Some absolutely fascinating foliage plants can provide reliable color week after week indoors without a single bloom. Colored foliage plants are a wonderful addition to every indoor garden and many of them are very easy to grow. Green plants bring a certain gracefulness into our homes, blending in, softening the edges and complementing the decor. Blooming plants contribute a delicate beauty. Plants with colored foliage combine the best of both. As a group, plants with colored foliage do need high light to maintain
their beauty.  Of course, all foliage has some color, green at least. And anyone who thinks green is just plain need only walk through a conservatory in the middle of the winter or through the woods in summer to realize there are innumerable variations of green. Add to that nature's tendency to throw in splashes of cream or white (variegation) on those endless greens. Then notice how the variegation is on the outside of one leaf but in the middle of another. Or how it is a subtle edging that barely catches your attention on one plant and bold and striking, demanding your attention on another. But nature didn't stop with simple variations and variegations of green. There are some stunning plants with foliage in varying shades of gold, yellow, orange, red and purple.

Here is a list of some favorites that are commonly available, but don't limit yourself. This is just the beginning!

Croton Codiaeum variegatum a.k.a. Joseph's Coat One of the best and the boldest of all the indoor plants for colored foliage. Crotons have large, glossy leaves that are patterned in bright reds, yellows, oranges and pinks. They are wonderful, but be sure you give them lots of light and high humidity.

Polka Dot Hypoestes These are fun little plants with pink spots on green leaves or white spots on red leaves or pink spots on red leaves or… get the picture! They need lots of light and high humidity and should be pinched to keep them from getting leggy.

Gold-dust Aucuba japonica Here is one that thrives with less light than most of the rest. Gold dust makes an especially nice summer patio plant in dappled shade.

Calathea Calathea louisae, C. insignis and others There are several very nice varieties of Clathea. C. louisae is sometimes called emerald feather and offers large leaves that are burgundy on the underside and have apale green splotch down the center of the top of the deep-green leaf. C. insignis is sometimes called rattlesnakeprayer plant (it's closely related to the common prayer plant). Bearing leaves with the same striking
burgundy underside, the tops of these leaves have dark markings along the midrib.

Coleus Coleus blumei Undoubtedly the easiest to grow of all the plants with colored foliage, coleus offers lots of color combinations and leaf forms from which to choose. Give them moderate to high light, keep them consistently moist, and coleus will reward you with lots and lots of color. They are easily propagated from cuttings and have been a popular plant indoors and out for ages.

Purpleleaf Rubber Ficus elastica 'Burgundy' This variety of the classic rubber plant offers leaves that are almost maroon in color. Care for it as any other rubber plant, with  medium to high light and moderate humidity, and dust the large leaves occasionally.

Threadleaf False Aralia Dizygotheca elegantissima For subtle color and an elegant feeling, try this Aralia. The leaves are extremely narrow, radiating in a fingerlike arrangement from a central point. The color of the foliage is a delicate bronze. Provide it with high light, no direct sun, lots of humidity and keep evenly moist. Aralias are susceptible to a variety of insect pests. Watch for them and treat with the right insecticide.

Purple Velvet Gynura aurantiaca Here is one that really looks exotic with its plush burgundy-green leaves covered with purple hair. It grows with a loose, rambling habit and needs bright, filtered light. Keep it a bit on the dry side and don't mist the leaves.

Chicken Gizzard Iresine herbstii a.k.a. Bloodleaf and Beefsteak What a great name! Named because of the unusual shaped leaves, this plant offers some of the most incredible shades of hot pink and blood red. For a real treat, try planting it with something that blooms blue. Wow! Chicken gizzard has been around forever and
is also available in green. Give  lots of light, pinch back to keep it full and keep a bit dry.

Ti Plant or Good Luck Plant Cordyline terminalis There are lots of new variations of this plant being developed with some great coloring on the leaves. Some almost look like crotons. The traditional ti or good luck plant has foliage with lots of bright reddish-pink streaking on the upper leaves. Some of the newer varieties might be called pink or red dracaena, but they really are Cordyline, not dracaena. They aren't the easiest to
grow, but are worth the effort.

Bromeliads and Tillandsias While most members of this distinctive family of plants are grown for their unique flowers, some varieties have foliage that is handsomely colored as well. Try one of the tiny earth stars (Cryptanthus) with its wavy-edged bright pink and red leaves. The aechmea, guzmania and neoregalia species also offer bold color combinations and are readily available.

Caladiums a.k.a. Angel Wings Growing from a bulb-like tuber, caladiums offer huge leaves with lots of bold color. Choose from combinations of white, pink, red and green. They make nice indoor plants and are great in the shady summer garden. Keep them evenly moist and in a warm location. Allow the plant to go dormant in fall and start them again in spring.

Rex Begonia Begonia rex a.k.a. Painted Leaf or Fancy Leaf Begonias Extremely easy to grow, fancy leaf begonias offer a wide variety of colors, leaf-sizes and shapes in combinations of red, bronze, white and green. Provide  indirect light, keep them barely moist and mist them occasionally. Let them do double duty by adorning your planter boxes outdoors in the summer, then bring them in before a freeze.

Recommended Products
Quality Foliage Plants in Various Sizes           
Bachman's Exceloam Potting Soil
Containers and Saucers                           
Pruning Tools
Safe and Effective Insecticides               
Artificial Lights for Indoor Gardening
Excel Gro™ and Mighty Gro™ Water Soluble Fertilizer
Watering Cans, Gardening Tools and Gloves

Additional Bachman's Information
General Care of Indoor Plants            
Easy Foliage Plants
Watering Basics for Indoor Plants            
Artificial Lights for Plants
Propagation of Indoor Plants

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