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20 Most Colorful Houseplants (Because You’re Ready for Something New)

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We love houseplants in all their forms: Tiny tabletop succulents, statement-making floor plants, and vining plants tumbling over the edges of end tables and bookshelves. And while nothing warms up a room like a splash of green, a whole new world of color is trending in houseplants with foliage that boasts silvery streaks, pink splashes and polka dots. Many that were once hard-to-find but have become increasingly available.

But before you take the plunge and add the most colorful houseplants to your collection, do your homework. Some of these newer varieties tend to be a bit finicky, so you’ll want to know the challenges of each plant before spending the money. And as with all houseplants, the most important factor is to give them the correct light; if you don’t have good natural light, an LED grow light is a smart investment. Finally, pay attention to watering. More plants die from overwatering than underwatering, so err on the side of too dry, rather than too wet.

10 Fussy Houseplants and How to Keep ‘Em Alive (or What to Grow Instead)


1. Aglaonema

the sill

  • Why We Love It: silvery or pink accents, low maintenance plant
  • What It Needs: moderate to bright indirect light; water every week to ten days

If you don’t have one of these, get one right now! Aglaonema is ridiculously easy to grow, and it boasts pretty silvery or pink streaks on its leaves. It likes bright indirect light but will tolerate moderate or even low light levels.

2. Marble Queen Pothos

California Tropicals

  • Why We Love It: super easy to grow
  • What It Needs: bright indirect light; water when top inch or two feels dry

This pretty pothos is just as easy to care for as the more common golden pothos. But the white variegated leaves make it seem to glow.

home depot

  • Why We Love It: strong upright form, easy-to-grow, striking black color
  • What It Needs: moderate to bright indirect light; water every ten days or so when mostly dry

The ZZ Plant is a homeowner’s dream—it’s so easy to care for—but keep an eye out for this variation, which is a little more striking. Its foliage is so dark it’s nearly black. The strong, architectural shape is smashing as a focal point in any room.

4. Neon Pothos

California Tropicals

  • Why We Love It: easy to grow, bright pop of color
  • What It Needs: bright, indirect light; water when top inch or two feels dry

Chartreuse foliage makes this low maintenance pothos a winner. It’s as easy to grow as other kinds of pothos but with brighter foliage.

  • Why We Love It: pretty green and pale green markings
  • What It Needs: bright indirect light; water when top inch or two feels dry

There’s a reason so many types of pothos are on this list: They’re one of the best plants for beginners, bar none. The irregularly colored pale and dark green splotches on the leaves of this variety make it extra-special.

6. Prayer Plant

plants

  • Why We Love It: gorgeous red veining and rounded leaves
  • What It Needs: bright, indirect light; let it dry out slightly between waterings every week or so

This plant has the loveliest foliage, which folds up, as if in prayer, in response to light and dark cycles. The striped leaves and burgundy undersides are equally appealing.

7. Polka Dot Plant

lively root

  • Why We Love It: pink, red or white speckled foliage
  • What It Needs: bright, indirect light; water when soil feels dry to the touch

Nothing’s more cheerful than a plant with pink, red or white polka dots. This charming plant adds splashes of bright color wherever you place it.

8. Fittonia

California Tropicals

  • Why We Love It: attractive prominent white or pink veining
  • What It Needs: bright, indirect light; consistent, light moisture

This little plant has loads of personality with its white or pink veining. It’s also a great plant for terrariums because it loves humidity.

  • Why We Love It: pink leaves! Need we say more?
  • What It Needs: bright, indirect light; let the soil dry out slightly between waterings

Philodendrons are one of our favorite plants because of the sheer number of varieties. Plus, they’re pretty hands-off in terms of care. This one has a lovely pink hue, but it’s relatively uncommon so expect to pay a premium for a small pot.

10. Moonlight Philodendron

Wekiva Foliage

  • Why We Love It: new growth emerges a pale yellow-green; vigorous grower
  • What It Needs: bright, indirect light; let the top inch or two of soil dry out between waterings

With big, bold leaves and lovely pale yellow-green new growth, this philodendron is a must-have for your collection. Like other philodendrons, it’s hardy and fast-growing.

  • Why We Love It: splashes of cream on green foliage, easy-care
  • What It Needs: bright, indirect light; water when top inch or two is dry

Yet another pothos makes the list. This one has creamy white patterns on its foliage. It resembles Marble Queen but has smaller leaves.

12. Tradescantia

garden goods direct

  • Why We Love It: striped purple and green leaves with splashes of silver
  • What It Needs: bright, indirect light; let it go mostly dry between waterings

It doesn’t get much more colorful than this vining plant. It’s been a favorite forever, so your grandmother may have grown it. But it’s trending again because of its unique foliage and form.

  • Why We Love It: showstopping pink and green leaves
  • What It Needs: bright, indirect light; water when the top few inches feel dry

This plant is a showstopper, but be aware that it’s a fussy houseplant that requires a little more TLC. It doesn’t like it too light, too dark or too dry. If it’s too dark, the variegation will fade.

  • Why We Love It: velvety texture with pinkish new growth
  • What It Needs: bright, indirect light; water when the top inch or so feels dry

The heart-shaped leaves and velvety texture of this plant are super appealing. It tumbles gracefully out of pots and looks amazing in a hanging basket.

15. Polka Dot Begonia

hey horti

  • Why We Love It: silver dots on green foliage with reddish undersides
  • What It Needs: bright, indirect light; keep the soil lightly moist, not sopping wet

This handsome begonia is grown for its unique foliage, but it also flowers in spring in summer. And who doesn’t love polka dots?

16. Satin Pothos

California Tropicals

  • Why We Love It: silver splashes on a low maintenance plant
  • What It Needs: bright, indirect light; let the top inch or two dry out between waterings

Despite the name, this plant actually is not a pothos but an entirely different plant called a Scindapsus. However, it does resemble pothos with its heart-shaped leaves and vining habit, and it is low maintenance, too.

17. Watermelon Peperomia

garden goods direct

  • Why We Love It: silvery stripes reminiscent of a watermelon’s rind
    What It Needs: bright, indirect light; water when the top inch or so of soil feels dry

This is a great tabletop plant with cute, rounded leaves and silvery stripes. It’s fairly hardy but it doesn’t like to be too wet or too dry.

  • Why We Love It: creamy white variegated leaves
  • What It Needs: bright, indirect light; let it dry out slightly between waterings

This mounding philodendron’s variegated leaves add muted color and a sense of pattern. It’s a beautiful way to subtly liven up any room of the house, as long as you give it enough light.

19. Alocasia

Rooted Store

  • Why We Love It: dramatic heart-shaped leaves in striking colors
  • What It Needs: bright, indirect light; water when the top two inches of soil feels dry

Alocasia is gorgeous, but be forewarned: It’s not for beginners. This plant doesn’t like environments that are too hot, too cold or too drafty. Some types go dormant if they’re stressed, so they drop leaves and look dead, though they can make a comeback. It’s definitely a fussy plant, but if you have the right conditions in your home, it’s without compare for sheer drama.

  • Why We Love It: dark green spots on light green foliage with purple undersides
  • What It Needs: bright, indirect light; keep it consistently moist, not sopping wet

The long, strappy leaves of this plant, along with its beautiful coloration, make it an elegant addition to your home. It tends to be a bit finicky, and the leaf edges will brown if it doesn’t get the correct amount of water.


MEET THE EXPERT: 

Arricca Elin SanSone is a gardener with more than 15 years of experience. In addition to PureWow, she writes for Prevention, Country Living, Veranda, The Spruce and many other national publications. She also trials new plant cultivars and field tests garden products to evaluate practicality and durability. 


purewow author

Freelance Gardening Editor

Arricca Elin SanSone is a gardener with more than 15 years of experience. In addition to PureWow, she writes for Prevention, Country Living, Veranda, The Spruce and many other national publications. She also trials new plant cultivars and field tests garden products to evaluate practicality and durability.