Pink-leaved plants are nature’s way of adding a touch of whimsy and elegance to gardens and landscapes. These unique specimens, ranging from subtle blush tones to vibrant magentas, offer a beautiful alternative to traditional green foliage.
While pink leaves are relatively rare in nature, plant breeders have cultivated numerous varieties to satisfy gardeners’ desires for more exotic and eye-catching options.
Did you know that the pink coloration in leaves is often due to a pigment called anthocyanin.1 Here are 16 garden plants that showcase the beauty of pink foliage and how they can transform your garden into a rosy paradise.
1. Tricolor Beech
The European tricolor beech is a showstopper with its purplish-green leaves adorned with pale pink to rose margins. This medium-sized tree can grow up to 35 feet tall and 25 feet wide, making it a striking focal point in any garden.
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Hardy through zone 4, the tricolor beech thrives in partial sun and cooler, wetter conditions. Its unique variegation creates a painterly effect, adding depth and interest to your landscape throughout the seasons.
2. Weigela ‘My Monet’
This dwarf variety of weigela is a true gem, boasting variegated foliage in shades of green and pink. Growing only up to two feet tall, ‘My Monet’ is perfect for edging, borders, or container gardens in hardiness zones 4 through 6.
The intensity of the pink coloration varies depending on sun exposure. In full sun, the leaf edges turn a vibrant pink, while in shade, they take on a lighter, almost creamy hue. This adaptability makes it a versatile choice for various garden settings.
3. Coral Bells ‘Midnight Rose’
Coral bells are beloved perennials, and ‘Midnight Rose’ takes the cake with its dramatic foliage. The leaves start out nearly black with bright pink spots in spring, gradually lightening to a creamy pink by summer.
This variety thrives in zones 4 through 9 and prefers full or partial sun. Its low-growing habit and long-lasting color make it an excellent choice for adding year-round interest to borders and rock gardens.
4. Pink Rubber Tree
While typically grown as a houseplant, the pink rubber tree can thrive outdoors in zones 9-11. Its large, glossy leaves feature stunning variegation in shades of pink, cream, and green.
This tropical beauty prefers bright, indirect light and can grow up to eight feet tall indoors. When grown outdoors, it makes a striking accent plant or focal point in warm-climate gardens.
5. Caladium ‘Pink Beauty’
Caladiums are known for their colorful foliage, and ‘Pink Beauty’ is no exception. Its heart-shaped leaves boast a soft pink center surrounded by deep green edges, creating a delicate and romantic effect.
These shade-loving plants are perfect for brightening up dark corners of the garden. They are hardy in zones 9-10 and are typically grown as annuals in cooler climates, but they can be overwintered indoors to enjoy year after year.
6. Brazilian Red Hots
Don’t let the name fool you – this plant’s foliage is a vibrant mix of magenta and red that gets brighter with more sunlight. Its mounding habit makes it ideal for borders and container plantings.
‘Brazilian Red Hots’ thrives in heat and humidity in hardiness zones 9 through 11, making it a perfect choice for tropical-themed gardens. It’s a tough annual that adds a pop of intense color to any outdoor space.
7. Coleus ‘Pink Chaos’
True to its name, ‘Pink Chaos’ is a riot of color with its bright fuchsia leaves splashed with green and creamy white. This annual is a versatile filler plant that adapts well to various light conditions.
Coleus is known for its easy care and vibrant foliage. ‘Pink Chaos’ is no exception, providing season-long color with minimal maintenance. It’s perfect for adding a bold splash of pink to containers or garden beds and is hardy in zones 10-11.
8. Sweet Potato Vine ‘Pink Frost’
This trailing annual features mint green leaves splashed with creamy white and lilac. Its cascading habit makes it ideal for hanging baskets or as a spiller in container arrangements.
‘Pink Frost’ is less vigorous than other sweet potato vine varieties, making it easier to control in mixed plantings. It tolerates periods of dryness and adds a soft, pastel touch to garden designs. It is hardy in zones 9 to 11.
9. Cordyline ‘Pink Passion’
This striking plant features long, sword-like leaves in shades of pink and burgundy. ‘Pink Passion’ can grow up to 4 feet tall, making it a dramatic vertical accent in the garden.
Hardy in zones 9-11, this cordyline variety adds a tropical flair to outdoor spaces. Its vibrant foliage provides year-round interest and pairs beautifully with other bold-leaved plants.
10. Japanese Maple ‘Beni-maiko’
‘Beni-maiko’ is a dwarf Japanese maple that puts on a spectacular show with its bright pink new growth. As the leaves mature, they transition to a deeper red, creating a multi-toned effect.
This slow-growing tree reaches about 6 feet tall at maturity, making it perfect for small gardens or large containers in zones 5 to 9. Its delicate foliage adds a touch of elegance to any landscape design.
11. Neoregelia ‘Fireball’
This bromeliad variety features a rosette of leaves that turn a brilliant pink when exposed to bright light. The center of the plant often holds water, creating a miniature ecosystem.
‘Fireball’ is an excellent choice for adding tropical flair to outdoor spaces in warm climates, zones 10 through 11. It can also be grown as a houseplant in cooler regions, bringing its vibrant pink color indoors.
12. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
While primarily known for its late-season blooms, ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum also features pinkish-red stems and leaf edges. This perennial, hardy in zones 3 through 9, is drought-tolerant and attracts pollinators.
As the season progresses, the entire plant takes on a rosy hue, culminating in deep pink flower clusters. It’s an excellent choice for adding both color and texture to rock gardens or perennial borders.
13. Loropetalum ‘Ever Red’
This evergreen shrub features deep burgundy-pink foliage year-round, with bright pink fringe-like flowers in spring. ‘Ever Red’ can grow up to 6 feet tall and wide, making it a substantial addition to the landscape.
Hardy in zones 7-10, this loropetalum variety adds a pop of color to foundation plantings or mixed shrub borders. Its unique leaf color provides a striking contrast to traditional green foliage plants.
14. Pink Fuzzy Tradescantia
Also known as ‘Pink Furry’, this trailing plant features soft, fuzzy leaves in shades of pink and green. Its cascading habit makes it perfect for hanging baskets or as ground cover in frost-free areas.
Pink Fuzzy Tradescantia is easy to grow and propagate, making it a popular choice for gardeners looking to add a touch of whimsy to their outdoor spaces. It is hardy in zones 9-11, but in cooler climates, it can be grown as an annual or brought indoors for the winter.
15. Canna ‘Pink Sunburst’
This tropical beauty features large, paddle-shaped leaves striped with pink, cream, and green. ‘Pink Sunburst’ also produces vibrant pink flowers, adding to its ornamental value.
Growing up to 6 feet tall, this canna variety makes a bold statement in the garden. It thrives in full sun and moist soil, making it an excellent choice for water gardens or boggy areas in hardiness zones 7 through 10.
16. Iresine ‘Blazin’ Rose’
With its vibrant magenta-pink foliage, ‘Blazin’ Rose’ is sure to catch the eye. This heat-loving annual grows in a mounding habit, reaching about 12-18 inches tall.
Iresine is known for its ability to thrive in the hot, humid conditions of zones 9 to11, making it a perfect choice for adding color to summer gardens. Its intense pink leaves create a striking contrast when paired with silver or chartreuse foliage plants.
These 16 pink-leaf outdoor plants offer a stunning array of options to add a rosy glow to your garden. Whether you’re looking to create a bold statement or add subtle touches of color, these plants provide unique textures, shapes, and hues that will elevate your outdoor space.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.