34 Variegated Houseplants With Beautiful Leaf Patterns

Variegated houseplants can add character to just about any indoor garden. Some varieties of variegated indoor plants are also highly sought after due to the rarity of the species, and their unique looks. In this article, we take a look at our favorite indoor plants with variegated leaves, with names and pictures of each!

variegated houseplants

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Houseplants with variegated leaves are some of the most stunning and unique plants you can have in your home. They feature varying shades of greens, whites, reds, and other bright colors that will leave you in awe. Some variegated houseplants are highly sought after due to their rarity, also making them a little pricier.

While some of the more rare variegated indoor plants can be considered collector’s plants, there are plenty that are budget-friendly and can add plenty of intrigue to your indoor garden. Many variegated houseplants are also low maintenance, making them a great option for new houseplant owners.

So, where do you start? We’ve hand picked some of our favorite indoor plants with beautiful variegated leaf patterns. Keep on reading to find in-depth information on our favorites to add to your indoor garden, with names and pictures of each!

Aglaonema pictum ‘Tricolor’

Aglaonema pictum tricolor
Aglaonema prefers wide pots to allow the roots to spread.

Aglaonema pictum tricolor is an excellent variegated indoor houseplant for beginners and experienced plant owners. They’re beautiful and have a variety of patterns on their leaves. The artistic appearance of dark and light green makes them look lavish and like they require a lot of work when in fact, they’re easy to care for.

These houseplants are low maintenance, only requiring you to water them whenever the top soil is getting dry. Use your finger to test this and then add enough water to make it moist again. Be sure not to overwater it.

Since they don’t need direct sunlight, they’re perfect for bedrooms, kitchens, coffee tables, and anywhere that won’t fry its leaves.

Pilea cadierei

Pilea cadierei
Aluminum plant has spectacular elongated oval leaf blades.

An easy-to-please variegated houseplant is the aluminum plant. It gets its name from the silver pattern on the leaves, which resemble aluminum. It can’t be placed on a windowsill because it doesn’t like direct sunlight, but make sure it has bright indirect light.

Having indirect sunlight will not only keep it thriving but also allow the beauty of the silver pattern to impress anyone in the room.

While caring for the plant is relatively simple, the roots are known to break pots when they need more room to grow, so you’ll need to watch this plant regularly.

Polyscias scutellaria ‘Balfourii’

Polyscias Scutellaria' Balfourii'
The soil in the pot should be moderately moist.

The balfour aralia is found on many continents and grows surprisingly well indoors. The leaves are lacy, shiny, and feature subtle hints of light green and white shades.

Like other indoor houseplants, the balfour aralia doesn’t like direct sunlight. You’ll need to keep it away from window sills and within temperatures between 65 and 80°F (18-27°C). One of the best parts about having this plant in your home is that you don’t need to water it often.

Philodendron ‘Birkin’

Philodendron 'Birkin'
Keep an eye on the condition of the soil and do not forget that Philodendron Birkin loves slightly moist soil.

A newer variegated houseplant that you will want to get your hands on is the Philodendron ‘Birkin‘. Often just called birkin, this beautiful green plant features subtle yellow or white markings that almost look like an artist painted them on the leaves.

Some birkins have more white or yellow than others, but even if you get one with fewer colors, it’s still a fantastic plant that will look great in your home. Birkins look great on coffee tables, kitchens, or anywhere they can receive indirect sunlight.

Ficus pumila ‘Variegata’

Ficus pumila variegata
Creeping fig is one of the most beautiful creeping shrubs with small leaves.

Variegated creeping figs have leaves with white edges and a dark green base. Many people have creeping figs outside their homes and allow the vines to grow on the walls, but they’re small enough that you can keep them as great indoor plants.

The best part about this plant is that you can hang it in the corner of your room, or place it where it eventually will climb.

These plants work well in almost all areas of your home. Keep them out of direct sunlight and not too close to anywhere too cold like an air conditioning unit.

Codiaeum variegatum

Codiaeum-variegatum
The soil in the Croton pot should be constantly moist.

The croton is native to Australia, Indonesia, and other Asian countries, but it makes a great indoor houseplant.

This plant is a larger houseplant with stunning deep red, orange, and yellow shades. The leaves are broad and take up quite a bit of space, so it’s best to ensure you have enough room for them before purchasing this plant.

The croton can tolerate small amounts of direct sunlight, but keeping it where it gets indirect light is best. Depending on your indoor conditions, you’ll need to water it daily or weekly. Check for dry soil before watering.

Cryptanthus zonatus

Cryptanthus zonatus
Cryptanthus needs regular watering with warm, soft, settled water at room temperature.

Cryptanthus is yet another fascinating variegated indoor houseplant you may want to consider adding to your collection.

It can stay small but also reach heights of three feet. The leaves feature deep purple shades with many white lines creating an interesting pattern. If you didn’t know any better, you’d probably think it’s fake!

Be sure to keep it away from direct sunlight. As for watering, it doesn’t require a lot and should only need watering once a week.

Dracaena surculosa

Dracaena surculosa
Florida Beauty is best propagated by dividing the bush.

This plant is bound to catch your eye. The green leaves have a speckled variegation pattern that brightens the appearance of the entire plant.

The stems are thin and wispy, creating a delicate look. Despite this, this plant is not difficult to care for.

Most of the leaves boast a deep green shade, but as they grow, you’ll see more and more of the colorful spots.

Monstera ‘Thai Constellation’

Monstera' Thai Constellation'
To remove dust and moisture, you can wipe the Fruit Salad Plant leaves with a damp cloth.

This variegated houseplant has large, tropical leaves with varying shades of green. It’s also known as the fruit salad plant. Before you jump to conclusions, you can’t eat it, as tasty as it may sound.

Some will have more intricate patterns, but whether you have one with minimal or several patterns, they’re still a beautiful plant. Provide plenty of light to maximize the variegation. They can get tall, making them a great focal point in your home.

Dracaena trifasciata

Sansevieria trifasciata
Golden Hahnii tolerates relatively long periods without water.

Snake plants are popular houseplants with yellow and deep green leaves. If you struggle with houseplants or are just starting out, this is a great plant to have.

Snake plants are extremely tough. They survive in almost any type of sunlight level, and you only need to water them every two to three weeks. They can even survive colder temperatures in short bursts. You’ll need to use soil that drains well to ensure that it lasts and not overwater it.

Epipremnum aureum

Epipremnum-aureum
Golden pothos should be watered only when the topsoil dries out, it does not like drafts.

The golden pothos is another easy-to-care-for variegated houseplant. This beautiful plant is ideal for beginners. It features vibrant green leaves with touches of yellow or lighter green.

The leaves trail down and hang from containers, making them a stunning plant to add to a hanging pot. You can trim the vine as you see fit or let the plant grow and climb.

Golden pothos is perfect if you love plants but tend to forget about their needs. They almost thrive on neglect.

Tradescantia zebrina

Tradescantia zebrina
Inch Plant is unpretentious to growing conditions and is suitable even for beginner growers.

An inch plant is excellent if you love hanging plants in your home. The plant trails out of the pot and has beautiful deep red and purple hues along with some silver stripes.

While it looks stunning as a hanging plant, you don’t need to hang it to enjoy its beauty. It looks just as lovely in a regular pot on a table.

It thrives in medium to bright sunlight but requires watering at least once a week. It may need more if you leave it in direct sunlight for long.

Dracaena fragrans ‘Lemon Lime’

Dracaena fragrans
Lemon Lime is an evergreen ornamental deciduous plant, with a long, sometimes branched stem.

One of the most popular variegated houseplants is ‘Lemon Lime’. This plant features broad, almost pointy leaves with dark green and yellow hues. The arching leaves are what draw plant enthusiasts in.

For the most part, this plant is easy to take care of. You only need to water it about once a week or whenever the topsoil is dry. It can even tolerate cooler temperatures, but you shouldn’t let it get too cold. While the plant is beautiful, use caution if you have pets that will eat plants, as this one is toxic.

Syngonium podophyllum ‘Milk Confetti’

Syngonium podophyllum
It is recommended to spray the ‘Milk Confetti’ leaves with water in summer and wipe them with a damp sponge.

‘Milk Confetti’ is a tiny vine that makes a great indoor houseplant. It’s a pale green plant with oval leaves that point at the tip. As it matures, the arrowhead shape will become more pronounced.

The reason people call this plant ‘Milk Confetti’ is the pattern on the leaves. The unique coloring will spread further across the leaves as it matures, and slight pink hues will appear. Even though it’s a vine, you shouldn’t expect it to get too long. It will only be three inches tall.

Pilea involucrata ‘Moon Valley’

Pilea-involucrata-Moon-Valley.
‘Moon Valley’ is a stunning plant, able to withstand high humidity, but does not tolerate direct sunlight.

This indoor houseplant is a stunning and unique one to have. ‘Moon Valley’ leaves have ridges and crinkles, similar to the craters on the moon.

When in the flowering season, you’ll see small white flowers emerge, making the plant even prettier than it already is.

It cannot handle direct sunlight but appreciates bright or medium light. A great thing about this plant is that it can handle high humidity, so if you live in a humid area, you don’t need to worry too much about it.

Fittonia albivenis

Fittonia-albivenis
Nerve plant is a heat-loving plant that does not tolerate drafts and sudden changes in temperature.

The nerve plant gets its name from the tiny colorful lines spread across the deep green leaves. They look like veins or a mosaic pattern. The colors range from pinks to rich purples.

Sometimes it will flower with red and yellow spikes, but flowering is rare with this plant. The plant doesn’t get very tall, perfect for small spaces.

Calathea orbifolia

Calathea orbifolia
Orbifolia needs partial shade with a sufficient amount of diffused light.

Orbifolia plants are native to Bolivia and grow best in temperate environments, making them ideal houseplants. This type of calathea has broad leaves that feature dark and light green horizontal stripes.

They prefer bright, indirect sunlight but can tolerate a darker space if need be. Keeping it in indirect sunlight will keep the vibrant, striped leaves looking brighter and more appealing.

Spathiphyllum wallisii ‘Domino’

Spathiphyllum wallisii
Peace Lily Domino needs regular fertilizers and moisture.

For beginner houseplant owners, a peace lily is a great one to start with. If you want an even more beautiful variety, ‘Domino’ is even better.

‘Domino’ features green leaves with a white marble design that makes this one stand out amongst other plants. You may see it begin to produce white flowers during the spring or summer.

This is one of the easiest plants to care for. It prefers soil that’s only slightly moist, which means you only have to water it once a week.

Epipremnum aureum ‘Pearls and Jade’

Pearls and Jade Pothos
The Pearls and Jade Pothos leaves are brightly colored with green, white, gray, and golden patches.

‘Pearls and Jade’ pothos is a variegated plant developed by botanists at the University of Florida. The leaves of this plant are a lighter green with a yellow or pale green marble pattern that’s different on every leaf.

This climbing vine does wonders against a wall, but if you don’t want the vine sprawling, putting it in a hanging pot where the vines can flow down is a great idea.

Philodendron pedatum ‘Florida Ghost’

Florida Ghost Plant
Philodendron Florida Ghost is a fast-growing houseplant with beautiful variegated leaves.

Many variegated plants get their names because of their appearance, and the ‘Florida Ghost’ is no different. The ‘Florida Ghost’ has a white or ghostly color on its leaves. It’s an uncommon type of philodendron that’s increased in popularity over the last several years.

You can watch the leaves boast white shades as it ages while turning from bright lime green to a darker shade in only two weeks. The combination of different green hues and white makes this an attractive houseplant.

The plant is rare but easy to care for if you can get your hands on one. It needs indirect sunlight and only needs watering about once a month. Be careful if you have kids or pets, as it’s a toxic plant when ingested.

Maranta leuconeura

Maranta leuconeura
Prayer plant is very sensitive to temperature changes and drafts.

Prayer plants are another popular indoor houseplant you’ll find in most nurseries or other places selling plants. They have deep green leaves with interesting striped patterns.

Something unique about this plant is that the foliage will lay flat during the day when receiving sunlight but will rise at night, where it gets its name.

While prayer plants can flower, they rarely flower when indoors. If you are lucky enough to have one that blooms indoors, you can expect tiny white flowers to emerge in spring.

Goeppertia insignis

Goeppertia insignis
The most important condition for Rattlesnake Plant care is to provide it with sufficient moisture.

Rattlesnake plants have leaves resembling patterns you’ll see on a rattlesnake. The crinkled leaves have green marks throughout.

This plant requires more watering than some indoor houseplants, but you can quickly tell if it needs watering by touching the soil to see how moist it is. You need to be extra careful not to overwater this plant.

This perennial needs medium to direct sunlight to thrive. You can leave it on your windowsill or place it anywhere else in your home with great sunlight.

Aglaonema ‘Ultra Pink’

Aglaonema commutatum
This plant needs regular watering.

Aglaonemas are incredibly low-maintenance and beautiful plants. The majority of the leaves on this plant are red or even a darker pink shade. The green surrounds the bulk of the leaves, making it a unique variegated plant.

The best thing about these plants is that they can grow in almost any environment. You can give it low light, bright light, or something in between, and it can still thrive. You should try to water it every five to seven days, but it can handle an irregular watering schedule.

Musa ‘Ae Ae’

Musa x paradisiaca
Royal Variegated Banana is a large houseplant that produces beautiful variegated leaves with a white shade.

Musa ‘Ae Ae’ is an excellent option for those who love a sizeable indoor houseplant. These trees can get up to eight feet tall when indoors, so you may want to be careful if you have low ceilings.

These trees have the same characteristics as traditional banana trees, but the long, large leaves boast beautiful white shades. It needs bright sunlight and water frequently to ensure it grows strong and the leaves stay vibrant.

Tradescantia tricolor

Tradescantia tricolor
Silver Urn Plant prefers bright diffused light, but not scorching midday rays.

The silver vase plant, also known as the urn plant, features dark green, point leaves with scattered silver markings.

This plant needs indirect sunlight, but the brightness nearby will allow the silver shades on the leaves to shine and stand out. If you love to pair flowers with your houseplants, this one looks fantastic with pink, red, and white flowers.

Aglaonema ‘Silver Queen’

Silver Queen
Silver Queen produces leaves of green and silver shades.

‘Silver Queen’ plants look like royalty. The plant’s foliage is the perfect combination of green and silver shades. It’s a beautiful gift to give others.

The leaves grow upright and give the plant a stately appearance. Indirect sunlight is needed to keep this plant looking its best.

Something to remember is that it doesn’t do well in colder environments. Therefore, you’ll want to keep it away from air conditioning units and windows or doors when it’s cold outside.

Chlorophytum comosum

Chlorophytum comosum
Spider Plant is undemanding and highly decorative.

The spider plant is one of the most common houseplants in the world, and for a good reason. It’s small, easy to care for, and looks great by itself or with other plants. The leaves look like ribbons with shades of green and white hanging over the side of their container.

This plant is excellent for those who love plants but sometimes forget to water them. Spider plants can withstand dry spells and low light. While it can handle these situations, you should stay on top of watering to keep it pretty and looking its best.

Stromanthe sanguinea

Stromanthe sanguinea
Stromanthe Triostar prefers bright diffused light.

If you love variegated plants that feature pink hues, you’ll love Stromanthe triostar. This indoor houseplant is not only easy to take care of but looks gorgeous in your home or office.

The leaves are long and pointed with deep green shades and vibrant pinks. The colors will stay vibrant as long as you don’t place them in direct sunlight, which can cause the leaves to turn brown.

Christia obcordata

Christia obcordata
Swallowtail Plant produces decorative triangular leaves that are shaped like open butterfly wings.

If you love butterflies, then you’ll love this variegated houseplant. Also called a butterfly plant, the leaves mimic the look of butterflies!

These plants need a little more watering than other houseplants. Twice a week is the norm for most swallowtail plants. Since they prefer indirect sunlight, they look fantastic in almost any area that receives a decent amount of sun.

When potting this plant, you should use well-draining soil. As for fertilizer, an all-purpose fertilizer should work well.

Ficus elastica ‘Tineke’

Ficus Elastica
Tineke Rubber Plant prefers bright indirect sunlight and regular watering.

‘Tineke’ rubber plants are small little trees that are perfect for keeping in your home. The plant showcases thick foliage with leaves that have many color variations.

You’ll see green shades as you would with every plant, but some plants have cream, yellow, red, and pink patches on them. You might even get one that features all five colors. These plants love bright, indirect sunlight.

Streptocarpus spp.

Saintpaulia ionantha
Variegated African Violet produces variegated leaves in various shades of pink, white and green.

Another show-stopper of a houseplant is the variegated African violet. The classic African violet is already a beautiful plant, but the variegated version is ten times more beautiful.

This plant’s leaves have several shades of purple, pink, white, and green. Depending on the plant you get, you might have one with a lot of one color and none of another. But regardless of which one you have, they’re stunning. These small plants are easy to take care of, only needing watering when the topsoil feels dry to the touch.

Peperomia argyreia

Peperomia argyreia
Watermelon Peperomia needs bright lighting but is also able to grow in partial shade.

A unique variegated plant to add to your collection of greenery in your home is a watermelon peperomia. While all variegated plants look impressive, this one takes it to a new level.

Watermelon peperomia plants feature leaves that look strikingly similar to watermelon skin! It’s also one of the most popular types of peperomia as an indoor houseplant. While it looks like a watermelon, you don’t want to try to eat this plant.

It’s a smaller plant, never getting taller than 12 inches, so it’s perfect in an office or kitchen and as a centerpiece on a coffee or dining table.

Ficus triangularis ‘Variegata’

Ficus triangularis
This plant tolerates shade well, but its leaves become faded when left in the shade for a long time.

Unlike other variegated houseplants, shrubs, vines, or succulents, the this fig is a stunning little tree. The leaves are thick and waxy with a dark green and spots of a creamy white color.

As it matures, it can get about six feet tall, but it fits in perfectly with your other favorite houseplants when it’s young.

Watering the plant is easy and should only be done about once a week. You can tell it needs water if the topsoil feels dry. It’s a stubborn plant that hates moving, so once you find its home in your house, it’s best to leave it there.

Calathea lietzei ‘White Fusion’

Calathea lietzei
White Fusion needs high humidity and regular watering.

Arguably one of the most stunning variegated indoor houseplants is the Calathea ‘White Fusion’. Many leaves have white marks and light shades of pink, purple, and green.

This plant can be a little more challenging to grow and care for than some others, but if you have the time and patience, it’s worth it. Once you get the hang of the plant, it grows fast and can last for a long time.

‘White Fusions’ are sensitive and don’t like too much water or too much light, so finding the perfect combination of both is key to a beautiful plant.

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