Last year we saw a huge increase in the number of house plants everyone was keeping in their interiors, due to the colour of the year being Greenery but also due to consumers becoming more consciously aware of what they are putting in to their homes and about what is going on in their environments. That trend and thoughtfulness hasn’t stopped there, although it has taken on a more aesthetically pleasing turn: Patterned plants.

(Image credit: Lonny)

Pinterest has seen a massive increase in searches for plants that naturally have patterns on their leaves, some that have just a splash of colour on them.

Below is a list of different plants with patterned leaves if you want to get your hands on some form your local garden centre or if your supermarkets stock potted plants:

Snake Plant

(Image credit: Patch)

Also known as “Mother-In-Law’s Tongue”, which is a weird name for a plant, by the way! Who came up with that!? This plant is so gorgeous and will add a touch of pattern and texture to your home. I suppose it’s called a snake plant because of how the leaves wave up like a snake and due to it’s scale like pattern. This plant can add a bit of funkiness to any room. I definitely have this one on my wish list of many plants I want to fill my home with.

Prayer Plant

(Image credit: A Beautiful Mess)

Also known as rabbit’s trail, this plant adds not only pattern but colour to your interior! Two for the price of one! This incredibly striking, beautiful, vibrant and somewhat alien looking plant prefers low light conditions, to be kept out of direct sunlight and thrives in warm environments, well-drained soul and to be moist but not over watered. In the winter, the soil should be kept drier but the plant should be kept amongst other house plants to help create a tropical humid feel for it to survive.

Spider Plant

(Image credit: Sommergirls)

The name speaks for itself. The leaves of this plant grow out in all different directions and then curve and droop over the sides like spider legs, but don’t worry, that is the only similarity or affiliation this plant has with the 8 legged critters. This is by far one of the hardest plants to kill. I was given one by a friend for my birthday last year (exactly a year ago) which was a baby spider plant that had grown from his own spider plant, and it was wrapped in wet tissue, placed inside a clean empty little yoghurt pot, and it lasted in that for months, before I moved it to an open mason jar, and then it dawned on me that I should probably put it in an actual plant pot with soil. I was still in University at the time so it wasn’t something that was on my mind to sort out straight away, bad Danica. However, my little spider plant is still going and growing strong with me barely watering it. Definitely a good starter plant for beginners!

Fittonia

(Image credit: Pinterest)

Also known as the painted net leaf, the nerve plant or mosaic plant. The pattern that covers the leaves are veining in red, white or pink over a dark or olive green background. This plant does well as a hanging plant or in a terrarium.

Calathea

(Image credit: The Joy Of Plants)

There are so many different types of calathea that you can buy for your home. Calathea originate from the Amazon rainforest and are used to more warm and shadowy environments, so these plants are fine with being away from direct sunlight. This plant is also sometimes known as a peacock plant as the markings and shapes on it’s foliage sometimes look like eyes, similar to peacock feathers. What makes calathea so beautiful is that it behaves like a flower, closing the leaves in when the sun sets and then opens up again at sunrise. However, calatheas don’t often flower and it’s very rare for them to flower indoors, apart from one in their family, the calathea crocata. Calathea plants are great air purifiers and are not poisonous to cats or dogs, making it the perfect addition to have in your plant collection. Below are some images of the different species of calathea you can buy to add some pattern and life to any room:

Calathea Makoyana AKA the Peacock Plant AAKA Cathedral Windows:

(Image credit: Site For Everything)

Calathea Lancifolia/Calathea Insignis AKA the Rattlesnake Plant:

(Image credit: Pinterest)

Calathea Crocata AKA the Eternal Flame:

(Image credit: Bakker)

Calathea Zebrine AKA Zebra Plant:

(Image credit: Pinterest)

Calathea Leopardina:

(Image credit: Bakker)

Calathea Medallion:

(Image credit: Bakker)

Calathea Roseopicta:

(Image credit: Pinterest)

Calathea Orbifolia:

(Image credit: Bakker)

Calathea Ornata AKA Pin Stripe Calathea:

(Image credit: House Plant Experts)

There are many more different calatheas that you can add to or start your plant collection. I am already lusting over these and cannot wait to add them to my ever expanding family of plants!

Marble Queen Pothos

(Image credit: Pinterest)

A long, trailing vine plant that cascades beautifully when placed on a high shelf or in a hanging basket or in macrame. True to it’s name, it has a speckle marbled effect pattern across glossy, leathery textured, heart shaped leaves. This plant is easy to look after and prefers lower light levels as opposed to needing to be near a window in direct sunlight.

Silver Philodendron

(Image credit: The Sill)

Silver Philodendron has been a popular indoor plant since the Victorian era. It’s often known as the Sweetheart plant due to it’s heart shaped leaves. It’s quite small, so it’s perfect for terrariums, as table plants or a hanging plant. This plant will either trail or climb, so please take this in to consideration as this little guy seems to have a mind of it’s own and will grow aerial roots and is a quick growing plant. This trailing plant only needs to be watered weekly and prefers medium sunlight exposure.

Alocasia

(Image credit: Jungalow)

This dark, sculptural plant with high contrasting veining pattern across it’s foliage is visually striking and stunning! However, you should definitely research how to properly take care of this plant as it is quite a difficult plant to look after and keep alive. This plant doesn’t like to be in direct sunlight but also doesn’t like being in dark, shadowy corners. It’s soil should be kept moist, not dry or soggy, so it’s best to water little and often. It also thrives in humidity, instead of dry air. Don’t let this put you off, though, as it will make a perfect addition to any tropical plant collection! There are a few different names that fall under this species of plant:

Amazonia:

(Image credits: Better Homes & Gardens)

Elephant’s Ear

(Image credits: Gardening Express, Burpee)

African Mask:

(Image credit: Pinterest)

Peperomia 

(Image credit: Our House Plants [Not my own image])

There are over 1500 species of peperomia and they originate from rainforests in South America. Related to the pepper, the tropical peperomia’s name literally means “resembles peppers”. There are many different patterns, colours and shapes that these plants have. Like succulents, they can do well with storing moisture, however they aren’t as good and still need to be watered more than what succulents or cacti would need to be. They also like to be in light places, but not in direct sunlight. Below are some of the different Peperomia you can buy:

Marbled:

(Image credit: Baton’s Foliage Group)

Golden Gate:

(Image credit: Baton’s Foliage Group)

Watermelon & Mini Watermelon:

(Image credits: Baton’s Foliage Group)

Silver, Red, Chocolate & Emerald Ripple:

(Image credits: Baton’s Foliage Group)

Tradescantia Tricolor

(Image credit: Pinterest)

This gorgeous plant is also known as Tradescantia zebrina, Zebrine pendular, Inchplant or “Wandering Jew Plant”. It got the latter name thanks to it’s ability to easily adapt to any environment or home it’s put in to, being able to root easily and because many years ago, housewives use to give each other cuttings of the plant and passed them on, which reminded them of the biblical stories of Jewish wanderings. This plant definitely thrives in an indoor environment and is easy to care for. To bring out the brighter colours of pinks and purples, place inside brighter rooms in a warm room. It hates soggy soil, which can cause the roots to rot, so make sure you wait for the soil to dry before watering it again. Between watering, you could try misting it with a spray bottle to keep it moist.

 

Plant prints, faux plants, textiles and wallpapers

(Image credit: Fanny Shorter)

If you find the idea of looking after a living thing a bit daunting, you could opt for prints/photographs of patterned plants, illustrations and artwork inspired by them or with different, unique or more abstract designs. Faux plants are also a good way to bringing in some foliage, however you won’t get the health benefits a real life plant brings in to a room.

(Image credit: Cole & Son)

You could decorate your home with textiles and decorative pieces such as cushions or throw blankets that have patterned plants on them, or even perhaps a feature wall or cover the whole room with a wallpaper inspired by these magnificent leaves. What’s great about this trend is that you can really have fun with it, so you can bring in as much or as little as you want!

 

What do you think? Would you have any of these plants in your home? What plants do you have that you love and think others would love too?

I hope this was helpful and that you feel bit more inspired to embrace patterns in a different and maybe more natural way, even if it is with faux plants! One thing I know for sure is that I will most definitely be investing in more of these to go along with my collection of succulents and spider plant.

 

Speak soon!

Danica x