ºC.
Cika (Cycas revoluta)
Image - Flickr / brewbooks
La cat It is a slow-growing evergreen plant that can measure 6 to 7 meters in height. It develops a false trunk about 20 centimeters thick, and pinnate dark green leaves which are 1 meters long.. It is very curious, since it usually takes out a new crown of leaves every year or every few years.
It is a primitive plant, which lived with the dinosaurs, and has not changed much since then. So, it is interesting to put it in a place where it can stand out, always in full sun. In addition, you have to know that it resists frost down to -4ºC.
Chef (Schefflera arboricola)
Image - Wikimedia / David J. Stang
La Scheflera arboricola It is an evergreen shrub that grows between 3 and 6 meters high. It has palmate leaves composed of 7-9 green, green and yellow or green and white leaflets that can measure 20 centimeters long by 10 centimeters wide.. Its flowers bloom in summer, and are grouped in panicles 20 centimeters long.
It is a plant that needs lots and lots of light, even direct, so it is recommended to have it outside, in full sun. In addition, it resists drought very well if it is planted in the ground, as well as frosts of up to -3ºC.
Which of these plants with large, green leaves did you like the most?