25 Purple-Leafed Plants that will add Drama to your Garden

Want a moody, Colorful twist in your home decor? These low-maintenance purple-leafed plants bring rich tones and elegance to any space—without much effort.

Looking to spice up your plant collection with something bold and beautiful? Purple-leafed plants are a perfect pick. From velvety textures to vibrant hues, these purple foliage houseplants are not just pretty—they’re easy to care for, too.

Whether you want a purple trailing plant for shelves, compact purple foliage for window sills, low-light option for darker corners, or to make an unforgettable statement in your garden this list has you covered.

1. Purple Heart

Botanical Name: Tradescantia pallida

The Purple Heart plant is a true showstopper with its deep purple, lance-shaped leaves. It’s a trailing plant, perfect for hanging baskets or as a cascading accent on shelves. Remember more sunlight it receives, the more pronounced the purple hues.

2. Purple Shamrock

Botanical Name: Oxalis triangularis

Known for its striking triangular leaves and delicate pinkish-purple flowers, the Purple Shamrock adds an element of charm to any room. The deep purple foliage appears almost black, giving this houseplant an almost surreal look. It’s relatively compact and does well in full sun to partial shade.

Also Read: 55 Common Types of Flowers

3. Persian Shield

Botanical Name: Strobilanthes dyerianus

The Persian Shield plant features striking iridescent leaves with purple, silver, and green shades. The foliage has a shimmering quality that creates an almost magical effect. Its lance-shaped leaves and contrasting colors make it a remarkable addition to any indoor plant collection.

4. Coleus

Botanical Name: Solenostemon scutellarioides

While available in various colors, purple varieties of Coleus are particularly popular. These plants feature lush, serrated leaves in shades of purple, burgundy, and pink, creating a beautiful mosaic of colors.

5. Purple Waffle Plant

Botanical Name: Hemigraphis alternata

This low-growing beauty features crinkled leaves with a waffle-like texture, hence its name. The leaves are deep purple with hints of green, creating a striking contrast. It’s an excellent choice for small pots or terrariums.

6. Purple Spiderwort

Botanical Name: Tradescantia zebrina ‘Purpusii’

Also known as the Silver inch plant, this trailing beauty has striking purple leaves with silver stripes. It’s relatively low-maintenance and can thrive in a variety of conditions. The level of purple variegation depends on the sunlight exposure.

7. Purple Passion Plant

Botanical Name: Gynura aurantiaca

The velvety leaves of the Purple Passion Plant boast a rich purple hue, making them a showstopper in any room. The edges are serrated and covered with thin purple hairs giving the foliage a unique purple sheen. Apart from foliage, the stems are also purple adding to the appeal of this houseplant.

8. Purple Sage

Botanical Name: Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurascens’

Purple sage is an aromatic herb with purple-green leaves that will be an attractive addition to your indoor herb garden. It’s also used as a home remedy for colds, coughs, and other culinary uses.

9. Purple Basil

Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum L.

Common Basil has green foliage, but some cultivars, such as Dark opal and Red Rubin basil, come with purple foliage. It’s a low-maintenance aromatic herb that widely comes in culinary use!

10. Purple Croton

Botanical Name: Codiaeum variegatum

Croton is a tropical plant that showcases multi-colored leaves with a mix of purple, red, orange, and yellow hues. Its striking foliage makes it a popular choice for adding a splash of color to indoor spaces.

11. Fancy Leaf Begonia

Botanical Name: Begonia rex-cultorum

Begonias are well-known for their stunning foliage, and the purple-leaf varieties are no exception. With their intricate patterns and shades of purple, silver, and green, these plants make for exquisite indoor ornamentals.

12. Purple-leaved Ivy

Botanical Name: Hedera helix ‘Atropurpurea’

The Purple leaved ivy is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a purple-leaf plant that also acts as a climber. It showcases deep purple leaves contrasting beautifully with the more common green ivy varieties.

13. Purple Potato Vine

Botanical Name: Ipomoea batatas ‘Blackie’

Also, going by the name sweet potato vine, it’s excellent for container gardening and hanging baskets. Blackie variety of sweet potato vine has dark purple, maple-like leaves.

14. Kalanchoe Humilis

Botanical Name: Kalanchoe Humilis

Kalanchoe Humilis showcases thick, fleshy leaves that are triangular to heart-shaped, with scalloped edges. Its velvety texture adds to its allure and gives it a soft, touchable quality. The leaves feature beautiful hues of green and purple, with some varieties exhibiting maroon or bronze undertones. When grown in optimal conditions, the colors intensify, creating a breathtaking display.

15. Ruby’s Necklace

Botanical Name: Othonna capensis

Also known as ‘Little Pickles,’ Ruby’s Necklace is a unique and eye-catching succulent with cylindrical leaves that resemble tiny green beans or, as the name suggests, a string of rubies. The leaves take on a deep purple-red hue in bright sunlight, adding a dramatic touch to your succulent indoor garden.

16. Moses-in-the-Cradle

Botanical Name: Tradescantia spathacea

This stunning plant, also known as Boat Lily or Oyster Plant, showcases fleshy, boat-shaped leaves with purple undersides. It’s an easy-to-care-for plant that adds a pop of color and elegance to any indoor space.

17. Echeveria Purple Pearl

Botanical Name: Echeveria ‘Purple Pearl’

Another succulent on the list is known for its rosette of thick, fleshy leaves with a captivating blend of purple and silvery tones. When grown in bright sunlight, the edges of the leaves may develop a pinkish hue, making it even more enchanting.

🌿 Bonus: More Purple Indoor Plants to Explore!

18. Calathea ‘Surprisestar’

Dark green leaves with hot pink and purple undersides. A stunning prayer plant for low light.

19. Ti Plant (Cordyline fruticosa ‘Kiwi’)

Upright plant with glossy, sword-shaped purple and deep red leaves. It thrives in bright indirect light and adds tropical drama indoors.

20. Silver Squill (Ledebouria socialis)

While more silver-green, this bulbous houseplant often develops purplish undersides and spotting in brighter light. It’s unique and low-maintenance.

21. Purple Sword (Alocasia lauterbachiana)

An eye-catching Alocasia with elongated purple-green leaves and burgundy undersides. A dramatic architectural plant.

22. Velvet Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron micans)

This velvety vining plant displays dark greenish-purple tones under certain light and has a rich, luxurious texture.

23. Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’

A popular succulent with lavender to purple-gray rosettes that glow under sun. Distinct from ‘Purple Pearl’, this has a pastel aesthetic.

24. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

While typically known for green or red veins, some cultivars take on purple-maroon hues and fold up at night like praying hands. Learn how to care for Prayer Plant indoors here!

25. Heuchera ‘Creme Brulee’ (Coral Bells)

Heuchera ‘Creme Brulee’ adds a warm, vibrant touch to indoor spaces, especially when paired with other plants featuring purple or contrasting foliage.

Final Tips for Growing Purple-Leafed Plants for Your Garden

• Light: Most need bright, indirect light to maintain their purple tones. Some (like Oxalis) tolerate direct sun.
• Humidity: Plants like Persian Shield or Rex Begonias enjoy higher humidity.
• Watering: Let the topsoil dry slightly between waterings—especially for succulents and vines.