Plants add an element of life in basically any space you place them in.
Be it your living room or balcony; they can blend in with the decor while making their cheerful presence felt.
Sometimes, it’s even safe to say that houseplants are the pets that cause less trouble!
That said, house plants with colorful leaves can add a pop of color to your room while being affordable.
When it comes to decorating your room in a sustainable yet fashionable way, houseplants with red foliage are a popular pick.
If you’re someone who deeply resonates with the color red, then these plants will not only elevate the beauty of your room but also make your day!
Red-leaved indoor plants come in different shapes, sizes, structures, and growth. Rest assured, you’ll never run out of choices!
You could choose one type of plant in bulk or get a variety of these beauties for every room in your house.
If you are new to this “plant care” business and are looking for low-maintenance plants, then you need not to worry.
I have listed ten beautiful red indoor plants that you can choose from while decorating your room.
Top 10 houseplants with red leaves
- Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
- Angel Wings (Caladium ‘Red flash’)
- Red Aglaonema (Aglaonema sp)
- Coleus (Solenostemon)
- Hawaiian Ti plant (Cordyline Fruticosa)
- Red Fittonia (Fittonia Vershaffeltii)
- Polka dot plant (Hypoestes Phyllostachys)
- Red star Dracaena (Cordyline australis ‘Red star’)
- Rex Begonia (Rex Begonia ‘Red kiss’)
- Coral Bells ( Heuchera ‘forever red’)
1) Poinsettia
The Poinsettia makes for a great decorative piece during Christmas! They grow up to 12 to 24 inches(30 to 60 cm) in height, which is just the perfect height for indoor plants.
With their bright red foliage, these plants instantly brighten up your day and change the mood of the space that they occupy.
Topping off the list for Poinsettia care is keeping Poinsettias away from places with temperatures below 50℉ (10℃).
They thrive best in temperatures ranging from 65 to 70℉ (18 to 20℃) during the day and 55-65℉ (12-18℃) during the night.
They survive in places with relatively high humidity and an abundance of bright light.
They also grow best in organic, loose, and sterile soil. While watering the plant make sure that it is neither sitting on a pool of water nor becoming too dry.
You can prune them by the end of April. Other than that, your plant will be fine as long as it feels loved!
2) Angel Wings
Known as the Caladium “Red flash”, this plant is known for its big, olive-green, heart-shaped leaves.
I mean, the names that this plant goes by should be enough to pique your curiosity.
What’s even more interesting is that they have deep red veins with cute little pink spots all over their leaves.
When it comes to their placement, these plants do well under partial to full shade.
You can place the plant under direct sunlight for 2 to 3 hours (preferably in the morning) for best results. After which, keep it in the shade for the next few hours.
Keep in mind, though, that the plant must not completely dry out at any given time.
Check the topsoil to see if you need to provide the Red Flash with more moisture. A rich, slightly acidic soil type works best for this plant.
Also, it prefers to have both the air surrounding it and the soil be slightly moisture-laden.
For these plants to grow, the ideal temperature should be above 68℉ (20℃).
As long as you stick by these prerequisites, this plant is simple to care for.
3) Red Aglaonema
The Red Aglaonema is arguably the easiest plant to grow indoors!
With their bright red and green patterned leaves, they look perfect on the coffee table or by your bedroom window.
These plants thrive the best in indirect sunlight and temperatures ranging from 65 to 75℉(18 to 24℃).
When it comes to watering this plant, make sure that the soil remains moist, but not too soggy.
The soil must also be slightly loose and rich in nitrogen.
Overall, this plant is versatile and thrives in all climatic zones. But they sure do like humidity, so place your plant in a room with not less than 50% humidity, and you should be good.
Fun fact—Aglaonemas are exceptional air purifiers.
4) Coleus
These houseplants are available in a multitude of colors to choose from. They can range from magenta, pink, bright red, and many more to mention!
Aesthetically pleasing and easy to maintain, these plants could easily be gifted to a loved one.
The best way to cultivate them is by using well-draining soil to plant them in.
Feed Coleus with a careful mixture of fertilizers for the best results.
Coleus also needs to be kept under the sun partially, then in the shade for the remainder of the day. These plants love living in warm weather as they don’t stand well in the cold.
They need moist and well-drained soil that is loose in texture with a pH level ranging from 6 to 7.
5) Red Fittonia
These cute plants look spectacular because of their bright pinkish-red veins on their deep green colored leaves.
Small and easy to carry, these plants could easily be a part of your car decor as well.
Generally, this plant does well under high humid conditions.
But, make sure to avoid placing them in direct sunlight and pot them in slightly acidic soil. Make sure that the soil’s well-drained and moist as well.
Water requirements for this plant are in the moderate zone. But avoid overwatering as it will cause the roots to rot, causing spots to appear on the Fittonia leaves.
If you want, you can use fertilizers (dilute and well balanced) once every two months.
Pro tip: Use room water temperature water so that the plant does not go into a shock.
6) Polka dot plant
This plant’s known for the red spots on its deep green leaves that instantly add a splash of color to your living space.
These indoor plants thrive best in indirect sunlight. However, every 10 to 15 days, place them in direct sunlight to get deeper shades of red in the blotches.
A word of caution, though. This method can cause the canes to grow in length and get soggy.
To avoid this from happening, you can cut the canes.
This plant thrives best in well-drained and organically rich soil. They also grow quite well in humid areas with temperatures of 60℉ (16℃).
But, make sure not to over-water these plants even if you need to maintain the soil’s moisture.
7) Red star Dracaena
These plants have leaves that look like swords with deep shades of red, making them look spectacular.
They grow at a medium pace, making it possible for you to care for them in the best way possible.
The Red star should be near a South-facing window to produce the best results. This is because these plants prefer rich, well-drained soil and indirect sunlight.
Make sure, though, that you don’t overwater your plant and when watering. You can even try using a fluoride-free water source to be cautious.
Also, these plants are not very cold hardy. They cannot withstand temperatures below 30° to 40°F (-1° to 4°C).
8) Rex Begonia
Popularly known as Red Kiss, these plants captivates everyone with their magnificent foliage.
These plants have leaves that are deep and dark red with a beautiful and artistic black outline.
This very fact makes it look different from most indoor plants.
To maintain its unique color, keep the plant in partial light, as well as potting it in well-drained soil.
Just make sure to use soil that has rich but loose soil textures. These plants prefer growing in soil with those conditions mentioned.
Also, they grow best under high humidity conditions under room temperature not exceeding 65 to 75℉ (18 to 23℃).
But, do not mist the plant to avoid powdery mildew.
As much as possible, water the plant when the soil starts getting dry. Otherwise, the leaves will begin to droop.
Nobody wants the Rex Begonia to shrivel up, right?
9) Hawaiian Ti plant
This gorgeous creation of nature has deep, burgundy-shaded leaves diversified with shades of bright pink and red.
They’re generally easy to tend to and look stunning when potted in a white porcelain pot.
You could place it on the balcony or the living room.
To watch it bloom to its fullest, make sure to keep it away from the direct rays of the sun.
This plant loves humidity. Hence, make sure the soil’s moist but not over flooded with water.
The Hawaiian Ti plant thrives in full to partial sunlight with temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 ℉ (15 to 26℃).
It does not usually need fertilizers, but you could add some in the Summer months.
10) Coral Bells
Also known as the “forever red”, these beauties have a bright and deep red foliage that’s enough to captivate onlookers for a little while.
Caring for the Heuchera is very simple. These plants do well under full sunlight as well as in the shade.
They mostly prefer growing in moist soil that’s slightly acidic.
I water my Coral Bells once a week (more frequently during summer), and they are doing just fine!
Take my advice. Make sure to place your plant near an east-facing window or opening. This is for both its brightness requirements, as well as add to its aesthetic value!
To avoid encountering problems with the Heuchera, provide it with enough airflow and properly draining soil. This will avoid adding too much moisture to the soil where the plant lives in.
Frequently Asked Questions About House Plants With Red Leaves
How do you take care of a Poinsettia after the Christmas season?
The location where you’re planning to place your poinsettias should receive a minimum of 6 hours of bright but indirect sunlight every day.
Also, in mid-April, place the plant in a sunny location after trimming the stems to 6-8 inches in length.
You can also use liquid fertilizer to meet the plant’s mineral requirements, especially with calcium. But remember to use fertilizer only after you have seen new growth!
Can I mist my plants?
If your plant loves humidity and sunlight, misting them from time to time is not a bad idea. Placing a saucer with pebbles and water under the pot is yet another viable option. Most red-leaved plants thrive in humid conditions. Thus, you can also add a humidifier to the room to watch it grow to its fullest.
Can I repot my plants?
Doing this once or twice is okay. But, do not keep repotting your plants from time to time. Once your plant settles in a particular place, try to maintain that. Plants tend to settle in a corner, and upon disruption, they tend to show problematic symptoms.
Remember—The pots must have a good drainage system. Failure of which can drown its roots.
Can I use fertilizer on my new red-leaved plant?
Yes. Using fertilizers on your plants is not a bad option. Be it organic or chemical (depending on preference), your plants might need fertilizers from time to time for proper growth.
Conclusion
Gradually, you will notice your plants thrive and become a brighter and healthier version of themselves.
For me, prosperous foliage brings me both comfort and a sense of achievement because the long process of tending to a plant finally pays off!
But remember, do not lose hope in case the plant fails to thrive. It’s okay if you make mistakes.
Just make sure that you restart and follow the rules and tips rigorously, and soon you will get there.
But I don’t think you’ll need to worry about any of that if you follow these instructions and shower enough love on your plants!
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.