Plant Care : Large Plants and Indoor Trees

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Large Plants and Indoor Trees

Large indoor plants? Aren't they just the same plants we usually grow, but bigger?Even if they are the same varieties of plants we have tucked in a corner or sitting next to the window, large plants can offer the indoor gardener several unique challenges. They also fulfill a unique niche in the indoor landscape. While you see commercial settings with large indoor plant almost every day, they shouldn't be limited to doctors' offices and malls. A few strategically placed large indoor plants can transform an ordinary space into a slice of the tropics.

Some of the Best Large Indoor Plants
It would be impossible to list all of the varieties of large plants that can be used as an indoor "tree," but here are a few of the best:

Ficus There are several types of Ficus, also known as figs, well-suited to the role of large, indoor plant: weeping figs can grow from 4 to 18feet tall; Ficus Alii (with deep green, long, narrow leaves), rubber plants and fiddle leaf figs all range from 4 to 12 feet tall.

Palm Offering a wide variety of sizes and leaf shapes, there are palms that range from just a few feet tall to over 20 feet. Sentry and Bamboo palms reach an average height of 8-10 feet; Areca and Chinese Fan palms average 5 to 6 feet.

Dracaena Striking upright plants with long narrow leaves, Dracaena marginata and corn dracaenas can both exceed 6 feet in height.

Succulent/Cactus There are several types of succulents and cacti that make impressive large, indoor plants. Milk Stripe euphorbias often exceed 4 feet in height and almost as wide. There are a number of tall, upright cacti such as Silver Torch, Snowball and Column cactus.

Norfolk Island Pine Adding a real touch of the tropics indoors, Norfolk Island pines often reach a height of more than 6-8 feet.

Citrus Various lemons, oranges, limes, grapefruits and other citrus are used as indoor plants. Other than the miniature calamond in oranges, they all can exceed 6 feet in height.

Schefflera Regular schefflera and its cousin the arb (Arboricola) are stately plants that often exceed 6 feet.

Philodendron Several members of the philodendron family fill the niche of large indoor plants. For instance, Philodendron 'Selloum' often reaches 5 feet in height and width. 'Emerald Queen' often exceeds 4 feet, but stays narrower than 'Selloum.' A close ally, the Swiss cheese plant, grows to 5 or 6 feet and almost as wide.

Dieffenbachia This plant has such impressive foliage it often seems larger than its average 4-5 feet tall. Its leaves are huge and some varieties are strongly variegated.

Moving Large Plants Indoors
As beautiful as these large plants are, they can be a real challenge when it comes to moving them indoors. When purchasing a large plant, it pays to have it delivered by experienced people with the appropriate equipment. Large plants can easily weigh more than it is safe for one person to lift. A two-wheel moving cart is very helpful. If you want to move it yourself, it is important to avoid handling the plant by its trunk. Always handle it by the pot.When possible, take a few minutes to carefully pull the foliage up together and wrap it with paper or a soft cloth for the move. A sheet works great. This will minimize broken branches or damaged foliage. Remember, most of these large plants are tropical in nature and should not be exposed suddenly to cool temperatures. They should also be sheltered from the wind during transport.

When deciding where to locate a large plant, in addition to the light and temperature conditions, be sure to take into consideration the weight of the plant. It may leave an indelible impression on carpet. It is a good idea to invest in a plant dolly that will allow you to roll the plants around. Once your plant is in place, you may find its looks will be enhanced by grouping it with a few smaller ones with different leaf textures, shapes or colors.

Providing Basic Care Requirements
Providing adequate water for large plants can be tricky. Using a saucer will make it easier to thoroughly soak the root mass when the plant is being watered. Be sure to remove any excess water from the saucer within a few hours. A turkey baster works well for this job. Because large plants tend to stay in the same container for a long time, it will help to use distilled or rain water to avoid a buildup of minerals in the soil (city water tends to be high in calcium and salts). A dehumidifier is a good source of inexpensive distilled water. When fertilizing the plants, using a non-salt based product such as Schultz's Instant Plant Food will help avoid the mineral buildup too. Using distilled water and the right fertilizer will extend the life of the soil and help keep the pH at the best level for most tropical plants.

Providing adequate light for a large plant can be challenge. Hopefully, you will have a skylight or large window nearby. If not, consider supplementing the available light with artificial lights. Fluorescent lights that fit into standard screw-base light fixtures are now available and they can be located close to the plants without having to worry about the heat put out by standard incandescent bulbs.

Plants with large leaves tend to collect dust which is not only unsightly but actually inhibits the plants' ability to use the available light. Dust should be removed regularly with a soft cloth. Pruning the plants on a regular basis as they reach the desired size is much more successful than trying to make an overgrown plant smaller. Most plants respond best to being pruned in spring and summer while they are most actively growing.

Planting and Transplanting Large Indoor Plants
Large plants will eventually need to be repotted whether it is because they have outgrown their original container or just because you wish to use a different container. To make this project easier on you and the plant, be sure to put down a tarp or sheet to catch any spilled soil or plant debris. Gently wrapping the top growth can make the plant easier to handle. If the plant does not pull easily from the existing pot, consider cutting away the container to avoid damaging the crown by pulling too hard. When you have it out of the pot, check to make sure it isn't root bound. If the outside of the root ball is a mass of circling roots, you may need to prune away some of them before placing the plant in the new container. Select a container no more than 2" greater in diameter and height than its previous container.Use a high-quality potting soil such as Bachman's Exceloam TM. Monitor the water closely for the next few months after transplanting. Newly transplanted plants are often damaged by over watering since the fresh soil will retain more water.

Insect and Disease Problems with Large Plants
Large indoor plants aren't any more or less likely to have problems with insects or diseases than their smaller counterparts, but they can be more difficult to spray or treat. That makes it even more important to monitor the plant closely for signs of problems so they can be resolved early. Since most large plants cannot be moved outdoors or into a bathroom readily to be treated, it will be important to use products that can be safely used in living areas. Be sure to read the label thoroughly. Ask one of Bachman's indoor plant experts for more advice on treating problems with large indoor plants.

© Bachman's 2004
Author: Margaret Purcell, Senior Horticulturist