25 Amazing Red Houseplants and How to Grow Them (2024)

There’s no better way to bring color into your home than with brightly colored, red houseplants. There are an endless variety of red houseplants to choose from, ranging from beginner plants to some that are better left to expert growers. We’ve rounded up a list of some of the best (prettiest, most interesting, easiest to grow) for you to see here!

1. Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

A hibiscus blossom likely comes to mind when you imagine a tropical flower. Hibiscus flower colors range from bright whites and creams to yellow, peach, oranges, pink, and red. Several species of red-colored, flowering hibiscus shrubs exist, but the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is one of the most popularly grown and best for growing indoors. Also called the Hawaiian or Chinese hibiscus, this flowering plant has an exotic-looking flower with papery red petals, a fiery stamen, and a dusting of bright-yellow pollen.

2. Fittonia (Fittonia albivenis)

The fittonia is widely loved as a houseplant for its strikingly marked leaves as red or white vein lines run throughout its foliage. Thanks to the appearance of its leaves, these beautiful types of red houseplants are also commonly called nerve plants or mosaic plants. Fittonia is native to the rainforests of South America, where it has been traditionally used as a pain reliever and psychedelic.

3. Flaming Sword (Vriesea splendens)

The Vriesea splendens is commonly called the flaming sword plant for its fiery red, spike or sword-shaped inflorescence that resembles a flaming sword. A member of the bromeliad plant family, the flaming sword features a rosette of sturdy, lance-shaped leaves with attractive stripes of light and dark shades of green.

4. Red Congo Philodendron (Philodendron rojo congo PBR)

Commonly referred to as both the rojo Congo philodendron (sometimes Congo rojo philodendron) and red Congo philodendron, this plant boasts large, paddle-shaped leaves that are glossy and a deep burgundy red. This plant grows naturally in South America, and unlike other philodendrons in its family, it does not climb or vine. Instead, it leaves self-head atop its stem, growing upward and outward.

For more, see our in-depth guide to the best types of philodendrons to grow as houseplants.

5. Anthurium

Native to Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and much of South America, anthuriums are epiphytes, which means that they grow on other plants – rather than in the soil – and gather nutrients from the air, rain, and other debris as it gathers around them.

Although you’ll find them commonly growing from the bark of trees in the wild, these stunning red houseplants thrive indoors in a potted environment. Their brightly-colored blooms look like shiny, hearts and represent hospitality.

6. Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

Although well-known for its cherry-red coloring, the poinsettia’s crimson, leaf-like structures are bracts that surround its much smaller true flowers upon blooming. In their native environments (Mexico and parts of Central America), poinsettias grow into large trees or shrubs.

The classic winter season red houseplant, poinsettias, is a popular holiday purchase that many owners struggle to keep alive throughout the rest of the year. With the proper care, however, it can be done!

7. Red Moon Cactus (Gymnocalycium mihanovichii)

You’ve likely run into a moon cactus or ruby ball cactus at your local garden center or grocery store flower shop. These attractive cacti are the Frankensteins of the flower department because they’re comprised of two plants grafted together: the red-colored portion and the green portion of the cactus. The brightly colored part of this red houseplant could not survive on its own because it had mutated to lack chlorophyll, which eliminated all green cells and revealed its bright color.

8. Crown of Thorns Plant (Euphorbia milii)

Euphorbia milii is commonly called the Christ plant or crown of thorns plant because its older growth stems are covered in sharp, spiky thorns that resemble depictions of the crown of thorns Christ has been artistically depicted wearing.

These popular types of red houseplants are native to Madagascar and are admired for their attractively colorful bracts surrounding their much smaller blossoms. These bracts are typically bright red or pink in color and are less often colored white.

9. Bromeliads

We’ve already mentioned one bromeliad species (the flaming sword), but Bromeliaceae is a family of plants containing thousands of bromeliad species. One of the most popular is the pineapple! Many bromeliads also produce a central inflorescence in bright red, red-orange, and other shades of fiery hue. Some bromeliads even have reddish or maroon-colored foliage, and that’s why the plant family is on this list.

10. Red Asian Coral Phalaenopsis Orchid (Phalaenopsis red coral)

Red Asian coral phalaenopsis (red coral or red Asian phalaenopsis) is one among many species of phalaenopsis or moth orchids. This particular orchid’s blossoms feature a dusty hue of coral-red tinged by a cool reddish-purple. These stunning red houseplants are a hybrid of two species of orchids, the Phalaenopsis buyssoniana and the Phalaenopsis doris.

11. Red Elephant Ear (Caladium)

Elephant ear is the common name given to plants belonging to the Caladium genus because they produce large, broad, heart-shaped leaves that resemble an elephant’s ears. There are thousands of elephant ear plants, many of which produce striking red stalks, pure-red foliage, and even bi-colored leaves of red and green.

12. Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides)

If you enjoy pops of color, then you’ll love coleus plants. While there are several species, the ones with the showiest colors and patterns are cultivars of Coleus scutellarioides. The colors and markings on these leafy beauties genuinely stand out, with the most vibrant coleus leaves featuring a center of saturated, bright red, or magenta surrounded by deep maroon and rimmed in neon green. Plus, the colors last throughout the year!

13. Bloodleaf Plants (Iresine)

Iresine is a genus of flowering plants that contains about 30 species—also called bloodleaf plants, beefsteak plants, and chicken gizzard plants, likely due to their bright colors and unusual leaf markings.

Every part of these amazing red houseplants is so vibrantly colored that it almost looks spray-painted. Different species’ colors range from vibrant violets and pinks that look like they would glow under a black light to deep ruby and blood-red.

14. Kalanchoe (Kalanchoideae)

About 125 species of these flowering tropical succulent plants grow natively in Madagascar and tropical parts of Africa. They feature broad, waxy, paddle-shaped leaves and bloom year-round with clusters of miniature flower blossoms in shades of red (of course), pink, orange, yellow, and white. The Kalanchoe pinnata is particularly well regarded for its small bell-shaped blooms and is also rich in meaning and symbolism. Fun fact: kalanchoe was one of the first plants ever sent to space.

15. Red Begonia (Begonia)

The Begonia genus contains about 1,800 perennial flowering plants that produce some pretty, impressive, showy blossoms that outshine their attractive, deep-green foliage. Begonia flowers grow in shades of yellow, orange, pink, white, and red. If you want to grow the prettiest varieties of red begonias, look for hybrids and cultivars of the Begonia semperflorens.

16. Triostar Stromanthe (Stromanthe sanguinea)

The triostar is no ordinary green houseplant. While it’s not recommended for beginner green thumbs, its beauty is truly worth the effort of giving this plant everything it needs to look its best. Like the tristar’s similar-looking cousins, calathea plants, triostars belong to the prayer plant family (Marantaceae), and its leaves fold upward at night and outward at sunrise.

However, this stunning red houseplant is most loved for its beautiful leaf patterns that feature bright green variegated with creamy splashes that glow pink with red-colored leaf undersides.

17. African Violets (Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia)

African violets are a favorite of plant enthusiasts and houseplant collectors everywhere. They’re relatively easy to grow once you get the hang of it, and countless cultivars and hybrids are available, offering endless variety and beauty. While purple, pink, and white varieties are popular, red African violets are stunning, like the Visavi and Vega African violets.

18. Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)

Hippeastrum is a genus containing about 90 species and more than 600 hybrids/cultivars of flowering bulbous plants. This genus is classified under the Amaryllidoideae plant family, and its members are often sold and referred to as Amaryllis flowers.

However, Amaryllis is a separate genus of flowers. In addition to Amaryllis, hippeastrums are also commonly called Christmas roses, fire lilies, and Barbados lilies. Despite the confusion around naming conventions, hippeastrum flowers are lovely to grow and can commonly be found in gorgeous forced bulb vases around the holidays.

19. Persian Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum)

Persian cyclamen is a species of flowering perennial native to Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Southern Turkey, in addition to particular regions of Northern Africa and a few Greek islands. These lovely red houseplants start blooming in autumn and don’t stop until late spring. It has shooting star-shaped flowers and a rosette of pretty, heart-shaped leaves.

20. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Thought to bring good luck, Aglaonema (commonly called Chinese evergreens) is a group of perennial flowering plants widely recognized for their attractive foliage. The foliage and stalks of different varietals feature silver, white, or red washes and markings. Mature plants flower and produce red berries.

21. Air Plant (Tillandsia ionantha)

Tillandsia ionantha, or commonly known as the Air Plant, belongs to the bromeliad family and is native to Central America. They are epiphytic, meaning they draw moisture and nutrients from the air. The plant takes on a vibrant red hue when it’s about to bloom.

22. Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans)

The Lipstick Plant, native to the humid tropics of Southeast Asia, is known for its trailing vines and bright red tubular flowers, resembling a lipstick tube. Its shiny, dark green leaves further accentuate the flowers’ brilliance.

23. Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)

Originating from Madagascar, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a popular succulent known for its vibrant flowers, which can come in red, orange, pink, or white. The thick, rich green leaves serve as a water reserve for these popular types of red houseplants.

24. Red Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum)

Sempervivum, commonly known as Hens and Chicks, hail from the mountain regions of Europe and Morocco. They form rosettes, which multiply quickly. The “hen” is the central rosette, and the “chicks” are the offspring.

25. Firestorm (Sedum adolphii)

A native to Mexico, Sedum adolphii ‘Firestorm’ is a succulent with green leaves with red-tipped edges. With enough sunlight, the red intensifies, and these red houseplants make an attractive addition to any succulent collection.

Select the Best Red Houseplant for Your Home

Before choosing any red houseplants, consider the plant’s toxicity, if you have pets or small children in your home. Next, evaluate your home’s environmental conditions – average temperature, humidity, and sunlight – to ensure your red houseplant has what it needs to look its best.