The white bird of paradise is grown indoors for its big, banana-like paddle leaves on tall stems, a fast way to get a tropical, architectural presence in a room. Given headroom, it becomes a genuine statement floor plant.

Place it at your brightest window; it tolerates some direct sun, and more light means bigger, sturdier leaves. Let the top couple inches of soil dry between waterings, wipe dust off the leaves occasionally, and keep it clear of cold drafts.