If you love plants but want to diversify your interior decor beyond the conventional greenery, why not go for non-green plants? Contrary to popular belief, there is no shortage of non-green plants. From red and pink to yellow and purple, you can use these exotic plants to add a touch of colour and vibrancy to your home. We’ve curated a list of some of the most enchanting non-green plants that you can grow both indoors and in your home garden.
See also: 11 low-maintenance indoor plants
List of best non-green plants for home
Japanese Maple
Source: Better Homes & Gardens (Pinterest)
The exquisite Japanese Maple, originating from Japan, Korea, and China, offers a captivating display of foliage that undergoes seasonal transformations. Depending on the specific variety and the time of year, this elegant tree can don leaves in hues of red, purple, orange, gold, or bronze. Japanese Maple propagation can be achieved through either seeds or grafting. Among the most sought-after varieties are:
- Kurenai Jishi: This small Japanese maple is highly coveted for its deeply crimson, textured leaves. In spring, they dazzle with brightness, transitioning to a rich purple-burgundy and finally turning orange in summer and autumn.
- Ruby Star: Its star-shaped, vibrant crimson leaves are the hallmark of this dwarf species. In spring, these leaves illuminate any setting, as the tree grows upright, making it an ideal container plant.
- Rhode Island Crimson: The Rhode Island Crimson boasts dark red leaves that, instead of fading in summer, deepen in hue. Its spherical growth habit results in a neatly pruned small tree adorned with purple twigs.
- Ryugu: With a modest growth rate, this compact tree is another excellent choice. Its small leaves are speckled with pink and white dots, while striking red twigs grace its winter appearance. If you’re drawn to pink colour, this variety is a splendid option.
Caladiums
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Caladiums are captivating plants that thrive in both indoor and outdoor environments, boasting a diverse range of colours, including vibrant pinks. For indoor care, provide them with ample indirect light while protecting them from harsh direct sunlight. When outdoors, ensure they have access to shade during the hottest parts of the day. Caladiums appreciate well-drain potting soil and prefer to dry out slightly between waterings. Here are some stunning varieties:
- Heart and Soul: With abstract heart-shaped leaves in shades of white, pink, green, and red, Heart and Soul is a striking addition to any setting.
- Hot Lips: Known for its deep red foliage adorned with black veins and subtle red spots, Hot Lips thrives in bright indirect light to showcase its vibrant hues.
- Tears of the Sun: Featuring giant heart-shaped leaves in lime green with bright pink spots around the veins, this variety is a true standout.
- The New Wave: With bronze-tinted leaves accented by lime green, this compact cultivar adds elegance to tables and cabinets.
- Broken Heart: Boasting heart-shaped leaves with a striking red and green dual colouration, complemented by white speckles, this plant thrives in decorative ceramics.
- Puppy Love: Adorned with pink leaves featuring darker veins and deep green borders, Puppy Love makes a charming addition to porches and patios.
- Candidum Junior: With large, strap, or lance shaped leaves, this cultivar showcases elegant white foliage adorned with dark green veins for a sophisticated look.
Tradescantia
Source: MyGarden Channel (Pinterest)
Tradescantia, a diverse plant family, offers a plethora of vibrantly coloured members. These plants thrive when allowed to cascade from hanging baskets, or other free-draping locations. Leaf patterns and colours vary among varieties, with many featuring purple undersides and white and green stripes on the upper surface. Some boast pink or purple streaks, and even blue-hued flowers in certain species. To care for your Tradescantia, keep it out of harsh direct light and allow soil to slightly dry between waterings. Here are some popular varieties:
- Tradescantia Zebrina Silver Plus: This Zebrina cultivar starts with dark purple tips that transition to silvery green as it matures.
- Tradescantia Zebrina Burgundy: Known for its ever-changing colours based on environmental conditions and growth stage, Burgundy features compact leaves and prominent stripes.
- Tradescantia Pallida Pink Stripes: This captivating cultivar thrives in bright light to maintain its striking variegation. Be cautious of reverting to solid hues in lower light conditions, and water when soil dries to keep it thriving.
Rex Begonia
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Rex Begonia is distinct from other garden begonias, prized for their stunning foliage that spans an astonishing spectrum of colours, including amber, lilac, gold, fuchsia, silver and red. These plants showcase unique patterns, from spiral designs to stripes, blotches or netting. They are foliage-focused plants. To care for Rex Begonias, provide bright but not overly warm light and maintain consistently moist, but not waterlogged, soil. Here are some beloved varieties:
- Yamileth Rex Begonia: This attention-grabbing houseplant boasts green-black leaves with silver-grey margins, making it a true showstopper.
- Red Kiss Rex: With deep purple-black foliage accented by a wide metallic-red ring, the Red Kiss Rex begonia exudes sophistication and visual allure. It typically grows to about eight inches in both height and width.
- Pink Charming: True to its name, this variety flaunts stunning pink and green variegated foliage adorned with silver flecks throughout.
- Silver Limbo Rex Begonia: A dwarf, small-leafed plant, the Silver Limbo variation dazzles with its silvery foliage and purple-red undersides. It maintains a compact size, growing to around six inches in height and width when matures.
Hawaiian Ti Plant
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Ti Plants, also known as Cordyline, typically do not produce flowers and are sensitive to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, as their vibrant colours can fade at lower temperatures. During winter, it’s advisable to fertilise these plants every two months when grown indoors. Ti Plants require minimal maintenance and can thrive year-round. Here are some popular Ti Plant varieties:
- Morning Sunshine Ti Plant: This striking variety features light green leaves with hints of pink, cream, yellow and mauve.
- Black Mystique Ti Plant: With glossy, dark-purple leaves, the Black Mystique Ti plant shines whether grown indoors or outdoors, reaching height of four to eight feet and width of three to five feet.
- Miss Andrea Ti Plant: Characterised by cream and pastel green leaves with subtle ruffled edges, this Ti plant’s striations set it apart from other varieties.
- Red Sister: This traditional variety boasts dark purple-red-green leaves with eye-catching bright-pink stripes, as its name suggests.
- Beautiful Pink Passion: Named after its stunning pink-purple leaves with sword-like arches and sharp pink edges, this plant lives up to its name.
Polka Dot Plant
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Polka Dot plant is known for its bright and cheerful appearance, featuring heavily speckled leaves in pink, white or red. While it tends to have a relatively short lifespan, typically lasting one to two growing seasons, it can be a delightful addition to your garden. To care for these plants, place them in an area with ample sunlight, provide regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist and pinch off any excessively long stems or awkward offshoots to maintain its mounding shape. Popular varieties include:
- Confetti: This fast-growing variety has a spread of 12-18 inches and a height ranging from 12 to 24 inches. Its leaves come in various hues, including pink, rose, red and white. Confetti can thrive in both full sun and partial shade and is resistant to drought and high humidity.
- Pink Brocade: Pink Brocade plant has mottled pink spots on its green, hairy leaves. It typically reaches height of 6-12 inches and width of up to 12 inches. This variety features a higher number of freckles or spots compared to others and should be grown in either full sun or partial shade.
Christmas Cactus
Source: Elle Decor (Pinterest)
Christmas Cactus, a member of the Schlumbergera genus, is renowned for its vibrant flowers, which come in a wide array of colours, such as white, pink, yellow, purple, red, and dark purple. These decorative houseplants can grow to the size of a tabletop or desk, adding both colour and texture to their surroundings. Christmas Cacti are easy to care for and can brighten up your living space during the colder months. Provide these plants with bright but indirect light during the growing season. Water your Christmas Cactus when the top inch of soil is completely dry. It’s essential not to overwater. To promote blossoming year-after-year, follow a specific regimen that includes exposure to lower temperature and extended night time hours.
Coral Bells
Source: Proven Winner Plants (Pinterest)
These unique perennials are prized not only for their bell-shaped flowers but also for their remarkable foliage. They can thrive in various conditions, from poor soil to low light, harsh temperature, and drought. These plants are exceptionally hard, making them an excellent choice for gardens. Their leaves come in a wide range of colours, from platinum and yellow to black and purple, and everything in between. Here are some popular varieties:
- Caramel: This variety can endure hot summer temperatures and even bright sunlight. However, it thrives best in areas with some shade and consistent moisture, particularly in the afternoon. In midsummer, delicate pink blossoms emerge from the caramel-coloured foliage.
- Berry Smoothie: The new growth of this variety starts with a rosy-pink colour that transforms into a bluish-purple hue as summer progresses. Light pink blossoms appear in late spring and deadheading them throughout the summer can ensure continuous flowering. Plant them in partly shaded areas and provide ample water, especially during the establishment phase.
- Hollywood: Known for its intriguing dark-hued foliage, Hollywood features striking red flowers that attract hummingbirds. The foliage has a charming silvery sheen and scalloped edges.
- Amber Waves: This elegant plant boasts golden foliage, curled leaves, pink buds, and cream-coloured flowers, making it a visually striking addition to any garden.
Black Lace Elder
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The European native plant features finely delicate leaves that are deep purple, almost appearing black. Against this dark green foliage, soft pink flowers grace the plant each spring, eventually giving way to dark purple berries in autumn. These berries persist through the winter season.
Croton
Source: The Grainery (Pinterest)
A widely favoured choice for both indoor and outdoor settings, this unique shrub is characterised by its robust, leathery leaves, which can vary in size from two to 12 inches. Remarkably, a single shoot of this plant can display a spectrum of vivid colours, with leaves featuring shades of white, orange, yellow, red, and purple, often adorned with captivating patterns.
FAQs
What are non-green plants?
Non-green plants, also known as heterotrophs, encompass all plants and animals that are not green. These organisms, including humans, do not undergo photosynthesis, the process responsible for food production, because they lack the chlorophyll pigment. Consequently, they depend on other living entities, such as plants and animals to obtain their nourishment.
What are the examples of non-green plants?
In addition to the plants mentioned above, other popular non-green plants include toadstools and mushrooms.
Why all leaves are not green?
All leaves contain chlorophyll, but in some cases, not every part of the leaf possesses chlorophyll. Certain leaves exhibit combination of green and white or green and yellow stripes or spots. Only the green portions contain chlorophyll and are capable of producing food through photosynthesis.
How do non-green plants get their food?
Non-green plants typically obtain their nutrition from other plants, discarded food items, or deceased insects and bugs.
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