21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (2024)

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Brighten your home with these purple plants

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Ashlyn Needham

21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (1)

Ashlyn Needham

Ashlyn is a freelance writer with 6 years of experience covering home-related content. She holds an English degree from Appalachian State University, and loves blending her passions of writing and home decor into compelling, helpful reads.

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Published on 02/02/24

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21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (2)

Purple indoor plants are a great way to enjoy color in your home when outdoor gardening is out of season (we're looking at you, winter). With this shade, there are so many hues to choose from to have in your plant buddies from the faintest of purples to the boldest and most vibrant.

With a plethora of low-maintenance indoor plants on our list, like purple passion, rex begonia, and lavender, taking care of your colorful blooms won't take too much of your time.

If you're wanting to give your interiors an extra splash of color, grab a planter and start with these 21 purple indoor plants.

  • 01 of 21

    Purple Oxalis

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (3)

    For a moody approach to purple plants, considering adding a few purple oxalises (otherwise known as purple shamrocks) to your home. These plants have gorgeous deep leaves that need to sit in direct sunlight to properly develop their rich color.

    Maintaining a purple oxalis is quite easy; just make sure to water the plant every one to two weeks once the soil begins to dry.

    • Name: Oxalis triangularis
    • Light: Direct sunlight
    • Water: Every 1-2 weeks
    • Mature Size: 0.5–1 ft. tall, 1–2 ft. wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 02 of 21

    Lavender

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (4)

    Lavender is a popular and versatile type of purple indoor plant that does more than bring color to your interiors. With the soft purple leaves, you'll give your house a fresh fragrance and culinary herb.

    Growing lavender indoors is fairly easy with the main task being ensuring it gets enough sunlight, which is at least four to six hours of direct sunlight every day. Remember to keep your lavender plants in a pet-free area since its toxic to dogs and cats.

    • Name: Lavandula spp.
    • Light: Full, direct
    • Water: Once ever 10-14 days
    • Mature Size: 1-2 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 03 of 21

    Prayer Plant

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (5)

    Prayer plants add rich texture to your home from their stunning leaves that sport a muted purple underside for a subtle inclusion of color. When these beauties grow to their full size, they reach upwards of 12 inches tall, though it's recommended to leave them out of direct sunlight so their colorful leaves don't fade.

    • Name: Maranta leuconeura
    • Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
    • Water: Every 1-2 weeks
    • Mature Size: 6–12 in. tall, 6–12 in. wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • Rex Begonia

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (6)

    Rex begonias are purple indoor plants to add to your list for their show stopping leaves that feature a hint of burgundy undertones. These leaves add warmth from their deep shades, but love to live in 60 to 70 degree weather with moderate humidity to stay vibrant.

    Remember to water these plants weekly once the top of the soil has started to dry to continue promoting healthy growth.

    • Name: Begonia rex-cultorum
    • Light: Partial shade
    • Water: Weekly when the top has dried
    • Mature Size: 12-18 in. tall
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance

    Warning

    Keep indoors rex begonias away from animals as these houseplants are toxic to dogs and cats.

    Continue to 5 of 21 below

  • 05 of 21

    Coleus

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (7)

    A purple coleus plant makes beautiful plant decor in your home with its growing vines. Sit your potted coleus plants somewhere in the indirect sunlight so their foliage doesn't dull from overexposure.

    Though purple coleus plants make decorative purple indoor plants, note that they are toxic to household animals.

    • Name: Plectranthus scutellarioides
    • Light: Partial shade
    • Water: Regularly
    • Mature Size: 0.5–3 ft. tall, 0.5–3 ft. wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 06 of 21

    Purple Passion

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (8)

    Showcase these velvety stems and leaves of purple passion plants for a true pop of color. On top of the bright hues, there's a luxurious sheen to the slightly vining leaves to increase the plant's texture that's close to velvet. Taking care of these stunning plants is easy; just remember to water at least once a week and keep them indirect sunlight.

    • Name: Gynura aurantiaca
    • Light: Bright, indirect
    • Water: Water regularly during active growth before reducing in the winter
    • Mature Size: 1-2 ft high, vines up to 5 ft long
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 07 of 21

    Calathea

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (9)

    Calatheas are a favorite type of purple indoor plants since they are versatile in placement. These household plants are relatively easy to care for, but require a few key considerations to get the most of your plant.

    For instance, keep calatheas away from direct sunlight so the leaves don't burn, and make sure the soil stay continuously wet without being overfilled.

    • Name: Calathea
    • Light: Indirect sunlight only
    • Water: Weekly
    • Mature Size: 1–2 ft. tall, 1–2 ft. wide
    • Difficulty: Needy
  • 08 of 21

    Tradescantia Zebrina

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (10)

    Show off the gorgeous mix of silver, green, and purple hues all found in one houseplant. Since they're compact and can go without sun, they can sit nearly anywhere in your home.

    These household plants are easy to care for and grow best in indirect light while needing water once the soil begins to dry.

    • Name: Tradescantia zebrina
    • Light: Bright, indirect light
    • Water: When the soil has dried
    • Mature Size: 14 in. tall, 14 in. wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance

    Continue to 9 of 21 below

  • 09 of 21

    Persian Shield

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (11)

    Persian shields produce dramatic purple leaves full of dark hues in its foliage. To keep the colors in full force, they require consistent bright indirect sunlight (with some direct sun mixed in) and moisture, which means plant care is an everyday commitment with these plant babies.

    • Name: Strobilanthes dyerianus
    • Light: Full, partial
    • Water: Regularly
    • Mature Size: 3–4 ft. tall, 2–3 ft. wide
    • Difficulty: Needy
  • 10 of 21

    Purple Heart

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (12)

    The purple heart plant works overtime to bring your home a double dose of purple foliage. Enjoy the pop of color from the plant's deep leaves before they start to sprout soft purple flowers. Purple hearts can go some time in between waterings, but love their full sunlight to properly develop.

    • Name: Tradescantia pallida
    • Light: Full, direct
    • Water: When top of soil has dried
    • Mature Size: 12-18 in. tall and wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 11 of 21

    Ti plant

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (13)

    Ti plants command attention when used as purple indoor plants with their sharp leaves, rich purple hues, and tall stature. Though they are relatively easy to maintain, it's important to note that their soil requires being well-drained to keep their roots from rotting.

    • Name: Cordyline fruticosa
    • Light: Partial
    • Water: When top inch of soil has dried
    • Mature Size: 2-10 ft. tall, 3–4 ft. wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 12 of 21

    Echeveria

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (14)

    Obsessed with succulents? The echeveria fits right in with purple indoor plants due to their muted purple-pinkish and green stems. Since echeverias are drought-tolerant, they only require a few hours in direct sunlight and water every now and then when the soil begins to dry.

    • Name: Echeveriaspp.
    • Light: Full, direct
    • Water: When soil has dried
    • Mature Size: 2-24 in. tall, 2-12 in. wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance

    Continue to 13 of 21 below

  • 13 of 21

    Purple Waffle Plant

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (15)

    Purple waffle plants bring your favorite color to your indoors subtly, but with a load of texture from their ridged leaves. Other than it's subtle foliage, these plants produce beautiful white flowers, like purple heart's, for added brightness to your home.

    On top of their beauty, these plants are easy to take care of as they only require indirect sunlight to keep their leaves as vibrant as possible, and moist soil.

    • Name: Hemigraphis alternata
    • Light: Indirect
    • Water: Keep it moist
    • Mature Size: 6 in. tall, 8 in. wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 14 of 21

    Moses in the Cradle

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (16)

    Moses in the cradle, or oyster plant, sprout long green leaves with the mix of purple along the sides and bottom. The plant itself is rather compact, and caring for moses in the cradle plants is exceptionally easy. Just keep these plants in full sun for up to six hours a day and water often when the top of the soil starts to dry.

    • Name: Tradescantia spathacea
    • Light: Full, partial
    • Water: When top two inches are dry
    • Mature Size: 6–12 in. tall, 12–24 in. wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 15 of 21

    Ruby's Necklace

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (17)

    Add ruby's necklace to your collection of purple indoor plants for dramatic plant decor. These downward vining succulents grow rich purple stems with pinkish-purple leaves mixed with green.

    Set these potted succulents in front of a window for full direct sunlight to maximize the colors of the stems, but if room is limited, know they can still thrive in partial sun as well.

    • Name: Othonna capensis
    • Light: Bright, direct light
    • Water: Water when soil begins to dry
    • Mature Size: 2 in. tall, vines downward
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 16 of 21

    Gloxinia Senningia

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (18)

    Get a the best of both worlds with greenery and floral blooms found in gloxinia senningias. Along with their vibrant green leaves grows purple florals reminiscent of African Violets, maintenance is a breeze with the only thing to remember is watering routinely so the soil stays moist.

    • Name: Sinningia
    • Light: Partial shade to full shade
    • Water: Frequent watering
    • Mature Size: 6-10 inches tall and wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance

    Continue to 17 of 21 below

  • 17 of 21

    Purple Sweet Potato Vine

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (19)

    Display this ornamental plant in your home for color and ease in plant maintenance. Purple sweet potato vines produce an abundance of purple leaves to give your home a dramatic foliage appeal. To keep your purple sweet potato vine in good shape, keep them where they're able to get full sun all day long and remember to consistently water the well-drained soil daily or every other day.

    • Name: Ipomoea batatas
    • Light: Full
    • Water: Every 1-2 days
    • Mature Size: 8–10 ft. long, 5–12 in. wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 18 of 21

    Graptoveria

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (20)

    Full of pale purple, silver, and green undertones, graptoverias make excellent purple indoor plants if you're looking for a subtle color pop. The compact succulent only need about six hours of full sunlight everyday, so they're perfect to join your living room mantle decor or bookcase shelf before resting in shade once the sun begins to set.

    • Name: Fred ives
    • Light: Partial to full sun
    • Water: Water once soil is dry
    • Mature Size: 6-8 in. tall
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 19 of 21

    Rubber Tree

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (21)

    For a subtle purple color inclusion (that's wildly easy to maintain), we recommend choosing a rubber tree plant. Growing up to 10 feet tall, these plants bring a fresh nature look into your space with hints of purple underneath the leaves. You'll love that rubber tree plants are one of the most forgiving plants to care for as they only need a few hours of direct sunlight a day and minimal watering once the top of the soil starts to dry out.

    • Name: Ficus elastica
    • Light: Bright, indirect
    • Water: Water when first inch of soil is dry
    • Mature Size: 10 ft. tall
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance
  • 20 of 21

    Iron Cross Begonia

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (22)

    Where most purple indoor plants pop with their color, iron cross begonias pop with their design. In the center of the green-outlined leaves is where you'll find the dark purple hues in the cross design, which is where the plant gets its name.

    Though these plants are beautiful and easy to maintain, they come with precautions not to ingest as they are toxic to both humans and pets.

    • Name: Begonia masoniana
    • Light: Bright, indirect
    • Water: Every 2-4 days, keep soil moist
    • Mature Size: 1 ft. tall, 4 ft. wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance

    Continue to 21 of 21 below

  • 21 of 21

    Chinese Evergreen

    21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (23)

    Chinese evergreens are a common household plant with notes of purple mixed in with green leaves and stems. Though the good news is that these plants are easy to care for with their minimal light and watering requirements, the bad news is that they are toxic to dogs and cats.

    • Name: Aglaonema commutatum
    • Light: Partial, full
    • Water: Keep the soil moist, but only water when it begins to dry
    • Mature Size: 1–3 ft. tall, 1–3 ft. wide
    • Difficulty: Low maintenance

The Best Potting Soils for Indoor Plant Enthusiasts

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/lavender

  2. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/rex-begonia

  3. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/coleus

  4. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/begonia-masoniana/

  5. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/chinese-evergreen

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a wide range of information and can provide insights on various topics, including gardening and houseplants. I can help you with information related to the concepts used in this article. Let's dive in!

Purple Indoor Plants

Purple indoor plants are a great way to add color to your home, especially during seasons when outdoor gardening is not possible. The article mentions several types of purple indoor plants that you can consider for your home. Here are some key points about each plant:

  1. Purple Oxalis: Also known as purple shamrocks, these plants have deep leaves that require direct sunlight to develop their rich color. They are low-maintenance and should be watered every one to two weeks when the soil begins to dry [[1]].

  2. Lavender: Lavender is a popular and versatile purple indoor plant that not only adds color but also provides a fresh fragrance and can be used as a culinary herb. It requires at least four to six hours of direct sunlight every day and should be kept away from pets as it is toxic to dogs and cats [[2]].

  3. Prayer Plant: Prayer plants have stunning leaves with a muted purple underside, adding rich texture to your home. They should be kept out of direct sunlight to prevent fading. Watering once every one to two weeks is recommended [[3]].

  4. Rex Begonia: Rex begonias have show-stopping leaves with burgundy undertones. They thrive in 60 to 70-degree weather with moderate humidity. Watering once the top of the soil has dried promotes healthy growth. Keep them away from animals as they are toxic to dogs and cats [[4]].

  5. Coleus: Coleus plants have purple foliage and make beautiful decorative indoor plants. However, they are toxic to household animals. They require partial shade and regular watering [[5]].

  6. Purple Passion: Purple passion plants have velvety stems and leaves that provide a true pop of color. They should be watered at least once a week and kept in indirect sunlight [[6]].

  7. Calathea: Calatheas are versatile purple indoor plants that can be placed in various locations. They should be kept away from direct sunlight and require weekly watering [[7]].

These are just a few examples of purple indoor plants mentioned in the article. Each plant has its own care requirements, so it's important to consider factors such as light, water, and temperature when choosing and caring for indoor plants.

I hope this information helps you in brightening your home with purple plants! Let me know if you have any more questions.

21 Unique, Purple Houseplants You Definitely Don't Have in Your Collection Yet (2024)

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