If you love houseplants, you know big houseplants are an important addition to your collection. They make their presence known in your home, filling spaces from floor to ceiling with leafy green beauty – and they can even sometimes feel like one of the family. Fiddleleaf fig, bird of paradise, and monstera are some favorite examples – you may even have one or two already. But, if you’re looking for a big plant that’s a little different – maybe something none of your friends even have – take a look at these unusual beauties.
Natal Mahogany
Natal Mahogany is relatively hard to find, but it’s been one of our favorites for years. This tree-like beauty is native to southern Africa, and with its bushy form and glossy, compound foliage, it looks right at home here in Nebraska too. Natal Mahogany isn’t picky about light, but it does love its water. Consistent soil moisture is important and leaving a little water in the tray underneath won’t hurt either.
Ponytail Palm
Despite the name, ponytail palm is a succulent, not a palm. Its thick, water-storing trunk widens at the base – some call it “elephant foot tree” – and the top sports a thick mass of slender, curling foliage that trails all the way to the floor. This is a plant that gets noticed for sure. A native to desert areas of Mexico, ponytail palm likes its light bright and its soil dry, so use a fast-draining cactus mix and hold off on the water until the soil is almost completely dry.
Sago Palm
Another example of a palm that isn’t really, sago palm is actually a cycad – a type of plant that dates back to prehistoric times. So, if you like the thought of living with a real-life dinosaur, this is your plant. Sagos like bright light, fast-draining soil, and a light touch with the water, so let things dry out well before the next drink. You’ll also need a spot that’s more wide than tall as these circular plants flair out rather than up. And although this amazing plant is fascinating to look at, please use caution around pets and children – all parts of a sago palm are toxic.
Columnar Schefflera
Schefflera arboricola – or the dwarf umbrella tree – has always been one of our favorite houseplants, so we’re excited to have an unusual columnar style in the greenhouse too. Now we can enjoy schefflera’s bushy form and glossy, palmate foliage all the way to the ceiling! Short or tall, schefflera likes bright, indirect light, like from an east or west window. But it cannot tolerate overwatering, so let the soil dry between each watering.
Dracaena ‘Tarzan’
You might wonder, is ‘Tarzan’ a Dracaena marginata with an edgier attitude or is it a yucca with a softer side? Technically it’s the former, but Dracaena ‘Tarzan’ has a thick, single trunk and a spray of foliage at the top like a yucca – although the leaves aren’t quite as stiff and spikey. And to match its hybrid-looking appearance, Dracaena ‘Tarzan’ likes everything kind of medium – medium-bright light and medium soil moisture. You’ll want to water when the soil is dry just an inch or so down.
Bamboo Palm
Bamboo palm’s tall, reed-like stems and feathery green foliage are perfect for adding depth and movement to even those challenging lower-light corners where most palms struggle. And bamboo palm doesn’t just sit there being gorgeous either. It’s also hard at work being one of the best plants for improving indoor air quality – adding humidity and removing pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. Keep your bamboo palm happy in a spot with low-to-bright-indirect light and water when the top of the soil feels dry. (But don’t let water sit underneath the pot – bamboo palm doesn’t like that.)
Go Big and A Little Different
If you’re looking for a big plant with a unique personality, come see us. We love our big houseplants, and we’ll be happy to introduce you to these (and more) large and unusual beauties.
