Whether or not your type is neon-lights-bright or understated splashes of pastel, there are crops accessible in all sizes and shapes to brighten up your winter.
I’ve whittled down a listing of 23 of my favourite houseplants that add a splash of colour – and I wager you’ll discover simply the one to heat up your house by the colder months.
A few of these could also be acquainted, whereas others could also be new to you. I’ll briefly introduce every of them and provide shopping for ideas for a few of my favourite varieties, and supply some data on caring for every of those vibrant houseplants.
1. African Violet
I wager you’re conversant in this old fashioned houseplant. With its fuzzy leaves and dainty little flowers, African violet, Saintpaulia, is unassuming and gently brightens up a house.
Purple is the same old flower colour for African violets (therefore the title), however together with this in style hue, their blooms additionally are available in white, and in lots of shades of blue and pink.
Possibly these flowers don’t appear unique sufficient for you? Maybe it’s time to rethink.
These African natives can be found with flowers which are double-blossomed, fringed, or ruffled, and a few cultivars have variegated leaves.
Their low-growing types make them nice houseplants for small areas – simply bear in mind to water them frequently and supply them with brilliant, oblique daylight.
I like the ‘Alamo Flame’ cultivar, which to me seems to be like a standard African violet that acquired dressed up in a ruffled, pink promenade gown.
‘Alamo Flame’
Its stunning pink petals are frilled and extra quite a few than a single flowered African violet. Stay crops for this selection are accessible at Amazon.
2. Alocasia
Going by many various widespread names, crops within the Alocasia genus will definitely convey an air of drama to your lounge.
Also called kris plant, black defend, elephant ear, or African masks, this houseplant seems to be as gorgeous as a sculpture.
Alocasia’s shiny inexperienced leaves have massive white veins on the topside, whereas the underside is a deep purple hue. Alocasia can create a wonderful point of interest in a house with an eclectic adorning vibe.
A. amazonica, one of many varieties generally offered as a houseplant, reaches 1-2 toes tall and large. It requires brilliant, oblique mild and solely the highest inch of soil must be allowed to dry out between waterings.
Alocasia
These stunners can be found as dwell crops in 4-, 6-, and 8-inch pots from Stay Developments Design through Amazon.
3. Anthurium
Also called flamingo flower, laceleaf, and tailflower, houseplants within the Anthurium genus provide a brilliant splash of colour with their long-lasting crimson or pink flowers.
Not solely are anthurium flowers brightly coloured, they’re shiny and coronary heart formed, and will definitely add to a romantic or glamorous adorning type.
With its crimson and inexperienced coloring, this houseplant might make a satisfying addition to your vacation adorning scheme.
This plant will thrive in your house with medium to brilliant oblique mild, so long as you retain on prime of watering – it doesn’t prefer to dry out. With correct care, anthurium will develop to 1.5 toes tall and a foot large.
‘Tickled Pink’
Stay ‘Tickled Pink’ anthurium crops can be found from Burpee.
Learn extra about rising anthurium crops right here.
4. Arrowhead Vine
For individuals who choose a extra understated strategy relating to colour, arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum) provides a tender contact.
Additionally known as arrowhead plant, this houseplant’s leaves might be present in shades starting from mild inexperienced to mild pink, and could possibly be mixed properly with the customarily shorter-lived poinsettias discovered presently of the yr.
Arrowhead vine will recognize a heat, humid spot in your home, with brilliant, oblique daylight. As a vining plant, as its title suggests, provide it a dangling basket to path from or a moss pole to develop on, as its vines can attain as much as 6 inches lengthy.
‘Mango Allusion’
The ‘Mango Allusion’ cultivar has leaves in a delicate mix of inexperienced and pink, and is accessible from Burpee.
5. Chicken of Paradise
In the event you’re in search of a brilliant, tropical burst of colour to enliven your inside when it’s chilly exterior, chook of paradise from the Strelitzia genus may be the houseplant for you.
A taller houseplant, its flashy, beak-shaped flowers in orange, yellow, and blue are held above its lush inexperienced foliage on lengthy inexperienced stems.
Positioned close to a sunny window with southern publicity, chook of paradise could possibly be used to create an indoor tropical really feel.
Chicken of paradise must be given direct solar through the cooler months, and brilliant, oblique solar through the hotter months. Solely enable the highest inch of the soil to dry out between waterings.
Chicken of Paradise
You’ll discover a dwell chook of paradise plant in a gallon pot accessible for buy at Amazon.
6. Calathea
Calatheas could also be among the many ornamental indoor crops you’ve encountered earlier than that advantage renewed consideration. Among the many completely different species of the Calathea genus, generally known as “prayer crops,” there are various varieties boasting fantastically patterned foliage.
Calathea leaves are geometrically patterned with stripes, splotches, spots, or shading in colours that may embody darkish and lightweight inexperienced with touches of crimson, purple, or white.
Non-blooming evergreen crops like this are pretty on their very own, or grouped with different houseplants in complementary colours.
Known as “prayer plant” as a result of their leaves fold up at evening, calatheas choose heat, humid environments. Keep away from direct daylight, which can bleach their stunning leaves. As an alternative, present them with oblique mild, and bear in mind to maintain their soil moist however not soggy.
‘Magnificence Star’
‘Magnificence Star’ is a range with leaves that look as if they’ve been created by a painter, and is offered for buy at Tezula Vegetation through Amazon.
7. Chinese language Evergreen
Chinese language evergreen, the widespread title for a number of species of the Aglaonema genus, is one other pretty widespread houseplant in its inexperienced and white kind. However varieties with crimson leaf veins and margins will shock you – and may simply knock your socks off.
That is one other inexperienced and crimson houseplant that may be well-placed amongst your vacation decor. Hold it round after the festivities are over, to take the sting off the post-holiday blues.
Reaching about 1.5 toes tall and 1.5 toes large, Chinese language evergreen will thrive in low to brilliant oblique mild. It shouldn’t be allowed to dry out between waterings, however is total a low upkeep houseplant.
‘Firecracker’
‘Firecracker,’ a mottled inexperienced selection with crimson to pink leaf margins and veins, is accessible from Hirt’s Gardens through Amazon.
8. Christmas Cactus
Talking of the vacations, don’t neglect in regards to the brilliant blooms of Christmas cactuses, members of the Schlumbergera genus. These blooms can are available in quite a lot of colours – white, pinks, reds, purples, and even yellows.
A mid-sized ornamental houseplant, Christmas cactus will present a splash of colour and texture on a desk or tabletop, or in a dangling basket. Christmas cacti are undemanding crops that can brighten your spirits within the winter months.
Christmas cactus requires brilliant, oblique mild throughout its rising season and must be watered when the highest inch of soil is dry. To encourage blooming yr after yr, a particular routine of cool temperatures and lengthy nights is required.
You’ll be able to study extra about this flower-coaxing routine in addition to basic care ideas for this succulent in our Christmas cactus rising information.
Christmas cacti are among the many longest dwelling houseplants, so whenever you select yours, ensure you decide a flower colour you like.
Yellow Christmas Cactus
This selection with yellow blossoms is offered in a 6-inch pot and is accessible from Hirt’s Gardens through Amazon.
9. Coleus
You could be extra conversant in coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides) as an annual bedding plant, quite than a houseplant.
However this vibrant tropical evergreen works properly indoors, the place it might dwell for a number of years, and is available in a dizzying number of colour combos and patterns.
It’s a low upkeep houseplant, and may deal with a variety of oblique mild conditions, from low to brilliant. Coleus shouldn’t be allowed to dry out fully, however ensure you don’t overwater it both. Its soil must be moist however not waterlogged.
How about beginning your coleus crops from seed?
The beautiful foliage on this selection, enticingly known as ‘Chocolate Coated Cherry,’ will convey your house a splash of colour – and also you’ll have the pleasure of realizing you grew your plant from seed.
‘Chocolate Coated Cherry’
Seed for this selection, offered in packs of 10 pellets, is accessible from Burpee.
10. Croton
In the event you’re in search of a houseplant that’s as colourful as a tropical celebration, croton (Codiaeum variegatum) shall be simply what you’re in search of.
Additionally known as backyard croton, these houseplants provide brightly mottled foliage accessible in a mixture of inexperienced, yellow, orange, and/or crimson.
If that’s not sufficient colour for you, there are some rarer varieties that additionally embody pink and purple within the combine. And the leaves are available in many various shapes, so that you’re virtually assured to discover a leaf form and colour combo that can strike your fancy.
Not like a lot of the different crops on this checklist, croton does properly with some direct daylight, which can make for higher leaf colour.
Hold croton’s soil moist however not soggy through the rising season. With correct care, this magnificence can develop as much as 6 toes tall with a 5 foot unfold – so ensure you are prepared to supply it with some room!
‘Hearth’
The ‘Hearth’ cultivar has lengthy, skinny leaves and the tropical hues that croton is understood for. You’ll discover a dwell plant of this selection in a 4-inch pot accessible for buy at Burpee.
11. Cyclamen
A member of the primrose household, cyclamen (Cyclamen species) is one other compact alternative that’s ultimate for smaller areas. Cyclamen is liked for the fantastic thing about each its foliage and its flowers.
Cyclamens have upswept flowers held on dainty stems above heart-shaped leaves. These flowers might be white, pink, crimson, or purple, and the heart-shaped leaves are sometimes graced with silvery patterns.
This charming houseplant is one other sensible choice for a smaller house – it can solely develop to about 9 inches tall and large, and can thrive in brilliant, oblique daylight.
Hold your cyclamen’s soil moist – besides throughout its dormant season in the summertime, when it must be watered much less steadily.
‘Latinia’
The ‘Latinia’ selection is offered in mild pink from Vegetation by Publish through Amazon.
Learn extra about rising and caring for cyclamen houseplants right here.
12. Gerbera Daisy
When a younger baby attracts a flower, chances are high the flower will look one thing just like the gerbera daisy (Gerbera species). Gerberas are generally present in bouquets, however can even grace your house as a dwell houseplant as a substitute of a reduce flower.
The flowers of gerbera daisies will convey a summery cheer to your indoor house. They’re accessible in virtually each colour of the rainbow and can develop to about 18 inches excessive, making for a very good tabletop plant.
Gerbera daisies want a couple of hours of direct daylight every single day however choose cooler temperatures. When saved indoors, a brilliant japanese window would be the finest location for them. Water when the highest inch of soil is dry.
‘Garvinea Candy Glow’
‘Garvinea Candy Glow’ is a range with orange-red flowers, accessible as a dwell plant from Burpee.
13. Kalanchoe
You could be conversant in the green-leaved number of kalanchoe, a succulent plant that includes small white, crimson, pink, orange, yellow, or purple blooms.
Nonetheless, some forms of kalanchoe look extraordinarily uncommon, with patterned foliage and colourful plantlets rising on their leaf margins. There are various colourful forms of this houseplant to tempt the botanically adventurous.
And when you occur to be a kind of adventurous souls, kalanchoe may additionally curiosity you as a enjoyable horticulture undertaking.
The plantlets that develop on the leaves of kalanchoes might be propagated simply. You’ll be able to study extra about propagating kalanchoe in our article, propagating succulents in 5 simple steps. However remember that these plantlets are very tiny! Light dealing with with tweezers might be useful.
‘Pink Butterflies’
One selection that can give you unique foliage and pink plantlets known as ‘Pink Butterflies,’ or pink mom of hundreds, accessible in a 3.5-inch pot from Amazon.
14. Nerve Plant
Appreciated for its putting foliage, nerve plant is also called mosaic plant or just by its genus title, Fittonia.
Whereas the webbed patterns that encourage fittonia’s widespread title are usually not nerves however quite extremely contrasting leaf veins, this characteristic is actually what makes nerve plant engaging.
The leaves of fittonia are mesmerizing – foliage might be mild or darkish inexperienced with white, crimson, or pink veins.
Fittonia will do properly in a terrarium because it thrives in a damp surroundings.
A grouping of those brightly-colored, low-growing crops nestled round a taller houseplant with putting flowers like anthurium would create a powerful visible affect for a vacation show.
Fittonia prefers low to brilliant, oblique mild, must be saved moist, and thrives with a further supply of humidity, comparable to a humidifier or misting.
Or set the plant on a saucer stuffed with pebbles with water in it, to supply the moist situations these crops thrive on. Fittonia wilts simply however can often be readily revived by growing humidity or watering.
Crimson-Veined Nerve Plant
In the event you’re able to strive certainly one of your individual, you should purchase a dwell red-veined nerve plant from Hirt’s Houseplants through Amazon.
15. Orchid
Orchids, members of the Orchidaceae household, have an undeserved repute for being troublesome houseplants – most likely as a result of doting homeowners present them with somewhat an excessive amount of care.
With their beautiful blossoms, orchids could be a gorgeous a part of your dwelling decor.
Orchid flowers are available in a big selection of sizes and a blinding spectrum of colours. Yow will discover orchid blossoms in basically any colour you’re in search of, together with delicate whites, brooding blacks, or showy pinks.
There are various several types of orchids, and their care will differ. You’ll want to lookup your particular species so that you could provide it with acceptable mild and water.
As an added bonus, many types of orchid have blossoms that aren’t solely stunning, but additionally delightfully aromatic.
Dendrobium kingianum
In the event you’re available in the market for a sweet-scented orchid, you should purchase a dwell pink rock orchid (Dendrobium kingianum) from Predatory Vegetation through Amazon.
Learn extra about rising orchids right here.
16. Poinsettia
Typically handled as disposable vacation decorations, poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) might be saved on as houseplants that can present a yearly show of brilliant colour if given the suitable care.
Past the usual crimson, poinsettias will also be present in hues comparable to white, pink, purple, orange, yellow, or salmon. Variegated poinsettias provide much more alternative.
The poinsettia’s colour comes not from its flowers however from bracts – colourful, modified leaves. To get your plant to provide these colourful leaves every year, you’ll need to let it undergo a multi-week interval of relaxation with lengthy nights and cooler temperatures, adopted by a pre-bloom season of brilliant daylight.
These crops originate in dry forests in Mexico and Guatamala, in order that they don’t want as a lot water as lots of the tropical houseplants that you could be be conversant in. Keep in mind to let your poinsettias dry out a bit between waterings.
In case your poinsettia comes with its pot wrapped in foil or plastic, take away this or poke holes within the backside so it doesn’t stand in water.
Place your poinsettia close to a brilliant window so it will get loads of oblique daylight. And ensure to maintain it away from drafts – poinsettias choose regular, heat temperatures between 65-75°F.
Poinsettias could also be a bit fussy to maintain as long-term houseplants, however their showy bracts are well worth the bother.
‘Crimson Glitter’
In the event you’re tempted to strive conserving a poinsettia as a long-term houseplant, ‘Crimson Glitter,’ a crimson and cream variegated selection, might be bought as a dwell plant in a 6-inch pot from Vegetation by Publish through Amazon.
Learn extra about rising and caring for poinsettia crops right here.
17. Polka Dot Plant
Polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) is one other one you’ll love for its foliage. It has comparable colours and patterns to fittonia, however grows taller and has bigger leaves.
The brightly coloured leaves of the polka dot plant are mottled white or pink with inexperienced veins. This houseplant would brighten up a nook or add texture when organized in a grouping with some flowering specimens.
It grows to 1 or 2 toes tall with a 1-foot unfold and prefers excessive humidity. Don’t let it dry out totally between waterings, however be certain it doesn’t stand in water both.
Common misting will assist it with its humidity wants. Be sure that to supply it with medium to brilliant oblique mild.
‘Splash Choose Rose’
If pink is the shade that brightens your days, you’ll find the ‘Splash Choose Rose’ selection at Nature Hills.
18. Rex Begonia
Like alocasia, rex begonias (Begonia rex cultorum) are all about dramatic foliage. Also called painted-leaf, fancy-leaf, or king begonias, these crops are consideration grabbers.
Associated to the extra mild-mannered wax begonia, rex begonias have strikingly patterned foliage, starting from splotches to spirals, in mixes of silver, greens, reds, pinks, purples, and black.
These houseplants are pretty demanding. They don’t like moist toes, however require a damp surroundings, so misting with a twig bottle shall be an necessary a part of your care routine. Be sure that to provide your rex begonias brilliant however oblique daylight.
Rex Begonia
In the event you’re able to create some drama together with your indoor foliage, why not begin your rex begonias from seed? Packs of 100 seeds might be discovered at Amazon, accessible in quite a lot of leaf patterns.
19. Spiderwort
Spiderwort, a member of the Tradescantia genus, is certainly one of my favourite houseplants, interval. It’s a no muss, no fuss choice that’s elegant and really easy to propagate from cuttings. It’s also called inch plant.
Its trailing foliage is available in varied colour combos, together with stable inexperienced, stable darkish purple, striped white and inexperienced, striped inexperienced and purple – or, my favourite, striped inexperienced and lilac.
Spiderwort is steadily present in hanging baskets, however it’s also possible to characteristic this fast-growing plant in smaller, ornamental tabletop containers.
Let the highest inch of the soil dry between waterings. Spiderwort will thrive in quite a lot of indoor mild situations, from medium to brilliant oblique daylight.
Inexperienced and Lilac Spiderwort
You may get your individual inexperienced and lilac spiderwort in a 2.5-inch pot from Kauai Backyard through Amazon.
Study extra about rising and caring for spiderwort crops right here.
20. Succulents
Whereas the time period succulent doesn’t check with a particular species, genus, or household, these crops are sometimes offered beneath this time period with out a lot additional identification. However that doesn’t imply we must always go them up!
Succulents are available in an interesting number of colours, shapes, and sizes. Some even have stunning patterns on their leaves.
They’re accessible in in beautiful pastels, muted reds, brilliant lime greens, and lots of different hues.
Among the genera which are generally offered beneath the extra generic time period “succulents” embody Sempervivum, Echeveria, and Lithops. You’ll be able to study extra about these fascinating crops in our article about 11 simple to take care of unique succulents.
Most succulents require full solar, and can do properly in brilliant, southern-facing home windows. They’ve decrease water wants than the typical houseplant, so are typically decrease upkeep.
However that doesn’t imply you’ll be able to neglect about them altogether.
To study extra about methods to meet the actual wants of those xerophytes, see our rising information.
Succulents work notably properly for small areas – you’ll be able to fill a planter with a number of completely different species, making a miniature botanical backyard in your lounge.
And when you’re considering a planter stuffed with succulents that’s able to beautify your dwelling house, Succulent Gardens has some pleasant choices.
Succulent Hexagonal Planter
This succulent hexagon planter, measuring 4 inches throughout and made from reclaimed wooden, is stuffed with an assortment of succulents – and is offered to buy from Succulent Gardens.
21. Ti Plant
By taking a look at it, you’d by no means guess which veggie this tropical broadleaf evergreen shrub is expounded to.
Surprisingly, Cordyline fruticosa, mostly known as “Ti plant” or simply “Ti,” is in the identical household as… asparagus!
Native to Southeast Asia, Ti has broadly naturalized in Polynesia, and is present in Hawaii, New Zealand, and Easter Island, and different tropical and sub-tropical areas.

Within the wild, Ti grows right into a small tree or shrub, reaching about 10 toes in top, however when grown indoors often grows not more than 3-6 toes tall.
Ti additionally goes by the names of “cabbage palm,” “good luck plant,” and “palm lily.”
There are various completely different Ti cultivars, so leaf shapes differ – some are large, whereas others are slender and sword-like.
Ti leaves are steadily variegated, and cultivars can be found in a variety of colour combos together with pink, crimson, burgundy, orange, and darkish inexperienced to virtually black hues.

Ti prefers well-drained soil that’s excessive in natural matter and barely acidic. To maintain foliage colourful, be certain to supply loads of brilliant, oblique daylight.
It must be saved constantly moist by the nice and cozy seasons. Throughout winter, give your plant a resting interval with decreased watering.
Ti is from the tropics, so thrives in excessive humidity – spritz steadily with a twig bottle or set the plant on a saucer stuffed with pebbles and water.
‘Crimson Sister’ is a shocking cultivar with brilliant pink and darkish inexperienced variegated leaves.
Cordyline fruticosa ‘Crimson Sister’
In the event you’d prefer to welcome this tropical plant into your house, you’ll find two 8-inch ‘Crimson Sister’ dwell crops from Tropical Vegetation of Florida through Amazon.
22. Variegated Shell Ginger
Variegated shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’) will brighten up your house with its brilliant gold and inexperienced variegated leaves and its showy, tropical flowers.
Associated to culinary ginger, variegated shell ginger can attain 10 toes tall in the suitable situations, although it often solely reaches about 4 toes when grown indoors.
In the event you can provide this decorative ginger brilliant mild and somewhat further humidity, it will likely be a showstopper in your house this winter.
Variegated Shell Ginger
Stay variegated shell ginger crops can be found at Nature Hills.
23. Vase Plant
Vase plant (Aechmea fasciata) is a kind of bromeliad, associated to the extra diminutive air crops.
Additionally known as silver vase plant or urn plant, this bromeliad provides a spectacular inflorescence taking pictures up from a variegated, inexperienced, purple, or pink rosette of leaves.
This colourful, mid- to large-sized houseplant will add a tropical contact to your house with out taking on an excessive amount of room. It might look well-placed on a aspect desk or shelf that receives oblique daylight.
Hold its soil moist however properly drained, and hold a small quantity of water within the central cup shaped by its rosette of leaves. After flowering, the plant will die, however pups will develop from the bottom of the mom plant.
Vase Plant
You’ll discover a dwell pink vase plant in a 6-inch pot for buy from Hirt’s Gardens through Amazon.
A Loopy Shade of Winter
Now you need to have an thought of which houseplants will develop properly in your situations and supply the colour combos that can look finest in your house.
Are you going with brilliant, daring colours or extra subdued tones? Do you prefer to have a mishmash of colours or are you right into a single-colored theme on your houseplant decor? Tell us within the feedback, and when you have photographs, we’d like to see them.
If you must brush up on rising and caring for houseplants, you’ll want to try these associated articles: