Indoor Plants
Using pink plants as part of your decor is an easy way to bring unexpected color into the mix. Big foliage will add dramatic flair while smaller, more compact foliage will add softness. Here are a few pink-leafed houseplants that you can rely on for adding a little rosiness to your indoor garden.
1. Mosaic Plant
Also called nerve plant, mosaic plant (Fittonia albivenis) is a trailing plant with deeply veined leaves. Those veins can be white or deep pink, which makes each leaf look like a mosaic or stained-glass window. This plant will thrive in indoor containers, and because it stays small, it’s especially good for terrariums. Size: Usually under 6 inches Light: Indirect light (avoid direct light, which can make the leaves crisp up) Watering: Keep evenly moist, adding water when the surface of the soil is just barely dry
2. Dragon Tree
Dracaena marginata is notable for its long, narrow leaves and slender, woody stems. Over time, these tropical-looking plants can get up to eight feet tall! Dragon trees are tolerant of neglect, so they’re a good option if you’re a forgetful or busy plant parent. Size: 3-8 feet, depending on variety Light: Can tolerate low to bright light, but its pink color will look best if it’s grown in bright light (just avoid full sun) Water: Whenever soil is dry to the touch
3. Polka Dot Plant
Like the same suggests, polka dot plants have spotted, mottled leaves that come in white, pink, or red. When in their natural habitat, these plants can get up to 3 feet tall; when grown indoors, they tend to stay smaller and more compact so they work well in terrariums. Size: Up to 3 feet, but potted plants will usually be smaller Light: Bright, indirect light Watering: Keep soil moist, especially in the summer; water less during its winter dormancy
4. Aglaonema
Chinese evergreens are popular, easy-care foliage houseplants, and the varieties with pink patterns on their glossy leaves are especially interesting. These plants do well in most types of light, including dimmer spaces most other plants will sulk in. Size: 1-3 feet tall Light: Can tolerate indirect sunlight or medium- to low-light conditions Watering: Water regularly, but let the plant dry out a little between waterings
5. Rex Begonia
These types of begonias offer an array of leaf shapes, colors, and patterns from one variety to the next, and plenty of them have pink hues. They need bright, indirect sunlight so their leaves stay as colorful as possible. Size: Up to 2 feet tall Light: Medium to bright light Watering: Water when the soil is just beginning to dry out
6. Stromanthe
This plant is like an optical illusion: Stromanthe looks different from pretty much every angle. The top of the green leaves feature white variegation, but if you look at it from below, you’ll see a surprise underneath: the underside of the leaves is variegated pink and red. Stromanthe is native to rain forests, so be sure to put them in a place that is warm and humid. Size: 2-3 feet tall Light: Bright, indirect light Watering: Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering
7. Calathea
Because of its delicate and showy leaf patterns, calathea is also known as zebra plant, peacock plant, and rattlesnake plant. Calatheas are sometimes called prayer plants, too, because they fold their leaves up at night. Size: Up to 3 feet Light: Low to medium indirect light Watering: Water regularly, but let the soil surface dry to the touch between waterings
8. Rubber Plant
A close relative of the fiddle leaf fig tree, rubber plant (Ficus elastica) can have deep green, burgundy, or even white-striped leaves. In the 1900s, the milky sap from this plant was used to make rubber, helping it earn its common name. Size: Up to six to 10 feet indoors; up to 100 feet outdoors Light: Medium to bright indirect light Watering: Water every week or two (rubber plants don’t like to get too dry)
9. African Milk Tree
Even though it’s technically a succulent and not a tree, African milk tree (Euphorbia trigona) can still reach impressive heights indoors and outside. Usually, the stems will stay green, but each one can produce dozens of tiny pinkish-red leaves. Size: Up to three feet indoors; up to nine feet outdoors Light: Bright, indirect light Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist
10. Arrowhead Plant
At first, arrowhead plants usually grow upright for a few months, but they’ll eventually start to develop trailing stems (you can prune these back at any time to help keep the plant compact). As the leaves unfurl, they can be a subtle pink, green, white, or silver. Size: Up to 3 feet Light: Low to medium Watering: Water when the top inch of soil is dry
11. Succulents
You can find plenty of pink succulents, but among the easiest to grow as houseplants are echeverias. Some varieties with pink coloring include ‘Perle von Nurnberg’ (with pale pink centers) and ‘Meridian’ (with ruffled pink edges). Size: Up to 8 inches Light: Bright, direct light Watering: Let the soil dry out completely between waterings
Outdoor Plants
Both sunny and shady spots can benefit from a splash of pink. These outdoor plants make for bright accents in both containers and beds. Play with height and size to make these pretty pink plants stand out even more in the garden.
12. Caladium
Caladiums bring guaranteed color to shady spots. Many cultivars have patterns with pink centers or veining. The colorful leaves are even heart-shape, making them even more fun to have in the garden. Size: Up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet across Light: Part-shade or filtered sun Watering: Keep the soil moist
13. Cordyline
Cordyline thrives outdoors but can also be used as a houseplant. They have leathery variegated leaves that have pink or white edges. Look for varieties that produce fragrant flowers and berries for multi-season interest. Size: Up to 3 feet tall Light: Grow in the sun, but can also tolerate part-sun Watering: Can tolerate drought, but don’t let it completely dry out
14. Heuchera
These perennials are grown for their foliage more than their flowers. Heuchera’s lobed leaves come in shades of almost every color, including purple, yellow, and orange. You can rely on them to add color to a shady corner of the garden. Size: Up to 3 feet tall Light: Depending on the variety, heuchera can grow well in sun or shade Watering: Keep moist but make sure soil has good drainage, because this plant doesn’t like sitting in too much water
15. Coleus
You can find a variety of coleus for every spot in the garden. There are coleus varieties with colored edges, veining patterns, spots, and textured edges. Many of the varieties with pink patterns have a green or purple base color. Size: 3-5 feet Light: Shade or part-shade Watering: Keep the soil moist, but well drained
