Green plants with special leaves

In the past, a green houseplant was usually just green, but today there is a wide range of patterned and multicolored plants available. The trend of collecting unusual varieties is also increasing, and at certain auctions, some varieties can now cost quite a lot. Another sign of the growing interest in houseplants is that more and more people are swapping cuttings and trying to save plants that have started to wilt instead of just throwing them away and buying new ones. We are simply better at taking care of our plants, and we are more conscious of the environment. It's a trend we can appreciate!

Easy-care Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides) has long been popular, and perhaps it is these that come to mind when we think of colorful leaves. Coleus comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, and it is also super easy to take cuttings of Coleus.

Alocasia is another tropical favorite. Not only does it have colorful leaves, even the stems can be pink on some varieties.

Calathea is another exciting plant with patterned leaves that open towards the sun during the day but sleepily close at night. The leaves are uniquely patterned, often with a purple underside. See our selection of Calathea. Many types of Philodendron are also beautifully colorful, such as 'Pink Princess,' 'White Measure,' and 'White Wave.' On a 'Pink Princess,' half of the leaf can be green, and the other half princess pink. See our selection of Philodendron. If you like red shades, Peperomia caperata may be worth a closer look. These are compact plants that thrive particularly well in a small window sill. Kroton 'Petra' is perfect if you can't decide on a color. This plant bursts with green, yellow, and red, and it actually thrives well in shade too.

There are not so many plants that have dotted leaves, but those that do are really dotted. A couple of types of begonias are the most well-known. Begonia 'Hotspot' and 'Maculata' are two easy-to-care-for varieties. The latter has a decorative red shade on the underside of the leaves and occasionally blooms with small, white flowers. These types of leaf begonias tolerate a lot and thrive in partial shade, so they can be placed a distance into the room.,Dotted leaf, a type of Dieffenbachia, is another variant from the jungles of Central and South America. The dots on these are a bit more diffuse, and certain varieties have - despite the name - no dots at all.,

In the plant family Alocasia, there are plants with many exciting patterns and shapes on both leaves and stems. There are also several types of Kalanchoe that are a bit out of the ordinary. Check out 'Surprising Desert' and 'Aurora Borealis', the latter with light outer edges on the leaves.

Collecting indoor plants has become a trend, and unusual plants can now become real treasures. Cuttings of a rare plant, such as Monstera Adansonii Variegata, have been sold for many thousands of kroner. If you are interested in rare and special plants, we can inform you that some of our stores have some of these varieties in stock: Special and rare plants in selected Plantasjen stores

WRITTEN BY Liselotte Roll, Swedish garden inspirator, journalist and author of books about nature, cultivation and animals, such as "Earth", "Cultivating for Insects" and "Chickens as a Hobby".

Read also: Easy-care plantsSimple tips for caring for green indoor plants,

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