Easy Decorating: Turn Over a New, Tropical Leaf

A vase of large tropical leaves may be the perfect solution when you crave some easy-care green. These leaves can last for weeks and come in a variety of shapes and styles.

Palm fronds are breezy and beachy, and they grow in a range of sizes, from small enough for an average-size vase to large and very heavy — in which case you'll need a huge floor urn. Large tropical leaves such as strelitzia, elephant's ear and split-leaf philodendron are reminiscent of a tropical rain forest and can look dramatic and exotic. Just imagine your ideal tropical getaway and pick your leaves accordingly.

More ways to develop tropical style

Vases filled with strelitzia and philodendron leaves are the perfect addition to this tropical-style porch in Boston. The colorful throw pillows and green leaves bring the space to life.


Isn't it truly amazing what a difference one huge leaf can make? The single giant strelitzia leaf in this Los Angeles home adds a fairy tale touch to a soothing green space.


The neutral palette in this Granville, Ohio, home is perfectly suited to the tongue-in-cheek style of decorating with giant leaves. The vignette created by placing an elephant's ear leaf atop a vintage hospital cart reminds me of a botany laboratory of sorts, a great reference for a home with lush green views beyond.


A Zen-like bedroom in this modern Orlando home becomes a vacation retreat with just a few leaves of strelitzia, which, while not tree size, do conjure the idea of sleeping beneath the palms.


Tropical leaves, such as these simple palm fronds, look great anywhere, and in this Minneapolis kitchen their casual tropical touch works wonderfully with the clean, beachy style.


A beautifully distressed trestle table in this island vacation home near Charleston, South Carolina, looks inviting with just the simple placement of some fan palm leaves, freshly cut from the garden beyond.


A single fan palm leaf, which mimics an actual palm tree, looks right at home in an elegant Caribbean villa's bathroom niche.

This one is very likely dried or preserved, a great option for busy folks whose time at home is limited.


A philodendron leaf adds some life to this vignette in an artful Los Angeles home, giving context to the nature theme of the painting and breaking out of the visual box.


The understated elegance in this New York loft is greatly enhanced by the few philodendron leaves beside the classic chaise.

How to get the most out of your tropical leaves:Tropical leaves will, if properly cared for, last significantly longer than most floral bouquets.If you're harvesting from your own garden (lucky you!), cut in the morning before the heat of the day dries out the leaves. It's also recommended that you purchase your leaves in the morning to protect them from heat on the way home. And as with flowers, if you'll be traveling any distance, place them in a plastic bag filled with enough water to cover the bottom of the stems.When choosing tropical leaves from a florist, make sure they are 100 percent intact and that no brown areas have been removed; removed areas a sign of unhealthy foliage that will quickly deteriorate.For a long-lasting bouquet:
Wash the leaves well to make sure they are insect free.Sanitize the vase with hot water and bleach to reduce bacteria growth.Add a packet of flower food to the water.Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle and trim them every few days.Change the water every two or three days.Keep the arrangement away from direct sun, drafts and small children, who might grab a leaf and pull the whole thing over.More: How to grow banana plants

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