13 Rare Variegated Plants That Keep Their Color Indoors
If you’re looking to add some color and life to your indoor space, rare variegated plants are a great way to do it. These plants are not only beautiful but also offer a striking mix of colors that stay vibrant even without direct sunlight. Whether you’re an experienced plant enthusiast or just getting started, variegated plants are perfect for brightening up your home. Their unique leaf patterns can bring a touch of elegance and style to any room. Many of these plants are surprisingly easy to care for, making them an excellent choice for indoor gardening. With the right environment and a little attention, these plants can thrive indoors and continue to display their stunning colors year-round. It’s a wonderful way to create a refreshing and lively atmosphere in your home.
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Philodendron Birkin
The Philodendron Birkin is a striking plant known for its creamy-white striped variegation on its dark green leaves. This variety of philodendron is a popular choice for indoor gardeners because it adapts well to low-light conditions. It requires moderate care and thrives in a humid environment, making it ideal for homes with consistent moisture levels.
The plant’s upright growth pattern allows it to fill a space nicely without taking over. As it matures, the white stripes on the leaves become more pronounced, adding a touch of elegance to any room. It is also relatively low-maintenance and does not need frequent pruning. Regular watering and occasional fertilizing are sufficient to keep it healthy. The Philodendron Birkin is a great option for those looking for a hardy yet beautiful plant.
Maranta Leuconeura (Prayer Plant)
The Maranta Leuconeura, also known as the prayer plant, is a fantastic choice for those who appreciate both beauty and functionality in their houseplants. Its leaves are richly patterned with a mix of deep green and lighter variegation, which gives it a unique appearance. The plant’s striking colors and patterns are enhanced by its ability to fold its leaves at night, resembling hands in prayer.
When grown indoors, it thrives in indirect light and requires regular watering to keep its soil moist but not soggy. It appreciates a warm and humid environment, making it well-suited for bathrooms or kitchens with high humidity. This plant is relatively small, making it perfect for shelves or small spaces. With its vibrant green and white markings, the Prayer Plant can brighten up any indoor space.
Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)
The Aglaonema, or Chinese Evergreen, is a popular indoor plant that comes in various variegated forms. Known for its resilience, it thrives in low to medium light conditions, making it perfect for places with limited natural sunlight. Its leaves are typically marked with silver, white, or yellow hues, giving the plant a beautiful contrast against its green base. It’s an easy-to-care-for plant that requires little attention aside from occasional watering.
The Aglaonema can tolerate dry air, making it a great choice for homes with central heating or air conditioning. Its slow growth makes it suitable for small spaces, and it adapts well to a variety of indoor environments. With the right care, this plant can be a long-lasting and beautiful addition to any room.
Calathea Medallion
The Calathea Medallion is known for its large, round leaves that feature intricate patterns of dark green, purple, and silvery variegation. These plants are perfect for bringing a touch of color to indoor spaces that lack direct sunlight. They thrive in medium to low light conditions and enjoy humidity, which makes them well-suited for areas like bathrooms or kitchens.
Regular watering is essential for keeping the Calathea Medallion healthy, as it prefers its soil to stay moist but not waterlogged. This plant is also famous for its ability to raise and lower its leaves, a characteristic that adds dynamic movement to its display. The intricate patterns and bold color contrasts make it a standout in any indoor setting. However, it is important to keep the plant away from drafts to prevent leaf damage.
Variegated ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The Variegated ZZ Plant is a stunning variant of the classic ZZ plant, known for its shiny, waxy leaves. Its unique characteristic is the striking yellow and white streaks that appear along the edges of its normally dark green leaves. This plant is incredibly easy to grow indoors and thrives with minimal care.
It can survive in low light and does not require frequent watering, making it perfect for busy individuals or those with less-than-ideal lighting conditions. The Variegated ZZ Plant is also tolerant of dry air, making it suitable for areas with central heating. Despite its low-maintenance nature, it adds a distinctive touch to any space. It is ideal for homeowners who want a plant that combines resilience with elegance.
Coleus (Variegated)
Though commonly grown outdoors, the Coleus can also thrive indoors, particularly the variegated varieties. This plant is prized for its vibrant mix of colors, often featuring shades of red, pink, yellow, and white against a rich green backdrop. When grown indoors, it benefits from bright, indirect sunlight and should be watered regularly, ensuring that the soil does not dry out completely.
Coleus plants are fast growers, and their leaves are often marked with bold, contrasting veins. They can be placed in decorative pots on windowsills, making them perfect for adding a pop of color indoors. While they do best in warmth and humidity, they can tolerate occasional dry spells. Regular trimming can also help keep them looking neat and bushy. Their bold patterns and easy care make them an excellent choice for plant lovers.
Variegated Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
The Variegated Pothos is an indoor favorite known for its trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves with white and yellow splashes. It is one of the most adaptable houseplants, able to thrive in low to bright indirect light, making it a versatile choice for a variety of indoor environments. This plant requires minimal care, needing only occasional watering when the soil feels dry to the touch.
The Variegated Pothos is also highly tolerant of neglect, thriving in less-than-ideal humidity levels and forgiving of occasional overwatering. Its bright, variegated leaves brighten up spaces, adding interest without requiring much attention. It grows quickly and can be easily propagated, making it an ideal choice for plant enthusiasts looking to expand their collection. The Pothos’s resilience and stunning foliage make it a beloved plant in homes and offices alike.
Ctenanthe (Never Never Plant)
The Ctenanthe, also known as the Never Never Plant, is a beautiful indoor plant that thrives in low to moderate light. Its leaves feature a mix of green and silver variegation, which makes it stand out among other houseplants. This plant’s unique patterns and sleek, elongated leaves add a touch of elegance to any room.
The Ctenanthe requires a bit more care compared to some other indoor plants, as it prefers its soil to stay consistently moist. It is sensitive to direct sunlight, which can cause its delicate leaves to burn. However, in the right environment, it grows beautifully and can be a real conversation piece in your home. Regular misting or placing it in a humid space can help this plant thrive indoors.
Spider Plant (Variegated)
The Variegated Spider Plant is a popular indoor plant known for its graceful, arching green and white striped leaves. It is an excellent choice for people looking for a hardy, low-maintenance plant that will thrive indoors. The plant’s ability to grow in various light conditions, from low to bright indirect light, makes it ideal for a wide range of environments.
Spider Plants are also known for their ability to purify the air, making them a great choice for homes or offices. Regular watering is necessary, but it is important not to overwater the plant. The Variegated Spider Plant is also easy to propagate, as it produces small offshoots that can be rooted to grow new plants. Its attractive, cascading leaves and air-purifying benefits make it a wonderful addition to any indoor space.
Bromeliad (Variegated)
The Variegated Bromeliad is a striking indoor plant known for its bright, colorful leaves and unique flower structure. The variegated varieties of Bromeliad have leaves that feature yellow or white stripes that make them stand out. This plant thrives in indirect sunlight and enjoys being in a warm environment with moderate humidity. Bromeliads do not require a lot of watering, as they absorb moisture through their leaves, making them quite drought-tolerant.
They are perfect for smaller spaces like apartments or offices, as their compact size allows them to fit in a variety of settings. The bright colors and exotic look of the Bromeliad add a tropical feel to any room. Once the plant blooms, it can stay in bloom for several months, providing continuous color in your home.
Philodendron White Princess
The Philodendron White Princess is a visually stunning plant that features large, glossy leaves with striking white variegation. Known for its bold, contrasting patterns, this plant is an eye-catching addition to any room. While it thrives in bright, indirect light, it can tolerate lower light conditions as well, though the variegation may become less pronounced in darker environments. This philodendron requires moderate watering, with the soil allowed to dry out between waterings to avoid root rot.
It is also relatively low-maintenance, making it a good choice for those with busy schedules. The plant’s ability to adapt to different light levels while maintaining its unique leaf patterns makes it a popular choice among indoor plant collectors. As it grows, its heart-shaped leaves continue to develop more pronounced streaks of white, adding even more beauty to its appearance.
Syngonium podophyllum (Variegated Arrowhead Plant)
The Syngonium podophyllum, or Variegated Arrowhead Plant, is known for its fast-growing, trailing vines and distinctive arrow-shaped leaves. The variegated variety of this plant has a beautiful mix of white, green, and sometimes even pinkish hues, making it a popular choice for indoor gardening. It is particularly well-suited for homes with moderate to bright indirect light, where the colors of the leaves can truly stand out.
The plant prefers to have its soil kept evenly moist, but it should not be overwatered, as this can lead to root rot. As it grows, it will produce new vines that can be trained along trellises or allowed to cascade from hanging baskets, giving it a unique look. The Syngonium is also known for its air-purifying properties, adding both beauty and function to indoor spaces. Its variegated leaves and easy care requirements make it a favorite among houseplant enthusiasts.
Episcia (Flame Violet)
The Episcia, also known as the Flame Violet, is a vibrant plant that thrives indoors, especially in areas with bright, indirect light. Its heart-shaped leaves are variegated with shades of green, red, and sometimes even silver, creating a stunning contrast. The plant produces small, tubular flowers that range in color from red to orange, adding an additional layer of color to its already striking foliage.
Episcia plants prefer high humidity and regular watering, but their soil should be allowed to dry slightly between waterings to prevent overwatering. While they can tolerate lower light conditions, their colors are most vibrant when given ample indirect light. This plant works wonderfully in hanging baskets or as a decorative centerpiece on shelves. Its ability to maintain vibrant foliage and flowers indoors makes it a fantastic choice for adding color to any room.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.