When we think of plants, green usually springs to mind. After all, green stems, leaves, and flowers characterize most plants. But the plant kingdom is surprisingly diverse, with species whose colorful leaves don’t fit the green mold. Let’s look at some of the most beautiful plants that aren’t green and add color to gardens, landscapes, and homes.
Why Are Plants Usually Green?
Green pigments called chlorophyll give most plants their verdant hue. Found in plant cell chloroplasts, chlorophyll absorbs sunlight and converts it into energy through photosynthesis. This provides plants with fuel for growth and reproduction.
In most plants, abundant chlorophyll hides other pigments. But some plants also contain non-green pigments called anthocyanins and carotenoids. By producing more of these other pigments, some plants exhibit beautiful non-green colors.
Vibrant Flowering Plants
Many prized flowering plants also boast non-green foliage Some top picks
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Coleus – This common ornamental has leaves ranging from deep purple to hot pink, mint green, and cream. Some varieties have multicolored leaves. Coleus thrives in shade with minimal watering.
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Iresine – Also called bloodleaf, iresine herbs and shrubs have brilliant red, orange, yellow, and pink leaves. Iresine likes full sun and moist soil.
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Alternanthera – Grown for vivid foliage, alternanthera leaves come in burgundy, pink, yellow, and other hues It makes a nice container or border plant
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Persian Shield – The iridescent purple leaves of Persian shield are dramatic. Its shimmery foliage looks beautiful with flowers and tropical plants.
Trees and Shrubs
Some trees and shrubs also naturally sport non-green leaves:
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Japanese Maple: Japanese maple leaves turn bright red, orange, or yellow in the fall, making them a popular choice for fall decor. Some have burgundy or nearly-black leaves all summer.
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Smokebush—As its name suggests, this deciduous shrub has big flower plumes that look like smoke. They are pink, purple, and red, and they look great with the olive-green leaves.
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Ninebark is a tough, low-maintenance North American native tree with leaves that range from reddish-purple to chartreuse-yellow.
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Fothergilla – This spring-blooming shrub has striking blue-green foliage that turns vibrant red, orange, and scarlet in fall. The pale flowers add more color.
Tropical Houseplants
The hot pinks, vibrant reds, and deep purples of tropical plants add drama indoors. Some top choices:
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Croton – Native to Indonesia, crotons have large, waxy leaves in an endless mix of colors, shapes, and patterns. Popular houseplants, crotons need ample light.
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Caladium – Featuring heart-shaped leaves, caladium comes in countless color combos. Whites, reds, pinks, greens, and multicolored types exist.
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Polka Dot Plant – This houseplant lives up to its name with white, pink, and red splashed leaves. It looks lovely in hanging baskets and pots.
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Ti Plant – Beloved for its shade tolerance, ti plant has colorful burgundy, pink, and ivory variegated leaves.
Non-Green Doesn’t Mean No Chlorophyll
While vibrantly colored, many of these plants still contain hidden green chlorophyll beneath other pigments. Others may photosynthesize through green stems while producing colorful leaves in ample light. Only a handful of specialized plants, like ghost plants, completely lack chlorophyll.
So explore beyond green to appreciate plants’ diverse palette! Non-green species add striking visual interest to outdoor and indoor plant displays.
The Heart plant’s heart-shaped leaves are
c. Tears Of the Sun
The big leaves are shaped like hearts and are lime green on the outside. They have bright pink spots in the middle and around the veins.
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FAQ
Are there any plants that are not green?
The ghost pipe (Monotropa uniflora), American cancer root (Conopholis americana), dodder (Genus: Cuscuta), and spotted coral root (Corallorhiza maculata) are some of these plants that don’t make their own food. You can find them in Metroparks.
What are the non-green plants?
Plants which do not have chlorophyll are called non-green plants. They cannot make their own food and usually absorb food from other plants, dead animals or stale food. One type of non-green plant is fungus. Mushroom, toadstools and mould are also example of non-green plants.
Are some plants not green?
Of course, plants don’t always have to be green, it’s just that the vast majority of them do. There are species of plants which appear yellow, or others with have purple or darker colors.
Which of the following plants is not green in color?
Complete answer: The non-green plant that we consume is the mushroom. The presence of chlorophyll pigment provides green color to the plant.