Some indoor plants don’t just sit there looking green all year – they actually change color as they grow. From deep purples to fiery reds, a few houseplants bring a whole extra layer of interest to your space.
But what causes those color shifts, and which plants pull it off best?
If you’re after something a little more dynamic, indoor plants that change color might be just what you need. I’ll walk you through some of the most eye-catching options and what to expect as they transform.
Table of Contents
Quick Care Guide for Most Common Houseplants 💚
⭐ How to start? Easy, hard-to-kill plants like Monstera or Pothos are usually a great starting point.
💧 Water: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, but avoid letting them sit in standing water to prevent root rot.
🌱 Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix designed for indoor plants - I personally use this one. A mix with peat, perlite, or coco coir is great for avoiding soggy roots.
☀️ Light: Most houseplants thrive in bright, indirect light. Too little light can cause leaf drop, while direct sun may scorch the leaves.
🌡️ Temperature: Keep them between 60-75°F (15-24°C) and away from drafts, heaters or air conditioners.
🌿 Fertilizer: Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (my top pick is this Miracle-Gro one) once a month during spring and summer. Hold off during fall and winter.
1. Croton
Croton stands out for its bold leaves that shift shades as they grow. The leaves can display a mix of yellow, green, orange, red, and even purple, often all at once.
Changes in light and temperature can influence which colors show up more. More sunlight usually brings out brighter reds and oranges, while lower light brings deeper greens.
You’ll notice each new leaf may look totally different from the last. The variety of shapes and shades in a single plant makes Croton a fun choice if you want lots of color indoors.
It’s important to keep the soil moist but not soggy, as it’s sensitive to dryness. Regular misting can also help keep its leaves from drying out, especially in drier homes.
You’ll notice the colors can change based on how much sunlight your plant gets. More light usually brings out brighter shades, while lower light tends to deepen the greens.
Keep the soil slightly moist and make sure it’s never too soggy. Caladiums go dormant in cooler months, and their leaves may fade or drop until warmer weather returns.
3. Coleus
Coleus is perfect when you want some quick and colorful change in your space. These leafy houseplants come in a huge range of shades that can shift depending on the light and how you care for them.
You’ll notice your coleus leaves may change from green to deep reds, pinks, or yellows. Sometimes, the edges of the leaves develop a totally different color from the center.
Light really affects how the leaves look. In brighter spots, you’ll often see more vibrant or contrasting shades. Give them some regular pinching, and they’ll bush out with even more colorful foliage.
It’s a good idea to keep this one in a spot where it can soak up a lot of light if you want to see the best color. The foliage is a bit fuzzy, and the stems are pretty flexible, so you can let them trail over the edge of a pot.
Consider yourself a houseplant pro? Take this quiz and prove it!
Small pink flowers sometimes pop up, adding just a bit more visual interest. With its simple cares, Purple Heart can quickly add a splash of color to any indoor space.
With changing light or as it matures, your polka dot plant might display more intense spots or even a deeper leaf color. Cooler temperatures and varying sunlight often push the colors to become more prominent.
Regular watering and indirect sunlight will keep the colors more vibrant. The leaves are usually soft and thin, so be gentle when handling them. This plant is also easy to propagate, so you can grow more and see new patterns emerge.
Lower light brings out more of the dark green and purple shades. In brighter, indirect light, the patterns become more pronounced and some silver may pop out more.
This plant also shifts its leaves throughout the day. Sometimes the undersides are more visible, giving you a different look just by the way the leaves move. Keep the soil slightly damp and make sure humidity stays up to keep those colors fresh.
Your purple shamrock’s leaves will open in bright conditions and gently fold at night or in low light. This simple movement, along with the color changes, makes it a fun plant to watch.
Humidity, sunlight, and temperature all play a part in how intense the leaf colors get. With the right care, you’ll notice new shades appearing as the seasons change.
You might see leaves with green backgrounds and white, red, or pink veins. In brighter indirect light, the veins can appear even more colorful, sometimes turning a deeper pink or more pronounced white.
Humidity also affects its hues. Drier conditions can fade the vibrancy a bit, but higher humidity helps those veins pop. It’s normal for the whole plant to look a little different as seasons change or as you move it around your home.
The brighter the spot you give it, the more intense the leaves get. Low light tones things down, so you might see more green and less of the brighter shades.
Try not to move Croton Petra around too much, or it can drop leaves or change its look. Stay consistent with watering, and it’ll keep showing off new colors as it grows.
These plants don’t just rely on the soil – they can pull moisture from the air, so they’re pretty forgiving if you miss a watering. Keep them in bright, indirect sunlight and you’ll notice how their colors deepen and become more vivid.
Guzmania needs minimal maintenance and fits well in tight spaces. The colorful bracts can last for months before fading, giving you plenty of time to enjoy their shifts. This makes Bromeliad Guzmania a simple way to add some color to your shelves or tables.
They do well somewhere bright but not with harsh sun. In lower light or as they age, you might see more green take over while new leaves tend to show deeper reds or pinks.
The leaves look a bit waxy and smooth, and their bold stripes change over time. If you want a plant that’s always shifting just a little, Ti Plants are a good choice for your space.
Sometimes, when humidity is high and conditions are right, the veins on the leaves start to turn a sharp silvery color. A lack of light can cause the green to fade or make the plant look dull.
New leaves might pop out with a brighter, lighter green before deepening as they mature. Regular watering and occasional misting help keep the colors fresh. Keep the soil slightly moist, and you’ll see your Alocasia Polly stay vibrant.
Bright light brings out the most vibrant colors, but too much direct sun can fade or scorch the leaves. As the plant matures, the colors can intensify or shift, giving your space a dynamic look over time.
This plant prefers consistently moist soil and higher humidity. Occasional rotation helps it develop even color all around, so you’ll see new patterns as it grows.
You might notice brighter hues on the leaf edges as the lighting changes throughout the year. Lower light brings out deeper greens, while more sunlight highlights its pink-red colors.
Keep its soil just slightly moist, and it isn’t too picky about humidity. Even without flowering, this plant adds a splash of color to your space with very little extra effort.
With brighter light, you’ll likely see more red along the leaf edges. Too little light can make the plant look more green.
The soil shouldn’t stay soggy – let it dry out a bit between waterings. This plant also responds well if you occasionally clean the leaves to help it soak up more sun.
How Color-Changing Indoor Plants Work
Some plants shift shades as part of their natural cycle. Others change based on things you can control, such as lighting, humidity, or nutrition.
Factors Influencing Leaf Color
Light is one of the biggest reasons houseplants shift colors. Some need more sun to show off reds or purples, while others display brighter tones in lower light.
Changes in temperature can also cause leaves to turn yellow, red, or even pink. Soil type and how often you water matter too – plants fed with too much or too little fertilizer might fade or lose their rich colors.
Humidity affects leaf color, especially for tropical varieties. Fluctuating moisture in the air can lead to unusual patterns or colors not seen in normal conditions. Keeping track of these factors gives you the best chance of seeing your plants’ most vivid colors.
Care Tips for Vibrant and Colorful Indoor Plants
Proper care directly affects leaf color and overall appearance. Knowing the right techniques can help you maintain bold foliage all year.
Light and Watering Recommendations
Many plants with changing leaf colors need bright, indirect sunlight. Place them near a north- or east-facing window or use a sheer curtain to soften intense sun.
Direct exposure can cause scorch marks and pale leaves, reducing colorful patterns. Variegated and color-shifting plants especially need enough light to keep their markings vivid.
Watering is equally important. Most species dislike soggy soil but don’t like drying out completely. Use your finger or a moisture meter to test soil, and water when the top inch is dry. Always empty saucers under pots to avoid root rot.
Here’s a quick table for reference:
| Plant Type | Light | Watering Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Foliage with bright edges | Moderate, filtered | Once top inch is dry |
| Deep red or purple leaves | Bright, indirect | 1-2 times a week |
| Silvery/blue tones | High, indirect | Moderate – don’t let dry out |
Mist leaves for extra humidity if your air is dry. Always water with room temperature water to avoid shocking roots.
Seasonal Adjustments for Healthier Growth
Colored leaves often react to seasonal shifts in light and temperature. During winter, move your plants closer to windows for more daylight, but avoid cold drafts. Growth slows in cooler months, so you should cut back on watering and avoid fertilizing.
As days get longer and warmer, increase watering gradually as needed. Spring and summer are the best times to feed your plants with a balanced, diluted fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. This supports lush, colorful growth as energy demands increase.
Rotate your pots every couple of weeks so all sides get even light exposure. This helps prevent lopsided growth and faded patches. Keep an eye on your plants – if they seem less colorful, check placement and care routines to make quick adjustments.