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How do I Choose the Best Tall House Plants?

By Sheri Cyprus
Updated May 17, 2024
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Tall house plants or indoor trees, about 4 feet (1.2 m) and up, are popular in homes, as they can work with any decor style to add visual interest as well as a natural element. If the tall plants aren't thriving in the environment and show signs of decay, however, they can have the effect of making interior decor look worse. It's important to choose tall house plants that will work best in your climate as well as with the amount of light and humidity in your home.

If your home is very damp and humid and you live in a warm climate, you may want to consider a reed palm, or Chamaedorea seifrizii. Tall house plants such as this one can help reduce home humidity levels to help prevent dangerous conditions such as mold growth. The Chamaedorea seifrizii doesn't need a lot of light; it's fine in a darker indoor area.

Jasmine plants have beautiful, aromatic flowers that bloom most of the year. They also adapt to either shady or sunny locations indoors, so a variety of jasmine may be a tall houseplant you'd want to consider. You should pick either a shady or sunny place for jasmine though; they may react by dropping leaves if the location is later changed.

For the best-looking tall house plants in your home, choose ones that suit your plant care skill level. Research the plants you're considering to make sure you'll be able to follow the watering and fertilizing instructions properly. If you're new at caring for tall house plants, choose ones that are considered hardy and fairly easy care.

If you want a tropical, dramatic look in a fairly easy care, very tall, bushy houseplant, the Rhapis excelsa, or lady palm tree, may be a good choice. It's often seen in office buildings and shopping centers, as it can thrive in minimum light and low humidity. The lady palm tree can reach up to 13 feet (4 m) tall though, so it's only suitable for above-average ceiling heights.

Common household placements for tall plants are entryways and living room corners. Pairs of tall house plants may be placed on either side of a dining room cabinet or a window. When choosing taller plants to fill in spaces in your home, don't forget about their width. A bushy plant that will require constant pruning to prevent it from blocking a walkway may not thrive if you prune it too much. On the other hand, a bushy plant would be better than a tall one that's too spindly to fill a large corner.

WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

By backdraft — On Apr 29, 2012

My grandmother had a solarium in her house. She had a few indoor houseplants that she had been growing for years. I remember one that must have been fifteen feet tall. It looked like a huge fern.

She had a huge outdoor garden as well. If anyone has ever had a green thumb it is her. Since she could grow things both indoors and outdoors she gardened year round.

By truman12 — On Apr 28, 2012

Be sure you know how tall a plant will grow when it is fully mature. Many people buy tall indoor house plants only for them to start butting up against the ceiling after a year or two.

I am fortunate because there is a part of my house that is open through both floors. I have about 30 feet of clearance and there is good sunlight in the space. I have been able to grow a few very tall houseplants that are almost like small trees. It is a pretty striking design feature and I think the plants improve the air in the house.

By nextcorrea — On Apr 27, 2012

When you are buying house plants you always want to make sure that the plant you are buying can survive in the conditions that you will be raising it in. All plants, even house plants, are sensitive to issues involving light and temperature.

There is a garden store close to my house that has a really friendly and knowledgeable staff. I always buy from them because I can ask as many questions as I want about the plants that I buy. All of my plants are thriving because they are perfect for the conditions in my house.

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