Red Indoor Plants (Types & Houseplant Ideas)

Here’s our guide to red indoor plants including popular types of houseplants with red leaves, small sizes and flowering varieties. Colorful houseplants have taken the internet by storm. Social media websites, home improvement blogs, and houseplant fanatics alike are boasting photos of bright, beautiful red foliage that enhances the look of any room.

Once popular in the 1970s, radiant red plants are making their big comeback debut, and nobody wants to miss out.

Popular Types of Red Houseplants

While there are lots of shades of red to consider, there are also many species to choose from. Whether your space need something tall, something small, or something not obvious at all, there are quite a few options out there, and at least one of them is bound to fit right into your décor!

Check out these plants that have regained their popularity.

Angel Wings Begonia

Though not necessarily for absolute plant parent beginners, this subtropical species of begonia is known for its brilliant shades of silver, red, and purple, though the exact shade depends on the exact subspecies and the amount of sunlight the plant gets.

To ensure the foliage stays a vivid red, try placing it in a very sunny place in your home, such as near an East-facing window, where it’ll get all the rays it needs to keep up that glow.

Polka Dot Plant

Just as cute as it sounds, the polka dot plant is adored everywhere for its irresistible red patterns contrasted on an emerald green background.

Depending again on the light it receives during the daytime, the colors appear anywhere from a blush pink to a dark maroon, with some leaves showing off different shades than others. This one is truly a must for beginners, as it requires very easy care and watering!

Nerve Plant

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This is another plant that comes in all sorts of shades from pink to deep maroon, but the most popular varieties are the ones with deep green leaves covered in luscious ruby red veins.

Easier to come by than the begonia, you can find nerve plants in every color it comes in at big box stores and brick-and-mortar shops alike. Due to its increasing popularity, it’s unlikely that it’ll be difficult for you to find for quite awhile!

Red Emerald Philodendron

The attractive red parts of this plant aren’t necessarily the leaves, but rather the stems of the thick tropical vine. These air purifying plants need more space than many other types of houseplants.

Truly deep green leaves spring from the most deep red stems nature may have ever produced, and when pruning time comes, make sure you don’t trim overtop a white carpet- the sap is also a very vivid red shade!

Red Leaf House Plants

Aside from the most common species listed above, there are a few plants which dazzle not with patterns or spots, but with full-on leaves of red. These plants, because of their hues, generally need a bit more sunlight than your average houseplant. That being said, check out these plants which add vivid color to your surroundings!

Coleus

A very easy-care species, coleus prefers to be placed somewhere where it will receive full sunlight. Ideal spaces include kitchen windows and balconies, but if it gets too cold, they may need to come inside and be supplemented with some artificial light.

Despite the light requirements, this plant dazzles in various shades of bright to deep red and can be cut to produce even more plants (yay!).

Croton

Although when placed indoors, croton generally display patterns of red and green, their leaves submit to a full red display when they get enough light. Lower leaves will often keep a yellow-to-orange-to-red pattern, while newer leaves will give you the pop of red you crave.

More water means more growth for this plant; keep it well watered, but don’t overwater, so that it can grow to the desired height quickly.

Anthurium

There are tons of colors available in anthuriums- anything from purple to white to lipstick red can be found! New leaves sprout up as baby green stems, but quickly morph into the brightly colored beauties seen in the stores as soon as they receive plenty of light and water.

These plants are epiphytes, though, so be sure to choose a planter with plenty of drainage so the roots have some breathing room.

Small Red House Plants

It’s difficult to find houseplants that stay small, let alone tiny houseplants in bright colors such as reds and oranges. However, with proper trimming and the right sized planter, anything is possible. Here are a few plants that keep their colors nice and small to fit inside your ideal space.

Echeveria

This adorable little succulent can live in very small planters, and comes in almost every shade of the rainbow!

Finding the right colors can be as easy as checking an online plant shop or stopping in to a little nursery nearby; where plants are sold, there is echeveria. This is a very easy-care plant, as well, requiring very little water or maintenance.

Sempervivum

This is another choose-your-color succulent species, also known as hen-and-chicks. Generally, the bright red hues are again dependent upon light requirements, but some species simply are bred that way.

You can find this little plant in brilliant shades of red, orange, and even pink! Jade Rose or Red Rubin are two types with bright red coloration. For more related ideas see our gallery on the types of indoor cactus.

Oxalis Triangularis

This plant is really a wonder. There are red, purple, and even candy-striped spiral species available, making it easy to have multiple colors of the same plant without overdoing it.

These plants are a little trickier, since they do require a dormancy period, but the wait is well worth the foliage, if you have the patience and a seasoned green thumb.

Flowering Red Indoor Plants

Alright, down to the really fun stuff! While red foliage is always an attractive option, there are so many plant species with bright, lively flowers that either have red foliage, red flowers, or both!

Here are a few different kinds for you to choose from, but since these will be a little higher maintenance, be sure to do some research before you buy.

Poinsettia

Oh, the holiday season. You can find this plant at almost any retailer, even a few convenience stores. But don’t let the seasonal availability of these plants get you down- they’re available online across the world wide web, and you can even find some unique colors and patterns that you may have never seen before!

Bromeliads

Yes, those spiky plants in every chain store that are full of water. The siblings of pineapples, bromeliads are available in literally tons of neon shades, from hot pink to candy apple red to stripes and streaks.

They also love to live together, so try finding two or three varieties and planting them in the same planter for a truly bright and tropical look.

Hibiscus

While many of the original species native to Hawaii bear only green foliage and bright red flowers, many hybrids can be found that bear red and pink-patterned leaves, as well as the gorgeous iconic blooms.

“Aussie Queen” is a very popular example of one of the most brightly-colored species available, and it can be found from specialty growers and tropical professionals.

For more content like this visit our page on houseplants that like direct sunlight.