Colors have a profound effect on humans and animals. We know that green has a positive effect on mood, creating a sense of peace and soothing anxiety. There is no doubt in any plant lover that this is true.
Other colors can affect our moods as well. Red, for example, is an energizing and stimulating color. It’s especially unique when pigmented on leaves. Houseplants with red foliage are great additions to the home for this reason. Here are 17 species to add to your collection!
What Makes Foliage Red?
Plants rich in anthocyanins display vibrant red and purple hues.
The psychology of color is a nuanced and complicated concept. The biology of color is decidedly less so. We know that green in plants results from chlorophyll, and white is the absence thereof. Red appears in plants that contain pigments called anthocyanins.
Anthocyanins make leaves appear red by absorbing blue and green wavelengths. Our eyes see the reflected red wavelengths. Dark red and purple berries and fruits contain high levels of anthocyanins, and research shows have a wide range of health benefits. In foliage, these chemicals produce rich crimson and purple tones.
An interesting effect of anthocyanins on plant foliage is that they are photoprotective. This is why some succulent plants blush when exposed to more sunlight. The chemicals that make the leaves change color also protect the plant from stress. Red foliage houseplants can tolerate more light than their green counterparts.
Let’s look at some stunning plants with high levels of these chemicals that can grow well indoors. Remember that the sun exposure indications for these plants are often more variable than in plants that don’t contain anthocyanins. These plants adapt well to higher light conditions, which can enhance their gorgeous shades of scarlet, ruby, and vermilion.
Philodendron ‘Cherry Red’
These tropical plants with glossy, colorful foliage thrive indoors effortlessly.
Philodendrons are popular tropical plants that thrive indoors with the right care. Their glossy foliage and vigorous growth habit add to their low-maintenance appeal. Many of these plants have beautiful and colorful leaves, particularly when they first emerge. This is the case with this variety.
‘Cherry Red’ has large, elegant leaves that first emerge a stunning burgundy shade. As each new leaf unfurls, enjoy the bold ruby foliage before it deepens to a scarlet-tinged green nearer the base of the plant. The underside of leaves usually retains this color, while the tops of leaves take on a light green.
Philodendrons prefer well-draining soil and plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. This is not a climbing variety. The leaves grow in a dense, basal rosette. You’ll have multiple shades of red and green on this plant at the same time, making it a striking addition to the home. Fertilize every two weeks with a diluted, balanced, liquid fertilizer during spring and summer.
Nerve Plant ‘Mini Red’
These plants thrive in bright, humid conditions with careful care.
Nerve plants are low-growing with small, intricately veined leaves. They work well in hanging containers, as they have a trailing growth habit. Over time, they can spread about 18″, although pinching the stems will keep them compact and bushy. Bright indirect light will keep the leaves bright and happy.
This variety has dark green leaves with bold, cherry-colored veining. Plants will have varying amounts of veining, and the denser the veining, the more color you will get from this one. Nerve plants are moisture and humidity-loving. Keep the soil moist but not soggy and give it some additional humidity by misting or with a pebble tray.
During its growing season, fertilize your nerve plant weekly using a diluted, balanced liquid formula. Cold temperatures aren’t a friend to your nerve plant, so keep it out of drafts and away from cold windows in winter. They tend to be dramatic, letting you know when they are cold or dry by wilting.
Chinese Evergreen ‘Red King’
Watermelon-like foliage of this vibrant red cultivar bring drama to your houseplant display.
My three-year-old calls this one “watermelon plant,” and it’s not hard to see where she gets that idea. The large, cordate leaves are the same shade of scarlet as everyone’s favorite summer melon. A thin green margin adds a rind to these watermelon leaves.
Chinese evergreen plants are easy to care for, and their large foliage brings drama to your interior decor. This cultivar produces large leaves that are varying shades when juvenile but mature to a deep, solid ruby shade. As far as houseplants go, Chinese evergreens are very forgiving and make great beginner plants.
Bright, indirect light is what this evergreen prefers, but it will tolerate lower light conditions. The more light your plant gets, the more water it will need. Water once a week, or when the top inch of the soil is dry. Rather than fertilizing regularly, re-pot this plant when it doubles in size. The soil should provide sufficient nutrients.
Polkadot Plant ‘Red Splash’
This resilient polka dot plant thrives in varying light conditions.
Polka dot strongly resembles a nerve plant but is much more resilient and tolerant of varying conditions. This tough little mounding plant has shapely leaves that are the reverse of ‘Mini Red,’ in bright vermillion with green veining. It’s called a polka dot because the colors are not crisply delineated, but have a stippled appearance.
This cultivar is a sturdy little plant with a mounding habit. Considered drought-resistant, it prefers partial sun or bright indirect light. Keep the soil lightly moist. If it dries out, it may wilt. However, in my experience, it is resilient and drought-tolerant.
During the growing season, fertilize once a month with a balanced fertilizer. These are short-lived perennials that will die after flowering, but they don’t always flower indoors, so keeping it as a houseplant will prolong its life.
Hawaiian Ti Plant ‘Red Sister’
This striking houseplant boasts vibrant, evolving red foliage.
Hawaiian ti plants are small trees with bright, colorful foliage. This is especially true of this stunning variety. Long, strap-like leaves grow in a rosette at the top of narrow trunks. In this variety, they vary in color.
The foundation of the leaves is deep burgundy. New leaves have splashes of magenta when they first unfurl. As they age, they deepen in color. This is a large, eye-catching houseplant that makes a statement. It is a fast grower that can reach between seven and ten feet tall with a large enough container.
This cultivar is a sun lover and shows off the best color in full sun. It will thrive in partial shade, as well, but with muted tones. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Fertilize every two to three months with a balanced fertilizer at half strength.
Red Mistletoe Cactus ‘Red Coral’
This vibrant succulent thrives with bright light, showcasing stunning red foliage.
I recently added this succulent to my collection, and it’s a lovely little specimen. It has a similar growth habit to night-blooming cereus, and requires similar care. It has an attractive trailing habit and grows large over time. Pot this in a hanging container with excellent drainage.
The long, strap-like leaves have a fun habit of turning red when exposed to bright light. This plant can tolerate hours of direct light. These conditions will bring out the most color in its foliage. When lightly stressed, red mistletoe cactus leaves blush and deepen to a beautiful claret. Direct sun early in the day or late in the afternoon is ideal.
Despite being a succulent, it prefers its soil to be slightly moist. This makes good drainage extra important. Fertilizing isn’t necessary on a regular basis, but you can give it a boost once or twice a year during the growing season. In spring, long-lasting white berries form along the leaf margins.
Peperomia ‘Red Log’
This low-maintenance houseplant adds a pop of crimson to any space.
Peperomias are pretty and low-maintenance. They are flexible in terms of exposure needs and will thrive in indirect light or partial shade. A few hours of direct sun will make this one grow faster. It’s also completely safe for pets and people, so it’s great for anyone with kids or animals in the home.
This is a small variety of peperomia with an upright growth habit. The tops of its leaves are lime green, but underneath, the bottom of the leaves, and the fleshy stems, are crimson. Set the one up high where you can appreciate the color from a lower vantage point.
As long as you don’t overwater it, this plant can live up to 10 years! Its succulent stems hold moisture, so it’s ok to let the soil dry between waterings. With more light, it will need increased watering. Peperomias are happiest in a humid environment.
Calathea ‘Red Mojo’
This tropical evergreen features leaf movement and vibrant red-purple undersides.
You probably know calatheas as “prayer plants,” but this name applies to more than one type of plant, so we will stick with calathea. These tropical evergreens have a clumping growth habit. They raise and lower their leaves with the sun, which is where the nickname prayer plant comes from.
‘Red Mojo’ will tolerate low light conditions, but it will show off more in brighter conditions. Bright indirect light, or a few hours of direct sun, will make the movement of the plant more exaggerated. It will also intensify the color of the leaves.
The leaf underside is a much deeper reddish purple shade. The tops of the leaves are dark green with rosy patterning. Keep the soil moist but not soggy for your calathea. Good drainage is important, but don’t allow the soil to dry out completely.
Spike Moss ‘Ruby Red’
This low-light moss thrives in cool, humid environments with rich soil.
Spike moss makes a great houseplant because it has very low light needs and unique red foliage. This moss can grow in nearly complete shade. It can also tolerate some direct sun, so it’s flexible and low-maintenance in this way. Rather than as a result of sun exposure, this plant deepens its color in cool temperatures. Keep it cool for the most intense shades.
As a moss, moisture is important. Spike moss needs cool, moist soil and loves humidity. Place it near a humidifier or a bathroom window, and it will love the added moisture. Treat it like a forest floor plant, giving it rich soil with plenty of organic matter mixed in. Ensure the soil is well-draining.
Spike moss also makes a nice terrarium plant, it will soak up all the humidity it can get. You will marvel at the delicate, fern-like foliage that is deep green on top and burgundy underneath.
Peperomia ‘Schumi Red’
This adaptable plant thrives in moderate to bright indirect light.
This great little peperomia fits in anywhere. It makes an excellent windowsill plant as long as it doesn’t receive too much direct sun. Medium to bright indirect light is the ideal exposure. Some light is desirable, as it highlights the color of the leaves, as well as their slight metallic finish.
The foliage is uniformly a deep wine shade. The small, rounded leaves have deep veining, which creates a lot of texture. The growth habit is mounding, so it requires little to no pruning. It takes on a nice shape on its own.
This variety is like other peperomias in terms of moisture needs. It has succulent stems that hold moisture, so refrain from watering until the soil is dry on top. It prefers high humidity but has leathery leaves that are more tolerant of average humidity levels than many tropicals.
African Milk Tree ‘Rubra’
This striking succulent thrives with bright light and minimal care.
The African milk tree is a unique and beautiful succulent plant. It grows tall, ridged stems. Stiff, sharp spines run the length of the ridges, raising questions about whether this might be a cactus. It’s not, though; it’s classified as a succulent. Between the sharp spines grow ovate leaves.
African milk tree grows tall, and fast. It thrives with an abundance of bright, indirect sunlight. To make this succulent blush, expose it to cold or direct light. Both will bring out striking vermilion undertones in the stems and leaves.
Keep your African milk tree a little pot-bound. Its delicate roots don’t transplant well, and re-potting can be difficult with its numerous spines. Allow the soil to dry between waterings. Overall, this succulent brings a lot of personality to the interior and asks little in return.
Rex Begonia ‘Harmony’s Red Robin’
These stunning plants thrive in bright, indirect light indoors.
I have an affinity for rex begonias, so I’ve included two on this list and this is the first. They have some of the most beautiful leaves around, you have to see them to understand. Their leaves are slightly pubescent and deeply veined. This variety is predominantly magenta with burgundy margins and veining. The surface of the foliage has a metallic sheen.
Rex begonias like their well-draining soil to not quite dry between waterings. They hold moisture in their fleshy, succulent stems, but when it runs out they will flop over sadly. As long as you catch them quickly, they should rebound after a good soaking.
As far as light needs, rex begonias like a lot of bright light, but direct sun singes their stunning foliage. A plant that is getting too much sun will fade and become brown around the edges. Bright, but indirect light all day will give the brightest tones.
Coral Bells ‘Cherry Truffles’
It thrives with jewel-toned foliage and bright, indirect light.
Coral bells are another colorful houseplant option with decorative red foliage. It’s generally thought of as a shade plant, but indoors it will thrive in bright to medium indirect light. Its preference for cool weather is another factor that helps it adapt to life in the home.
‘Cherry Truffles’ has a truly gorgeous color. The jewel-toned foliage is ruby with a glossy sheen on top. It has a mounding habit and moderate growth rate. It prefers soil that is moist, but not wet. Let the surface of the soil dry between waterings.
With the right combination of light and moisture, coral bells will bloom indoors. They will typically flower in early spring, possibly earlier indoors. Their name comes from the appearance of the flowers which grow in clusters atop tall stems. These plants rival rex begonias and are easier to cultivate indoors.
Rex Begonia ‘Ideal Red Heart’
For striking foliage, place in bright, indirect sunlight.
Even though there are easier plants to grow in the house, I will always come back to rex begonias for their amazing foliage. This variety has pale grayish-green leaves with a crimson margin and a heart in the center in the same shade. The leaves are very dramatic and colorful, and shimmer in the light.
Place this in very bright light, or give it a few hours of direct sun in the early morning for the best colors. It needs rich soil that drains well but holds moisture. It doesn’t need much in the way of fertilizer if you use a high-quality potting mix. Every couple of months should be sufficient.
Maranta ‘Red Prayer’
Appreciate the beauty of trailing, vibrant foliage.
Maranta is another genus of plants that falls under the “prayer plant” umbrella. They raise their leaves up at night, like praying hands, and lower them in the daylight. It’s a lovely habit. This one has a trailing habit which makes it a wonderful hanging plant.
Marantas are sensitive, and tap water is often too chemically treated for them. If your plant’s leaves turn brown at the tips, that is likely the case. Try using distilled or rainwater for this one. I know it’s a little extra, but the plant is worth it.
This variety’s leaves are predominantly green, with a deep shade toward and surrounding the midrib. A lime green pattern slashes through the center and on either edge. Scarlet threads run through the leaf, delineating the veins, and the same shade covers the underside.
Cryptanthus ‘Red Earth Star’
Bright light enhances the vibrant colors of these easy-going plants.
Earth star plants are easy-going and have flashy, colorful foliage. The leaves are strap-like and glossy, resembling a bromeliad. They grow in a loose rosette like a large, fancy flower. These plants come in different color combinations, and this one has stripes in varying shades of magenta.
Give this plant bright light and let the soil just dry between waterings. It’s not picky though, and will tolerate moist, though not soggy soil. More light will bring out the colors and increase the contrast between shades.
You don’t need to fertilize earth stars often. They are efficient with nutrients. Once or twice a year, in spring and summer, is sufficient. They are drought-tolerant and bounce back well if you forget to water them.
Echeveria ‘Devotion’
Crimson and velvet leaves intensify in bright light, but this plant needs excellent drainage.
This variety of echeveria is new to me, and it’s positively gorgeous *clicks ‘add to cart.’ Just look at those crimson, velvet leaves and try to resist! Echeverias are so easy to care for; they practically grow themselves. You can control the intensity of the color by moving this plant in and out of bright light.
The fine hairs on the leaves of this variety act as protection from sunburn. So you can move it into some direct light if you want the ruby leaves to intensify. It is a succulent, so it needs excellent drainage and allows the soil to dry between waterings.
Echeverias produce offsets that make propagation a cinch. You can also propagate from leaves, just snap one off and let it callous. Then, lay it on moist soil in indirect light, and you can share this stunner with a plant-loving friend.
Key Takeaways
All of these striking varieties bring major color and personality to the indoors. It’s interesting to experiment with some of them, moving them into more or less light to change their colors. I find the science of plant color even more fascinating than the psychology. However, if you’re looking for an energizer, add some scarlet plants to your home, today!
