Gardening
Houseplants
Types of Houseplants
By
Alexandra Jones
Alexandra Jones
Alexandra Jones is an avid urban grower and Master Gardener writing about houseplants, gardening, and sustainability from her home in Philadelphia. She has 10 years of gardening experience and five years of professional writing expertise.
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Published on 03/05/24
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Looking to add a pop of color to your houseplant collection? Plants with red and green leaves are a great place to start. With the proper care, certain succulents, tropical plants, and other favorite indoor growers will develop beautiful red foliage that stands out among the green. Best of all, many of them are adaptable to a range of conditions and easy to keep happy.
Here are 47 colorful houseplants with red and green leaves to consider for your home.
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Philodendron 'Imperial Red'
The leaves of this striking, self-heading philodendron unfurl bright red, then shift to a coppery color before turning bright green.
- Name: Philodendron imperial red (Philodendron erubescens 'Imperial Red')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the soil surface begins to dry out
- Mature Size: 2-3 ft. tall and wide
- Difficulty: Needy
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Burgundy Rubber Tree
A tall, fast-growing specimen, burgundy rubber plant is named for the dark red tones in its new growth and on the undersides of its leaves.
- Name: Burgundy rubber plant (Ficus elastica 'Burgundy')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist
- Mature Size: Up to 6 ft. tall
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Red King Aglaonema
Easy-growing red king aglaonema, also called Chinese evergreen, adds deep pink or red color to any houseplant collection.
- Name: Red king aglaonema (Aglaonema 'Red King')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the soil surface begins to dry out
- Mature Size: 1–3 ft. tall and wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Philodendron 'Moonlight'
Also called lime philodendron for its bright, yellow-green young leaves, this plant's new growth is encased in red cataphylls that provide an appealing contrast.
- Name: Philodendron moonlight (Philodendron'Moonlight')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the top inch of soil has dried out
- Mature Size: 1-2 ft. tall and wide
- Difficulty: Needy
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Tradescantia Nanouk
A trendy cousin of the ubiquitous spiderwort, tradescantia nanouk's leaves sport stripes of green, cream, and deep pink.
- Name: Tradescantia nanouk (Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the top inch of soil has dried out
- Mature Size: 2 ft. tall
- Difficulty: Needy
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Triostar Stromanthe
This member of the prayer plant family is known for its white, green, and red coloration. It grows best in high humidity.
- Name: Triostar stromanthe (Stromanthe sanguinea 'Triostar')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the top inch of soil has dried out
- Mature Size: 2-3 ft. tall
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Red Twist Peperomia
Also called red log peperomia, this unique variety has deep red stems and ovate green leaves tinged with red on their undersides.
- Name: Red twist peperomia (Peperomia verticillata)
- Light: Medium to bright indirect
- Water: When top half of the soil has dried out
- Mature Size: 12 in. tall, 6-8 in. wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Red Fittonia
Red fittonia, or nerve plant, is known for its web of thin red veins on small green leaves. Try growing this humidity-loving specimen in a terrarium.
- Name: Red fittonia (Fittonia albivensis verschaffeltii)
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: Keep soil evenly moist
- Mature Size: 3–6 in. tall, 12-18 in. wide
- Difficulty: Needy
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Rojo Congo Philodendron
This impressive self-heading philodendron's lush, glossy green leaves unfurl with a deep red color on burgundy stems.
- Name: Rojo Congo philodendron(Philodendron tatei 'Rojo Congo')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the top half of the soil has dried out
- Mature Size: 2-3 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide
- Difficulty: Needy
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Lady Valentine Aglaonema
This Chinese evergreen cultivar offers lush tropical foliage splashed with deep pink or red.
See Also13 hardy plants for your gardenIndulge Your Green Thumb With These Gorgeous FlowersFlowers - Discover the most beautiful flower spots in the Netherlands- Name: Lady valentine aglaonema (Aglaonema 'Lady Valentine')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the soil surface begins to dry out
- Mature Size: 1–3 ft. tall and wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Red Caladium
This humidity-loving species with arrowhead-shaped, multicolored leaves includes many red cultivars, like 'Creamsicle', 'Brandywine', and 'Red Flash'.
- Name: Red caladium (Caladium bicolor)
- Light: Medium to bright indirect
- Water: Keep soil evenly moist
- Mature Size: 12–30 in. tall, 12–24 in. wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Red Anthurium
These tropical plants are known for their wavy green leaves and bright red, petal-like spathes that surround each inflorescence.
- Name: Red anthurium (Anthuriumspp.)
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the soil surface has begun to dry out
- Mature Size: 12-18 in. tall, 9- to 12-inch wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Madagascar Dragon Tree
Though it's slow-growing, this tropical plant with pink-edged, swordlike leaves can make an excellent statement plant at maturity.
- Name: Madagascar dragon tree
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the top half of the soil has dried out
- Mature Size: Up to 6 ft. tall indoors
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Ti Plant
Also called good luck plant, this humidity-loving Hawaiian tropical's leaves can be red, pink, purple, or green.
- Name: Ti plant (Cordyline fruticosa)
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist
- Mature Size: 2-10 ft. tall, 3–4 ft. wide
- Difficulty: Easy
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Ripple Red Peperomia
The uniquely textured leaves of this peperomia cultivar are deep burgundy, with red stems and pale green flower spikes.
- Name: Ripple red peperomia (Peperomia caperata 'Ripple Red')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the top inch of soil has dried out
- Mature Size: 8 in. tall and wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Croton
Colorful crotons are beloved for their leaves splashed with colors like red, green, orange, yellow, brown, and pink. Note that inconsistent moisture, lack of humidity or light, and changing conditions can cause leaf drop.
- Name: Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: Keep soil evenly moist
- Mature Size: 3–8 ft. tall, 3–6 ft. wide
- Difficulty: Needy
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Black Cardinal Philodendron
This self-heading philodendron's large, oval-shaped green leaves grow on deep red stems.
- Name: Black cardinal philodendron (Philodendron erubescens'Black Cardinal')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the top inch of soil has dried out
- Mature Size: Up to 4 ft. tall indoors
- Difficulty: Needy
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Red Polka Dot Plant
The 'Carmina' cultivar of this colorful, humidity-loving plant is known for having splashes of bright red on its small, dark green leaves.
- Name: Red polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya 'Carmina')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the top of the soil has dried out
- Mature Size: 1-2 ft. tall and wide
- Difficulty: Easy
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Painted Echeveria
Give painted echeveria several hours of bright, direct sunlight per day to keep its signature red stripes bright. In winter, plants will benefit from a grow light.
- Name: Painted echeveria (Echeveria nodulosa)
- Light: Bright direct
- Water: When the soil has completely dried out
- Mature Size: 2-24 in. tall, 2-12 in. wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Rex Begonia
These colorful begonias are prized for their red, green, purple, or silver leaves. Give them lots of indirect light and moderate humidity to help them thrive.
- Name: Rex begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum)
- Light: Medium to bright indirect
- Water: When the soil surface has begun to dry out
- Mature Size: 12-18 in. tall and wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Tricolor Rubber Plant
One of several variegated rubber plants, 'Tricolor' offers cream-colored foliage splashed with light and dark green, with new leaves emerging dark pink or red before fading to their mature color.
- Name: Tricolor rubber plant (Ficus elastica 'Tricolor')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the top two inches of soil have dried out
- Mature Size: Up to 6 ft. tall
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Iron Cross Oxalis
Oxalis plants are available in a variety of shades of green, red, and purple. Look for 'Iron Cross', which sports lime green leaves with maroon centers.
- Name: Iron cross oxalis (Oxalis tetraphylla'Iron Cross')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the top two inches of soil have dried out
- Mature Size: 2-18 in. tall
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Red Prayer Plant
With elegant rounded leaves marked with red stripes against dark and light green, red prayer plants are some of the prettiest with red and green foliage. Keep them in a bathroom for extra humidity.
- Name: Red prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)
- Light: Medium to bright indirect
- Water: When the soil surface has just begun to dry out
- Mature Size: 6–12 in. tall and wide
- Difficulty: Needy
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Calathea Fasciata
Cousins to prayer plants, calatheas make another great option for a steamy bathroom with an east or north-facing window. This species has deep red undersides to its leaves.
- Name: Calathea fasciata (Goeppertia fasciatasyn.Calathea fasciata)
- Light: Medium to bright indirect
- Water: When the top inch of soil has dried out
- Mature Size: Up to 20 in. tall
- Difficulty: Needy
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Pitcher plant
Carnivorous plants like pitcher plants eat by capturing insects. Cultivars like 'Bloody Mary' and 'Red Beauty' sport red pitchers and green leaves.
- Name: Pitcher plant (Nepenthes spp.)
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When soil surface has begun to dry out (use rainwater or distilled water)
- Mature Size: 6-36 in. long (varies by species)
- Difficulty: Needy
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Calathea Dottie
This unique calathea's oval-shaped leaves are edged with feathery areas of pale to dark pink that appear almost red.
- Name: Calathea dottie (Calathea roseopicta 'Dottie')
- Light: Medium to bright indirect
- Water: When the top inch of soil has dried out
- Mature Size: 18 in. tall
- Difficulty: Needy
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Calathea 'Rosy'
Another striking pink calathea, calathea rosy's leaves are mostly pink, with dark green edging and a red vein running down the center.
- Name: Calathea rosy (Calathea roseopicta 'Rosy')
- Light: Medium to bright indirect
- Water: When the top inch of soil has dried out
- Mature Size: 18 in. tall
- Difficulty: Needy
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Peperomia 'Rosso'
One of the prettiest red and green plants is this peperomia cultivar, which sports bright red undersides to its slightly succulent green leaves.
- Name: Peperomia rosso (Peperomia caperata 'Rosso')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the top inch of soil has dried out
- Mature Size: 8 in. tall and wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Philodendron 'Royal Queen'
The leaves of this dramatic philodendron unfurl with a deep burgundy color, then turn almost black before fading to dark green as they mature.
- Name: Philodendron royal queen (Philodendron 'Royal Queen')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the soil surface has begun to dry out
- Mature Size: 4 ft. tall
- Difficulty: Needy
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Polka Dot Begonia
These gorgeous begonias reward careful attention to their care and conditions with wing-shaped green leaves spangled with white polka dots and red undersides.
- Name: Polka dot begonia (Begonia maculata)
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the top inch of soil has dried out
- Mature Size: 24-36 in. tall, 12-18 in. wide
- Difficulty: Needy
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Krimson Princess Hoya
Give this hoya cultivar lots of bright, indirect light to make its white, green, and red variegation stand out.
- Name: Krimson princess hoya (Hoya carnosa 'Rubra')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the soil has completely dried out
- Mature Size: 12-18 in. tall, 30-36 in. wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Hoya Rosita
This rare hybrid hoya is known for its long, pointed leaves, which turn red when stressed by lots of bright, indirect light.
- Name: Hoya rosita(Hoya wayetii x tsangii)
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the soil has completely dried out
- Mature Size: 12-18 in. tall, 30-36 in. wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Philodendron Micans
The velvety, heart-shaped leaves of philodendron micans take on a reddish, coppery tone when given enough light.
- Name: Philodendron micans
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the top two inches of soil have dried out
- Mature Size: 8 in. tall, 24 in. long
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Pink Syngonium
This colorful arrowhead vine sports large, heart-shaped light green leaves that develop shades of pink and coppery red with sufficient light.
- Name: Pink syngonium (Syngonium 'Neon Robusta')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When top inch of soil has dried out
- Mature Size: 3–6 ft. tall, 1–2 ft. wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Alocasia Red Secret
Jewel alocasias like this one are known for their compact size and attractive colors. This one offers striped green leaves with deep burgundy undersides.
- Name: Alocasia red secret (Alocasia cuprea 'Red Secret')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water:When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry
- Mature Size:12-18 in. tall
- Difficulty:Low maintenance
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Tricolor Fern
Add color to a lower-light spot with this compact fern, whose glossy fronds grow in shades of green, red, and copper. More light will make the coloring brighter.
- Name: Tricolor fern (Pteris quadriaurita 'Tricolor')
- Light: Medium to bright indirect
- Water: When soil surface has just begun to dry out
- Mature Size: 2 ft. tall and wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Red Pagoda Jade Plant
Give this stunning jade cultivar lots of direct sunlight in a south-facing or west-facing window to keep its fiery color bright.
- Name: Red pagoda jade plant (Crassula capitella 'Red Pagoda')
- Light: Bright indirect or direct sunlight
- Water: When the soil has completely dried out
- Mature Size: 6 in. tall, 18 in. wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Hen and Chicks
Several varieties of this low-growing, hardy succulent offer red foliage, especially with lots of light. Look for cultivars like 'Red Rubin', 'Ruby Heart', and 'Red West'.
- Name: Hen and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)
- Light: Direct sunlight
- Water: When the soil has completely dried out
- Mature Size: 3-6 in. tall, 6-12 in. wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Jelly Bean Plant
With several hours of full sun outdoors or direct sunlight indoors, these cute, drought-tolerant succulents will develop red tips on their shiny, bean-shaped green leaves.
- Name: Jelly bean plant (Sedum rubrotinctum)
- Light: Direct sunlight
- Water: When the soil has completely dried out
- Mature Size: 6-12 in. tall
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Flapjack Plant
Flapjack plant's wide, paddle-shaped succulent leaves will develop distinctive red edges when exposed to several hours of direct sun each day.
- Name: Flapjack plant (Kalanchoe luciae)
- Light: Direct sunlight
- Water: When soil has completely dried out
- Mature Size: 1-2 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Venus Flytrap
Recreate the boggy conditions of this carnivorous plant's native habitat by bottom watering with rainwater or distilled water to keep it healthy.
- Name: Venus flytrap
- Light: Bright indirect or direct sunlight
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist
- Mature Size: 6-12 in. tall, 6-9 in. wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Bromeliad
The bromeliad family includes a wide variety of genera and species, many of which have colorful red bracts against long, shiny green leaves. Keep the central cup filled with water in dry environments.
- Name: Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the top two inches of soil has dried out
- Mature Size: Varies by species
- Difficulty: Needy
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Coleus
These colorful, easy-growing bedding plants can be grown indoors or outdoors. Bring them inside before the first frost to grow them as houseplants year-round.
- Name: Coleus (Plectranthusscutellarioides)
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the top of the soil has dried out
- Mature Size: 6-36 in. tall and wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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- Name: Coleus (Plectranthusscutellarioides)
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Poinsettia
Native to Mexico, these plants offer holiday cheer with their green leaves and star-shaped, bright red bracts. However, maintaining them to rebloom next year is challenging indoors.
- Name: Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: When the soil surface has dried out
- Mature Size: 2-3 ft. tall indoors
- Difficulty: Needy
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- Name: Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
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Rhoeo 'Tricolor'
Also known as Rhoeo 'Tricolor', this colorful spiderwort is striped with pale pink and light green, with dark pink leaf undersides.
- Name: Oyster plant (Tradescantia spathaea)
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When top two inches of soil have dried out
- Mature Size: 6–12 in. tall, 12–24 in. wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Red Star Bromeliad
Also called earth stars, these lush bromeliads feature lance-shaped leaves striped with dark green and shades of red ranging from burgundy to bright pink. Keep the central cup filled with water.
- Name: Red star bromeliad (Cryptanthus bivittatus)
- Light: Medium to bright indirect
- Water: When soil surface has begun to dry out
- Mature Size: 3-6 in. tall, 4-8 in. wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance
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Peperomia Jelly
Give this variegated peperomia cultivar enough light, and its cream and green leaves will develop red edges. Another cultivar, 'Ginny', can develop similar coloration.
- Name: Peperomia jelly (Peperomia clusiifolia 'Jelly')
- Light: Bright indirect
- Water: When the top inch of soil has dried out
- Mature Size: 6–12 in. tall, 6–12 in. wide
- Difficulty: Low maintenance