Plant Sizes 101: A Guide To Choosing Small, Medium and Large Plants
Plant Sizes 101: A Guide To Choosing Small, Medium and Large Plants
Figuring out the right size plant for your pots can be surprisingly tricky. With so many plant varieties and pot sizes available, it’s easy to feel uncertain about what will work best. Choosing the wrong size can lead to health issues for your plants and disrupt the balance of your space. In this blog, we’ll make the process easier by providing examples of plants that are generally considered small, medium, and large.
Small Houseplants:
Succulents: These come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them perfect for small spaces. Popular varieties include Echeveria, Haworthia, and Sedum.
Air Plants (Tillandsia): These plants don't require soil and are small enough to be placed in decorative holders or terrariums.
Calathea: Known for their beautiful, patterned leaves and variety in leaf shapes, small Calathea species like Calathea lancifolia (Rattlesnake Plant) are excellent choices.
Button Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia): This fern has small, rounded leaves on arching stems and is ideal for compact spaces, adding a touch of elegance to your plant collection.
String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus): This unique plant has small, spherical leaves that resemble a string of beads, perfect for hanging pots.
Fittonia (Nerve Plant): Known for its striking leaf patterns in shades of pink, white, or red, the nerve plant is perfect for adding a splash of color to a small pot.
Peperomia: With numerous varieties like the Watermelon Peperomia or Ripple Peperomia, these small plants have attractive foliage and are easy to care for.
Miniature African Violet (Saintpaulia): These plants have beautiful, vibrant flowers and fuzzy leaves, ideal for small pots and windowsills.
Lithops (Living Stones): These small succulents mimic stones in their natural environment and are fascinating additions to any small pot.
Aloe Vera: Not only does it have medicinal properties, but it’s also an attractive succulent that requires minimal watering.
Medium houseplants:
Monstera Deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant): Known for its large, unique leaves with natural holes, this plant adds a tropical vibe to any space.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): A versatile vining plant with heart-shaped leaves, it’s easy to care for and can thrive in various light conditions.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata): This hardy plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is popular for its upright, sword-like leaves and low maintenance needs.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): With its arching, variegated leaves and ability to produce “pups,” this plant is excellent for hanging pots.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): Appreciated for its beautiful white flowers and lush green foliage, it can thrive in low light and helps purify the air.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): Known for its glossy, dark green leaves and drought tolerance, the ZZ plant is a great choice for beginners.
Philodendron: Available in various types, including heartleaf and split-leaf, philodendrons are beloved for their lush foliage and adaptability.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema): With its large, variegated leaves and easy-care nature, the Chinese evergreen can grow quite tall and full, providing lush foliage.
Large houseplants:
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae): Known for its striking flowers and large, banana-like leaves, this plant makes a bold statement indoors.
Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata): This trendy plant features large, violin-shaped leaves and can grow into a substantial, eye-catching focal point in any room.
Dracaena Marginata (Dragon Tree): With its slender, arching leaves and tall, cane-like stems, this plant is ideal for adding height and texture to a room.
Schefflera (Umbrella Tree): The Schefflera can grow quite large and is known for its glossy, umbrella-like leaves, which give it a full, bushy appearance.
Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana): This elegant palm features arching fronds and is well-suited to indoor environments, adding a tropical touch.
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens): This palm has feathery, arching fronds and can grow to a substantial size, making it a popular choice for creating a tropical ambiance indoors.
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica): With its large, glossy leaves, the rubber plant can grow tall and is easy to maintain.
Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans): This plant has long, arching leaves and a sturdy, tree-like trunk, making it a popular choice for indoor greenery.
These lists are a guide only and may vary depending on the time of year and the plant’s overall health and care. Although the size of plants is somewhat determined by biology, factors such as sunlight exposure, nutrients, humidity and water considerably affect their size and appearance. Small plants can easily become medium ones, and medium plants can easily turn into large ones given the right growing conditions. When selecting a plant for a pot, always consider its mature root growth. After all, choosing the right size plant to suit the right size pot is more than just a practical decision, it’s about enhancing both the health of your plants and the aesthetics of your space be it as a stand-alone or a cluster.