7 Bold and Beautiful Houseplants With Big Leaves

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Houseplants with big leaves are having a moment right now – and it's no wonder why. They bring instant drama and tropical vibes to any room. And their oversized, bold foliage feels lush and architectural without much fuss.

These plants can turn a boring corner into a space that feels alive. They purify the air, add texture, and make a statement that smaller plants just can't provide. With the right varieties, location, and care, they thrive indoors without turning your home into a greenhouse project.

As an indoor gardening expert, I’ve selected a few of my favorite types of big houseplants that stand out for not only their massive leaves, but for their low-maintenance nature as well. Below are my top picks for maximum leaf size, beauty, and ease of care.

Best Houseplants With Big Leaves

These big-leaf houseplants make rooms instantly come alive. They provide the maximum plant impact with little effort because of their huge foliage. Here are my favorite varieties to capture this trend and fill your home with big, beautiful plants.

1. Swiss Cheese Plant

Monstera deliciosa, commonly known as the Swiss cheese plant, has those huge heart-shaped leaves that everyone recognizes – the ones with splits and holes that show up as the plant matures. Leaves easily hit 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 m) long on established plants. The glossy surface catches light in ways that make rooms feel brighter.

Bright, indirect light works best for this plant, but it can handle lower light without drama. Water when the top few inches of soil dry out – maybe once a week in summer and less in winter. Pruners help trim brown edges. You need a sharp pair of bypass pruners, like these ones from Amazon, since dull blades can crush stems.

This plant pairs well with trailing pothos. The upright monstera against cascading vines creates a nice contrast. You can find monstera plants on Amazon from Costa Farms.

2. Fiddle Leaf Fig

fiddle leaf fig in container indoors showing glossy leaves

Fiddle leaf figs have enormous violin-shaped leaves that can reach up to 18 inches (46 cm) long with prominent veins. Plants grow 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) tall indoors, which makes them focal points that draw eyes up. Those big leaves make rooms feel bigger somehow.

It wants bright, indirect light and consistent watering. Let the top inch (2.5 cm) dry between drinks but don't let it go bone-dry for weeks or leaves drop fast. A moisture meter, which you can find on Amazon, gets rid of the guesswork. They can read moisture levels deep in the pot, so you are always sure you're properly watering your houseplants. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth weekly to clear dust and help plants get plenty of sunlight.

Snake plants pair well for texture with the broad fiddle leaves against their stiff sword shapes. You can shop fiddle leaf figs from Costa Farms on Amazon.

3. Alocasia

alocasia elephant ear plants in indoor container display

Many alocasia varieties have massive arrow-shaped leaves that span 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 m), often with veins that look painted in silver or bronze. The foliage is thick and waxy and dramatic. Some types have dark leaves – almost black – that pop against light-colored walls.

Bright, indirect light and high humidity keep these houseplants happy. Water when the top of the soil dries, but don't let roots sit wet. Dry air crisps leaf edges fast, especially when heat runs in winter. But a small humidifier, like this one from Amazon, can help when it’s placed close enough to boost moisture around 50-60%.

Peace lilies pair well. The bold upright alocasia leaves against the softer arching lily foliage balances your houseplant display nicely. Explore lots of different alocasia plants for sale on Amazon.

4. Philodendron ‘Xanadu’

Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ grows in bushy mounds with deeply lobed leaves that are 12-18 inches (30-46 cm) long. The foliage has a feathery look because it is so heavily fenestrated. This philodendron variety stays under 3 feet (0.9 m) tall but spreads wide, filling pots with texture. The large, delicate leaves soften hard edges in rooms.

Low to bright, indirect light works best. Water when soil dries an inch (2.5 cm) down, maybe every ten days depending on the season. Well-draining soil prevents compaction. A good indoor potting soil, like this Happy Frog potting soil from Amazon, keeps roots happy longer.

ZZ plants make good companions. The lobed Xanadu against round and glossy ZZ creates a gorgeous textural contrast. Shop Xanadu philodendrons on Amazon.

5. Bird of Paradise

bird of paradise plant in living room with houseplants

Bird of paradise produces large, banana-like leaves that reach up to 6 feet (1.8 m) long. The foliage is stiff, leathery, and stands tall without stakes. Leaves have a slight sheen that catches the light and edges split naturally over time from handling.

This plant needs bright light and regular water. Let soil dry slightly between waterings, but keep it moist spring through fall. Liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season keeps leaves vibrant. I like to apply this plant food from Amazon at half strength. Rotate every few weeks or plants will lean towards the light.

Monstera pairs well. The giant upright bird of paradise against split monstera hearts creates a layered tropical effect. You can buy bird of paradise plants from Costa Farms on Amazon.

6. Giant Dumb Cane

Giant dumb cane has huge variegated leaves. They can reach up to 2 feet (0.6 m) long with cream patterns that brighten dim spots. It grows upright to 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) tall, filling empty corners fast. No two leaves look the same.

Medium indirect light is preferred. Water when the top of the soil dries, but don't let it wilt completely. Repotting every year or two into larger containers keeps growth strong. Ceramic pots with drainage holes, like these ones from Amazon, work better than decorative ones without holes.

Snake plants contrast well. The variegated broad dumb cane looks great against stiff green snake plant swords. Shop dumb cane plants from Costa Farms on Amazon.

A note of warning: Keep this toxic plant away from pets as sap causes mouth numbness when ingested.

7. Colocasia

Colocasia, sometimes known as elephant ears, can grow massive heart-shaped leaves that reach up to 3 feet (0.9 m) long. The foliage often has a velvety texture that feels almost like suede. Some have deep purple undersides that practically glow when light hits from below.

Bright, indirect light and consistent moisture work best for these tropical houseplants. Keep soil damp, but not soaked. Check with a quick finger test before watering. Dry air browns and curls leaf edges inwards, so mist often or use a humidity tray.

ZZ plants pair well. The huge, dark colocasia leaves against compact, glossy ZZ foliage creates drama in low light. Explore tons of colocasia varieties for sale on Amazon.

Tyler’s passion began with indoor gardening and deepened as he studied plant-fungi interactions in controlled settings. With a microbiology background focused on fungi, he’s spent over a decade solving tough and intricate gardening problems. After spinal injuries and brain surgery, Tyler’s approach to gardening changed. It became less about the hobby and more about recovery and adapting to physical limits. His growing success shows that disability doesn’t have to stop you from your goals.