17 Plants With Multicolored Leaves: Vibrant Choices

Plants with multicolored leaves are some of the best additions to any garden. Beautiful and colorful, these foliage plants always draw attention to the eyes.

If you are in the market for plants with colorful foliage, then we got you with species like dusty miller and the polka dot plant.

This list gives you a great range of plant options to give that pop of color you never knew you needed.

A Collection of Plants With Colorful Leaves

1. Coral Bells

Also known as Heuchera, these plants are known for their mounding growth habits, bell-shaped flowers and multicolored foliage.

The plant grows best in areas that receive full or partial sunlight. In these regions, it is best to plant them in rich, moist, and well-draining soils. To keep these colorful shrubs happy, feed them with compost or other slow-release forms of fertilizers.

2. Polka Dot Plant

Botanically known as Hypoestes phyllostachya, this plant is very attractive due to its colorfully dotted leaves. It grows up to 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide.

Give this plant moist, well-draining, and slightly acidic soil to grow in. Place the plant in an area where it receives partial sunlight, as too much sun can cause its colors to fade.

3. Rex Begonia

Among all begonias, this large-leafed cultivar is the most dramatic one. Due to their intricate colorations, they are often referred to as fancy-leaf begonias or painted-lead begonias.

Keep its soil consistently moist to promote good root systems. However, if you have pets, avoid having this plant within their reach as it is toxic to most domestic pets.

4. Japanese Painted Fern

Some gardeners suggest pairing this fern with the colorful Prayer plant, botanically known as Maranta leuconeura.

This fern can be grown almost anywhere as long as the temperatures range from 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. While it is not picky about its soil pH level, you need to keep the planting medium moist, loose, and well-draining.

5. Amaranthus Tricolor

This cultivar is not only grown for its colorful foliage but also for its nutritious leaves that taste like spinach with a slightly tangy taste.

It grows best when kept in neutral to slightly acidic soils. Water the plant enough to keep the soil moist but never overly wet. Keep it in an area that receives full to partial sunlight.

6. Dusty Miller

This plant works well on its own but creates the perfect frame when paired with other plants. However, keep this plant away from children and domestic animals as it is toxic.

Water the plant to ensure that the soil remains moist. It loves the sun, so cultivate it in an area where it receives at least four to six hours of light.

7. Sweet Potato Vine

Perfect for most gardens, this fast-growing vine boasts colors that range from lime green to dark purple that look almost black. As an added bonus to their beauty, the tubers are edible.

8. Persian Shield

Native to Asia, this flashy purple-foliage plant is an evergreen shrub with a metallic sheen. While new leaves have this attractive appearance, the colorations can fade as the plant matures.

If you’re looking for plants similar in coloration, look for the purple passion plant. It usually has more vibrant colors in full sun, although it also tolerates partial sun equally well.

9. Elephant Ears

This plant’s common name can refer to three kinds of plant genre: Alocasia, Colocasia, and Xanthosoma. One of the most popular cultivars is the African mask.

They can be cultivated indoors as long as temperatures average at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. However, keep it from children and domestic animals as it can be toxic.

10. New Zealand Flax

This large spiky plant comes in different shades and hues of yellows, pinks, reds, and bronzes.

Depending on the cultivar, it can grow in small containers or reach over 7 feet in height. If you prefer something similar in appearance with similar growing needs, try the nerve plant. 

11. Inch Plant

 Blessed with dazzling foliage and bold patterns, this plant is native to temperate and tropical regions.

Its common name is spiderwort, with some cultivars grown as prized specimens while others are considered noxious weeds. While it has a creeping habit, most gardeners do not consider these plants as ornamental grasses.

12. Coleus

Scientifically named Plectranthus scutellarioides, this plant is beloved for its colorful foliage with a myriad of patterns. Since they are under the mint family, many coleus plants have aromatic leaves when plucked and crushed.

As a side note, caution should be exercised as some cultivars can be toxic to domesticated animals, just like the Chinese evergreen plant.

13. Red Aglaonema

Low-maintenance and colorful, this plant is a feature in many indoor and outdoor gardens. It can be seen mostly in offices as well, as it is sturdy enough to grow in low-light conditions.

If you want the colors to pop out even more, locate this plant in areas that get high levels of brightness. Water it only when the topsoil becomes dry.

14. Calathea

This plant is a native resident to many tropical rainforest floors. Keep this plant in areas with high humidity to prevent wilting.

When the light starts to fade, this plant begins to fold up its leaves for the night. Because of this, it is sometimes called the prayer plant.

15. Aluminum Plant

This is an old-fashioned houseplant that’s slowly regaining its popularity. There are several varieties available with a wide range of colors.

While its saturations are subdued, the foliage can easily match any plant in any room. This neutrality in color makes it one of the most perfect houseplants for homes and offices.

16. Snake Plant

This plant is tough to kill as it can live under almost any conditions. One benefit is that it releases a large amount of oxygen while eliminating toxins in the air.

As a result, this has become one of the most popular houseplants since becoming endorsed by NASA.

17. Ti Plant

While it comes in rich green and gold hues, some cultivars, such as Cordyline Fruticosa, have red, burgundy, or purple foliage.

To make your garden areas even more colorful, try growing the Codiaeum Variegatum, commonly known as crotons. However, it should be noted that this plant is highly toxic to domestic animals.

Conclusion

When you have plants with colorful leaves, you can always be sure that they will always be visually pleasing.

Let’s have a recap on outdoor plants with colorful leaves:

• When growing plants around children and domestic animals, make sure that the cultivar is not toxic.
• For perennial plants with colorful foliage, some may fade when exposed to high amounts of sunlight.
• Always ensure that the soil is kept consistently moist to avoid drying out the plants.

Based on what you’ve read so far, which plant best suits your home, or do you have other plants in mind? 

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