25 Plants with Big Leaves: Nature’s Lushest Showstoppers
If you're dreaming of creating a bold, green sanctuary filled with leafy drama, look no further than Mother Nature's giants. Big-leaf plants are not only beautiful, they also help purify the air, create shade, and bring a lush, tropical feel to any garden or indoor space. From exotic to edible, here are 25 stunning plants with big leaves every nature lover should know.
1. Elephant Ear (Colocasia spp.)
These tropical beauties have enormous heart-shaped leaves that can grow over 3 feet long! Perfect for creating a jungle vibe in your yard or container garden.
2. Giant Rhubarb (Gunnera manicata)
Nicknamed “Dinosaur Food,” this plant has prehistoric-looking leaves that span up to 6 feet. Needs a moist environment and lots of space.
3. Banana Plant (Musa spp.)
With lush, paddle-shaped leaves, banana plants are showstoppers indoors or out. Bonus – you might get fruit!
4. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)
Not just for its flowers – its glossy, banana-like leaves add elegance to any space.
5. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
Trendy for a reason – it boasts large, violin-shaped leaves that bring a modern, sculptural vibe indoors.
6. Monstera deliciosa
Also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, its split leaves are big, bold, and beloved by plant parents.
7. Hostas
Hardy and shade-loving, hostas offer wide, textured leaves in various green shades – some even variegated.
8. Alocasia (Elephant Ear cousin)
These come in many types, with dramatic arrow-shaped leaves and bold veining.
9. Taro (Colocasia esculenta)
Used in many cultures as a root vegetable, its large, heart-shaped leaves are a garden centerpiece.
10. Philodendron ‘Xanadu’
Lush and leafy, this variety brings tropical drama without taking over your space.
11. Ligularia (The Rocket)
Big-leafed and bold, this perennial adds contrast to flower beds with its broad, toothed foliage.
12. Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
A native woodland plant with umbrella-like leaves and a hidden fruit below.
13. Canna Lily (Canna indica)
Known for both its flowers and large leaves – some with streaks of burgundy and bronze!
14. Paulownia Tree (Empress Tree)
One of the fastest-growing trees on earth, its leaves can span over a foot wide!
15. Tetrapanax (Rice Paper Plant)
Massive lobed leaves give this subtropical stunner a true wow factor.
16. Brunnera macrophylla (‘Jack Frost’)
Big heart-shaped leaves with silvery veining that glow in the shade garden.
17. Castor Bean Plant (Ricinus communis)
Giant, star-shaped leaves and bright red stems – but toxic, so handle with care.
18. Ligularia dentata
Another ligularia cousin, this variety loves moist, shady areas and has rich purple-tinged foliage.
19. Ruffled Fan Palm (Licuala grandis)
Its perfectly round, pleated leaves look like they were made for a fairy-tale rainforest.
20. Japanese Butterbur (Petasites japonicus)
Huge, round leaves that love the shade and spread easily – almost too easily.
21. Rheum palmatum (Ornamental Rhubarb)
Not edible like garden rhubarb, but its huge leaves are striking in beds and borders.
22. Bergenia (Elephant’s Ears)
Tough, evergreen perennials with thick, glossy leaves and pops of pink flowers in spring.
23. Indian Rhubarb (Darmera peltata)
A riverside favorite with umbrella-like leaves and charming pink blooms.
24. Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’
One of the biggest hostas around – lush, chartreuse leaves that practically glow in the shade.
25. Catalpa Tree
A North American native tree with heart-shaped leaves and beautiful spring flowers.
Why Big Leaves Matter
Plants with big leaves often grow in shady, humid environments. Their wide surface area helps them capture more light – nature’s way of adapting to dim forest floors. For gardeners, big-leafed plants bring texture, depth, and that wow factor no flower can rival.
Pro Tip: Many big-leafed plants love moisture and protection from intense midday sun. Add mulch to keep the roots cool and pair them with shade-loving companions for maximum impact.
Bring the Jungle Home
Whether you're designing a wild backyard escape or adding a leafy statement piece to your living room, these 25 plants with big leaves are proof that sometimes, bigger really is better.
