Colorful foliage plants are such a joyful way to bring life and personality into your home. But beyond just looking pretty, these plants can boost your mood, make a room feel more vibrant, and help you feel more connected to nature.
We've picked out 8 houseplants that are known for their rich, colorful leaves, plus practical care advice and tips to choose the right plants for your space.
Why Should I Add Colorful Houseplants to My Home?
You might think colorful houseplants are purely decorative — but they’re actually more meaningful than that. According to plant-care experts, variegated and patterned foliage can boost your connection with nature, making your indoor space feel more calming and vibrant. Studies from the Journal of Physiological Anthropology show that even just a few indoor plants can reduce stress, elevate your mood, and make your space feel more calming and alive. So adding colorful houseplants to your home isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about wellness, too.
What Makes a Houseplant “Colorful” vs. Just Green?
Good question. A “colorful” foliage plant usually has leaves that are variegated (think stripes, spots), bi- or tri-colored, or deep-hued (like purple or red). These patterns are often evolutionary adaptations, but for us, they’re pure joy. And yes, many of these plants have very manageable care needs, especially with the right light and humidity.
Our Top Colorful Houseplant Picks— and How To Keep Them Looking Their Best
Ready to add some color to your indoor jungle? Here's a list of our top 8 colorful houseplant picks to get you started.
1. Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
Crotons are classic statement plants, with bold, leathery leaves in fiery shades of red, orange, yellow, and green. According to the University of Wisconsin Horticulture Extension, Crotons thrive in bright, indirect light, which helps their colors remain vivid. They prefer consistently moist, well-draining soil and moderate to high humidity. Crotons are sensitive to overwatering and to chemicals in tap water, so filtered or distilled water is often recommended to prevent leaf tip burn.
Pro Tip: Rotate your Croton occasionally to ensure even light exposure on all sides and preserve its vibrant foliage.
2. Purple Passion Plant (Gynura aurantiaca)
The Purple Passion Plant is prized for its velvety, deep purple leaves that feel almost plush. Experts at Wekiva Foliage recommend bright, indirect light — too little and the purple fades, too much and leaves may scorch. Water when the top inch of soil is dry, and maintain high humidity through misting or a small humidifier. A well-draining soil mix with perlite or sand keeps roots healthy and prevents rot.
Pro Tip: Pinch back leggy stems to encourage fuller, bushier growth and maintain a vibrant canopy of purple foliage.
3. Calathea (Prayer Plant family)
Calatheas are renowned for their striking, patterned leaves, which fold upward at night in a delightful “prayer” motion. They thrive in bright, indirect light and consistently moist soil, but are sensitive to overwatering. Maintaining consistent humidity is crucial to prevent browning edges, and filtered or distilled water is recommended due to the plant’s sensitivity to tap water.
Pro Tip: Place Calatheas near a humidity source like a humidifier or pebble tray to keep the leaves vibrant and healthy.
4. Spotted Begonia (Begonia maculata)
Spotted Begonia, also called the Polka Dot Begonia, is a real showstopper with olive-green leaves dotted in silvery-white and deep red undersides. According to Gardenia, it does best in bright, indirect light, and you should water once the top inch of soil feels dry, avoiding soggy conditions. Because it’s a tropical native, it prefers higher humidity, around 50% or more, which you can achieve with a pebble tray, grouping with other plants, or a humidifier.
Pro Tip: Gently wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to keep the silver spots clean and vibrant.
5. Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides)
Coleus plants are a color explosion in any room, with leaves showing red, pink, green, chartreuse, and intricate patterns. According to horticultural sources, Coleus thrives in bright, indirect light for the most vibrant foliage, and soil should drain well to prevent root rot. These plants are easy to propagate from cuttings, making them ideal for expanding your collection.
Pro Tip: Regularly pinch back new growth to encourage bushier, more colorful foliage and prevent legginess.
6. Maranta (Prayer Plant, Maranta leuconeura)
Marantas are beloved for their striking leaf patterns and nightly folding behavior, giving them the nickname “Prayer Plant.” They prefer low to medium indirect light and soil that stays evenly moist. High humidity keeps leaves from browning and supports healthy movement. Filtered water can prevent mineral buildup that may discolor leaves.
Pro Tip: Group your Maranta with other tropical plants or use a humidity tray to mimic its native environment and promote lush growth.
7. Stromanthe “Triostar” (Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Triostar’)
Stromanthe Triostar is a tropical beauty with green, cream, and soft pink leaves that look almost painted. According to Soltech care guides, it thrives in low-to-medium indirect light and soil that remains moist but not soggy. Regular misting or a nearby humidifier helps it flourish. The plant’s pink tones can fade if light is too low, but direct sun may scorch the leaves.
Pro Tip: Rotate the plant occasionally to ensure all leaves receive light, keeping the colors even and vibrant.
8. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema spp.)
Aglaonemas are a go-to choice for beginner-friendly, colorful foliage. They come in cultivars featuring silvery, pink, red, and green patterns. They tolerate low-to-medium indirect light and occasional irregular watering, making them forgiving for less experienced plant parents. Soil should dry slightly between waterings, and while Aglaonemas handle average home humidity, a small humidity boost encourages peak leaf color.
Pro Tip: Move your Aglaonema periodically to brighten darker corners, allowing its variegation to stay vivid.
Smart Tips for Choosing & Caring for These Colorful Plants
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Think about your light: If your space is dim, lean toward Aglaonema or Maranta. If you have bright, breezy light, Croton or Coleus can really shine.
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Humidity matters: Many of these plants (Calathea, Rex, Triostar) love higher humidity. If your home is dry, a small humidifier or pebble tray can make a big difference.
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Use good water: Especially for sensitive plants like Croton and Maranta, using filtered or distilled water can prevent leaf tip browning and other water-related issues.
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Supplement with grow light: If you don’t have enough natural light, a full-spectrum LED grow light, like the Aspect™ Gen 2, can help these foliage plants maintain their vibrant colors.
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Don’t rush propagation: Several of these plants (Coleus, Purple Passion) root easily from cuttings, which is a great way to expand your collection or share with plant friends.
Final Thoughts on Colorful Houseplants
Colorful foliage plants are more than décor, they’re living pieces of art that change with the seasons, respond to your care, and bring a real sense of warmth to your space. Whether you're picking a showy Croton or a tranquil Maranta, there's a colorful plant that will match your style and your light situation.
And if your natural light feels a little lacking, don’t forget: a well-placed grow light can unlock the beauty of these plants in a way that feels just as natural as the sun.
