Everybody loves plants, especially exotic, stunning ones. With the growing popularity of plants over the years and a keen interest in the unusually colored ones, every second person wants at least one in their house. But what if one isn’t enough? And what if you specifically love purple plants? Then, don’t worry. There are plenty of beautiful purple plants to go around, and they come from all different parts of the world.
If you want to create your own personal jungle or garden in your home, it’s really quite simple. Here, we will go through some of the best purple houseplants you can use to create an exotic indoor garden. Some plants might be easier to find than others, but they are all just as intriguing and appealing. Interested? Keep reading to learn about the 25 best exotic purple plants you can use to build your garden of paradise.
North American Plants
Purple Heart
The upper leaves and stems of the Purple Heart are a beautiful, deep royal shade of purple with bits of turquoise, which darkens as the plant and its foliage gets older. When in bloom, you can see small clusters of vivid pink flowers. These flowers stay open in the morning during the warm season and bring that little more color to your home.
The Purple Heart does well in neutral soil, or loamy sand, and benefits from monthly fertilizing during its growing season. You will not have to worry too much about pests for this plant, as it has no known common pests or problems associated with the species.
Family – Commelinacaea
Size / height – up to 1 ½ feet / 45cm high
Origin – Eastern Mexico
Light preference – prefers full sun but can do well in partial shade
Watering preference – enjoys a generous amount of water during the dry and hot periods
Humidity preference – around 40%
Temperature preference – 65-80°F / 18-27°C but no colder than 50°F / 10°C
South American Plants
Prayer Plant
The Prayer Plant has stunning foliage with purple-brown colors. The wide leaves fold up during the night, which gives the plant its name. This tropical perennial is not only eye-catching for its folding leaves, but also for its odd texture, which is velvet-like.
Because of its preference for high humidity climates, this plant will benefit from being misted daily if you are not in a humid place. It does well in acidic, loam, sand and peat moss and should be fertilized every two weeks from early spring to fall using a 10-10-10 formula. The Prayer plant’s leaf tips will become brown, then it is improperly watered or given the wrong light.
Family – Marantaceae
Size / height – up to 12 inches / 30 cm
Origin – Brazil
Light preference – bright light and indirect sun
Watering preference – this plant enjoys its soil being constantly moist during the spring and summer months and benefits from reduced water intake in the winter
Humidity preference – moderately high humidity
Temperature preference – 65-70°F / 18-21°C but no colder than 50°F / 10°C
Rex Begonia
The Rex begonia is a stunning spectrum of colors including purples, pinks, blacks and silvers. There are a number of stripes and patterns that you can find these plants decorated with, making them great pieces for an eye-catching decoration. These plants are perfect options for houseplants, not only because of their dashing looks, but because they are so easy to take care of.
This plant will benefit from getting a diluted organic feed for its fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during its growing season. Soil-wise, these begonias enjoy rich, light potting mix to grow the best, but can experience a number of natural problems. These problems include mealybugs, which can be removed with cotton pads soaked in alcohol.
Family – Begoniaceae
Size / height – up to 18 inches / 45cm
Origin – Brazil
Light preference – This begonia does well in moderate and bright sun, but will not do well in shaded areas
Watering preference – weekly watering is beneficial to this plant as the soil should never dry out too much
Humidity preference – This plant enjoys humidity levels of around 50%
Temperature preference – The best temperature for this plant is between 65-75°F / 18-24°C but no lower than 58°F / 14°C.
Begonia Maori Haze
Begonia Maori Haze are beautiful plants with striking purple leaves with various patterns on them. They are unscented and, as a cherry on top, evergreen. Being evergreen makes them the ultimate centerpiece in your home, as it will look incredible all year-round.
Because this plant enjoys high humidities, it is beneficial to mist it frequently. On top of that, this begonia will do well in slightly acidic soil and fertilizing only during the growing season. One of the problems that this begonia encounters is that of powdery mildew, which can be treated using a fungicide.
Family – Begoniaceau
Size / height – up to 2 feet / 60cm
Origin – Brazil
Light preference – Indirect sun is perfect for this plant
Watering preference – This plant does not require a lot of water during the winter months but does well with regular watering in the growing season or summer months
Humidity preference – This plant enjoys high levels of humidity
Temperature preference – The begonia will do well in temperatures of 72°F / 22°C during the day and around 64°F / 17°C during the night. Temperatures below this may cause damage to the plant, and it will likely to die
Oxalis Plants
These plants have unique pinwheel shaped leaves and stunning blossoms. They come in various colors, but the purple plant has small flowers and beautiful, delicate foliage. This makes the Oxalis plant a great choice for indoor growth, as it can truly be appreciated. They are often grown in containers so that viewers can see that the little leaves close at night and will only ever open in environments that are partially shaded.
Because this plant enjoys moderate humidity levels, it benefits from occasionally being misted. They do well in well-drained, rich potting mix and will benefit from being fertilized every 2-3 weeks. These plants may experience issues with mildew as well as white spots on its leaves because of overexposure to the sun and sunburn.
Family – Oxalidaceae
Size / height – up to 10 inches / 25cm
Origin – Brazil
Light preference – This plant does very well in partial shade
Watering preference – The Oxalis plant enjoys very light watering every two weeks, as the soil must never become soggy or water-clogged
Humidity preference – Moderate humidity levels are perfect for this plant
Temperature preference – This plant thrives in temperatures between 60-70°F / 15-21°C but will not tolerate temperatures cold enough for frost to form
Calathea Rattlesnake
The Calathea rattlesnake plant has beautiful white veins that flow against its vivid purple leaves. This plant is a very attractive plant no matter where you put it and has both beautiful leaves and stems.
As this plant thrives in high-humidity climates, misting is required frequently if you live in a dry climate/ It benefits from being in well-drained perlite and peat potting mix and fertilized with a high-iron formula every month in the months between spring and fall. A common issue experienced with this plant is the curling of the leaves, due to low humidity around it and infrequent misting.
Family – Maranteceae
Size / height – up to 30 inches / 76 cm
Origin – Brazil
Light preference – This plant will do well in low to medium light
Watering preference – Watering should be done regularly in the hotter months and reduced in the winter
Humidity preference – this plant enjoy high humidity climates
Temperature preference – the ideal temperature for this plant is between 65-85°F / 18-29°C, but no lower than 64°F / 17°C.
Central American Plants
Sweet Caroline Potato Vine
This plant is seen to be one of the most attractive and versatile of the houseplants. Its rich purple foliage makes it a well-loved classic that can be seen and enjoyed year-round.
This potato vine does will in any type of soil but does require a 20-20-20 fertilizing formula, preferably monthly. Unfortunately, this plant does attract a multitude of pests, including weevils, aphids, whitefly, and beetles. To combat these issues, use neem oil on the plant or use a plant-based insecticide.
Family – Convolvulaceae
Size / height – up to 4 feet / 122cm / 1.2 meters
Origin – Tropical America
Light preference – This plant enjoys partial sun and shade, so it will not do well in direct sunlight or full shade
Watering preference – Watering should happy daily only if the soil feels dry in the morning
Humidity preference – This plant prefers moderate humidity levels of around 40%
Temperature preference – The sweet Caroline potato vine does the best in temperatures above 85°F / 29°C or above, and will not do well in temperatures below 70°F / 21°C.
Elephant Ear
This plant, also known as angel wings, is a flowering plant that has large foliage with different kinds of patterns. There are a number of shapes the leaves can come in, including lances, arrows or hears, making this plant fascinating no matter the variation.
As this plant does well in moderate to high humidities, misting may be required in order to keep it healthy and at its best. Furthermore, this plant needs well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. A 5-5-10 fertilizer formula should be applied every month during its growing season to keep it healthy. Thankfully, there are no known common issues that that plant experiences, making it easy to care for.
Family – Arum
Size / height – up to 2 feet / 60cm
Origin – Central and South America
Light preference – This plant enjoys 3-4 hours of unfiltered light per day in order to be at its best health
Watering preference – The soil should be kept moist during this plant’s growing season
Humidity preference – The elephant ear enjoys generously humid conditions of around 50% or higher
Temperature preference – The ideal temperature for this plant is around 70°F / 21°C during the day and 60°F / 15°C or above at night
Wandering Jew
The wandering Jew is a fantastic purple-striped plant that has violet or white small petal blooms. This is a popular choice for houseplants and are easy to come by. Before maturity, this plant required a large amount of attention, including regular watering and fertilizing, in order to keep it healthy and growing. The work is well worth it, though, as you will be rewarded with silver and green markings on the top leaves and dark purple on their underside.
This plant does well in slightly moist potting mix and benefits from half-strength liquid feed for its fertilizer. Some common problems that is plant experiences include aphids, spider mites and fungus gnats. To treat these, use neem oil on the plant.
Family – Commelinaceae
Size / height – up to 6 feet / 182cm / 1.82 meters
Origin – Central America
Light preference – This plant does well in bright, indirect sunlight
Watering preference – The wandering Jew required regular watering, in its formative years
Humidity preference – This plant does well in regular humidity levels
Temperature preference – The ideal temperature for this plant is between 50-80°F / 10-36°C
Echeverias
Echeverias are beautiful flowering plants that have light purple leaves with waxy edges. They are one of the most popular plants of the rose-shaped succulents and are native to semidesert regions, so they enjoy hot weather and little water.
These plants require fast-draining perlite soil in order to thrive and no fertilizer. In, however, their growth appears to be stunted, cacti fertilizer should be used to remedy the situation. The only real problem that the plant experiences is wilted leaves due to poor watering, so timing the watering days is important.
Family – Crassulaceae
Size / height – up to 12 inches / 30cm
Origin – Central America
Light preference – This plant requires full sun in order to thrive
Watering preference – Watering every 10 days will be perfect for this plant to do well
Humidity preference – A 40% humidity is ideal for this plant
Temperature preference – Temperatures between 75 – 81°F / 24 and 27 °C are ideal for this plant
Asian Plants
Rubber Tree
The rubber tree is an immensely popular plant for many reasons. These plants start out with red leaves that turn purple as they mature over the months and years. The waxy leaves are an iconic part of this plant, as well as its size and overall appearance.
As this plant enjoys moderate to high humidity, misting during the summer months will help keep this plant healthy and looking its best. In terms of fertilizers, using a 10-10-10 formula will be a great benefit to it in the plant’s growing months. The ideal soil for the rubber tree is a well-aerated, sandy potting mix.
Family – Spurge
Size / height – up to 13 feet / 396cm / 3.9 meters
Origin – Southeast Asia
Light preference – This plant will thrive in indirect sunshine
Watering preference – In the warmer months weekly watering is ideal, but little watering is needed during the winter months
Humidity preference – This plant enjoys moderate to high humidity levels
Temperature preference – The ideal temperatures for this plant lie between 60-65°F / 15-18°C
Coleus
The Coleus is a plant that is usually grown outdoors but can look amazing indoors. It had vibrant purple leaves and a small structure, making it a lovely addition to any room or house.
Regular misting may be needed for this plant since it enjoy moderate to high humidity levels. For fertilizer, feeding the plant weekly will benefit its overall health, as will using a soil that is high in perlite and drains well. A common issue for this plant is overwatering, as this will cause the roots to rot and the plant will die.
Family – Lamiaceae
Size / height – up to 36 inches / 91cm
Origin – South East Asia and Australia
Light preference – This plant does well in medium shade as well as fun sun
Watering preference – Watering one or twice a day during the hot months is necessary, though this decreases during the cold months
Humidity preference – This plant thrives in moderate to high humidity levels
Temperature preference – These plants love temperatures between 70-100°F / 21-38°C
Ti Plant
The Ti plant is a purple-red colored plant with beautifully flamboyant foliage. The color from this plant makes it a great option if you have a room that needs a bit of color added into it. There are a number of varieties of this plant, and most feature bright leaves with stripes of dark and light purple.
This plant required high-nitrogen fertilizer and acidic soil in order to thrive. They do experience problems such as overwatering and overexposure to sunlight. Too much sunlight will cause the leaves to yellow, while overwatering will make the leaves drop.
Family – Asparagaceae
Size / height – up to 10 feet / 304cm / 3.04 meters
Origin – Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific Ocean Regions
Light preference – This plant does well in partial sun
Watering preference – The Ti plant enjoys frequent watering in small amounts
Humidity preference – The ideal humidity level for this plant is between 40-60%
Temperature preference – This plant thrives in temperatures between 65-95°F / 18-35°C but does not do well in temperatures below 60°F / 15°C, though they can handle brief dips in temperatures below 30°F / -1°C.
Purple Waffle Plant
The purple waffle plant, also known as red ivy, is a tropical perennial. It is a popular choice for a houseplant, as it’s metallic-toned purple colors are to die for. The purple color can be maintained by ensuring that this plant gets enough sunlight, or else its color will fade.
Because this plant does well in moderate and high humidity levels, misting should be done frequently. Using a slow-releasing fertilizer of 6-12-6 and potting it in slightly acidic and moist soil will keep this plant looking its best as it does not encounter any common problems.
Family – Acanthaceae
Size / height – up to 6 inches / 15cm
Origin – Asia
Light preference – Bright and medium light is perfect for this plant but no direct light as it will suffer
Watering preference – this plant requires regular watering
Humidity preference – This plant does will in moderate to high humidity levels
Temperature preference – The purple waffle plant will do well in temperatures between 55-80°F / 12-27°C but will not withstand temperatures below 40°F / 4°C for long before dying.
Purple Passion
The purple passion plant is unique in the way that it has beautiful fuzzy hairs on the velvety green foliage. Sunshine makes this plant come alive, and it has a habit of growing like a vine, so make sure that you have the perfect spot for it before you buy it.
Occasional misting may be required for this plant if you live in a dry country. During the months of spring to fall, this plant should be fertilized every two weeks to keep it healthy, and in the winter only once a month. Well draining perlite potting mix is ideal for this plant, though it will still be prone to attacks from pests such as aphids, mealybugs and spider mites, which can all be treated by spraying the plant with neem oil.
Family – Asteraceae
Size / height – up to 8 feet / 243cm / 2.43 meters
Origin – Southeast Asia
Light preference – This plant does well in medium to bright light but will not do well in direct sunlight or heavy shade
Watering preference – The soil of this plant must be kept moist but never sorry, so it requires infrequent watering year-round
Humidity preference – The purple passion does well in humidity levels between 40-60%
Temperature preference – The ideal temperature for this plant is between 75-85°F / 23-29°C but will die if the temperature reaches below 54°F / 12°C
Royal Purple Plant
The royal purple plant, or Persian shield, is seen to be one of the best plants out there if you love purple. This plant as shimmering purple and green foliage and flowers as well. It is a magnificent choice as an eye-catching ornamental piece.
Because this plant does well in high-humidity conditions, it will require frequent misting. It will do well in slightly acidic soil and half-strength balanced liquid fertilizer every second well in the spring and summer months. Common problems that this plant experiences is that of fungus gnats and spider mites. To treat this, neem oil should be applied to the plant.
Family – Acanthaceae
Size / height – up to 3 feet / 91cm
Origin – Myanmar
Light preference – This plant enjoys full sun as well as partial shade, but does not do well in fully shaded areas
Watering preference – The royal purple plant will benefit from being watered twice a week
Humidity preference – This plant does well in high humidity levels
Temperature preference – This plant will do well in tropical temperatures of around 65°F / 18°C or more, and will not do well in temperatures below 60°F / 15°C.
Chinese Evergreen
The Chinese evergreen is a household favorite. This plant comes in a number of colors and variations, including ones with stunning purple stripes. These plants are very easy to care for and will do well almost anywhere, so long as it is shaded.
During the spring and summer months, this plant will benefit from liquid fertilizer once a month. It will do well is well-drained and slightly acidic soil. This well draining soil will reduce the risk of the common problem of overwatering occurring, which will lead to the roots rotting.
Family – Araceae
Size / height – 10 inches / 25cm
Origin – China
Light preference – The Chinese evergreen does well in full to partial shade and not direct or strong sunlight
Watering preference – this plant must not be watered too much, only then its topsoil feels dry to the touch
Humidity preference – low humidity is ideal for this plant to thrive in
Temperature preference – This plant does well in temperatures between 70-85°F / 21-29°C but not below 55°F / 13°C
Iron-Cross Begonia
The Iron-cross begonia resembles the German iron-cross, hence its name, and has dark markings on its beautiful leaves. The leaves of this plant are coarse and have a pebbled texture, along with purple blooms when in season.
As this plant does well in high-humidity climates, frequent misting is required. A 10-10-5 formula is ideal for its fertilizing, which should happen once a month. Overwatering is a common issue for this plant, as too much water in the pot will cause the rooms to rot, causing mildew.
Family – Begoniaceae
Size / height – up to 18 inches / 45cm
Origin – Vietnam and China
Light preference – This plant is happy in bright and indirect sunlight and will not do well in direct sunlight
Watering preference – This begonia does well when it is watered every week but owners must ensure that the leaves of the plant are kept dry so that it does not become overcome by fungus growth
Humidity preference – high humidity levels are perfect for this plant
Temperature preference – temperatures between 65-75°F / 18-24°C are ideal for this plant, though it does not do well in temperatures below 55°F / 13°C
African Plants
Silver Squill
The Silver Squill is a bulbous species of perennial plant with a unique and odd foliage. Their leaves are a mottled green and silver, with purple colors throughout and stems. It is a stunning choice for decorating a house as its silver polka dots will surely catch anyone’s eye.
This plant requires liquid fertilizer only once and month during its growing season and does well in well-drained potting mix. It is another easy plant to care for as there an no known issues that it commonly experiences.
Family – Asparagaceae
Size / height – up to 10 inches / 25cm
Origin – South Africa
Light preference – This plant enjoys the shade and will not do well in bright or direct sunlight
Watering preference – Frequent watering is needed while the plant is young but as it matures it will need less water
Humidity preference – This plant does not do well in high humidities
Temperature preference – The Silver Squill does well in temperatures of 60°F / 15°C but no lower than 30°F / -1°C
Greenovia
The Greenovia is a beautiful succulent found on the Canary Islands, which is geographically part of Africa. These plants have circle-shaped petals in symmetrical patterns, making them truly eye-catching and unique. They are a rare species unless you live in the Canary Islands or Spain, but are worth it if you can get your hands on one.
This plant is extremely easy to care for if you can manage to get one. They do not require fertilizing and do well in gritty loam or sandy, fast draining soil. The only real issue that these plants experience is due to overwatering, so be sure not to water them too frequently or their leaves will turn yellow
Family – Crassulaceae
Size / height – up to 6 inches / 15 cm
Origin – Canary Islands
Light preference – this plant does very well in bright sunlight
Watering preference – only water this plant when the topsoil is dry
Humidity preference – The Greenovia is happy in humidities of around 40%
Temperature preference – This plant enjoys subtropical climates, so temperatures between 75-81°F / 24 – 27°C
Purple House Plants Conclusion
Plants are stunning, even if they aren’t purple, so why wouldn’t you want to make your own exotic garden in your home? Why not find some of these plants and try creating a purple jungle for yourself? I don’t think you will be disappointed.