Red Leaves

Maroon by nature: Endless Cascades® 'Red Maroon' ( Hoya sp. ) trails narrow, succulent leaves with a gentle wave to their edges, green down the center and rimmed in deep maroon. Turn up the light — bright and indirect, with a little gentle sun — and that maroon edging runs further across the leaf. Like the rest of the Endless Cascades® crew it likes to dry out well between waterings, so when in doubt, wait another day. Give it a shelf to spill from and it will drift several feet down, perfectly content in its maroon mood.

Begonia maculata ‘Obsidian’ rocks a look as sharp as the volcanic glass it is named after. This dark, dramatic cane begonia flaunts asymmetrical, wing-shaped leaves of nearly black, growing atop bamboo-like shoots. Leaves have ruffled, serrated edges, and reddish undersides, which contrast strikingly with their dark green uppers. Like other “Angel Wing” or “Polka Dot” begonias, ‘Obsidian’ is spotted with silvery speckling. 

Meet Igneous® 'Garnet Stream™' ( Aglaonema ), a Chinese Evergreen that lives up to its gemstone name. Glossy, ovate leaves flush deep garnet and burgundy down the center, streaked with rosy-pink veining and bordered in rich forest green, like a vein of garnet stone catching the light. Give it low to medium, bright indirect light to keep that garnet blush at its richest, and let the soil dry out between waterings. Compact and easy-care, 'Garnet Stream' brings a jewel-toned glow to your shelf or windowsill.

Dive in with Oceana™ 'Ruby Strike', an aroid that never quite left the water ( Cyrtosperma johnstonii ). Big arrow-shaped blades unfurl in deep green, struck through with ruby-red veins that run clear to the leaf edge — and the long petioles beneath are just as dramatic, streaked in pink and red and lined with dark spines. Semi-aquatic by nature, this one never wants to dry out: keep the soil constantly moist and the light bright but filtered, and it will strike a pose all year.

‘Current News’ will grab your attention with its dramatic, low-growing foliage. Leaves are very dark green with heavy magenta-pink veining. Leaves have serrated, ruffled edges. ‘Current News’ will provide a pretty pop of pink in a terrarium or under cloche.

Network News ‘Media’ is a low-growing, creeping nerve plant with smooth, ovate leaves that are awash in red coloring. Unlike most nerve plants, the red veining on ‘Media’ is bleeding into the rest of the leaves, giving the appearance of a plant that is more red than green. Like other Fittonias, ‘Media’ loves bright light and humidity.

Moody, mysterious, and totally irresistible—‘Black Mamba’ is the drama queen your plant shelf’s been waiting for. With deep, velvety leaves that shimmer in the light and serrated, maple-shaped edges, this begonia serves major gothic garden vibes. Delicate, eyelash-like hairs line each leaf, giving it a soft, whimsical edge (hence the nickname eyelash begonia). Perched on fuzzy stems, it’s as textural as it is eye-catching. Give it bright, indirect light, consistent moisture, steady temps, and a little airflow, and it’ll thrive like the star it is.

Step into the wild with ‘African Jungle’, a rex begonia with mounding, clumping leaves that capture all the vibrance of a sub-saharan rainforest. Each asymmetrical, deeply-serrated leaf is a riot of color, with plum-to-purple centers, shimmering splashes of silver & lavender, and rich green margins, edged in more purple. Red stems and under-veining also add another pop of color and dimension.

Every collection deserves a crown jewel, and Anthurium 'Red Crystal Blush' ( Anthurium hybrid ) is happy to play the part. Each new leaf opens in a warm coppery blush, then settles into velvety deep green traced with bright silver veins, so an established plant shows several facets at once. Give it gentle, indirect light well back from a sunny window, keep the humidity up, and let the top of the soil dry between waterings. It arrives potted in a white ceramic cachepot, ready to take its place in your collection.

Read the name and you have the pedigree: DocBlock Premier™ Zara™ '3' × Black Widow™ '13' ( Anthurium ) — two numbered parents, one very deliberate cross. New leaves push out flushed red before settling into deep, near-black green, and the surface is pure velvet, thick and softly luminous, with clean pale veins running the length of each heart-shaped blade. Give it gentle, indirect light set back from a bright window, and water once the top inch of mix has dried. For collectors, the numbers are half the appeal.