Plants with red stems and green leaves aren’t just random colors but look really good whether displayed indoors or around the garden!
The red stems, which sometimes have shades of burgundy or maroon, make a neat contrast with the green leaves. We have some of the best examples below!
Check out Indoor Plants With Red and Green Leaves
Plants with Red Stems and Green Leaves
1. Red-Stemmed Parrot’s Feather
Botanical Name: Myriophyllum aquaticum
Perfect for aquatic environments, this plant provides a haven for fish with its vibrant green leaves and lush reddish-green stems. Not only does it lack a strong scent, but it’s also beneficial in aquariums for nutrient absorption and water oxygenation.
2. Redvein Enkianthus
Botanical Name: Enkianthus campanulatus
Standing about 6-10 feet tall, this deciduous shrub is adorned with drooping bell-shaped flowers. Its broad, oval green leaves cluster at branch ends, transitioning to stunning shades of orange and red come autumn.
3. Wax Begonia
Botanical Name: Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum
The Wax Begonia is a compact plant with colorful flowers and shiny, succulent leaves. Its foliage ranges from purple or red to variegated, and its stems are thick and reddish, enhancing its overall appearance.
Also, its low-maintenance nature and resilience to pests make you bound to pick it up!
4. Castor Oil Plant
Botanical Name: Ricinus communis
This perennial boasts star-shaped leaves and spiky yellow-green flowers atop tall red to green to purple stems. Its round, spiny fruit capsules house mottled seeds reminiscent of a dog tick’s appearance.
5. Triostar Stromanthe
Botanical Name: Stromanthe sanguinea
A true showstopper, this plant’s variegated leaves sit atop stunning red stems. Its unique nighttime leaf-folding behavior adds to its beauty in both indoor and outdoor settings.
6. Pokeweed
Botanical Name: Phytolacca americana
Pokeweed is a tall native perennial with red and purple stems and simple, light green leaves that emit an unpleasant odor when crushed. Although it has historically been used for food and medicine, caution is advised as all plant parts are poisonous.
Pokeweed sports red and purple stems and simple, light green leaves that release a strong odor when crushed. While historically used for culinary and medicinal purposes, caution is advised due to its toxicity.
7. Common Purslane
Botanical Name: Portulaca oleracea L.
It is a summer annual that begins with hairless cotyledons and gives way to fleshy, spatula-shaped leaves near the stems. The stems are purplish red or green, sprawl out prostrate, and branch multiple times, forming circular mats up to 20 inches long.
8. Elephant Bush
Botanical Name: Portulacaria afra
An Elephant Bush is a shrub characterized by its upright stems, glossy emerald-green leaves, and reddish-brown stems. Also, it is commonly used in Southern African cuisine for its sour flavor and has medicinal applications for minor ailments.
9. Mountain Pepper
Botanical Name: Tasmannia lanceolata
Mountain Pepper not only offers ornamental beauty with its attractive foliage and pinkish-red stems but also provides a flavorful reward of edible berries, adding both visual appeal and culinary joy to any garden landscape.
10. Redleaf Rose
Botanical Name: Rosa glauca
Redleaf Rose is famous for its exceptional foliage, which shows blue-gray hues under full sun and transforms into a silvery-grey green in shaded spots. Its thornless arching reddish stems complement its rose-pink blossoms, making it a superb addition to any herb garden.
11. Red Stem Thalia
Botanical Name: Thalia geniculata
Thalia’s lime-green leaves and red hue stems contrast architecturally, while its lavender and white flowers add to its appeal. Also, it is perfect for boggy or waterlogged environments.
12. Baby Rubber Plant
Botanical Name: Peperomia obtusifolia ‘Alba’
This one is for those seeking a compact, low-maintenance, tropical-looking houseplant. The baby rubber plant has attractive green leaves and stems tinged with red when young.
13. Hardy Begonia
Botanical Name: Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana ‘Alba’
This tuberous perennial plant features delicate white flowers measuring approximately 1 inch across, which emerge on branching red stems with their olive-green hue and reddish underside leaves, forming a lush foliage clump.
14. Rhubarb Elephant Ear
Botanical Name: Colocasia esculenta ‘Rhubarb’
Originally cultivated in Hawaii by Burl Mostul, rhubarb features slender red-pink stems and spade-shaped leaves. Often with a dark, purplish-red center spot in the center, adding depth to its visual appeal.
16. Wineberry
Botanical Name: Rubus phoenicolasius
Wineberry, with its red stems, will not only brighten up your winter garden but also offer sweet and juicy fruits that can be enjoyed raw or cooked.
17. Red Osier Dogwood
Botanical Name: Cornus sericea L.
Red-osier dogwood is a shrub with multiple red stems that grows fast up to 6-9 feet high. It is adaptable to various habitats, making it a valuable addition to diverse landscapes.
18. Philodendron Red Emerald
Botanical Name: Philodendron Erubescens ‘Red Emerald’
It is a sought-after plant prized for its dark green leaves and burgundy-red petioles. You can keep it indoors, but it will not flower there. However, its lush foliage makes it a beautiful addition to any space.
