Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Close Banner
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

The Best Tall Houseplants To Add To Your Space (No Green Thumb Required)

Emma Loewe
Author:
August 08, 2021
Emma Loewe
By Emma Loewe
mbg Contributor
Emma Loewe is the former Sustainability and Health Director at mindbodygreen. She is the author of "Return to Nature: The New Science of How Natural Landscapes Restore Us" and the co-author of "The Spirit Almanac: A Modern Guide To Ancient Self Care." Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,500 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes.
August 08, 2021
We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links.

On the hunt for a tall houseplant to invigorate a bare corner, provide privacy from a window, or just add a pop of life to your space? Look no further than these 11 showstoppers. With proper care, they can all grow to be upward of 6 feet tall indoors.

Some larger plants and trees can be quite finicky, so we split up the list based on how difficult each one is to take care of and what it needs to thrive. Whether you're a new plant parent or a vegetation veteran, consider this your cheat sheet to the giant greenery of your dreams.

Easy care:

1. Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica)

Size: 6 to 8 feet

Price: $60–80 for a mature plant

What it needs to grow tall: Bright & indirect light, clean leaves, a snug pot

A tropical tree with a unique braided stem, the Money Tree got its name from ancient Chinese folklore, where it was the answer to a poor farmer's prayers for wealth and success. Today, it's still considered a great plant for attracting abundance at home in feng shui. Give it bright, indirect light, water it every one to two weeks, be sure to clean off its leaves every so often, and your Money Tree should thrive. Pro tip: Since Money Trees have small root systems, they don't need a ton of room and will grow better in smaller pots.

2. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

Size: 1 to 6 feet

Price: $30–100 for a mature plant

What it needs to grow tall: Time between waterings

There are many varieties of snake plant—all of which share the plant's signature wide, fleshy leaves. Most snake plants are incredibly low-maintenance, and while they can be slow to grow, some varieties, like the Sansevieria laurentii, can eventually reach 6 feet tall. Since they're technically succulents that hail from the desert, snake plants know to store extra moisture in their leaves. This means that they can last a few weeks between waterings and shouldn't be watered too often (or misted ever).

3. Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

Size: 3 to 8 feet

Price: $50–200 for a mature plant

What it needs to grow tall: Moist soil, proactive pest protection

Rich in thin, dense leaves, the bamboo palm adds a tropical touch to any room. These palms are native to the forest understory of Mexico and Central America, so they appreciate less intense lighting and lots of moisture. (This is one plant you don't want to stick in front of a window that gets lots of direct sun.) Bamboo palms tend to be super easy to care for, but they are prone to pests. Watch out for mealybugs and spider mites on their leaves, and treat any infested areas with neem oil.

4. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)

Size: 2 to 6 feet

Price: $40–90 for a mature plant

What it needs to grow tall: Bright & indirect light, dry soil between waterings

Another low-maintenance palm with similar foliage to its Bamboo cousin, the Parlor Palm has a long history of being grown indoors (hence the name!). It appreciates bright, indirect light (read up on what that looks like at home here) and a light hand when it comes to watering. Brush up on the best watering strategies before giving this lush tree a drink.

Medium care:

5. Ficus Audrey (Ficus benghalensis)

Size: 5 to 10 feet tall

Price: $70–300 for a mature plant

What it needs to grow tall: Bright & indirect light, dry soil between waterings

Often referred to as the less finicky relative of the Fiddle Leaf Fig, the Ficus Audrey delivers just as much drama as its trendy cousin. It's a vigorous grower in its native climate of India and Pakistan—and in the wild, this fig is known to strangle other trees. You can nurse this tall houseplant to life by recreating the warm, humid conditions it comes from. Give it bright, indirect light, make sure its soil dries out between waterings, and mist its leaves every so often or place it near a humidifier.

6. Mini Monstera (Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma)

Size: 2 to 12 feet tall (when trained)

Price: $20–80

What it needs to grow tall: Bright, indirect light, regular fertilizing

While not technically a Monstera plant, this lush looker has similarly shaped leaves in a vibrant green hue. It can thrive in bright, indirect light and will really get growing with occasional fertilizing. Don't let the name fool you: While this plant doesn't naturally grow upward, it's a fast and furious climber. Secure a stake or trellis behind it, and you can train it to climb up your walls for an overgrown jungle look.

7. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Size: 3 to 10 feet

Price: $50–70 for a mature plant

What it needs to grow tall: Bright light, occasional fertilizing

The Rubber Plant's sap was used to make rubber in the 1900s, but these days it's mostly prized for its unique waxy, dark green leaves. Native to Southeast Asia, this is a plant that appreciates a lot of sunlight. It'll grow the fastest in a bright window, ideally one that faces south or west. Be sure to move your plant into a bigger pot every one to two years to make room for all that new growth, and fertilize occasionally to give it the proper fuel.

8. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)

Size: 4 to 10 feet

Price: $50–200 for a mature plant

What it needs to grow tall: Bright light, dry soil between waterings, clean leaves

One of the most popular tall houseplants out there, the Bird of Paradise boasts large, striking leaves and doesn't require too much work on your end. Give it a few hours of direct sun a day, water every one to two weeks during the growing season, wipe down its dust-attracting foliage occasionally, and it'll reward you by growing upward, outward, and every direction in between.

9. Majesty Palm (Ravenea rivularis)

Size: 5 to 10 feet

Price: $30–90 for a mature plant

What it needs to grow tall: Bright & indirect light, humidity

Unlike most tall floor plants, the Majesty Palm is pet-friendly according to the ASPCA, so cat or dog owners can display this tropical variety at home without worry. Though slow to grow, it's pretty easy to care for and just needs bright, indirect light and some extra humidity once and a while to stay happy.

Finicky:

10. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

Size: 5 to 10 feet

Price: $60–200 for a mature plant

What it needs to grow tall: Bright sun, consistent watering, a stable environment (no drafts)

Though it definitely falls more into the finicky category, Fiddle Leaf Figs are still incredibly popular. If you want to bring their signature fan-shaped leaves into your space, you'll need plenty of sun, zero drafts, and some watering know-how. Fiddle Leaf Figs don't appreciate shifting surroundings, so once you find a spot where it's happy, keep it there!

11. Elephant's Ear (Alocasia)

Size: 3 to 10+ feet

Price: $100–200 for a mature plant

What it needs to grow tall: Bright & indirect sun, warmth, humidity

Named for its massive heart-shaped leaves, Elephant's Ears have a similar growth pattern to the Bird of Paradise—though they're a little pickier. More common as an outdoor plant, they need bright but not direct sun, moist soil, and a warm, humid environment to survive indoors. Native to the tropics, this is one plant that would do well next to a humidifier and away from any drafty doors or open windows.

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

What Is Meditation?

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Light Watkins

Box Breathing

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

What Breathwork Can Address

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

Nutrition | Rich Roll

What to Eat Before a Workout

Nutrition | Rich Roll

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Nutrition | Sahara Rose

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Love Languages

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Related Videos (10)

What Is Meditation?

Box Breathing

What Breathwork Can Address

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

What to Eat Before a Workout

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love Languages

Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

More On This Topic

more Lifestyle
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.