Some houseplants take up lots of space and make a statement in your home. Others climb whatever they can find and seem to trail up and around your house endlessly.
So, what are some tall houseplants? Tall houseplants include: Blue Ginger, Corn Plant, Croton, Dragonfruit, Dwarf Umbrella Tree, Philodendron, Pink Lantern, Pothos, Ti Plant, and Wax Plant. Some of these houseplants can tolerate shade, while others need full sun.
Of course, if you have low ceilings, you might want to avoid some of the taller plants, or keep them in a small container to limit their size.
In this article, we’ll talk about 10 tall houseplants for your home. We’ll also take a look at what they need for light, water, and other important growth factors.
Let’s get started.
10 Tall Houseplants
There are plenty of tall houseplants that make a good addition to your home, but here are 10 to start with:
- Blue Ginger
- Corn Plant
- Croton
- Dragonfruit
- Dwarf Umbrella Tree
- Philodendron
- Pink Lantern
- Pothos
- Ti Plant
- Wax Plant
Let’s begin with Blue Ginger.
Blue Ginger
Blue Ginger (Dichorisandra thyrisflora) is a houseplant that produces small (less than 1 inch) blue flowers from late summer to fall. The shiny leaves of this perennial plant are evergreen, and the plant has rhizomes and tubers underground.
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Blue Ginger needs moderate to wet moisture levels. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Blue Ginger is a tropical plant that likes partial shade and tolerates humidity. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.3).
Blue Ginger prefers warm temperatures. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 9a (as cold as 20 degrees Fahrenheit or -7 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 6 to 8 feet in nature.
You can propagate Blue Ginger by division or with stem cuttings.
You can learn more about Blue Ginger from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Blue Ginger bulbs from the Nursery at TyTy.
Corn Plant
Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans) is an evergreen shrub that can be kept as a houseplant. The leaves are dark green with yellow edges, and the plant has tiny (less than 1 inch) white flowers.
Corn Plant needs moderate moisture levels, and it tolerates humidity. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Corn Plant can tolerate partial shade, but it prefers full sun. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.8).
Corn Plant can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 9b (as cold as 25 degrees Fahrenheit or -4 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 6 to 8 feet indoors.
You can propagate Corn Plant by stem cuttings.
You can learn more about Corn Plant from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Corn Plant from Plantvine.
Croton
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) is a tall evergreen shrub that can be kept as a houseplant. The leaves are broad and green with yellow, orange, or red coloring.
Croton needs moderate moisture levels, but it tolerates both drought and humidity. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Croton can tolerate partial shade, but it prefers full sun. It prefers slightly acidic soil (pH of 6.1 to 6.5).
Croton can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 10a (as cold as 30 degrees Fahrenheit or -1 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 6 to 8 feet indoors.
You can propagate Croton by layering, stem cuttings, or tip cuttings.
You can learn more about Croton from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Croton from Woodie’s Garden Goods.
Dragonfruit
Dragonfruit (Selenicereus monacanthus) is a tall cactus that can be kept as a houseplant. The leaves are long with hairy spines, and it can produce large (6 to 12 inch) flowers that can turn into fruit.
Dragonfruit needs moderate to dry moisture levels, but it tolerates humidity. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Dragonfruit can tolerate partial shade, but it prefers full sun. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.5).
Dragonfruit can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 10a (as cold as 30 degrees Fahrenheit or -1 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of over 8 feet indoors.
You can propagate Dragonfruit by stem cuttings.
You can learn more about Dragonfruit from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Dragonfruit from Fast Growing Trees.
Dwarf Umbrella Tree
Dwarf Umbrella Tree (Schefflera arboricola) is an evergreen shrub that can be kept as a houseplant. The leaves are broad and can have some white coloring when variegated.
Dwarf Umbrella Tree needs moderate moisture levels, but it tolerates humidity. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Dwarf Umbrella Tree can tolerate partial shade, but it prefers full sun. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.8).
Dwarf Umbrella Tree can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 9b (as cold as 25 degrees Fahrenheit or -4 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 6 to 8 feet indoors, with a width of 4 to 6 feet.
You can propagate Dwarf Umbrella Tree by stem cuttings.
You can learn more about Dwarf Umbrella Tree from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Dwarf Umbrella Tree from Woodie’s Garden Goods.
Philodendron
Philodendron is an evergreen herb that can be kept as a houseplant. The leaves are green and can have some white coloring when variegated (such as Philodendron White Knight).
Philodendron needs moderate moisture levels, but it tolerates humidity. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Philodendron can tolerate partial shade or full sun. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.3).
Philodendron cannot tolerate much cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 11 (as cold as 40 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 degrees Celsius).
(You can learn more about temperature ranges for philodendron here).
This plant grows to a height of 6 to 8 feet or more indoors, and its trailing vines will climb up and across walls if you give it hooks or something else to hang onto!
You can propagate Philodendron by stem cuttings.
You can learn more about Philodendron from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Philodendron from Woodie’s Garden Goods.
There are lots of variegated philoendron varieties with interesting colors, such as:
- Black Gold
- White Knight
- Spiritus Sancti (a very rare one!)
Pink Lantern
Pink Lantern (Medinilla magnifica) is an evergreen shrub that can be kept as a houseplant. The leaves are long, green, and curved, and the plant produces showy tiny (less than 1 inch) pink flowers that can turn into fruit.
Pink Lantern needs moderate moisture levels, but it tolerates humidity. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Pink Lantern needs partial or full shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.8).
Pink Lantern can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 10 (as cold as 30 degrees Fahrenheit or -1 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 5 to 8 feet or more indoors, with a width of 2 to 4 feet.
You can propagate Pink Lantern by stem cuttings.
You can learn more about Pink Lantern from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Philodendron from Logee’s.
Pothos
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is an epiphytic drought tolerant evergreen vine that can be kept as a houseplant or in the classroom.
Pothos needs moderate to dry moisture levels. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Pothos likes partial or full shade. It prefers slightly acidic soil (pH of 6.1 to 6.5).
Pothos cannot tolerate much cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 9b (as cold as 25 degrees Fahrenheit or -4 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 6 feet indoors, and possibly more outdoors.
You can propagate Pothos by stem cuttings.
You can learn more about Pothos from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Pothos from Woodie’s Garden Goods.
Ti Plant
Ti Plant (Cordyline fruticosa) is a houseplant that produces pink leaves. This perennial shrub also produces pink flowers in summer or fall.
Ti Plant needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Ti Plant likes full sun, but can tolerate partial shade. It likes a slightly acidic soil pH (6.1 to 6.5).
Ti Plant tolerates salt, but it cannot tolerate cold temperatures. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 10b (as cold as 35 degrees Fahrenheit or 2 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 9 to 15 feet (smaller in containers) and a width of 3 to 8 feet.
You can propagate Ti Plant by stem or root cuttings.
You can learn more about Ti Plant from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Ti Plant from Costa Farms.
Wax Plant
Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa) is an epiphytic evergreen succulent vine that produces showy, fragrant, tiny (less than 1 inch) white or pale pink flowers in late spring, summer, and possibly other times of year. It is native to eastern Asia and Australia.
Wax Plant needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Wax Plant likes full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.5).
Wax Plant cannot tolerate much cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 10a (as cold as 30 degrees Fahrenheit or -1 degree Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 12 to 15 feet.
You can propagate Wax Plant by leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, or division by rhizomes, tubers, corms, or bulbs.
You can learn more about Wax Plant from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Wax Plant from Pistils Nursery.
Conclusion
Now you know about 10 tall houseplants for your house and how to take care of them. They might provide inspiration to help you to improve your indoor landscape and add beauty to your home.
If you are limited on space, you can find 7 houseplants for apartments here.
You can learn what to do with tall plants here.
If you have trouble remembering to water your plants, you might also be interested in 10 cacti that you can keep as houseplants or 10 houseplants for dry climates.
If you want less prickly plants, you can read about 10 climbing vine houseplants in my article here.
You can learn about 10 fragrant houseplants in my article here.
I hope you found this article helpful. If so, please share it with someone who can use the information.
If you want to read some of my most popular posts, check out the “Best of GreenUpSide” page here. Enjoy!
~Jonathon