20 Houseplants with Red Leaves

There are so many beautiful houseplants we can choose from for our office, home or other environments.

But if you really want to bring the best out of these plants and boost the vibe of a room, you should go for houseplants with red leaves.

How cool is that to have a plant on your desk with red leaves? Isn’t it? Everyone is going for the green ones because that is normal and that is the usual.

If you want to create a unique décor for yourself, but you don’t know where to start, this article will present to you 20 houseplants with red leaves, so you can decide which one do you prefer for yourself.

Let’s get into it. Take out your pen, your notebook and take notes.

1. Poinsettia

I am starting with Poinsettia because this is one of the most popular red-leafed plants.

Poinsettia is also called as Flower of Christmas and during that period you can buy it in every supermarket.

Its red leaves are called bracts that turn red when the days are becoming shorter and the plant gets less sunlight.

These plants are usually discarded after they finished flowering, however, with some care, they can come back and you can enjoy them again and again. The secret is that you must reduce the sunlight.

Poinsettia needs less than 12 hours of light to grow red leaves and water only when the soil feels dry to touch.

2. Red Aglaonema

Red Aglaonema is another houseplant that can have red leaves. It is a broadleaved tropical plant, also called the Chinese evergreen plant.

Depending on the variety, the leaves can be red, pink or green, and these have different patterns. ‘Red Anjamani’ Aglaonema and ‘Super Red Star’ Aglaonema are two varieties that have red leaves.

These plants are evergreen perennials and have lace or heart-shaped, glossy leaves.

Red Aglaonemas are hardy houseplants and are easy to care for. They don’t need too much light and are not growing too big (4-12 inches/ 10-30 cm long and 2-4 inches/ 5-10 cm wide).

So, if you want to decorate your office desk or hallway, or a room that is not too bright, you should choose one of the Red Aglaonema varieties.

3. Coleus

Coleus is another beloved houseplant, that can be also grown outdoors. There are many Coleus varieties and some of them have leaves in shades of red.

Coleus is also a tropical plant and is native to the equator. So, if you live in a warm climate, you can easily grow this plant in your garden.

However, if the climate where you live is cold, with cold winters, then your Coleus will be an annual plant or you can grow it as a houseplant.

Coleus Redhead is one of the fully red-leafed varieties. This loves full sun or partial shade.

If you want vibrant red color in your garden, this variety will not let you down.

4. Alocasia ‘Red Secret’

Alocasia ‘Red Secret’ is another tropical plant that can be very ornamental in your house.

It has large, glossy leaves that have metallic colors. When the sun shines through its leaves, the appearance of red glowing leaves will leave you speechless.

Now, the first three plants I talked about are very easy to care and they don’t need too much light. But Alocasia is the one who needs plenty of bright light.

Alocasia ‘Red Secret’ loves light, but direct sunshine will damage the leaves.

This also likes to have moisture in its soil but is never too soggy. Little water, but often, will make it perfect.

Misting its leaves now and then will keep this plant happy, as it loves high humidity.

Alocasia ‘Red Secret’ might seem to be difficult to look after, but this variety is one of the easiest Alocasia to be taken care of.

This plant will give your house a sophisticated look, so it might be worth the energy.

5. Caladium ‘Red Flash’

Caladium is native to South America and has many varieties. The ‘Red Flash’ variety is one of the varieties that have red-colored leaves.

The red color on the leaves appears like some blood veins because this color is only in the middle of the leaf and the borders are dark green. These leaves sometimes have white or pink spots as well.

Because of its appearance, ‘Red Flash’ is very popular and is also called the Heart of Jesus, Elephant Ear Plant or the Angel Wings Plant.

This plant is sensitive to direct sunlight, so keep it in a light shade if you are growing it outside, or in a bright room if you have it as a houseplant.

Caladium loves evenly moist soil, so you should water it often with very little water.

6. Red Star Dracaena

If you want to add something special and interesting to your home decoration or landscape, then you should consider Red Star Dracaena (Cordyline australis ‘Red Star’).

This plant is native to New Zealand and has stunning bronze-red, evergreen, spiky foliage.

Its compact size makes it very easy to grow it in containers in your house or patio.

Red Star Dracaena should be grown in a sunny spot because this loves the sunshine. Should be watered according to how much sunshine the plant gets.

If the sun is hot and strong, then you should water it more often than if the plant is growing in a shady place or the weather is not that hot.

7. Croton

Croton, or in another name Variegated Laurel, is a wonderful houseplant that is grown for its foliage.

It can have small flowers also, but those are insignificant comparing to the leaves.

The leaves are colorful, shiny and leathery, and will add some festive feeling to the room where the plant is kept.

The foliage of the Croton plant can have all kinds of colors, such as red, yellow, green, orange, brown, pink and copper. The patterns and colors will differ from variety to variety.

‘Red Iceton’ and ‘Mammy‘ are only two varieties from all the lovely red-leafed Croton plants. These have red, green and sometimes yellow color on their leaves and are very easy to care of.

Croton plants need lots of light and moist soil to thrive and grow healthy. The light also helps the new leaves to get those interesting spots and colors.

8. Ti Plant

Ti Plant, or Cordyline minalis, is native to South East Asia and the Western Pacific Ocean region.

This plant comes in many colors such as green, red, chocolate, pink and a combination of these colors.

Being a tropical plant, Ti Plants love bright, indirect light and moist soil.

However, when it comes to watering these plants, you should do it with filtered water. Fluoride from the tap water might turn the tips of the leaves brown.

Ti Plants are not difficult to care for and are excellent houseplants.

9. Red Veined Nerve Plant

As its name states, Red Veined Nerve Plant has red veins in the leaves. Looks like blood vessels in the dark-green leaves.

This plant is a low-growing perennial, so would look stylish in small pots on your table or you can plant them in terrariums. Your home or office will look sophisticated and still not too crowded because of the plant’s size.

Nerve Plant grows best in bright, indirect light and loves humidity and moist soil.

10. Polka Dot Plant

Polka Dot Plant is another colorful plant that I can recommend for your home. If you have a bathroom that has a window, you can even put it in there because this plant loves high humidity.

Polka Dot Plant is an evergreen perennial with ovate dark green leaves that are spotted with a variety of colors such as red, pink and burgundy.

This plant is also known as Flamingo Plant or Freckle Face Plant and is native to Madagascar.

Being a tropical plant, Polka Dot Plant loves bright, indirect sunlight, but honestly, this can grow well in any light condition.

In fact, the colored dots are more vibrant if the light is reduced.

11. Flamingo Lily

Flamingo Lily is also known as Pigtail Plant and its scientific name is Anthurium scherzerianum. It is native to Central and South America.

Flamingo Lily has waxy, dark green leaves. I know, this article is supposed to contain plants that have red leaves.

But Flamingo Lily is on this list for a good reason. This has vibrant red flowers, that are actually bracts (modified leaves). In the middle of the red and glossy bracts can be found the yellow or range stem which is full of many small flowers.

Flamingo Lily can flower all year round if all the needed conditions are given.

This plant can grow in low light conditions, but the more indirect, bright light it gets, the more flowers will produce.

12. Rex Begonia

Rex Begonia is a semi-tropical perennial plant that is also very popular among houseplants because of its appearance.

It is also called Painted-leaf Begonias or Fancy-leaf Begonias and for good reason. This plant has very showy, and colorful leaves such as red, burgundy, brown, purple, green and a mix of these colors.

Different shades of colors and patterns can be present in different varieties.

‘Shadow King Lava Red’ is one of the many varieties that have fully red leaves. This plant for sure will make you happy if you place it in a bright spot of a room and you keep its soil moist.

13. Heuchera

Heuchera, or Coral Bells, is often used for its texture and appearance. But also, is a plant that is easy to grow.

Heuchera can survive in full sun, but in full shade as well. It can also survive if you go for a holiday and you are away for weeks and there is no one to water it.

Of course, Heuchera will grow healthier if you water it regularly.

As I said, it is popular for its foliage. Depending on the varieties, Heuchera can come in many colors and patterns, from deep purple, different shades of red, to lime green.

Heuchera ‘Blondie’, Heuchera ‘Fire Alarm’ and Heuchera ‘Cherry Cola’ are three vibrant red-leaved varieties that you can grow easily in your garden or home.

14. Bromeliads

Bromeliads are also perfect for bathrooms, as they love high humidity. Can be also a good choice for beginners because they are easy to care for.

Bromeliads have striking, sword-shaped, green leaves, and in the middle of the plant, there are upright, bright red unusual-looking flowers.

This flower is actually formed out of red bracts and these surround a yellow or orange small flower.

This plant loves bright, indirect light and humidity. When you water it, you can do it by either pouring water on its soil or the middle of the plant filling the middle cup formed by the leaves.

15. Wandering Jew

Wandering Jew has many varieties and all of them are lovely houseplants. They are vining plants; therefore, they look best in hanging baskets or on a trellis.

Wandering Jew, in another name Inch Plant, is beloved by many because of its colorful foliage. The leaves can be stripped, green, silver, purple or pink to red or burgundy.

Inch Plant loves bright, indirect light and its colors depend on the amount of light it gets. The brighter the light is, the colors of the plant become more vibrant.

If the plant is in a dark room, the color of the leaves will fade and the plant will become leggy.

Wandering Jew can be very easily propagated. You can just cut off a piece of plant and put its end in water. This will grow roots in about a week and then you can plant it in the soil.

16. Red Aloe

Red Aloe (Aloe Cameronii) is one of the most beautiful and interesting Aloes.

This is a succulent plant that is evergreen and it has upright stemmed of open rosettes.

The leaves of Red Aloe are curvy and can be green or coppery red. The variation of these two colors appears on the leaves depending on the amount of sun and water the plant gets.

If Red Aloe gets too much water, the leaves will become green. So, don’t water it too often, as this is a drought-tolerant plant.

17. Echeveria Agavoides Red

Echeveria Agavoides Red is a succulent which is very easy to grow. It can be grown in every home or even outdoors.

Of course, if you live in a cold climate, you can grow it in a pot and during the cold season, you can put it in a greenhouse or your home.

Echeveria Agavoides have many varieties, but if you want to have red-leafed Echeveria Agavoides, then you should grow the ‘Romeo Rubin’ variety.

This is a variety that forms rosettes of deep purple-red leaves.

When you water this plant, be careful not to leave water in the rosette because this can cause rotting or can lead to fungal diseases.

18. Autumn Fern

Autumn Fern (Dryopteris Erythrosora) is named after its color and not the season.

In the spring, Autumn Fern has a coppery red color and becomes bright, glossy green when it matures in the summer.

Autumn Fern has no flowers and it is grown for its decorative foliage.

This plant is perennial, so it will grow out of the soil year after year. It grows best in partial shade, just like in woodland gardens, and its soil should be moist at all times.

If it doesn’t get enough water, this can wilt and eventually die.

19. Bougainvillea

You might say that this is not a houseplant. Well, you are right, but you are wrong.

Because Bougainvillea is a heat and light-loving bush, so if you live in a cold climate, you must protect it from frost.

You can grow it in a greenhouse or a conservatory, where this can get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.

This shrub has beautiful magenta-purple, pink, or red, papery bracts surrounding clusters of very small white flowers.

If you want to give an exotic look to your garden or conservatory, you should grow this lovely shrub that will bloom from spring to the end of summer.

20. Red Air Plant

Air Plant is an epiphyte, which means it doesn’t need any soil to grow. In its natural habitat, the roots of the Air Plant cling to the trunk of the tree or can grow on rocks.

Air Plant absorbs water and nutrient from the air through its leaves. So, when it comes to watering, you should only mist it and then shake off the excess water.

You can find different colored Air Plant, such as red, light green, dark green, or a combination of these colors. The color of the plant depends on the amount of water and sunlight, and its maturity.

If your Air Plant becomes red, it means this gets enough light and water and it is growing healthy. A red Air Plant means that it is ready to bloom.

You can use Air Plants for crafting projects. Put them in small pots, shells and driftwood crevices, glass baubles, hanging baskets, on stones or wood.

You can also grow them as companion plants with orchids, cactus or bromeliads.

Wrap Up

These are the red-leafed plants that I would recommend to grow in your house or office.

If you want to create a cosy, sophisticated or interesting look in a room, you should consider one, or even more plants from this article.