Published: November 6 , 2026
Plants make us happy. Color makes us happy. So bringing plants with gorgeous, colorful foliage into our homes? Even better!
When I worked in a plant shop, the biggest ooohs and aaahhhs weren’t over the basic green houseplants (sorry, cast iron plant). It was the plants with beautiful colors, unusual patterns, and eye-catching foliage that stopped shoppers in their tracks.
In this article, I'll share five of my favorite houseplants with colorful leaves, along with a few designer's tips to help you choose the perfect one for your home.
Rex begonia 'Casey Corwin' is a beautiful example of the striking colors, patterns, and textures found in houseplants with colorful leaves. Photo © Stanislava Karagyozova via Canva.com
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1. Polka Dot Plant
Polka dot plants (Hypoestes phyllostachya) bring cheerful color with their playful mix of pink, maroon, and green spotted foliage. Image © Aleksandra Trusova
Botanical name: Hypoestes phyllostachya
Light: Bright indirect light
Water: Keep soil lightly moist, but not soggy
I challenge you not to smile when you look at these cheerful little plants! Polka dot plants have brightly spotted leaves in shades of pink, red, white, and green.
Look for colorful varieties like 'Pink Splash', 'Red Splash', and 'White Splash', with their playful splashes of color against green foliage. Some varieties have so much pink or red that you can barely see the green underneath!
Polka dot plants are relatively small, though they become leggy without enough light or regular pinching back.
Designer's Notes
These little plants are perfect for adding a cheerful pop of color to desks and kitchen windowsills.
They look great in open terrariums or shallow dish gardens, especially when paired with the delicate foliage of a lemon button fern.
For an eye-catching display, group several colorful varieties together to create a rainbow effect.
2. Calatheas and Prayer Plants
Red Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura) has beautiful red veining and intricate leaf patterns that bring color and texture to indoor spaces. Photo © Saleh Almawed via Canva.com
Botanical name: Goeppertia and Maranta species
Light: Medium to bright indirect light
Water: Keep soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged
Calatheas and prayer plants are closely related tropical plants. Their lush, patterned foliage always makes me think of Henri Rousseau's jungle paintings. If you're dreaming of a stylish indoor jungle, start here.
Their leaves feature beautiful combinations of green, cream, silver, pink, and deep purple, often arranged in intricate stripes and patterns.
Some of my favorites are Pinstripe Calathea, with delicate pink stripes; 'Dottie', with dramatic dark foliage outlined in pink; and Red Prayer Plant, with striking red veins against patterned green leaves.
These tropical plants appreciate high humidity and consistent moisture, and some can be fussy about water quality.
Designer's Notes
These beautifully patterned leaves are works of art in their own right! I like displaying them in simple containers that don't compete with the foliage.
Choose a larger plant as a focal point, or cluster a few smaller plants for a layered, jungle-inspired look. Grouping plants together helps increase humidity slightly around the foliage.
3. Rex Begonia
Rex begonia 'Devil's Paradise' has spectacular foliage that brings both color and texture to indoor plant displays. Photo © Alla Larina via Canva.com
Botanical name: Begonia rex and hybrids
Light: Bright indirect light
Water: Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings
Of all the colorful houseplants on this list, Rex begonias are my favorite. 😍
Not only do they have spectacular colors, but their foliage brings something else into the mix: texture!
Their leaves can be spiraled, ruffled, puckered, or beautifully quilted, with combinations of silver, pink, burgundy, purple, green, and almost black.
Look for 'Escargot', with its wonderful spiral-shaped leaves, or 'Red Kiss', with rich red foliage edged in dark purple. 'Fireworks' is another showstopper, with striking silver, purple, and pink patterns. And 'Devil's Paradise', with its richly colored, tie-dye-like foliage.
Rex begonias appreciate good humidity and careful watering, but avoid keeping their soil constantly wet.
Designer's Notes
Rex begonias are living works of art, and I love using them as focal points.
Their dramatic foliage looks especially beautiful when viewed up close on a counter or tabletop, where you can appreciate the intricate colors and textures.
I also like pairing them with smooth-leaved houseplants like Dracaena 'Janet Craig Compacta'. The contrast in leaf textures makes both plants look even more interesting.
4. Chinese Evergreen
Chinese evergreens (Aglaonema) offer an incredible range of foliage colors and patterns, from delicate streaks and splashes to bold, colorful veining. Photo © kittiwut via Canva.com
Botanical name: Aglaonema species and hybrids
Light: Medium to bright indirect light; green varieties tolerate lower light
Water: Allow the top 1–2 inches of soil to dry between waterings
Chinese evergreens have come a long way from the familiar green-and-silver varieties!
Today's colorful Aglaonemas offer lush foliage in shades of pink, red, cream, silver, and green, with patterns ranging from delicate veining to bold streaks and splashes.
'Red Siam' (often sold as 'Siam Aurora') has gorgeous red-edged leaves, while 'Pink Dalmatian' features playful pink spotting on green foliage. ‘Silver Bay’ has soft silvery-green foliage that pairs beautifully with the brighter pink and red varieties.
Chinese evergreens are easy to care for, but give them plenty of bright, indirect light to keep their foliage looking vibrant.
Designer's Notes
I love Chinese evergreens for their full, bushy appearance and colorful, lush foliage.
Smaller plants are perfect for desktops and side tables, while larger sizes make beautiful floor plants or look great elevated on a plant stand.
Let the colorful leaves speak for themselves! I recommend choosing a simple container that doesn't compete with the foliage.
Be careful with orange terracotta and brightly colored pots, which can sometimes clash with the pinks and reds in the leaves. Look for a pot color that complements the foliage rather than competes with it.
5. Croton
Croton 'Petra' (Codiaeum variegatum) brings bold tropical color indoors with its glossy, multicolored leaves and striking vein pattern. Photo © KenWiedemann via Canva.com
Botanical name: Codiaeum variegatum
Light: Bright light, including some direct sun
Water: Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings
Crotons have a strong personality. There's nothing subtle about these colorful houseplants!
Their bold foliage comes in combinations of yellow, orange, red, green, and burgundy, often with several colors appearing on the same leaf.
The popular 'Petra' has broad, glossy leaves with colorful veining, while 'Mammy' features narrow, twisting leaves in a wild mix of colors. 'Gold Dust' has a different look, with bright yellow speckles scattered across green leaves.
Crotons need plenty of light to develop their best colors, and they will drop leaves when conditions change suddenly, like a cold draft from opening a door or window.
Designer's Notes
Crotons give me a 1970s vibe. Their bold colors remind me of vintage enamel cookware from the 70s in shades of harvest gold, orange, and avocado green. Just sayin'.
These are statement plants, so I'd give them room to shine rather than crowding them in with lots of other plants with colorful foliage.
A simple pot and a spot with plenty of light are all you need to let a croton steal the show.
Or embrace the 70s vibe and group it with spider plants and Tradescantia, adding plenty of woven baskets, macramé plant hangers, and terracotta pots for a fun, retro look.
Which Colorful Houseplant Should You Choose?
All five of these houseplants bring something different to your home. Here's a quick guide to help you find the right one.
Have pets? Polka dot plants, calatheas, and prayer plants are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. Rex begonias, Chinese evergreens, and crotons are toxic.
Easy care: Chinese evergreens are the easiest to grow, especially if you're new to houseplants.
Lower light: Chinese evergreens tolerate lower light levels, but their foliage may not be as vibrant. A stylish grow light helps to bring out their best colors.
Small spaces: Polka dot plants are perfect for desks, shelves, and small plant displays.
Love interesting textures? Rex begonias are hard to beat, with their ruffled, spiraled, and beautifully patterned leaves.
Want a tropical jungle look? Calatheas and prayer plants bring lush foliage and intricate patterns to indoor plant groupings.
Love bold color? Crotons make a dramatic statement with their fiery combinations of red, orange, yellow, and green.
Whichever you choose, pay attention to your home's light conditions before bringing your new plant home.
And don't be afraid to have a little fun with color. After all, that's part of the joy of growing houseplants! Enjoy! 🪴