Winter can all the time use some brightening up. Particularly if, like me, you spend a lot of the season indoors, stress-free and catching up in your gardening studying.
A cheery houseplant (or three) is perhaps simply the companion you want in your winter rejuvenation. And plenty of species will final for years for those who present them with the correct care.
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Whether or not your model is neon-lights-bright or understated splashes of pastel, there are species accessible in all sizes and styles to brighten up your winter.
I’ve whittled down a listing of 23 of my favourite houseplants that add a splash of shade – and I guess you’ll discover simply the one to heat up your house via the colder months.
23 Favourite Colourful Houseplants
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 suggestions for a few of my favourite varieties, and supply some info on caring for every of those vibrant houseplants.
1. African Violet
I guess you’re accustomed to this old style houseplant. With its fuzzy leaves and dainty little flowers, African violet, Saintpaulia, is unassuming and gently brightens up a house.
Purple is the standard flower shade 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.
Perhaps 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 kinds make them nice houseplants for small areas – simply keep in mind to water them often and supply them with vibrant, oblique daylight.
African Violet
You will discover purple African violet crops in four-inch pots accessible through Walmart.
Discover recommendations on rising and caring for African violets right here.
2. Alocasia
Going by many various widespread names, species within the Alocasia genus will definitely deliver an air of drama to your front room.
Also called kris plant, black defend, elephant ear, or African masks, this houseplant appears as gorgeous as a sculpture.
The 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.
Alocasia ‘Black Velvet,’ one of many varieties generally bought as a houseplant, reaches one to 2 ft tall and huge.
Alocasia ‘Black Velvet’
It requires vibrant, oblique gentle and solely the highest inch of soil needs to be allowed to dry out between waterings.
These stunners are accessible from Quick Rising Timber.
Learn to develop and look after alocasia right here.
3. Anthurium
Also called flamingo flower, laceleaf, and tailflower, houseplants within the Anthurium genus provide a vibrant splash of shade with their long-lasting pink 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 model.
With its pink and inexperienced coloring, this houseplant might make a satisfying addition to your vacation adorning scheme.
Anthuriums will thrive in your house with medium to vibrant oblique gentle, so long as you retain on prime of watering – it doesn’t wish to dry out.
‘Pink Coronary heart’
With correct care, anthurium will develop to at least one and a half ft tall and a foot huge.
‘Pink Coronary heart’ anthuriums are accessible from Quick Rising Timber.
Learn extra about rising anthurium crops right here.
4. Arrowhead Vine
For individuals who want a extra understated method on the subject of shade, arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum) presents a tender contact.
Additionally known as arrowhead plant, the leaves fluctuate in shades starting from gentle inexperienced to gentle pink, and could possibly be mixed properly with the usually shorter-lived poinsettias discovered right now of the 12 months.
Arrowhead vine will respect a heat, humid spot in your home, with vibrant, oblique daylight.
Arrowhead Plant
A vining species, 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 six inches lengthy.
You will discover ‘White Butterfly’ arrowhead crops accessible from Hirt’s Gardens through Walmart.
Learn extra about rising arrowhead crops right here.
5. Chicken of Paradise
Should you’re in search of a vibrant, tropical burst of shade to brighten up your inside when it’s chilly outdoors, chicken of paradise from the Strelitzia genus is perhaps 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, chicken of paradise could possibly be used to create an indoor tropical really feel.
Chicken of paradise needs to be given direct solar through the cooler months, and vibrant, oblique solar through the hotter months. Solely permit the highest inch of the soil to dry out between waterings.
Orange Chicken of Paradise
You’ll discover an orange chicken of paradise plant in a three-gallon pot accessible at Quick Rising Timber.
Learn extra about caring for chicken of paradise crops indoors right here.
6. Calathea
Calatheas could also be among the many ornamental indoor crops you’ve encountered earlier than that benefit renewed consideration.
Among the many totally 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 pink, purple, or white.
Non-blooming evergreens like this are pretty on their very own, or grouped with different houseplants in complementary colours.
Referred to as “prayer plant” as a result of their leaves fold up at night time, calatheas want heat, humid environments.
Keep away from direct daylight, which can bleach their stunning leaves. As a substitute, present them with oblique gentle, and keep in mind to maintain their soil moist however not soggy.
‘Medallion’
‘Medallion’ is a range with leaves that look as if they’ve been created by a painter, and is offered in six-inch pots from Quick Rising Timber.
Take a look at our information to rising prayer crops to study extra.
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 pink leaf veins and margins will shock you – and may simply knock your socks off.
That is one other inexperienced and pink houseplant that will be well-placed amongst your vacation decor. Preserve it round after the festivities are over, to take the sting off the post-holiday blues.
Reaching about one and a half ft tall and huge, Chinese language evergreen will thrive in low to vibrant oblique gentle.
It shouldn’t be allowed to dry out between waterings, however is total a low upkeep houseplant.
Pink Chinese language Evergreen
You will discover colourful pink Chinese language evergreen crops with inexperienced, yellow, and pink mottled leaves accessible at Quick Rising Timber.
Learn extra about rising Chinese language evergreens.
8. Christmas Cactus
Talking of the vacations, don’t neglect concerning the vibrant 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 shade and texture on a desk or tabletop, or in a dangling basket.
Christmas cacti are undemanding houseplants that can brighten your spirits within the winter months.
Christmas cactus requires vibrant, oblique gentle throughout its rising season and needs to be watered when the highest inch of soil is dry.
To encourage blooming 12 months after 12 months, a particular routine of cool temperatures and lengthy nights is required.
You possibly can study extra about this flower-coaxing routine right here.
Pink Christmas Cactus
Christmas cacti are among the many longest dwelling houseplants, so while you select yours, ensure you choose a flower shade you like.
You will discover pink Christmas cactus crops accessible through Walmart.
Discover common care suggestions for this succulent in our Christmas cactus rising information.
9. Coleus
You could be extra accustomed to coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides) as an annual bedding plant, moderately than a houseplant.
However this vibrant tropical evergreen works properly indoors, the place it may well reside for a number of years, and is available in a dizzying number of shade mixtures and patterns.
It’s a low upkeep houseplant, and might deal with a spread of oblique gentle conditions, from low to vibrant.
Coleus shouldn’t be allowed to dry out fully, however ensure you don’t overwater it both. Its soil needs to be moist however not waterlogged.
The beautiful, vibrant fiery-red foliage on this selection, enticingly known as ‘Inferno,’ will deliver your house a splash of shade.
‘Inferno’
You will discover four-plant bundles accessible from Burpee.
Be taught extra about caring for coleus as an houseplant.
10. Croton
Should you’re in search of a houseplant that’s as colourful as a tropical celebration, croton (Codiaeum variegatum) can 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 pink.
If that’s not sufficient shade 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 shade combo that can strike your fancy.
In contrast to many of the different houseplants on this listing, croton does properly with some direct daylight, which can make for higher leaf shade.
Preserve the soil moist however not soggy through the rising season.
With correct care, this magnificence can develop as much as six ft tall with a five-foot unfold – so ensure you are prepared to offer it with some room!
‘Petra’
The ‘Petra’ cultivar has huge leaves and the tropical hues that croton is understood for.
You’ll discover crops in six-inch or three-gallon pots accessible from Quick Rising Timber.
And learn our rising information to find out about easy methods to look after croton crops.
11. Cyclamen
A member of the primrose household, cyclamen (Cyclamen species) is one other compact selection that’s perfect for smaller areas.
Cyclamen is beloved 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 will be white, pink, pink, or purple, and the heart-shaped leaves are sometimes graced with silvery patterns.
This charming houseplant is one other good selection for a smaller house – it can solely develop to about 9 inches tall and huge, and can thrive in vibrant, oblique daylight.
Preserve your cyclamen’s soil moist – besides throughout its dormant season in the summertime, when it needs to be watered much less regularly.
Latinia® Pink
Decide up four-inch Latinia® pink cyclamen crops in packages of two or 4 from Residence Depot.
Learn extra about rising and caring for cyclamen houseplants right here.
12. Gerbera Daisy
When a younger little one 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 reside houseplant as an alternative of a reduce flower.
The flowers of gerbera daisies will deliver a summery cheer to your indoor house.
They’re accessible in nearly each shade of the rainbow and can develop to about 18 inches excessive, making for a very good tabletop specimen.
Gerbera daisies want a number of hours of direct daylight on daily basis however want cooler temperatures.
When stored indoors, a vibrant jap window would be the finest location for them. Water when the highest inch of soil is dry.
‘Garvinea Candy Reminiscences’
‘Garvinea Candy Reminiscences’ is a range with pink flowers, accessible as a reside plant from Burpee.
Discover extra recommendations on rising gerbera daisies right here.
13. Kalanchoe
You could be accustomed to the green-leaved number of kalanchoe, a succulent that includes small white, pink, pink, orange, yellow, or purple blooms.
Nevertheless, some kinds of kalanchoe look extraordinarily uncommon, with patterned foliage and colourful plantlets rising on their leaf margins.
There are numerous colourful kinds of this houseplant to tempt the botanically adventurous.
And for those who occur to be a kind of adventurous souls, kalanchoe can also curiosity you as a enjoyable horticulture venture.
The plantlets that develop on the leaves of kalanchoes will be propagated simply. You possibly can study extra about propagating kalanchoe in our article, propagating succulents in 5 straightforward steps.
However needless to say these plantlets are very tiny! Light dealing with with tweezers will be useful.
Flaming Katy
Flaming Katy, Okay. blossfeldiana, is offered in a three-pack assortment of colours, together with white, pink, yellow, and orange from Residence Depot.
Discover extra recommendations on caring for crops within the Kalanchoe genus right here.
14. Nerve Plant
Appreciated for its putting foliage, nerve plant is often known as mosaic plant or just by its genus title, Fittonia.
Whereas the webbed patterns that encourage fittonia’s widespread title aren’t nerves however moderately extremely contrasting leaf veins, this function is definitely what makes nerve plant enticing.
The leaves of fittonia are mesmerizing – foliage will be gentle or darkish inexperienced with white, pink, or pink veins.
Fittonia will do properly in a terrarium because it thrives in a damp atmosphere.
A grouping of those brightly-colored, low-growing crops nestled round a taller houseplant with putting flowers like anthurium would create a robust visible impression for a vacation show.
Fittonia prefers low to vibrant, oblique gentle, needs to be stored moist, and thrives with a further supply of humidity, similar to a humidifier or misting.
Pink-Veined Nerve Plant
Fittonia wilts simply however can normally be readily revived by growing humidity or watering.
Should you’re able to strive certainly one of your individual, you should buy a red-veined nerve plant from Hirt’s Gardens through Walmart.
15. Orchid
Orchids, members of the Orchidaceae household, have an undeserved repute for being tough houseplants – in all probability as a result of doting homeowners present them with a little bit an excessive amount of care.
With their beautiful blossoms, orchids is usually a gorgeous a part of your dwelling decor.
Orchid flowers are available in a wide selection of sizes and a blinding spectrum of colours.
You will discover orchid blossoms in primarily any shade you’re in search of, together with delicate whites, brooding blacks, or showy pinks.
There are numerous various kinds of orchids, and their care wants will fluctuate. Be sure you search for your particular species to be able to provide it with applicable gentle and water.
As an added bonus, many sorts of orchid have blossoms that aren’t solely stunning, but in addition delightfully aromatic.
Purple Moth Orchid
Should you’re available in the market for an orchid so as to add to your house decor you will discover a purple Phalaenopsis in an ornamental clay pot accessible from Inexperienced Circle Growers through Walmart.
Learn extra about rising orchids right here.
16. Poinsettia
Usually handled as disposable vacation decorations, poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) will be stored on as houseplants that can present a yearly show of vibrant shade if given the proper care.
Past the usual pink, poinsettias may also be present in hues similar to white, pink, purple, orange, yellow, or salmon. Variegated poinsettias provide much more selection.
The poinsettia’s shade comes not from its flowers however from bracts – colourful, modified leaves.
To encourage your plant to provide these colourful leaves every year, you’ll must let it undergo a multi-week interval of relaxation with lengthy nights and cooler temperatures, adopted by a pre-bloom season of vibrant daylight.
You possibly can study extra about this course of right here.
Poinsettias originate in dry forests in Mexico and Guatamala, in order that they don’t want as a lot water as most of the tropical houseplants that you could be be accustomed to.
Place your poinsettia close to a vibrant window so it will get loads of oblique daylight. And ensure to maintain it away from drafts – poinsettias want regular, heat temperatures between 65 to 75°F.
Poinsettias could also be a bit fussy to maintain as long-term houseplants, however their showy bracts are definitely worth the hassle.
Pink Poinsettia
You will discover a pink poinsettia in a one-and-a-half-gallon pot wrapped in ornamental inexperienced foil accessible from Residence Depot.
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 related 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 at least one to 2 ft tall with a one-foot unfold and prefers excessive humidity. Don’t let it dry out fully between waterings, however be sure it doesn’t stand in water both.
Common misting will assist it with its humidity wants. Make certain to offer it with medium to vibrant oblique gentle.
Pink Polka Dot Plant
If pink is the shade that brightens your days, you will discover crops in two-and-a-half-inch pots accessible from Hirt’s Gardens through Walmart.
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 ft, however require a damp atmosphere, so misting with a twig bottle can be an vital a part of your care routine.
Make certain to present your rex begonias vibrant however oblique daylight.
Rex Begonia
Should you’re able to create some drama together with your indoor foliage, you will discover pink rex begonias in two-and-a-half-inch pots accessible from Hirt’s Gardens through Walmart.
Discover recommendations on caring for rex begonia crops right here.
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 often known as inch plant.
Its trailing foliage is available in varied shade combos, together with strong inexperienced, strong darkish purple, striped white and inexperienced, striped inexperienced and purple – or, my favourite, striped inexperienced and lilac.
Spiderwort is regularly present in hanging baskets, however you too can function 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 gentle situations, from medium to vibrant oblique daylight.
Inexperienced and Lilac Spiderwort
You may get your individual inexperienced and lilac spiderwort in two-and-a-half-inch pots from Kauai Backyard through Amazon.
Be taught extra about rising and caring for spiderwort crops right here.
20. Succulents
Whereas the time period succulent doesn’t seek advice from a particular species, genus, or household, these crops are sometimes bought underneath this time period with out a lot additional identification.
However that doesn’t imply we should always cross 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, stunning blues, vibrant lime greens, and plenty of different hues.
A number of the genera which are generally bought underneath the extra generic time period “succulents” embody Sempervivum, Echeveria, and Lithops.
You possibly can study extra about these fascinating crops in our article about 11 straightforward to look after unique succulents.