Anything but green: 10 striking foliage plants to colour up your home and garden

With sculptural or patterned foliage in shades of deep purple, intense magenta and blazing red, these plants will make a statement, indoors or out

14 June 2020 - 00:01

By Bauer Syndication/Magazine Features

Sculptural: Phormium "Veneer"

With its rich chocolate, red and sometimes pink tones, this plant adds a striking sculptural interest in gardens or pots. It loves the sun.

Delicate: Nandina domestica "Filamentosa"

The lace-like leaves of this dwarf shrub turn from vivid green to bronze, orange or red in autumn. It enjoys sun or shade and flowers in late spring.

Hot hue: Coprosma "Tequila Sunrise"

This vibrant evergreen shrub does well as hedging, in a pot or next to the pool. It thrives in full sun and must be pruned for density.

Bold colour: Croton codiaeum "Joseph's coat"

Crotons are known for their bright, fiery foliage. To make them pop even more, plant in a gold or bronze pot. They make perfect house plants and will thrive in plenty of light.

Feature: Euphorbia tirucalli "Firesticks"

Make a statement with this architectural succulent. Plant in a show-stopping pot, or use as hedging. This one likes it hot and sunny.

Pattern: Billbergia "hallelujah"

The mottled leaves of this plant become more intense the more sun it gets. It copes well indoors, provided it has good light.

Accent: Cordyline fruticosa "Rubra"

The vibrant pink and purple stripes of this stunning plant provide year-round colour and are the perfect complement to silver foliage. Position in full sun to part shade.

Inky gloss: Heuchera "Obsidian"

Excellent for gardens or containers, the plant's glossy, inky leaves provide dense foliage. It will grow in full sun or shade, but it thrives in hot, humid conditions.

Elegant: Cordyline banksii "Electric pink"

Upright, pointy leaves provide a display of bright pink colour. Cordylines are
low-maintenance evergreens that need full sun to light shade.

Purple pop: Tradescantia zebrina "Silver inch plant"

This indoor plant has beautiful foliage and is easy to care for. For best results, place in bright to moderate light and dry out between waterings.