27 Houseplants with Fun Foliage

No matter your style or design preferences, you can find a houseplant to match your home. If you love drama, there is a long list of black houseplants that fit the criteria. If you need something easy and no fuss, beginner houseplants are the go-to.

For those who appreciate a little more fun in their homes, tropical container plants do not disappoint. These 27 houseplants are the top choices for fun foliage. The variety in color, patterns, textures, and shapes offers endless opportunities for houseplant lovers to add to their collection.

Polka Dot Plant

The polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) packs a lot of fun into a small package. Named after the mottled pattern on the leaves, these plants feature patches of bright colors like pink, lime, and cream.

Polka dot plants catch the eye on their own but look even more dramatic when varieties of different colors are planted in the same container. Their small stature also makes them ideal for planting in terrariums to add a much-needed pop of color.

Nerve Plant

The nerve plant is quite similar to the polka dot plant in shape and stature despite being a completely different species (Fittonia spp.). The available colors are also similar but displayed in a different pattern. If polka dots aren’t your thing, this houseplant has fun foliage with a contrasting linear pattern along the veins that looks just like nerves, hence the name.

Restricting the pot size can keep your nerve plant compact. But they can spread out quite quickly in the right conditions, making them ideal for potting into larger containers as well.

Croton

If bright colors and interesting patterns are your idea of fun foliage, croton is another houseplant that adds a unique flair. These leaves are so vivid they are almost blinding, featuring shades of bright green, orange, red, pink, and yellow.

Unfortunately, these perks come at a cost. Crotons are not the easiest plants for beginners to manage, as they have a tendency to drop their leaves. But if you keep conditions consistent and limit movement, they’ll look good year-round.

Pinstripe Calathea

There are many Calathea species with fun foliage to choose from, depending on your houseplant design preferences. For plenty of stripes, Calathea ornata is my go-to and one of the most popular calatheas you’ll find. The dark green leaves provide the ideal backdrop for subtle pink pinstripes, highlighted by the glossy sheen over the top.

Calatheas do have a reputation for being dramatic, especially when it comes to watering. My pinstripe calathea seems like it starts to droop the second I turn my head. Keep them in a visible area to ensure you never miss a watering. This will also ensure you can enjoy the fun foliage up close.

Prayer Plant

While calatheas are sometimes called prayer plants, this is also the common name of Maranta leuconeura, a tropical species with leaves that almost look fake. This houseplant’s foliage is definitely fun, with a contrasting center, gradients of green, and stripes that run along the sides in cream or pink.

Maranta leuconeura is known as the prayer plant after the leaf movement. You won’t see them moving at a glance, but if you watch them throughout the day, you’ll notice the leaves shifting with the sun—another element of fun to look forward to.

Philodendron ‘Birkin’

Philodendron ‘Birkin’ is another stripey plant sporting green foliage and cream stripes covering the leaves. While the pattern on prayer plant leaves is quite uniform, ‘Birkin’ pinstripes are different, meaning each leaf that emerges looks unique.

Philodendrons are beloved by beginners for their tolerance of neglect. ‘Birkin’ does match this characteristic but is slightly fussier about light if you want the leaves to retain their exciting coloring. Give them a spot with bright indirect light and you should have no trouble growing this plant.

Philodendron Micans

Philodendron micans is another member of the Philodendron genus and one of my absolute favorites. It’s a little easier to find compared to ‘Birkin,’ but it is no less beautiful.

The fun in this houseplant’s foliage comes from the shimmery glow you’ll see when the sunlight hits the leaves, hence the specific epithet micans. The leaves are a deep green with a burgundy hue and look like they are packed with glitter in the right lighting conditions. The vines are great for cascading in front of bright windows where you can enjoy the shimmer in the leaves up close.

Chinese Evergreen

Plants in the Aglaonema genus are commonly known as Chinese evergreens. These tropical plants are most appreciated for their ease of care. They easily tolerate low moisture and reduced light levels. Still, these houseplants offer plenty of ornamental value, with bright foliage in a range of fun patterns.

Most Chinese evergreens have green foliage, with splashes of cream or silver that create interesting shapes on the leaves. You can also find varieties with touches of red or pink in the foliage if you’re looking for a pop of color.

Dumb Cane

Dumb canes are also beloved for their low-maintenance nature, ideal for those tougher areas in your home where fussy plants die off quickly. The bright green leaves have patches of cream or lime in the center, creating a fun pattern that’s bound to catch your eye.

Do not eat this plant! Its common name, dumbcane, comes from the toxic sap within the plant, causing an inability to speak when ingested. It is not be ideal to keep around pets or children, but it’s perfect for people looking for fun foliage.

Snake Plant

Snake plants are a beginner houseplant staple, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, for the long and pointed leaf shape. This structure alone creates fun foliage, with different houseplant Dracaena species sporting long and flat, curled, or even cylindrical leaves. But the variegation patterns also add to the whimsy of this plant in bright greens, creams, and yellows.

One of the major benefits of growing snake plants is that they’re incredibly easy to propagate. Grow new plants from pups, single leaves, or divisions to expand your collection.

Dragon Tree

Another member of the Dracaena genus, Dracaena marginata is commonly known as the dragon tree. It has thick stems and long, pointed leaves that create a unique, structural shape. Although the standard species is stunning, the fun foliage comes from the colorful cultivars, sporting stripes of pink and green along the leaf margins.

Dragon trees store water in the stems, meaning you don’t need to water too often to keep them happy. Underwatering is better than overwatering, as this can lead to rot.

Polka Dot Begonia

Begonia maculata is one of the most recognizable begonias grown indoors, beloved by houseplant collectors. The common name says it all—the leaves feature large polka dots of different sizes in a bright white. The red hues on the leaf undersides also add to the fun, along with the unique wing shape.

If you want the leaves to look their best, aim for a spot with bright indirect light and give them plenty of water. Exposure to direct sun for long periods will scorch the leaves, impacting the pattern.

Rex Begonia

Another begonia species commonly grown indoors is Begonia rex. These plants are famous for their colorful and patterned leaves, offering plenty of fun in texture and shape, too. This is another plant that looks almost unreal, and once you have one variety, it’s hard not to want them all.

Like the polka dot begonia, rex begonias appreciate plenty of moisture. However, you need to ensure they are planted in well-draining soil and in a container with drainage holes to prevent issues with root rot.

Purple Velvet

Gynura aurantiaca is commonly known as purple velvet or purple passion plant, and it’s easy to see why. The foliage has a fascinating purple glow around it, thanks to textured fuzz. The result is green leaves with a purple sheen, depending on how the light hits the plant.

These vines are ideal for hanging baskets and cascading over the sides of containers. To watch the leaves shine, I would hang them close to a window but slightly away from the direct sun’s path. They do wilt quickly, so make sure to keep up with watering.

Venus Fly Trap

Any list of fun foliage would be incomplete without carnivorous plants. The fun not only comes from the fascinating shape and color of the traps (which are technically modified leaves), but also the fact that they catch bugs, ridding your home of unwanted pests and keeping your plants alive at the same time.

The Venus fly trap is one of the most iconic carnivorous plants. Originating from bogs, they prefer consistently moist soil and bright indirect light to do what they do best.

Pitcher Plant

Pitcher plants are my favorite carnivorous plants, an ideal “next step” for those who have mastered venus fly trap care. The pitcher-shaped traps are incredibly eye-catching (for humans just as much as they are to bugs) in various colors and patterns that scream fun.

Pitcher plant care is a little more involved than some beginner-friendly plants on this list. Before purchasing one, ensure you’re prepared to give them regular attention and understand their growth habit.

Zebra Alocasia

One of the first alocasias I purchased was Alocasia zebrina, aptly named the zebra alocasia. I avoided alocasias for a long time because of their fussy reputations, but once I saw the patterned stems of this fascinating variety, I knew I had to have it.

The long, arching stems of this plant bring a sense of drama wherever they are placed. That shape, unfortunately, also means the stems are prone to falling over when the plant is under or overwatered. Maintain consistent soil moisture and don’t overdo it to keep the stems strong.

Stingray Alocasia

At first glance, the stems of the stingray alocasia look very similar to the zebra alocasia. But what makes this variety stand out is the shape of the leaves. The wide foliage pinches in at the base and has a long tail at the tip, creating the shape of a stingray.

Like other alocasias, regular watering is essential to keep the leaves upright and strong. High humidity locations are also helpful to replicate the tropical environments these plants are used to.

Alocasia Dragon Scale

Dragon scale is another standout alocasia species perfect for collectors of fun foliage. The common name comes from the pattern and texture of the leaves that look just like dragon scales. This is emphasized by the color, with patches of lighter green that fade to a silvery shade over time.

To make the dark edges of the foliage stand out, pair this plant with a darker container. This will also create greater contrast with the lighter patches of green, emphasizing both hues.

Spotted Cast Iron Plant

The cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) is named after its tough and robust nature. This is one of those houseplants people say is almost impossible to kill, handling neglect and suboptimal conditions with ease. The long, strappy leaves also fit well into any home, no matter the style.

If you want fun foliage, the spotted cast iron plant is the one to choose. You may also see it labeled ‘Milky Way’ after the tiny dots that look like stars on the leafy green backdrop.

Triostar

The triostar stromanthe is famous online for its variegated leaves, sporting splashes of green, cream, and pink in mixed patterns. The pink variegation is the most beloved characteristic (especially for pink houseplant lovers), but the overall shape and fact that no two leaves look the same mean this is a must-have in your fun foliage collection.

To maintain their color, you must ensure the plants have enough energy to keep pushing out new leaves. Place the pot in an area with a full day of bright indirect light. Avoid areas with direct sun as this may scorch the sensitive leaves.

Hoya Krimson Queen

The Hoya genus is vast, filled with interesting species that grow wonderfully indoors. ‘Krimson Queen’ is a cultivar of the popular Hoya carnosa, known for its large patches of variegation. These leaves are largely green, with cream sections that have a slight pink tinge to them.

Hoyas store water in their thick and lush leaves, meaning you don’t need to water as often as some other houseplants. However, that also makes them prone to problems in cases of overwatering, so it’s better to let the soil dry out a little before watering again.

String of Turtles

Peperomia prostrata is an adorable, compact plant ideal for smaller spaces or popping into terrariums. It is commonly known as string of turtles, with long vines and rounded leaves with the pattern of a turtle shell. They even produce tall flower spikes like other peperomias in the right environments.

As small as the leaves are, they do hold onto some moisture, so don’t worry about missing a watering or two. Plant in well-draining soil, as the roots don’t like to be waterlogged.

String of Dolphins

Another member of the string succulents group, string of dolphins (Curio × peregrinus) has exciting foliage. The cascading vines have collections of dolphin-shaped leaves running along them, looking like they are just jumping out of the water.

These plants have a tendency to look sparse when they aren’t placed in the right light levels, along with other members of the Curio genus. I like to give them a few hours of gentle morning sun for a boost of energy, keeping them protected from harsh midday and afternoon rays.

Flaming Sword Bromeliad

Bromeliads are always bright and fun, but if you’re looking for fun foliage in particular, the flaming sword is ideal. Scientifically known as Vriesea splendens, the leaves of this bromeliad have a striped light and dark green pattern to complement the colorful flower in the center.

One of the major benefits of growing these plants indoors is that they are considered safe for pets. No need to worry about keeping pots out of reach or accidental nibbles.

Ponytail Palm

I always say the ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) looks like something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book, with curly narrow leaves that fall over a bloated trunk. This gives the whole plant a whimsical look bound to catch the eye, no matter where it’s placed.

Ponytail palms are ideal for filling empty corners in your home. They grow slowly but can reach several feet tall in the right conditions and containers. Be careful not to overwater, as the base can quickly rot in soggy conditions.

Crocodile Fern

Ferns are always stunning additions to any houseplant collection, but they’re not necessarily fun. However, that’s certainly not the case with the crocodile fern (Microsorum musifolium). The green fronds of this fern have a unique texture and pattern that looks just like crocodile skin.

These ferns can be quite fussy and not ideal starter plants for beginners. They require a spot with relatively high humidity (above 50%) and regular watering to thrive.