20 Purple and Green Plants to Add a Vibrant Burst of Color to Your Garden (2024)

Gardening

Perennials

• 01 of 20

  Persian Shield

  

  Persian shield is a popular choice among gardeners, and is beloved for its iridescent leaves colored with bright purple, green and silver. It adds a dramatic affect to any garden.

  • Name:Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:8-11
  • Flower Color: Purple
  • Light:Full sun, partial sun
  • Soil Needs: Rich, moist
  • Water: 1 inch per week
    
  • Mature Size:18-36 inches tall, 18-24 inches wide

• 02 of 20

  Coleus

  

  There are more than 300 different coleus varieties, with striking foliage that comes in a wide selection of colors and patterns. Many have purple coloring on their leaves, which can be accented by pink, red, or green hues. For coleus plants with mostly purple and green in their leaves, look for varieties like ColorBlaze Wicked Witch, Wizard Mosaic, and El Brighto.

  • Name:Coleus (Plectranthusscutellarioides)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:10-11
  • Flower Color: White, blue
  • Light:Partial sun to partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining
  • Water: Keep soil consistently moist, allowing it to dry out between waterings
    
  • Mature Size:6-36 inches tall and wide

• 03 of 20

  Iron Cross

  

  Iron cross, also known as the good luck plant, is a bulbous perennial that produces leaves that at the center have a dark purple shape that resembles the iron cross symbol.

  • Name:Iron cross, good luck plant (Oxalis tetraphylla)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:7-10
  • Flower Color: Pink
  • Light:Bright indirect to bright direct
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining
  • Water: Average
  • Mature Size:6-12 inches tall, 4-6 inches wide

• 04 of 20

  Purple Passion

  

  This unique and colorful houseplant has fuzzy, dark green leaves that are densely covered in violet hairs. The purple leaf color becomes more pronounced when exposed to bright light, so make sure you find the right spot in your home for it.
  

  • Name:Purple passion, velvet plant (Gynura aurantiaca)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:10-11
  • Flower Color: Orange
  • Light:Moderate to bright indirect light
  • Soil Needs: Well-draining
  • Water: Allow soil to dry between waterings, careful not to get leaves wet
  • Mature Size:6-8 inches tall, 15-20 inches wide

  See Also

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• 05 of 20

  Purple Waffle Plant

  

  This vibrant plant has purple-tinted green leaves that have a crinkly look, almost resembling a waffle—hence its name. It makes for an easy-care houseplant and a colorful addition to an outdoor garden.

  • Name:Purple waffle plant (Hemigraphis alternata)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:10-12
  • Flower Color: White
  • Light:Bright indirect light
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining
  • Water: Keep soil constantly moist
  • Mature Size:8 inches tall

• 06 of 20

  Zygopetalum Orchid

  

  Zygopetalumorchids have fragrant, long-lasting, beautiful flowers with multicolored deep purple and green leaves.

  • Name:Zygopetalum orchid (Zygopetalum)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:9-10
  • Flower Color: Blue, red, purple, white
  • Light:Partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Light, porous
  • Water: Regularly
  • Mature Size:3-18 inches tall, 6-24 inches wide

• 07 of 20

  Boat Lily

  

  Boat lily is an evergreen perennial with linear striped leaves with purple undersides. This low-maintenance plant is easy to grow by seed, division, or stem cutting. Grow it in a container indoors or plant outdoors.

  • Name:Boat lily, oyster plant, Moses in a basket, Moses-in-the-cradle (Tradescantia spathacea)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:9-11
  • Flower Color: White
  • Light:Full sun, partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Loamy, moist, well-draining
  • Water: Dry out between waterings; cut back on water during winter
    
  • Mature Size:6-12 inches tall, 1-2 feet wide
    

• 08 of 20

  Inch Plant

  

  A member of the spiderwort family, inch plant has oval-shaped leaves with stripes of either light or dark purple. Thanks to its trailing growth habit, it thrives in hanging baskets.

  • Name:Inch plant, zebra plant, silver inch plant, wandering dude (Tradescantia zebrina)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:8-12
  • Flower Color: White, purple
  • Light:Partial sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-draining, moist
  • Water: Keep soil consistently moist
  • Mature Size:2-3 feet tall and wide

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• 09 of 20

  Purple Heart

  

  Purple heart, also known as purple spiderwort, is a vining plant known for its purple-green stems and leaves and small flower clusters. It can be grown as an annual, as a houseplant, and is perennial in zones where it's hardy.

  • Name:Purple heart, purple spiderwort, purple secretia, purple queen (Tradescantia pallida)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:7-11
  • Flower Color: Pink
  • Light:Full to partial sun
  • Soil Needs: Loamy, sandy, clay, silt, moist, well-draining
  • Water: At least once weekly
  • Mature Size:1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet wide

• 10 of 20

  Calathea White Fusion

  

  Calathea 'White Fusion' is a gorgeous tropical plant with leaves that have green and white markings and an underside with deep purple hues. It's a striking addition to any room.

  • Name:Calathea 'White Fusion' (Calathea lietzei)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:11b-12b
  • Flower Color: Yellow, purple, white
  • Light:Partial sun
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining
  • Water: Keep soil consistently moist
  • Mature Size:2 feet tall

• 11 of 20

  Green Spice Coral Bells

  

  The Heuchera species is full of varieties that produce beautiful foliage. Look for the Green Spice coral bells variety, which has deep purple veins running through its silvery leaves.

  • Name:'Green Spice' coral bells (Heuchera 'Green Spice')
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:4-9
  • Flower Color: White
  • Light:Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Well-draining
  • Water: Regularly
  • Mature Size:1-2 feet tall and wide

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• 12 of 20

  Echeveria Perle Von Nurnberg

  

  This sprightly succulent is well-loved for its pinkish-purplish tones that fade into lower pale green leaves. It grows well without much maintenance and propagates easily from leaves or stems.

  • Name:Perle von Nurnberg (Echeveria gibbiflora'Metallica' ×E. elegans)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:10+
  • Flower Color: Pink
  • Light:Bright indirect
  • Soil Needs: Well-draining
  • Water: Deeply when the soil is completely dry
  • Mature Size:3-5 inches tall, 6-8 inches wide

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• 13 of 20

  Fringe Flower

  

  Fringe flower, also known as Chinese fringe flower, is a small shrub or tree with foliage that can change throughout the year, ranging from a dark reddish purple to deep green.

  • Name:Fringe flower, Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:7-9
  • Flower Color: Pink, red, white
  • Light:Full to partial sun
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining
  • Water: Frequently when young
  • Mature Size:6-8 feet tall, 6-8 feet wide

• 14 of 20

  Black Magic Taro

  

  The tropical 'Black Magic' taro plant produces long-stalked, heart-shaped leaves that are smoky and purplish with green undertones. The leaves point downwards and love water. In addition to containers, they can be planted around ponds or streams in up to six inches of standing water.

  • Name:Black magic taro, elephant ears (Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:8-10
  • Light:Partial sun, partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Moist
  • Water: Regular
  • Mature Size:3-6 feet tall, 3-6 feet wide

• 15 of 20

  Purple Tatsoi

  

  Tatsoi is a leafy green member of the Brassica family that is popular throughout Asia. It's a versatile vegetable that comes in different colors, including a striking purple-leafed variety with bright green veins and stems.
  

  • Name:Purple tatsoi, rosette bok choy (Brassica narinosa)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:4-7
  • Flower Color: Yellow
  • Light:Partial to full sun
  • Soil Needs: Rich, well-draining
  • Water: 1 inch of water per week
  • Mature Size:12 inches tall

• 16 of 20

  Ornamental Cabbage

  

  Although they are in the same category as their edible cabbage cousins, ornamental cabbages have been bred for their looks, not flavor. Their textured leaves have iridescent purple, pink, and green hues, and thanks to the plant's hardiness, are a striking addition to any garden.

  • Name:Ornamental cabbage (Brassica oleracea)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:2-11
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Rich, loamy, well-draining
  • Water: 1 inch of water per week
  • Mature Size:12-18 inches tall and wide

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• 17 of 20

  Purple Shiso

  

  Purple shiso, also known as perilla or beefsteak plant, is beloved for its showy purple and green edible leaves. In the kitchen, it's treated as an herb similar in flavor to basil or anise, adding a bright freshness to dishes.

  • Name:Purple shiso, perilla, beefsteak (Perilla frutescens)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:10-11
  • Flower Color: White
  • Light:Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining
  • Water: 1 inch of water per week
  • Mature Size:1-3 feet tall, 12-18 inches wide

• 18 of 20

  Red Russian Kale

  

  Off the 150 kale varieties available, red Russian kale is perhaps one of the most eye-catching. Its mild, tender dark-green leaves are lightly tinged with purple-pink veins and edges, making it a colorful addition to any salad.

  • Name:Red Russian kale (Brassica napus 'Red Russian')
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:6-9
  • Flower Color: Gold, yellow
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Loamy
  • Water: 1 to 1.5 inches per week
  • Mature Size:12-18 inches tall, 1-2 feet wide

• 19 of 20

  Dark Opal Basil

  

  This purplish basil cultivar has mottled foliage with both green and purple pigmentation, and is just as flavorful as the sweet green basil variety you're used to.

  • Name:Dark opal basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Dark Opal')
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:9-11
  • Flower Color: Purple, white
  • Light:Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil Needs: Loamy, well-draining
  • Water: 1 inch of water per week
  • Mature Size:16-18 inches tall

• 20 of 20

  Weigela van Gogh

  

  Weigela bushes are longtime favorites for good reason—they grow well, have vibrant foliage, and produce flowers that attract pollinators to your garden. This van Gogh variety has variated leaves with purple and green hues, adding an elegant pop of color to any landscape.

  • Name:Weigela bush, weigela florida (Weigela florida 'van Gogh')
  • USDA Hardiness Zones:4-8
  • Flower Color: Pink
  • Light:Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining
  • Water: Consistent, deep waterings
  • Mature Size:6-10 feet tall, 9-12 feet wide