Everyone is used to plants in the house - you will not surprise anyone with a ficus in the corner or a violet on the windowsill. Much more attention is attracted by unusual plants that catch the eye: for example, those whose leaves are not usually green, but red. They create interesting accents in the interior, participate in color design solutions and often become favorites of flower growers.
Species overview
An indoor flower with red leaves can look advantageous in various interiors: both in the Nordic snow-white, and in the cheerful boho, and in the retro style of the room. It becomes an excellent background for other plants that are neutral in color (if, of course, it gets along with them in relation to other characteristics). Flowers with reddish leaves at the top surprise and make the interior dynamic, flowers with red-green veins look exotic, and these solutions really change the look of the room.
Poinsettia
True, in the post-Soviet space, this plant is more familiar under the name "Christmas star ". It blooms inconspicuously and finely, and acquires decorative qualities due to the apical leaves - here they are bright red. The underside of the poinsettia is dark green. This contrast makes the flower attractive.
In the wild, poinsettia can be found in Mexico and Central America. The house plant is an annual or biennial. The red leaves of the flower are called inflorescences - they are modified foliage. Bracts can hold out on the stem from 2 to 6 months. And if you buy a flower, take one that has not yet blossomed.
Poinsettia does not tolerate drafts and low temperatures, and it does not tolerate direct sunlight. She needs watering as the substrate dries out. In order for a beautiful flower to bloom exactly by Christmas, you need to prepare it for this in September.
The time of night is artificially lengthened to 15 hours - just cover the plant with dense material (but with the preservation of air access).
Cordilina
An interesting plant with long leaves that can grow up to half a meter in length. The leaves will be red or red-white. It grows in nature in India, New Zealand.
Caring for cordilina:
- does not tolerate direct light;
- wants to grow in warmth;
- requires high humidity, frequent spraying;
- she needs feeding every 3-3.5 weeks;
- afraid of the red tick.
Interestingly, this acquisition belongs to the asparagus family. It can look very bright in the interior: the larger the plant, the more attention to it. The flower does not feel very comfortable in small spaces.
Irezine
The flower belongs to the amaranth family. This is a charming plant that looks especially bright in the autumn interior. Only it will not tolerate a colorful design - it is good to bring such a flower to a calm, light interior, which lacks bright details.
If you are going to put it on a windowsill, it will take root well in all its variants, except for the northern one. This is a light-loving culture. It does not impose special conditions on the temperature regime: irezine feels great both at + 15 ° С and at + 25 ° С. But if the temperature drops below + 12 ° C, the plant can be "attacked" by rot.
You need to water the flower with settled water. If the water from the water supply is hard, I would like to replace it with rainwater (if possible). We must not forget to spray the foliage, and although the plant takes root well in apartments with low humidity, you should not check it with unnecessary stress.
Especially popular is the type of flower - Linden irezine. The stem of the plant itself is dark red, its height is about 50 cm, and on the dark red leaf blades there are very expressive crimson veins. When pruning this species, it will branch heavily.
Nidularium
It takes root well in the house, it is satisfied with the usual room temperature, the plant prefers well-lit places.
Conditions for effective growth:
- water can remain in the leaf outlet, in which case every 6 days it is simply replaced with fresh water - this is the irrigation regime;
- you need to water the nidularium with softened, or even better - distilled water;
- the flower needs the most nutritious soil, which is good for moisture and air, has a sour pH;
- from spring to autumn asks for foliar dressings, they are carried out every 2 weeks.
The flowering of nidolarium is unpredictable - it blooms in any season. By itself, it is a bright, noticeable flower - if there are already large plants of the same scale in space, they will "clash" in the interior.
Triangular oxalis
Oxalis is probably the most recognizable of all the red-leaved ones. A small plant is adored by flower growers for its delicate appearance, unpretentious "disposition" and high aesthetics. It will never look casual. Most varieties of sorrel can fold the leaves at sunset and before an impending thunderstorm.
Oxalis will take root well on the western or eastern window. She is extremely sensitive to drafts (as, indeed, most of her fellows). From spring to autumn, the acid can be ventilated, taken out into the street. In the summer, she needs frequent watering. But provided that a powerful drainage layer will be provided in the flowerpot.
Interestingly, the sour cherry is often called the clover of love - such associations are generated by a beautiful flower. It looks great in a scandi interior: on a shelf, a bookshelf, a coffee table by the window.
Croton
And many have probably met this plant. Its red-yellow, burgundy-pink, green-yellow leaves echo each other, like colors on the artist's palette. But all this beauty needs to be greatly maintained - as soon as the care of a flower weakens, it very quickly loses its charm.
Care rules:
- in the warm season of the year, he needs a bright and diffused light, high humidity (up to 80%), no drafts and temperature fluctuations;
- in autumn and winter, he needs a long daylight hours, 12 hours, otherwise the outstanding bright leaves will lose their color;
- in the heat and with the heating turned on, Croton needs systematic spraying (twice a day);
- do not put croton next to heating devices.
And flower growers jokingly call this plant neat. It really does not tolerate dust and can even get sick if it is not removed in time. The process of photosynthesis slows down, air exchange is disrupted - the plant becomes sick and dies.
Coleus
Coleus belongs to the labiate family. Someone calls this flower similar to nettle, someone notes its acid color. And it's hard to disagree with the latter - you still need to look for such a bright candidate for home decoration.
This is not the most whimsical perennial that prefers medium humidity and does not tolerate water getting on the leaves. He needs at least 4 hours of good sunlight per day - it helps to maintain the decorative qualities of the foliage. Coleus needs to be shaded from midday lighting.
The soil in which the crop grows must be moist. Usually the plant stands in a pallet with moistened expanded clay. In order for the bush to be symmetrical, it must be twisted from time to time on the windowsill, turning to the light with all sides. In spring, shoots are usually cut to 10 cm, while young ones are pinched for greater splendor of the bush.
Aglaonema
This evergreen herbaceous flower has a short but strong and fleshy trunk. The fruit of the aglaonema is a juicy berry with one seed inside.
It is quite easy to grow such a plant healthy.
- The flower needs partial shade - if direct light falls on the leaves, they can burn. The variegated form of aglaonema needs diffused light.
- The plant must be protected from drafts, sudden temperature jumps.
- Watering aglaonema can only be done with soft water. Abundant watering is required immediately after the top soil layer has dried.
- The plant needs high humidity, so periodically it should be moistened with a spray bottle. At low air humidity, deformation of the leaves may occur.
A very beautiful aglaonema is a poisonous flower. If the juice of a plant or its fruit gets on the skin or mucous membranes, irritation can quickly form there. After any manipulation of the flower, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Royal begonia
It is important for this plant to create an environment that recreates the climate of the homeland of the red-leaved begonia - India. The leaves of the flower are broadly oval, asymmetrical, with a heart-shaped base.
Care conditions:
- temperature indicators from spring to autumn + 20 ... 25 ° С, but with a long heat, begonia can die, in winter - not lower than + 15 ° С;
- bright large colors of light require a lot, and more specifically - muted, diffused rays;
- the soil in the flowerpot should be slightly damp;
- the flower is afraid of drops from excessive watering to drought;
- a begonia pot is needed low, but rather wide;
- from November to the first month of spring, a beautiful plant requires less attention, its dormant period begins.
Don't split the bush. If it grows excessively, it should be transferred to a large flowerpot, and reloaded. Red-leaved begonia grows in one pot for 3 years or a little less.
Hypestes
This shrub belongs to the acanthus family. Its main highlight is the contrast between the green of the leaf and the abundance of red-pink spots on its surface. And the expressiveness of the color of these spots depends on the characteristics of care.
The main rules of care:
- light fertile soil;
- shallow, but wide enough flowerpot;
- abundant watering, frequent spraying;
- moderately warm bright room;
- deep pruning in March.
If gipestos isn't blooming, don't be too upset. Its beauty lies in the leaves, and its flowers are small and inconspicuous. In addition, after flowering, it ages quickly.
Caladium
And this plant has large and elegant leaves, therefore it is preferred to be bred by flower growers for whom size matters. Caladium leaves can be purple, red, green, yellow, white. For all the beauty of the plant, it is poisonous, even working with it is dangerous, therefore, take care of the caladium with medical gloves.
The popular bicolor caladium (pronounced red) has narrower leaves than other foliage species. Among the hybrid varieties there are those with a red base and green border (Rosalie) and a pink leaf with a green border (Pink Beauty).
The plant loves warmth, abundant, but not excessive watering (do not flood the leaves), high humidity. During the hibernation of Caladium, the soil in the pot must be periodically moistened.
Alocasia copper-red
This plant is sometimes called elephant ear because its leaves are large and fleshy. And again - the plant is poisonous, therefore, if you have small children and animals in your house, it is better to purchase other flowers.
Alocasia requires a high and narrow pot, it needs light breathable soil, high temperature (from +22 to + 26 ° C) in spring, summer and autumn. Alocasia loves diffused light, good soil moisture (three times a week), regular dressing. Only rotten and dried leaves should be trimmed.
Care rules
These guidelines for the care of red-leaved flowers do not fundamentally differ from the general rules. The only thing that needs to be remembered for sure is the condition for the decorative foliage, that is, sufficient lighting. If the plant stands far from the window, its leaves will not be bright.
Why do they get sick:
- if parts of a flower curl up, darken, fall off, then the temperature in the room is low;
- if the lower leaves wither, the edges darken, the lower leaves fall off - it is very hot in the room;
- if the leaves turn yellow and fall off, this is probably due to a temperature jump.
Most plants need feeding: nitrogen for leaves, phosphates for the root system, potassium for flowers. Fertilizers can be powder, granular, liquid, in the form of tablets and sticks.
We must not forget about the dormancy mode - almost all plants need it. At this time, watering decreases, a lower temperature regime is created, feeding stops (or becomes one-time).
Recommendations for owners
If you want to create beauty in your home, get acquainted with the basics of phytodesign. Usually the living room is considered the main place in the house, and they especially try to decorate it, emphasize the style, mood, color scheme. The pots in the living room are arranged according to an understandable scheme: shade-loving ones - in the corners, away from the windows. There are almost no such plants among red-leaved plants.
Large plants fit into almost any design. Plants with red leaves are themselves very active, and if there are a lot of bright colors in the room, color noise can come out, which is not good. It's great if, for example, in a white or light gray living room, the only bright furniture accent is a red frame on the wall (or a picture in scarlet tones), a mini-table, a sideboard. And then the red-leaved flower on the windowsill will overlap with this element.
Large plants can even be used for zoning a space, separating the rest area from the work area , for example. Well, what kind of pot to choose for red-leaved flowers is a matter of taste: it is better if the color of the pot matches the main color of the room decoration.
Happy choice!
See below for an overview of plants with red leaves.