My Top 10 Colourful Indoor Houseplants

By Paul Dibley

01/09/2025

Here are ten of my favourite colourful indoor houseplants. All grow well as indoor plants and most can be used as summer bedding. Not in any particular order.

1. Streptocarpus Falling Stars

Still one of the best Streptocarpus varieties, 'Falling Stars' has masses of sky blue flowers - dozens or even hundreds all at once. It flowers over a long period and is a variety that we almost always feature in our displays at flower shows. Well worth growing at home!

2. Begonia Rocheart

Colour doesn't just have to be about flowers. In Begonia Rocheart, the foliage forms a vibrant, patterned kaleidoscope of compact spirals. This rex-type begonia is known for its intricate foliage, featuring mottled silver and green leaves with a deep purple centre and a pink fringe, edged by a thin purple margin. The reverse of the leaf is red, and the plant produces occasional pink flowers. This variety makes it a beautiful addition to your windowsill.

3. Impatiens Niamniamensis

The Parrot Plant (or Cockatoo Plant) is such a fun and colourful plant to grow. It's easy to propagate and flowers for a long period of time. As Bob Flowerdew says, 'A Parrot plant will be the most fascinating display in your greenhouse or conservatory.' Some of the other forms of impatiens are equally intriguing and beautiful, whether its the variegated version of the Parrot plant of the curious Impatiens parasitica.

4. Saintpaulia (African Violet) Pixie Blue

This variety is one of the best selling varieties of African Violets we have. I am a real fan of these miniature varieties. Some Saintpaulia types were excessively commercialized in the '80s and '90s and subsequently vanished from stores, but now's a great time to start growing the more unusual ones again.

5. Coleus Kiwi Fern

Coleus are further proof that houseplant colour can be created by foliage. There are many vibrant varieties available but one of my favourites is Kiwi Fern (top right in the image above). This unique variety features feather-like foliage. Ideal for a houseplant or for use as summer bedding and in patio containers, where the strong colours shine for a tropical look.

6. Achimenes Ambroise Verschaffelt

Another genus which was popular back in the day is Achimenes (the so-called Hot Water Plant). Our most popular variety is Ambroise Verschaffelt, which has the most beautiful pale-lilac flowers, which are heavily veined and spotted with purple around a yellow throat. Best purchased in Spring.

7. Aeschynanthus parvifolius

This beautiful relative of Streptocarpus and African Violets is commonly known as the Lipstick Plant. These are a houseplant which are mostly trailing plants. Aeschynanthus mostly flower in the late summer and throughout the autumn. Parvifolius is a species which has a most beautiful coloured flower.

8. Titanotrichum oldhamii

Something a bit more unusual! a clump-forming rhizomatous perennial. Often referred to as the Chinese Foxglove, this exotic beauty stands out as an intriguing and visually appealing houseplant.

9. Streptocarpus 'Polka-Dot Purple'

I had to sneak in another Streptocarpus into this list! 'Polka-Dot Purple' is one of the best - and most popular - of the modern Streptocarpus varieties. Bred here at the nursery, it made the shortlist for Chelsea Plant of the Year and was placed second.

Streptocarpus 'Polka-Dot Purple' is a popular, easy-to-grow, and floriferous houseplant known for its numerous, exotic-looking, purple flowers that are heavily marked with white speckles and edges. This award-winning variety has a long blooming season, producing flowers for many months of the year.