by Susan Albert • Gardening Know How
Looking for new houseplants to add to your current collection? Or if you are just getting started on the houseplant craze, here are some new, as well as old, plants with bold, colorful, or attractive variegation for 2025.
Houseplants have exploded in popularity in recent years, becoming must-have decor for living spaces. Bringing nature indoors appeals to our environmental aesthetic, and choosing plants that help clean the air appeals to our sense of well-being.
Today, plant enthusiasts are attracted to bolder, unusual houseplants with vibrant colors, eye-catching leaf patterns, therapeutic scents, or air-purifying capabilities.
For 2025 houseplants, look for vibrant colors and patterns, striking variegation, or unusual leaf shapes. Of course, those who are long-time plant aficionados can opt for plants that require more meticulous care, such as moist soil and high humidity. If you’re a beginner in defining your space with live plants, check out our easy-care plants. See the 3 plants that Payne’s recommends below.
PHILODENDRONS
- Philodendrons are a staple in houseplant greenery but the newer cultivars offer exciting colors and patterns. Philodendrons need bright, indirect light. Water when the soil begins to dry. Philodendrons prefer moderate to high humidity. They are toxic so keep them out of reach of pets and children. They are NASA-approved as air purifying plants.
- Philodendron “Birkin” has dark green leaves with white stripes and averages 3 feet (1 m) tall and wide.
- Philodendron “Golden Crocodile” has golden, oval leaves that develop serrated edges as it matures. Leaves can grow more than 2 feet (0.6 m) long.
- Philodendron “Brasil” has glossy, heart-shaped, green leaves with bold splashes of yellow. Grows 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) tall.
MONSTERA
Monstera plants are large, vining plants with holes or cuts in leaves (fenestration). The classic swiss cheese plant is a showy favorite. Monstera prefers moist soil, bright light, and high humidity.
- Monstera Adansonii (Swiss cheese vine see photo above) features large, heart shaped, fenestrated foliage. The vining plant can grow from 3 to 8 feet (1 to 2.4 m) tall.
- Monstera deliciosa “Thai Constellation” has deeply cut, fenestrated foliage marked with creamy white variegation. Monstera deliciosa can grow to 14 feet (4.3 m) tall with a spreading habit.
HOYAS
- Hoyas are easy to take care of and have a cult following. Hoyas thrive in bright light and well-drained, loose soil such as an orchid mix. When provided with ideal conditions, they can bloom several times a year with clusters of fragrant flowers that look like they are made of wax.
- Hoya parviflora features very spectacled leaves.
- Hoya carnosa “Compacta” grows in a ropelike vine with curly leaves.
- Hoya publicalyx “Pink Silver” has more elongated leaves than other hoyas, and with enough sun, its leaves look silvery pink.