How To Take Care Of A House Plant With Broad Leaves?

Large leaf house plants, such as Dwarf Banana, Bird of Paradise, and Monstera Deliciosa, can transform any room into an indoor tropical oasis. They require full sun or semi-shade, water once a day until soil is moist, then only water when soil is dry. The ideal temperature ranges from 65 – 70°F (18°C – 21°C) during the day and 50°F (10°C) at night.

Soil should be well-drained, rich, and pH of 5 – 7 (slightly acidic). Plant food should be used during spring and the soil should have a pH of 5 – 7 (slightly acidic).

These plants are known for their lush, exotic foliage, which can be the focal point of any room. They can fill out a corner of a bright room, creating an illusion of an enlarged space. There are 13 types of large leaf houseplants, including banana tree, elephant ear, croton, peace lily, and more.

To clean your plant’s leaves, use a microfiber towel or soft sponge with a dilution of 10 lemon juice or white distilled vinegar in water. Regular pruning and cleaning of leaves helps prevent pests and diseases, encourages healthy new growth, and can survive even after being neglected.

Over winter, houseplants should be kept near south- or west-facing windows, and wiping dust off leaves allows more growth. These 13 big-leaf plants can be a perfect addition to your collection, turning your home into an indoor jungle oasis.

How to tell if a plant needs water?

Plant cells are like water balloons, forming stiff structures when filled with water. When they are dry, they deflate, indicating a need for more water. Plants produce cellulose, which helps maintain their shape, but water pressure is more effective than cellulose alone. When watering, transpiration occurs, where the sun evaporates water from leaves through stomatal pores, allowing it to go where it’s needed most.

Ideally, water is drawn from roots, but if roots are dry, water is taken from the leaves. To determine the appropriate watering frequency, consider your houseplants’ natural environments, such as hot and dry or rainy and tropical.

Why is my big leaf plant dying?

It is possible that overwatering may be a problem, therefore it is advisable to ensure that the container has proper drainage and to reduce the frequency of watering. It is recommended that dying foliage be trimmed with pruning snips and that the plant be transferred to a larger pot with drainage holes.

Should I mist my plants daily?

Misting plants depends on the season and air quality in your space. It’s recommended to mist a few times a week, but daily if possible. If you live in an arid climate with high climate control, misting should be more frequent. If your climate is more humid and you don’t constantly run the heat or air conditioner, misting once or twice a week might be sufficient. Experiment with frequency to find the best schedule for your plants. It’s crucial to mist the right parts of the plant to ensure water absorption.

Should you water house plants from the top or bottom?

Mark Lane, an award-winning garden designer and TV presenter, suggests that even smaller pots or houseplants can benefit from watering from the top. Bottom watering can lead to a buildup of salt in the soil, which can be harmful to plants’ health. To maintain plant health and strength, a mixture of bottom watering and top watering should be used daily. The salt build-up should be addressed every couple of months by watering from above until the water runs out of the pot’s drainage holes.

How to make plant leaves bigger?

It is essential to ensure that the plant in question receives an adequate amount of light, in accordance with the specific requirements of its species. In the event that the current placement of the plant is not optimal, it may be necessary to make adjustments. Deficiencies in essential nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, can result in stunted growth and leaf yellowing.

How do you get big leaves on Monstera?

Monstera plants thrive in bright, indirect light, but not too much direct sunlight, as it can scorch their delicate leaves. They can tolerate lower light conditions but thrive in brighter, indirect lighting. Humidity is another important factor in monstera plant care, as they are native to the rainforest and prefer good misting or humidifiers. This makes them ideal for bathrooms with good lighting. Investing in a humidifier or misting your monstera regularly can give it a spa treatment, making it feel like a slice of the Amazon rainforest in your living room.

How often should you water a monstera?

Monstera plants should be watered when the top few inches or half of the soil in the pot has dried out, which may be about once a week when grown in bright, indirect light. Observing the soil’s moisture is crucial for knowing when and how often to water. The best time to water is when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry, then water deeply until it runs out the drainage hole. Morning watering is preferred.

Avoid following a watering schedule to avoid under and overwatering the plant. Regularly check the soil’s moisture level, as it can dry out at different rates depending on the plant’s location, season, or recent weather.

Is olive oil good for plant leaves?

Olive oil can cause damage to plant leaves over time due to its temporary, shiny layer on the surface, which attracts dust and debris. This can build up and get into the pores of the leaves. To clean and shine plant leaves safely, it is essential to follow the best methods for promoting plant health rather than diminishing it. Houseplants are beautiful, clean the air, and provide mental benefits, making them a valuable addition to any home or office.

How do you encourage Monstera leaf growth?

Monstera plants thrive in tropical environments, with towering trees protecting their leaves from intense sunlight. They prefer bright indirect or filtered light during active growth, while direct light encourages better color and leaf development in winter. Monsteras prefer slightly dry soil during active growth, so check the soil by hand and water it thoroughly when it feels dry. Humidity is essential for monsteras, so mist the plant and moss pole daily, or wipe leaves weekly with warm water. If using a saucer, add water to just below the pebble tops and place the plant on top.

Monsteras thrive in average home temperatures during the growing season but prefer temperatures around 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit during their winter rest period. For best results, feed your monstera every one to two months from spring to fall. Pruning monsteras is simple, and they should be pruned back if vines and aerial roots lose their cool factor. Healthy aerial roots support the plant and absorb moisture from the air.

Monsteras do best when they’re slightly rootbound, so don’t be quick to repot them. Use Pennington Rejuvenate Premium All Purpose Potting Soil Mix, designed especially for pots, to improve plant nutrient uptake, earthworm castings, sustainably sourced peat, and water-holding crystals. Starting new monstera babies is simple in water or soil.

Propagating monstera plants is easy, and starting new ones is simple in water or soil. Choose a vine tip with several leaves and aerial roots, cut just below a leaf node, and remove lower leaves to expose at least two to four leaf nodes and root nubs.

How to care for large leaf house plants?

Larger plants require brighter light to maintain their well-established foliage, even low-light tolerant varieties like Snake Plant and ZZ Plant. To ensure optimal growth, add supplemental lighting to dim spaces. Large plants in large containers take longer to outgrow, requiring repotting every 2-3 years, depending on the species and growth. Fertilize after the first year to ensure proper growth. Larger plants are more mature, making propagation easier and providing ample extra plant material without reducing the plant’s size.

Proper lighting, repotting, and propagation are essential for maintaining the health and growth of your plants. Remember to consider fertilizing your plants after the first year to ensure they receive the necessary nutrients.

How often should you water indoor house plants?

Watering houseplants is a crucial task, but it can be a challenge due to over-watering or dehydration. Typically, houseplants need to be watered once or twice a week in spring and summer, but less in autumn and winter. However, some houseplants require special care, such as orchids, cacti and succulents, and citrus plants. Orchids should only be watered once a week with a small amount, cacti and succulents should be watered when the potting mix has dried out, and citrus plants should be watered frequently.