Indoor plants are always great choices when you want to add a bit of color and tropical vibes to your home. But others may find only getting green plants boring and may want a more vibrant and unique plant for their homes.
Our favorite plants to use when we want our living rooms and workspaces to be a bit more unique are purple plants, and we want to share their charms with you!
In this article, we’ve listed 10 different indoor purple plants that can make your home extra warm and elegant!
What are the best indoor purple plants to grow and gift?
Prayer Plant
Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura
Origin: Brazil
Size: 12 inches tall when grown indoors
Light: Medium to low indirect sunlight
Water: Every 1 to 2 weeks or when the surface of the soil is dry
Feeding: Feed with a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer every 2 weeks during the growing season
Toxicity: Non-toxic to cats and humans
Maranta leuconeura, more commonly known as the prayer plant, is a popular indoor purple plant loved for its unique behavior and vibrant foliage.
The plant got its common name from its leaves’ habit of folding together in the evening, resembling hands in prayer. It’s native to Brazil but can now be seen in several tropical countries.
The prayer plant has oval-shaped leaves with a pointed tip. The base color of the leaves is typically dark green, but it’s decorated with prominent veins and midribs that range from deep purple to burgundy.
Best for: People living in apartments that don’t receive abundant sunlight since the plant generally prefers medium to low indirect light.
Wandering Jew
Botanical Name: Tradescantia zebrina
Origin: Central America, Colombia, and Mexico
Size: 1 to 2 feet when grown indoors
Light: Bright indirect light
Water: Only when the top 2 inches of the soil dry out
Feeding: Feed with a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer monthly during the growing season
Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans
Wandering Jew, scientifically called Tradescantia zebrina, is known for its trailing vines and attractive foliage. It’s an indoor purple plant loved for its easy care requirements.
It has small, elongated leaves that are lance-shaped. Its leaves are slightly plump and have a smooth and somewhat glossy texture.
The leaves have a pattern of silver or metallic green stripes that run parallel to the length of the leaf, resembling zebra stripes. The undersides of the leaves are usually a solid purple or reddish-purple color, adding to the plant’s visual appeal.
Wandering Jews have trailing stems that can grow several feet long, so the plant works better in hanging baskets rather than keeping them on top of a desk.
Best for: People who just started growing houseplants, as wandering Jew plants can be fairly easy to grow.
Ruby Necklace
Botanical Name: Othonna capensis
Origin: Eastern Cape, South Africa
Size: 2 inches tall
Light: Bright indirect light
Water: Once a week or when the soil dries out
Feeding: Feed with a water-soluble succulent fertilizer monthly during the growing season
Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and children
Ruby necklace is a succulent plant native to Eastern Cape in South Africa. It’s a popular trailing succulent plant that can make any window look extra beautiful when the plant is placed in hanging baskets.
It has bead-like leaves with a reddish or purplish hue, giving it the common names ruby necklace and string of rubies.
The leaves are fleshy and have a smooth, waxy texture. They can also produce small, daisy-like yellow flowers that emerge on long stalks arising above the foliage.
This plant is easy-to-grow and low-maintenance, so it’s perfect for those who have no prior experience with growing plants. It can tolerate a bit of drought, but it’s better to always keep the soil moist.
Best for: People who love hanging plants, as Ruby necklace plants are not recommended on tables and floors
Purple Passion Plant
Botanical Name: Gynura aurantiaca
Origin: Java and Celebes Islands
Size: 1 to 2 feet tall when grown indoors
Light: Medium to bright indirect light
Water: Once a week
Feeding: Feed with an all-purpose water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the growing season
Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and children
Purple passion plant is a member of the Asteraceae family and is known for its attractive lance-shaped leaves. It’s native to Indonesia’s Java and Celebes Islands, so it enjoys places with warm climates.
Purple passion plant is a trailing plant that can grow to a height of 1 to 2 feet and may appear bushy when mature. It can look great in vases but may need pruning, as the trail may grow too long.
Another unique characteristic of this plant is the small hairs covering its dark green to purple leaves and stems. These fine hairs give the plant a velvety appearance and contribute to its ornamental value.
Best for: People who enjoy unique and striking plants
Begonia Rex
Botanical Name: Begonia rex-cultorum
Origin: India, China, and Vietnam
Size: 1 to 2 feet tall when grown indoors
Light: Bright, indirect light
Water: Once a week or when the surface part of the soil dries out
Feeding: Feed with an all-purpose water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the growing season
Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans
Begonia rex is among our favorite choices for indoor houseplants because of its compact nature and stunning foliage. It can only grow to a mature height of 2 feet, making it perfect even for small apartments.
Purple begonia rex has large, asymmetrical leaves that display intricate patterns. These patterns may include swirls, spots, veins, or contrasting shades of purple.
It requires a bit more care compared to other houseplants, though. It needs consistent humidity and can be quite sensitive to drought, so always monitor the soil.
Best for: Plant enthusiasts who have experience in growing indoor plants. Begonia rex plants can be a bit more demanding than normal houseplants, so they’re not advisable for beginners.
Rose Painted Calathea
Botanical Name: Calathea roseopicta
Origin: Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall
Light: Bright, indirect light
Water: Every 2 to 3 days during the growing season and every 2 weeks during winter
Feeding: Feed with a water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the growing season
Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and humans
Rose-painted calathea plant is a popular species of calathea known for its stunning foliage. Its leaves are large, oval-shaped, with a pointed tip whose upper side displays a combination of dark green and burgundy colors.
The base color is typically dark green, while the leaf veins and intricate patterns feature burgundy shades, creating an eye-catching contrast.
It prefers bright light, but you should avoid putting it in areas that receive direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves. It’s also important that you let tap water sit overnight before using it to water the plant, as the minerals it contains may affect the soil’s pH level.
Best for: People who don’t experience harsh winters, as calathea plants can be sensitive to frost
Ti Plant
Botanical Name: Cordyline fruticosa
Origin: Southeast Asia and Eastern Australia
Size: 3 to 5 feet tall when grown indoors
Light: Bright, indirect light
Water: Every week or every other week
Feeding: Feed with slow-release, general-purpose fertilizer once a month during the growing season
Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans
Ti plant or Hawaiian ti plant is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia and eastern Australia that can be grown both outdoors and indoors.
It has long, sword-shaped, bright purple leaves that grow in a rosette formation. The foliage has a glossy and slightly waxy texture, which makes it look pretty even when covered with dust.
Just note that the plant is toxic to pets and humans, as it contains saponins. Ingestion of the leaves may cause vomiting, weakness, and diarrhea, so it’s best to keep it out of reach of small children and pets.
Best for: People living alone or with other adults. The plant is relatively large and is likely to be placed on the floor, so it can be dangerous when there are children and pets in the house.
Purple Waffle Plant
Botanical Name: Hemigraphis alternata
Origin: Java
Size: 6 to 9 inches when grown indoors
Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
Water: Every week or when the surface of the soil is dry
Feeding: Feed with houseplant fertilizer once a month during the growing season
Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and humans
Purple waffle plant is a popular indoor ornamental plant appreciated for its unique purple foliage and easy-to-grow nature.
It features striking leaves that are quite wavy and crinkled, making them look like waffles. The upper side of the leaves is typically dark green, while the underside has a rich, purple color, giving the plant a unique appearance.
While it prefers medium to bright light, always keep it away from direct sunlight, as this may cause damage to leaves. It can also tolerate lower light conditions, but you may not produce a vibrant purple hue.
Best for: People with pets and children since the plant is non-toxic. It can be grown in vases and areas that pets and kids can reach.
Coleus
Botanical Name: Plectranthus scutellarioides
Origin: Southeast Asia and Australia
Size: 6 to 12 inches when grown indoors
Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
Water: At least once a day
Feeding: Feed with a water-soluble fertilizer once a month
Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans
Native to Southeast Asia and Australia, coleus plants are sun-loving houseplants that thrive in areas that receive bright, indirect light. They’re valued for their ability to add a splash of color to indoor spaces with their vibrant foliage.
The leaves can come in different shapes, but they’re mostly lance-shaped. They can also come in various colors, but you’ll typically find them having a purple to pinkish color with light green or dark purple borders.
Since the plant loves staying in areas with bright sunlight, it also requires more frequent watering compared to other houseplants. It needs to be watered at least once daily or whenever the soil is dry.
Best for: People who love plants with vibrant colors. Coleus is one of the few purple plants that sport a brighter shade of purple rather than a dark one, so it’s perfect for those who enjoy colorful things.
Persian Shield Plant
Botanical Name: Strobilanthes dyerianus
Origin: Myanmar
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall when grown indoors
Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
Water: Whenever the top 2 inches part of the soil is dry
Feeding: Feed with a liquid fertilizer every two weeks during spring and summer
Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans
Purple shield plant is a striking and dramatic plant that can add personality to your home. It’s native to Myanmar but can now be found in various parts of the world.
It has large, lance-shaped leaves with eye-catching metallic purple color. The leaves are decorated with intricate black veins and patterns that create a dramatic and elegant-looking contrast with the bright purple leaves.
Another great thing about this plant other than its appearance is its resistance to pests and diseases. It’s not vulnerable to pests, but there can still be instances when mealybugs and spider mites find their way to the plant.
Best for: People who have recently moved to a new home. The plant’s dramatic appearance can add a splash of color and can serve as a temporary ornament while they’re still decorating the house.
