No Flowers Needed: 6 Houseplants With Colorful Foliage

Flowers aren’t the only way to add natural color to your home. Many popular houseplant varieties rarely flower indoors but have stunning foliage in a rainbow of hues. While some are rare and expensive, many colorful houseplants are easy to find and afford. Here are the best non-flowering houseplants to add color to your home.

Tradescantia

There are many plants in the tradescantia family and most of them sport beautiful multi-colored foliage. Some of the easiest to grow are the tradescantia zebrina, nanouk and purple heart. These options grow long trailing vines with purple, pink and green leaves. They do well in low light, but the more sunlight they get the more dramatic the colors.

Fittonia

Fittonia, also called “nerve plant” or “friendship plant,” come in several colors including shades of pink, red and white along with their distinctive green nerve-like leaf pattern. These are easy to grow and care for, especially for those who have trouble knowing when to water. Fittonia will lie down flat when thirsty and perk back up within a matter of hours after watering.

Croton

Crotons are a tropical plant with distinctive long slender leaves sporting multiple colors. Some varieties have yellow, orange, red and deep purple all at once while others are mostly green. Crotons are easy to maintain as long as they get enough sunlight. Otherwise, their leaves will lose their wild colors.

Ficus Tineke

Also called the variegated rubber plant, ficus tineke produce large leaves with unique splashes of green, cream and pink. Like the other members of the ficus family, tinekes can grow into full trees indoors when the conditions are right. They thrive in bright indirect light and a regular watering schedule.

Oxalis

Related to common ground sorrel, the oxalis triangularis will add color and drama to any interior space with its rich purple leaves that almost resemble butterfly wings. Oxalis bloom indoors fairly frequently as well, producing small pink flowers that complement the darker foliage.

Caladium

Caladiums are the stars of many colorful tropical gardens, ranging in colors and patterns on large, delicate leaves. You’ll find caladiums in all shades of pink, red and white all combined into eye-catching variegation patterns. These plants thrive in high humidity, so if you are in a drier climate a humidifier will help make sure they provide your home with dramatic color all season.

As houseplants become more popular, even more colorful cultivars are being discovered and produced every day. Take a trip to your local garden center or nursery and you will find lots of options for adding color to your home.