One of the great things about house plants is that they can really make a statement, especially when they’re tall. Many houseplants are on the smaller and look great on a shelf or on your desk. However, there are some tall houseplants that are more tree-like and look amazing towering in the corner of the room. And no matter what kind of vibe you may be going for in your home, there’s a tall houseplant out there for you. Here are a few of our favorite tall houseplants to add to your home.
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Monstera Deliciosa
If you’re looking for a real statement piece, you’re not going to find a better one than the monstera deliciosa. The gaps in its stunning leaves (fenestrations) allow the sun to reach the lower parts of the plant. They are toxic to people and pets.12
- Name: Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Water whenever the top 2 in. of soil feel dry
- Mature Height: Up to 10 to 15 ft. tall and 8 ft. wide
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Snake Plant
Choose a snake plant if you want something easy. You can get them in pretty much any size but if you want a large one, buy it that way as they’re really slow growers. Keep an eye on pets and kids around them as they are mildly toxic.23
- Name: Snake plant (Dracaena spp.)
- Light: Most light conditions
- Water: Water when soil feels dry
- Mature Height: Up to 8 ft. tall
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Kentia Palm
These were the “it” plant the Victorian era in the UK. The gorgeous palms were a status symbol, and you can still see them in homes or in a “palm court” tea parlor. They’re really good at coping with low lighting if needed.
- Name: Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Water when the top 2 in. of soil are dry
- Mature Height: Up to 10 ft. tall
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Corn Plant
Corn plants are unique because of the way they’re leaves grow from their trunk. Their wing-like foliage that will make a dramatic statement in your space. Corn plants are toxic to people and pets.2
- Name: Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans)
- Light: Most light conditions except for direct sun
- Water: Drought tolerant; let soil dry out completely in between waterings
- Mature Height: Up to 6 ft. tall
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Fiddle Leaf Fig
While fiddle leaf figs are definitely more of a finicky type of plant, if you care for them the right way, they’ll reward you with giant, beautiful leaves. Keep in mind these are toxic to people.2
- Name: Fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata)
- Light: bright, indirect light
- Water: Water when the top 2 in. of soil are dry
- Mature Height: Up to 10 ft. tall
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Giant Bird of Paradise
The giant bird of paradise plant is sometimes called the wild banana plant, though you definitely won’t get any fruit. The plant only gets its second nickname from the look of its leaves, which are similar to those of an actual banana plant.
- Name: Giant bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not wet
- Mature Height: Up to 6 ft. tall
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Dragon Tree
This species of dragon tree is a common plant and pretty easy to take care of. Make sure it’s getting the right amount of water and light and it will grow tall over several years. It is a slow grower, so don’t expect any rapid changes. Remember to keep an eye on curious kids and pets around this plant as it is mildly toxic.2
- Name: Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata)
- Light: Most light conditions are fine as long as it’s not in direct sun
- Water: Drought tolerant; let soil dry out completely between waterings
- Mature Height: Up to 8 ft. tall
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Money Tree
The most notable feature of this plant is the gorgeous braided trunk. In feng shui it is believed to bring good fortune to the recipient, so it’s often given as a gift.
- Name: Money tree (Pachira aquatica)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Water only when soil is completely dry
- Mature Height: Up to 6 ft. tall
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Weeping Fig
A weeping fig can grow up to 100 feet tall in its natural habitat. In your home, it can reach about six feet, so will look great in a corner as a statement plant. Just pull it out about a foot from the wall and it’ll look like a piece of decor. Weeping fig is toxic to people and pets.42
- Name: Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Keep soil moist, but not soggy
- Mature Height: Up to 6 ft. tall
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African Fig
The dark green leaves on this ficus is what makes it absolutely stunning. Keep the leaves shiny by wiping away any dust, which will also help it to photosynthesize. But be careful! The sap is toxic so wear gloves to avoid irritation.42
- Name: African fig (Ficus cyathistipula)
- Light: Bright, indirect light but can tolerate shade.
- Water: Water when the top 2 in. of soil feel dry.
- Mature Height: Up to 8 ft. tall
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Rubber Plant
This common houseplant gets its name because the latex running through the leaf veins was once used to make rubber. Don’t let pets or kids do a taste test on the leaves; the plant is toxic.2
- Name: Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Water when the top 2 in. of soil are dry
- Mature Height: Up to 10 ft. tall
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Laurel Fig
This little tree has beautiful green leaves that will make you feel like you’re outdoors whenever you look at it. It’s really simple to look after, requiring consistently moist soil, and doesn’t take up too much space. It’s toxic so keep it away from kids and pets.2
- Name: Laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa ‘Moclame’)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy
- Mature Height: Up to 10 ft. tall
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Council Tree
If you want a tall plant but don’t have a ton of space to handle any spreading leaves, the council tree is a great option. Like other species of ficus, it should be kept away from kids and pets.2
- Name: Council tree (Ficus altissima ‘Yellow Gem’)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Water when the top 2 in. of soil are dry
- Mature Height: Up to 6 ft. tall
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Bird of Paradise
Treat this plant well and you’ll be rewarded by stunning flowers during the winter and spring. The bird of paradise is one of the most beautiful plants out there, but don’t let kids or pets be fooled by the pretty flower petals and think it’s edible.25
- Name: Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
- Light: Bright light
- Water: Water when the top 2 in. of soil feel dry
- Mature Height: Over 6 ft. tall
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Parlor Palm
The parlor palm is another plant that will transport you back to Victorian times in the UK where it was also a status symbol. It brings elegance to a room and can grow fairly tall.
- Name: Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
- Light: Moderate to bright light
- Water: Water whenever the top 2 in. of soil are dry
- Mature Height: Up to 6 ft. tall
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Cast Iron Plant
The cast iron plant is one of those plants that is nearly impossible to kill. It tolerates most lighting and prefers the soil to dry out between waterings, so it’s okay if you forget to go by with a watering can for a while.
- Name: Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior)
- Light: Tolerant of most light levels
- Water: Allow soil to completely dry out between waterings
- Mature Height: Up to 3.5 ft. tall
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Alocasia Zebrina
The most stunning feature of the Alocasia zebrina is its long zebra-printed stems. The leaves, which resemble elephant ears, are the cherry on top of this beauty. It is toxic to people.2
- Name: Zebra plant (Alocasia zebrina)
- Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
- Water: Keep soil moist but not wet
- Mature Height: Up to 3 ft. tall
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Calathea White Star
Calathea white star has dark green leaves with white stripes sometimes tinged with pink. Watch as its leaves curl up at night and then unfurl in the morning. For this reason it is sometimes called a prayer plant.
- Name: Calathea white star (Geoppertia majestica)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Keep soil moist but not soggy
- Mature Height: Up to 5 ft. tall
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Olive Tree
While it’s very rare for an olive tree to grow olives indoors, this plant is still a beauty when grown in a container. The delicate branches will make you feel as if you’re in the Mediterranean.
- Name: Olive tree (olea europaea)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Keep soil moist, but not wet
- Mature Height: Up to 10 ft. tall
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Variegated Croton
If you’re looking for a colorful plant, you’ll want to get your hands on a croton. They have variegated leaves with bright and vivid patterns of red, orange, green, yellow, or pink. When caring for it, watch out for the sap as it is toxic.2
- Name: Variegated croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Keep soil moist at all times
- Mature Height: Up to 4 ft. tall
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Ruffled Fan Palm
This plant gets its name from its grand, ruffled leaves that you’ll might be tempted to fan yourself with on a hot day.
- Name: Ruffled fan palm tree (Licuala grandis)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Keep soil moist but not soggy
- Mature Height: Up to 7 ft. tall
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Coconut Palm
With only a single palm leaf growing from a coconut, the coconut palm is striking and will add something special to your space. Keep in mind that these are usually an investment and don’t last especially long as houseplants, so be sure to enjoy it while it lasts.
- Name: Coconut palm tree (Cocos nucifera)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Keep soil moist but not soggy
- Mature Height: Up to 8 ft. tall
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Peace Lily
The peace lily will reward you with pretty white flowers as long as you treat it well. Keep the humidity and lighting right, and you should see flowers in spring and summer. This plant is toxic to pets and humans.26
- Name: Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
- Light: Bright, indirect light (necessary for the plant to flower)
- Water: Water when the top 1 in. of soil is dry
- Mature Height: Up to 4 ft. tall
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Desert Cactus
If you’re going for some desert vibes in your home, you have to add a euphorbia. It looks just like a cactus you’d imagine dotting the horizon. The sap on this plant is toxic so keep it away from plants and kids.72
- Name: Desert cactus (Euphorbia spp.)
- Light: Bright light
- Water: Let soil dry out completely between waterings
- Mature Height: Up to 7 ft. tall