Large Plants That Can Stay in Pots

Palm Trees

• Palm trees in pots create a tropical feel on your patio or large balcony. The Canary Island palm tree (Phoenix canariensis) can reach up to 60 feet tall but is a slow-grower and can live in a large pot for more than 15 years. It grows well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. The pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebellini) slowly reaches 6-to-12 feet in height and has a single trunk topped with a full crown of graceful fronds. It grows in USDA zones 10 through 11. The dwarf majesty palm tree, (Ravenea hildebrandtii) is a slow-growing palm that can get 6 feet tall and grows in USDA zones 9b through 11.

Large Tropical Flowering Plants

• The bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is a tropical plant with unique blue and orange blooms resembling an exotic bird's head and beak. Keep your plant in full sun to part shade. It is hardy in USDA zones 9 through 12. The red ginger plant (Alpinia purpurata) is easy to care for and usually grows close to 8 feet tall. Its colorful bracts come in red, white or pink. It needs full to partial sun and grows in USDA zones 9 through 11. The flaming sword bromeliad (Vriesea splendens) is prized for its brightly colored flat, sword-like flowers. It can live outdoors as long as you keep it warm and grows in USDA zones 10 through 12.

Succulents

• Giant yucca (Yucca elephantipes) has pliable leaves that lack the sharp spines of most yuccas. It may grow to 30 feet tall in the ground, but growth is stunted with potting. It grows best in USDA zones 9 through 11. Variegated century plant (Agave americana variegata) likes full sun and can grow to 6 feet tall. It is a native of Mexico and has naturalized itself in the western United States. It thrives in USDA zones 8b through 12. Grass aloe, (Aloe cooperi) has grassy foliage and a slender habit and grows to 3 feet tall. This aloe will grow in USDA zones 7b through 11.

Tips and Warnings

• Most large potted plants can begin to crowd indoor spaces, making it difficult to navigate around them. Choose plants for indoor use wisely or plan to move large ones outdoors before they become unmanageable