Plants With Big Leaves

If you’re looking to make a bold statement in your garden, few things do it better than plants with big leaves. Large and lush foliage creates an instant jungle vibe, adds drama to shady corners, and can make any space feel more lush and established. This guide will help you pick the right giants for your conditions and care for them properly.

Big leaves aren’t just about looks, though they are stunning. They can provide crucial shade for smaller plants, help cool the air around them, and even reduce noise. Whether you have a sun-drenched patio or a dim north-facing room, there’s a large-leafed plant that will thrive for you.

This category includes a huge range of species, from hardy outdoor perennials to delicate tropical houseplants. The key is to match the plant’s needs to your environment. Let’s break down some of the best options.

Top Picks for Outdoor Gardens

For gardens in temperate climates, these reliable performers offer fantastic foliage with out needing a greenhouse.

Gunnera manicata: Often called “dinosaur food,” this is the king of big leaves. Its massive, textured leaves can span over 6 feet wide. It needs constant moisture and lots of space.
Rodgersia: A great choice for damp, shady spots. Its palmate leaves are deeply veined and turn bronze in spring and autumn. It’s more manageable than Gunnera but still very impressive.
Fatsia japonica: With its glossy, hand-shaped leaves, Fatsia adds a tropical look to sheltered gardens. It’s surprisingly hardy and also makes a fantastic container plant.
Hosta: The classic shade plant. While sizes vary, giants like ‘Empress Wu’ or ‘Sum and Substance’ have leaves over a foot wide. Watch out for slugs and snails, who love them too.
Japanese Fiber Banana (Musa basjoo): This hardy banana tree can survive winters in many areas with protection. Its huge paddle-shaped leaves bring a fast, dramatic effect.

Best Big-Leaf Houseplants

Bring the jungle indoors with these foliage stars. They purify the air and make a real design statement.

Monstera deliciosa: Famous for its split and holed leaves, Monstera is a must-have. It’s relatively easy-going and loves bright, indirect light.
Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata): Known for its large, violin-shaped leaves. It can be a bit fussy about its location but is worth the effort for its architectural form.
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai): This plant gives you huge, banana-like leaves that split naturally as they mature. It loves bright light and room to grow.
Alocasia varieties: Often called Elephant Ears, plants like Alocasia ‘Regal Shields’ or ‘Amazonica’ have striking, arrow-shaped leaves with prominent veins. They appreciate higher humidity.
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica): A tough plant with broad, glossy leaves. Older cultivars like ‘Burgundy’ offer deep color, while newer ones like ‘Tineke’ have beautiful variegation.

Essential Care Tips for Success

Big leaves have special needs. Follow these steps to keep your plants healthy and their foliage looking its best.

1. Getting the Light Right

Most large-leaf plants evolved under forest canopies. They typically prefer bright, indirect light. Direct hot sun can scorch leaves, causing brown patches. Too little light leads to small, weak growth. A spot near an east or north-facing window is often ideal. Observe your plant; if it’s leaning heavily, it might need more light.

2. Watering Wisely

This is where many people go wrong. Large leaves often mean high water use, but soggy soil is a killer. The goal is consistently moist, not wet, soil.

Check the top inch of soil with your finger.
Water thoroughly until it runs from the drainage holes.
Empty the saucer after 15 minutes so the roots don’t sit in water.
Reduce watering in the winter when growth slows.

3. Humidity and Temperature

Many tropical plants with big leaves love humidity. Dry air can cause brown, crispy leaf edges. Group plants together, use a pebble tray filled with water, or run a humidifier. Avoid placing them near heating or AC vents, which create dry drafts and temperature swings. Most prefer a steady, warm room temperature.

4. Feeding and Soil

These plants are heavy feeders during their growing season (spring and summer). Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. A well-draining potting mix is crucial. For potted plants, a mix containing peat, perlite, and pine bark allows roots to breath and prevents waterlogging. Repot every couple years in spring to refresh the soil.

5. Cleaning the Leaves

Dust accumulates on those large surfaces, blocking sunlight and reducing the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. Gently wipe leaves with a damp, soft cloth every few weeks. For delicate leaves, a soft brush can work. This also helps you check for pests like spider mites early.

Design Ideas for Using Big Foliage

Think beyond just plonking a single plant in a corner. Use them strategically to shape your space.

Create a Focal Point: Use one giant specimen, like a Fiddle Leaf Fig or a large Fatsia, as a living sculpture in a room or garden bed.
Layer Textures: Pair plants with big, smooth leaves (like Hostas) with those that have feathery or finely-cut foliage (like ferns). The contrast is eye-catching.
Define Spaces: In the garden, use groups of large-leaved plants to create a natural screen or to define the edge of a seating area.
Add Depth: Place the largest leaves at the back of a border or in the corner of a room, with medium and smaller plants in front. This creates a sense of lush depth.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even with the best care, issues can pop up. Here’s how to troubleshoot.

Yellowing Leaves

This is a common sign. Overwatering is the most likely cause, especially if the leaves feel soft. Check your soil moisture. Yellowing can also indicate underfeeding, or a natural process of older leaves dying back. If new growth is yellow, it might need more nitrogen.

Brown Leaf Edges or Tips

Usually a sign of low humidity or inconsistent watering. It can also be caused by a buildup of salts and minerals from tap water or fertilizer. Try using distilled or rainwater, and flush the soil every few months by watering thoroughly until water runs freely from the bottom.

Drooping Leaves

Often a cry for water, but not always. Check the soil. If it’s dry, water it. If it’s wet, drooping can mean root rot from overwatering. In that case, you may need to repot into fresh, dry soil and trim any mushy roots.

Pests

Big leaves can attract sap-sucking pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. Inspect the undersides of leaves regularly. Wipe them off with insecticidal soap or a neem oil solution. Isolating a new plant for a few weeks is a good precaution.

FAQ About Large Leaf Plants

What are some good big leaf plants for full sun?
Outdoors, Gunnera, some hardy banana varieties, and certain types of Rodgersia can handle more sun if they have ample water. For pots in sunny spots, Bird of Paradise and some large succulents like Agave are excellent.

How often should I repot a large-leaf houseplant?
Generally every 2-3 years, or when you see roots growing out of the drainage holes. Spring is the best time. Only go up one pot size (about 2 inches wider in diameter) to avoid excess wet soil.

Can I grow plants with huge leaves in a small garden?
Absolutely. Choose just one as a focal point, or use varieties that are clump-forming rather than spreading. Many big-leaf plants also do very well in containers, which limits their size.

Why are my plant’s new leaves smaller than the old ones?
This typically points to insufficient light or nutrients. The plant doesn’t have the energy to produce leaves to it’s full potential. Try moving it to a brighter spot and ensure you’re feeding it during the growing season.

Are large leaf plants pet-friendly?
Not always. Many, like Alocasia, Monstera, and Fiddle Leaf Figs, are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Always check the specific plant’s toxicity before bringing it into a home with pets. Spider plants and some large ferns are safer alternatives.

Adding plants with big leaves to your home or garden is a surefire way to create impact. Start with an easy-care variety like a Hosta or a Rubber Plant to build your confidence. Pay attention to their basic needs for light, water, and humidity, and you’ll be rewarded with stunning, lush growth that completely changes the feel of your space. Remember, the right plant in the right place will always give you the best results.