Any interior décor is improved by vibrant plants with red, pink, green, purple, or white leaves. Without the need for flowers, colorful leafy plants provide year-round appeal. Despite the fact that some houseplants with bright leaves blossom, their appeal is in the variety of their colors. Colorful plants are typically easy-to-care-for indoor plants, which is the best thing about them.
Houseplants with colorful leaves come in a variety of colors. Tropical alocasia plants, for example, have gorgeous dark green and white leaves. Red and green, pink and green, or red, white, and green are some of the colors of caladium plants’ leaves. Small leaves are green and red, green and white, or pink blotches on green leaves on certain compact houseplants such as nerve plants or polka dot plants.
You’ll discover a plethora of colorful indoor plants to add to your home whether you want to make a dramatic statement with stunning white and green leafy plants or pastel-colored foliage plants. This article contains everything you need to know about gorgeous houseplants that are simple to maintain. Help you choose which leafy plants to grow at home by reading descriptions and photos of vibrantly-colored ones.
Plants with Colorful Leaves (With Pictures)
Do you want to inject some year-round brightness into your home? Would you like to learn more about vibrant houseplants that don’t need flowers to be beautiful? If so, continue reading to learn more about colorful leafy plants.
Coleus
Coleus is a low-growing tropical plant with fuzzy leaves in dazzling hues and a wide range of hues. This plants, sometimes known as Solenostemon, have serrated margins on their colorful ovate leaves. Bright pink, burgundy, and lime green colors can be found on some coleus leaves. houseplants come in green and purple or translucent green and red hues as well.
Single-colored selections are some of the most examples of colorful coleus leaves. Deep pink or red leaves, brilliant yellowish-green leaves, and deep purple, almost black leaves are examples of showy coleus plants.
In loose, well-draining soil and bright, indirect sunlight, plants thrive indoors. When the soil is somewhat dry, coleus plants need just watering. plants retain their rich colors even when growing in the shade.
Nerve Plant (Fittonia)
Nerve plants are small tropical decorative plants with dark green oval leaves that feature vividly-colored network patterns. They add a vibrant touch to your home décor. Fittonia cultivars feature veins in their leaves that are vivid red, bright pink, white, or reddish-purple. Some nerve plants’ leaves appear bright pink rather than dark green because of their vivid coloring. Nerve plants have a spread of around 9 inches (23 cm) and grow only 4 inches (10 cm) tall.
Nerve plants blend nicely with other plants because of their compact, low-growing character. These bedding plants can be grown in taller flowering pots with other bedding plants. Orchids, calatheas, and bird’s nest ferns are all fascinating colorful leaves that add to the appeal.
Nerve plants are excellent choices for closed terrariums because they prefer warm, humid conditions. A bright windowsill is also suitable for growing nerve plants, which are protected from direct sunlight.
Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
Polka Dot houseplants have rich green, ovate leaves with splashes of red, pink, white, or brilliant green that feature vibrant colors on the inside. These compact plants are also known as splash plants and freckle face plants due to their colorful leaf markings.
Polka dot leaves can be heavily mottled or have a few spots of color. Polka dot plants, like nerve plants, belong to the same tropical plant family (Acanthaceae). A;so, have bigger leaves than nerve plants and may reach a height of 12 inches (30 cm). Keep them in a humidified setting and partial sun to grow polka dot plants at home.
Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
Poinsettia plants are bright potted plants with vividly colored red bracts that resemblance leaves. They have lovely crimson and green foliage. The dark green lance-shaped leaves contrast with the stunning red colors. Poinsettia cultivars may have cream, yellow, orange, or pale green bracts in addition to their vivid red leaves.
The plant is also known as the Christmas star or Christmas flower because the red and green leaves are typically most spectacular around midwinter. Mexican flameleaf and fire plant are two common names for this species because of its fiery red leaves.
Poinsettia does not flower indoors, despite being a blooming plant. In comparison to the vivid red, cream, or yellow leaves, the flowers are insignificant when they bloom. In bright, indirect light, semi-cool temperatures, and moderate humidity, poinsettia plants thrive as houseplants.
Ti Plant (Cordyline fruticosa)
Ti plants have gorgeous multicolored leaves in purple, pink, white, or cream hues that form stunning combinations and forms. Variegated purple leaves with white or hot pink streaks are among the most stunning Ti plants. Ti plant leaves maintain their vivid hues throughout the year as long as they get enough sunlight. The lucky plant, cabbage palm, and palm lily are some of the names for Ti plants.
The leaf shapes and colors vary greatly. Elongated lanceolate green leaves with vivid pink edges are seen in certain cultivars. Yellowish-orange leaves with crimson and pink streaks are found in other cultivars. The variegated green and pink leaves of the ‘Red Sister’ are an attention-grabbing houseplant. To keep the color-packed foliage vibrant, the Ti plant needs bright light indoors. It is a non-blooming potted plant that does not need any water.
Canna Lily (Canna indica)
The canna lily is a tall, broadleaved exotic plant with gorgeous blooms and large leaves that may be cultivated indoors throughout the winter in the brightest area of your home. While most canna lilies have lovely green leaves, variegated varieties are especially sought after.
Among the plant cultivars, you may find canna lily plants with gorgeous bronze leaves and purple and yellow stripes. Other cultivars of cannas have huge chocolatey-brown leaves and dramatic foliage. For patios, decks, and gardens, cannas are lovely blooming foliage plants. You may move the pots inside during the winter to keep the plant flowering all year.
Colorful Aglaonema
Aglaonema plants are popular houseplants with green, red, pink, and cream foliage that comes in a variety of hues. Pink, white, or red splashes can be seen on the bright green leaves. Long, lance-shaped glossy green leaves with crimson or pink veins may be seen in some cultivars.
The variegated leaves of the most magnificent aglaonema plants are red and green. Large green leaves with hot pink or red edges may be seen on the ‘Siam Aurora,’ for example. Or, you might have aglaonema cultivars with tiny green borders and brilliant red tips.
The White Calcite is a lovely plant with green lanceolate leaves and white splotches if you’re looking for colorful plants with white and green leaves. Grow colorful aglaonema plants in bright indirect sunlight and water when the top part of the soil is dry to care for them.
Calathea
Rather than blossoms, Calathea cultivars feature green and white leaves with purple undersides in a variety of patterns. Exotic green leaves with patterns of white, lime green, or dark green may be found in Calathea cultivars. Green oval leaves with white markings, light green lanceolate leaves with dark green patterns, and huge green leaves with white pinstripes are all examples of Calathea leaves.
Calathea leaf colors have a purple underside that is one of the plant’s most beautiful features. Dark burgundy or reddish-purple hues are revealed when a leaf is flipped over. When the leaves of many prayer plants, including this one, rise at night, these colors are also visible. Calathea plants thrive in average room temperatures with high humidity and partial shade, as they are native to tropical rainforests.
Caladiums
Caladium leaves have some of the most stunning hues available, and they add a decorative touch to your home. Green leaves with colorful patterns of pink, red, white, and multicolored lines are called fancy-shaped or strap-shaped. The vividly coloured veins contrast with the heart-shaped green leaves, which is a characteristic of caladium leaf color.
Elephant ears, angel’s wings, and the heart of Jesus are all terms used to describe caladium plants. Caladiums have more colorful foliage and vibrant multi-colored leaves, despite being related to Alocasia plants.
Caladium cultivars of the species Caladium bicolor produce the most vibrant caladium plants. Heart or arrow-shaped leaves are found in spectacular foliage plants. Bright pink and green, white, red, and green, and green with white and red dots are some of the leaf color combinations available. Bright pink leaves, deep red veins, and green borders characterize this one stunning caladium cultivar.
African Mask Plant (Alocasia)
The African mask plant is a kind of Alocasia with unique green leaves and prominent thick white veins. It’s featured in the photo, along with its compact cultivar ‘Polly.’ Arrowhead leaves characterize African mask plants, which are tropical indoor plants.
Wavy margins and downward growth are common on the huge, pointed tropical white and green leaves. The Alocasia amazonica ‘Polly’ is the finest African mask plant for indoor cultivation. It grows up to 2 feet (0.6 meters) tall in a pot. The tropical touch is added to any home interior by the eye-catching foliage, which has green glossy pointed leaves and contrasting white veins.
White Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
White lungwort, Pulmonaria ‘Sissinghurst White,’ is a shade-loving plant with green, ovate leaves and tiny white or light green blotches. White-spotted green leaves grow at the end of long stems in the cultivar ‘Sissinghurst White.’ In the spring, delicate white flowers appear on the ornamental plant.
Arrowhead Vine (Syngonium podophyllum)
The arrowhead vine plants have lovely shaded light pink and green leaves that make them popular indoor plants. The décor of an interior is brightened with a dusting of pink over papery green leaves. The arrowhead vine can grow up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) long as an indoor vining plant.
Other cultivars feature yellow and orange leaf hues, in addition to the light pink and green variegated arrowhead plant. A green-leaved arrowhead vine cultivar with yellowish-white network patterns is available as well. Goosefoot plants, arrowhead philodendrons, and American evergreen are all terms used to describe arrowhead vines.
Rex Begonias (Begonia rex cultorum)
Rex begonias are small colorful foliage plants with a wide range of leaf colors. They are low-growing and have attractive foliage color patterns. Rex begonias are also well-liked because of their bright leaves. The leaves of tropical houseplants are intriguingly formed with gorgeous color designs. The vibrant leaves of these plants make little areas seem more cheerful since they are compact.
Rex begonias produce white-spotted green lanceolate leaves, as well as dramatic red and black triangular leaves. Reddish-green, silvery-green, pink, and green are some of the other hues found on rex begonia leaves, with white and silver adds of bronze and silver. Indoors, rex begonias should be grown in bright, well-draining potting medium.
Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina)
The wandering Jew has striped, green, silver, and purple pointed leaves, and is also known as the silver inch plant. Long dangling stems are covered in colorful lanceolate-shaped leaves, and this trailing evergreen tropical plant grows long. Dangling from hanging baskets, the lovely purple and green foliage looks spectacular.
Spiderwort is another term for the wandering Jew. For a vibrant indoor accessory, this hanging basket plant is simple to establish and propagate. You may grow the silver inch plant as a tabletop houseplant with regular pruning.
Vase plant (Aechmea fasciata)
The vase plant has colorful pink bracts that give it a tropical appearance and adds to the home’s decor. As a magnificent bright green, pink, or purple-colored leaf-like bract ring forms in the center of the tropical plant, it comes to life. The leaves, which are bright pink, purple, or variegated yellow and green, may last for months.
Because of its growth and foliage color, the vase plant is also known as the urn plant or silver vase plant. The vase plant may reach a height of 20 inches (50 cm). Vase plants need minimal water in the soil because they are a kind of air plant. Yet, the center vase must be filled with water for this strange houseplant.
Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus)
The Persian Shield is a lovely tropical houseplant that thrives in medium indirect light and features stunning purple and green colors. The Persian shield is also known as the royal purple plant because of its pointed lanceolate leaves, which are dark green with vivid purple iridescent hues.
A central leaf vein gives rise to the metallic purple striped pointed leaves. In medium light, grow Persian shield as a houseplant, but keep it away from direct sun.
Purple Passion Plant (Gynura aurantiaca)
The purple passion plant has small orange flowers that contrast nicely with its dark green leaves and purple undersides. This plant, which grows as a colorful houseplant in temperate climates, is also known as the velvet plant. Its purple-hairy stems and leaves give it a velvety feel, and its dark green stems and leaves are covered with purple hairs.
The orange flowers that bloom on the end of long stems are one of the appealing elements of this purple foliage plant. This striking potted plant will brighten up any brightly-lit area with its unusual color combination of purple, orange, and green.
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
Croton plants have a variety of leaf forms and colors, including green, red, yellow, and orange leaves. The unusually-shaped leaves come in a wide range of colors. Variable green and yellow patterns with hints of orange are the most prevalent leaf variegation. Bright red and green or red and orange are some of the most stunning colorful croton leaves.
Croton plants are popular houseplants for a lot more than their bright leaves. The leaf forms are also intriguing. Long, linear waxy leaves, short, ovate waxy leaves, deeply lobed or twisted waxy leaves are all examples. Croton houseplants’ vivid hues match nicely with other tropical houseplants.
Crotons with orange and red leaves, for example, stand out when planted beside purple-flowered plants. You might also grow colorful crotons with plants that produce red, orange, or yellow blooms.
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
When you see photographs of colorful ruffled foliage of coral bells (Heuchera), you’ll discover there’s no end to the stunning color combinations. Bright autumn orange, champagne gold, luminescent green, fiery red, and deep purple are just a few of the vivid colors of the small rounded lobed leaves with frilly borders. Indoors or outdoors, the small, colorful leafy plants are perfect.
The variegated types of Heuchera are among the most spectacular leaf colors. Green or yellow leaves with rich red veins, for example, are characteristic of certain cultivars. Silvery purple leaves with burgundy patterns are seen in other cultivars. Coral bells plants feature bright green leaves with dark network patterns.
Grow multi-colored coral bells in partial shade to care for them. Heuchera plants are best grown as colorful bedding or border plants in the ground in your front or backyard, despite their ability to grow indoors. Coral bells are USDA zone 4 cold hardy, so they’ll tolerate most winters without fail.