Before heading to the nursery, take some time to determine your needs. If
you have a small home, it won’t take a giant tree to make a big impact. On
the other hand, a large well-lit room with a cathedral ceiling can
comfortably house a specimen plant several feet tall. What purpose do you
have in mind for your new plant? Will it decorate a large bay window, fill
an empty corner, or serve as a table centerpiece? Perhaps you want to add a
dash of color to the room, or want an unusual variety as a conversation
piece. Large plants can also improve the air quality inside the home,
filtering pollutants, adding humidity, and filling the room with a fresh
aroma.
For instant, easy-care impact, it’s hard to beat the dracaena. These
come in many varieties, but the larger ones such as the Corn Plant are
called “false palms” for their arching tree-like effect. If it’s a
true palm you want, try a Kentia Palm. This is the easiest variety to
maintain, and is used extensively in professional displays. Trees are the
obvious choice for large specimens, but there are few varieties that do well
in the average home. Ficus is the variety most people are familiar with. The
Ficus family includes the Rubber Plant and Weeping Fig. The Umbrella Tree,
or Schefflera, comes in many sizes, some reaching as high as six to eight
feet.
You don’t need a tree to make a dramatic splash in your home. Smaller
varieties can be presented in a big way. Vines and other trailing varieties
such as the large-leafed Monstera Deliciosa (split-leaf philodendron) can be
attached to a moss stick to grow into an attractive vertical display.
Hanging plants, such as the thick Boston Fern can provide interest in a
window, and a group of Pothos or Philodendrons look great on a plant ledge
or shelf.
Caring for big plants isn’t really any different than caring for the
smaller ones. Each variety has its own care requirements regarding light and
water; look them up if you’re not sure. Generally, trees require bright,
sunny spaces and won’t do well in shade. Palms prefer shade, and dracaenas
enjoy something in-between. One challenge that comes with large plants is
keeping the leaves clean of dust. Smaller plants can be rinsed off in the
kitchen sink, mid-sized varieties enjoy a cool shower, but if your plant is
several feet tall you’ll have to do it by hand. Regular misting with a
spray bottle can help, but it’s a good idea to occasionally wipe each leaf
carefully with a damp cloth.
Pets can be a problem too, since these large specimen plants usually sit
directly on the floor. If your cat or dog (or child!) enjoys digging in the
dirt, you can sometimes fend them off by placing a thin layer of pebbles on
the surface. Don’t place anything on top of the soil that will interfere
with air circulation.
Now that you’ve decided to try a big plant in your home, the next
question is how to obtain it. You can purchase a young plant, or even start
it from seed, and wait for it to mature into a large specimen. This might be
the least expensive, but it can take years before it reaches the size you
want. Explore unusual sources; my four-foot corn plant cost me five dollars
at a yard sale. Plant nurseries and garden centers are the obvious source,
though large specimens can cost quite a bit in these places. Watch for
sales.
Getting the plant home is a challenge in itself, depending on its size.
If you’re buying from a nursery, ask if they will deliver. If your plant
is too tall to fit vertically, you can lie it down for transportation,
placing a bag around the pot to contain the soil. Just be sure to secure the
plant so it won’t roll around on the way, support the branches and leaves
with soft material, and stand it back upright as soon as it arrives.
If you’ve always wanted a big plant but were afraid to try it, don’t
be tempted to buy a silk look-alike instead of the real thing. Let your
creativity flow. Create the fresh, tranquil feeling of a jungle right inside
your home or add dramatic flair to a room with large specimen plants.
