17 Vibrant Houseplants With Red Leaves To Add To Your Indoor Garden
While many assume that the main source of color in houseplants comes from their flowers, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, numerous houseplants boast stunning red foliage that brings vibrancy and depth to indoor spaces, regardless of whether they’re in bloom or not. What’s more, these plants with striking red leaves are more common than you might think. In fact, we’ve curated a list of 17 examples of these red-leaved wonders that can be easily added to your home today.
Key Takeaways
Delving into the world of houseplants with striking red foliage is not only an engaging experience, but also a valuable learning opportunity. As you explore this list, you’ll uncover a wealth of information about these captivating plants. Some key insights that emerge are the following: The diversity of red houseplant leaves extends far beyond shape and shade; in fact, many red-leafed species have been cultivated to achieve their distinctive hues.
Furthermore, it’s often the case that naturally occurring red leaves are the exception rather than the rule. The tropical origins of numerous houseplants with red leaves add an extra layer of fascination, while the versatility of these species is highlighted by their ability to produce leaves in a range of colors beyond just red.
17 Mind-Blowing Houseplants with Red Leaves You Should Plant Today
Red Aglaonema (Aglaonema commutatum)
The Aglaonema genus boasts an array of houseplants renowned for their vibrant foliage, with the red aglaonema standing out as a top choice for those enamored by its fiery leaves. Also known as Chinese evergreen, this plant is easily identifiable by its striking combination of dark red leaves and speckled green margins. When placed in bright indirect light, it flourishes, growing to a height of less than two feet tall.
Elephant Ears (Caladium)
Tropical houseplant enthusiasts are well-acquainted with the distinctive group known as elephant ears. These plants earn their namesake due to the enormous size and elephantine shape of their leaves. While many on this list share similarities, elephant ears exhibit a remarkable diversity in leaf colors. As such, it’s crucial to select an elephant ear species with a red hue that resonates with you before making a purchase, ensuring you’re delighted with your chosen cultivar.
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
Poinsettias are a staple in many homes during the winter holiday season, and it’s hard not to notice their striking red foliage. While they’re often referred to as leaves, the truth is that those vibrant red parts are actually bracts that encircle the plant’s tiny flower cluster. Despite this technicality, poinsettias remain a popular choice for adding a pop of color to holiday decorations.
Herbst’s Bloodleaf (Iresine herbstii)
The Herbst’s bloodleaf plant boasts an extraordinary leaf display that stands out among the rest of the red-leaved plants in this list. The leaf veins exhibit a radiant neon red color, while the remainder of the leaves feature a deeper, almost burgundy hue. This unique coloration has led to the plant acquiring various peculiar yet fitting common names, such as beef plant and chicken gizzard plant.
Whether grown outdoors as a perennial or indoors as part of your houseplant collection, this striking red foliage is sure to make a dramatic statement in its new surroundings.
Coral Bells (Heuchera ‘Forever Red’)
While it’s common for coral bells plants to thrive outdoors as perennials in many US regions, this doesn’t mean they can’t be grown indoors. In fact, some varieties of coral bells can survive and even flourish in areas with lower light exposure. This adaptability makes them suitable for indoor growing locations. What’s more, certain cultivars like Heuchera ‘Forever Red’ boast reddish bronze leaves that add a pop of color to any room.
If you’re looking for this specific feature, be sure to opt for one of these unique varieties.
Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
The polka dot plant’s popularity stems from its stunning appearance, which rewards growers with leaves boasting vibrant pink, white, or red speckles against a lush green backdrop. While some enthusiasts may prioritize varieties featuring prominent red hues, the true beauty of these plants lies in their ability to thrive when planted in groups, showcasing an array of colors that create a visually striking display.
Red Grass Palm (Cordyline australis ‘Red Star’)
The red grass palm commands attention through multiple visual elements. Its striking feature is its set of long, palm-like fronds that boast a deep, almost menacing, red hue, perfectly fitting the plant’s name. The foliage forms a rounded yet spiky canopy atop a single main trunk. Notably, this palm tree makes an excellent houseplant option, but it’s essential to consider its larger-than-average size.
At maturity, it can grow up to 15 feet tall; however, indoor growing conditions often result in smaller, more compact mature sizes.
Red Peperomia (Peperomia caperata)
While some enthusiasts seek out bold, fire-engine red hues in their houseplants, others prefer a more understated approach. Our featured plant is a great example of a species that will appeal to those who crave subtlety. The Red Peperomia boasts leaves with a deep, muted red tone that adds depth and interest to any indoor space without overwhelming the senses. The foliage also features a unique texture, complete with prominent veins that impart a slightly rumpled appearance.
This intriguing combination of color and texture makes it an excellent choice for hobbyist gardeners looking to add some visual appeal to their indoor planting schemes.
Copperleaf Plant (Acalypha wilkesiana)
The copper leaf plant offers an alternative to the smaller red-leafed houseplants for those with space to accommodate a larger species. Mature plants can grow several feet tall and wide, developing a shrub-like shape. Yet, if you’re not keen on your copperleaf reaching its maximum size, regular pruning can help maintain a more compact form. Regardless of its ultimate size, the plant will consistently display broad leaves featuring a reddish-copper hue.
Blushing Bromeliad (Neoregelia carolinae)
In a thoughtful approach to planting design, the blushing bromeliad exemplifies the power of contrast. If you were to surround this red-leaved houseplant with other plants bearing similar hues, its unique characteristics would be diminished. Conversely, by juxtaposing it against a backdrop of green and yellowish tones, the reddish-pink center portions are able to take center stage.
The striking coloration is all the more remarkable when considering that these bold highlights emerge from a predominantly green and yellow landscape.
Black Star Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis ‘Black Star’)
While many plants on this list boast predominantly red foliage, the black star nerve plant’s unique appeal lies in its subtle yet striking use of red as an accent. The leaves themselves are a deep green hue, but it’s the vibrant red veins that truly make this plant stand out. Rather than overwhelming the senses with broad swaths of red, the black star nerve plant thoughtfully incorporates these crimson hues as a pop of color.
This thoughtful balance makes it an ideal choice for those who appreciate red plants without wanting them to visually dominate their houseplant collection.
Red Abyssinian Banana (Ensete ventricosum)
While the name ‘Abyssinian banana tree’ might suggest a fruitful harvest, the reality is quite different. In fact, this plant doesn’t produce edible bananas or fruits at all – it’s purely an ornamental species. What you can expect to get out of a red Abyssinian banana plant are its strikingly large leaves, which can grow to impressive lengths that exceed multiple feet in size.
And unlike traditional green foliage, these leaves have a unique dark red color, making them a standout feature in any garden or indoor space.
Painted Leaf Begonia (Begonia rex)
While many people are familiar with flowering annual begonias that thrive outdoors during warmer months, the painted leaf begonia stands out due to its vibrant foliage rather than its blooms. The plant’s leaves can feature striking combinations of light green and dark red patches, or be entirely deep red in color. A unique characteristic of this variety is its ability to perform well in shadier areas, making it an excellent choice for indoor growing spaces.
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum ‘Norma’)
Croton plants are renowned for their vibrant colors, often boasting a stunning array of hues in a single plant. From fiery reds and deep greens to sunny yellows, these colorful options can seamlessly blend into any indoor gardening setting. If you’re specifically seeking the iconic red-leafed variety, certain cultivars will guarantee the desired color. Among the most notable is the ‘Norma’ cultivar, which boasts an unmistakable bright red hue punctuated by dark green patches.
Inch Plant (Callisia Repens’ Pink Panther’)
While other plants boast vibrant red hues, the inch plant takes a more subtle approach, featuring delicate green leaves with soft purplish undertones. Despite their small size, these leaves should not be underestimated, as they can contribute to rapid growth – in fact, this plant is known for expanding by an inch or more within just seven days. If you decide to cultivate the inch plant, be prepared for it to exceed its initial dimensions and fill out nicely.
Prince of Orange Philodendron (Philodendron)
The Prince of Orange Philodendron may mislead with its name, suggesting leaves that are predominantly orange. In reality, the large leaves of this plant are mostly green. Yet, there’s an intriguing twist: newly emerging leaves start off with a vibrant red hue that gradually fades as they mature. This consistent production of fresh growth ensures that your garden will have a subtle yet ongoing touch of red, courtesy of the Prince of Orange Philodendron.
Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides)
Coleus plants are renowned for their striking foliage, boasting an array of vibrant colors including true red hues. The leaves’ intricate patterns and contrasting edges, often featuring lighter shades tracing the serrated margins, make them a standout among houseplants. For anyone enamored with plants showcasing red leaves, the coleus is an absolute must-have. Its unique characteristics have earned it a place on any list of plants boasting fascinating leaf colors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Houseplants with Red Leaves
Do Plants with Red Leaves Photosynthesize?
While plants with vibrant red leaves may appear to be exceptions to the rule, they still rely on photosynthesis to survive just like any other plant. In fact, without photosynthesis, these red-leafed plants would not be able to sustain themselves. It’s worth noting that the difference in leaf pigmentation between a red-leaved and green-leaved plant doesn’t impact their ability to convert sunlight into energy.
Furthermore, the intensity of sunlight required by a particular plant isn’t directly correlated with its leaf color either. The fundamental process of photosynthesis remains unchanged regardless of whether a plant has green, red, or any other colored leaves.
Are Any Plants with Red Leaves Native to Florida?
While it’s true that numerous plants boasting vibrant red foliage can thrive in Florida’s climate, the majority of these species aren’t indigenous to the state. A significant factor contributing to this is the fact that many naturally occurring red-leaved plants hail from abroad. Furthermore, there are an abundance of red-leaved varieties that arose as a direct result of cultivation, rendering them non-native to any specific region, including Florida.
What is the Advantage of Red Leaves?
While red leaves may not offer a unique selective advantage to plants, their scarcity is likely due to the absence of strong evolutionary pressures driving the development of this trait. Nonetheless, the presence of red leaves doesn’t necessarily impose a disadvantage on the plant either. Instead, it often reflects human preference for aesthetically pleasing foliage and the subsequent cultivation or collection of such varieties.
The fact that people have actively sought out and developed plants with red leaves underscores the importance of visual appeal in shaping the evolution of plant morphology.
Why Are Some Plants Red Instead of Green?
The distinctive hues of plant foliage can be attributed to the harmonious balance of pigments within their leaves. Typically, plants boast green leaves due to an abundance of chlorophyll. However, certain species exhibit striking red or crimson tones, resulting from a unique ratio of pigments, including xanthophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanins.
These latter pigments not only contribute to the reddish color but also coexist with chlorophyll in red-leafed plants, allowing for a mesmerizing fusion of green and red hues.
Do Red Leaves Symbolize Anything?
Red leaves on certain plant species have accrued spiritual and cultural significance over time, reflecting their prominence in many botanical contexts. While the symbolic meaning behind red leaves can vary across cultures, they often represent intense emotions, including love, anger, and passion. With a foundation of knowledge about popular houseplants featuring this striking foliage, enthusiasts may seek further insight into these intriguing plants.
To cater to such curiosity, below are thoughtful responses to some of the most pressing questions gardeners ask about red-leaved houseplants.
17 Unbelievable Houseplants with Red Leaves That You’ll Love
While many gardeners may not be aware of the variety of houseplants with stunning red leaves, this knowledge is now at your fingertips. Houseplants from diverse plant families and featuring an array of shapes and forms can add a pop of vibrant color to your space. From subtle accents to statement pieces, these plants offer unique opportunities for personal expression and home decor.
With our list serving as a comprehensive guide, you’ll be well-equipped to choose the perfect red-leafed houseplant to bring beauty and personality to your living space.