Lowest Price Policy^
Free delivery* with
4 hour Click & Collect
Easy in-store Returns
Planting & Growing
How to plant and grow chrysanthemum
The best colourful plants to grow indoors or out
By
Add cool-season colour with foliage plants you can grow outdoors or inside.
Bring vibrant colour to your indoor or outdoor spaces with these fabulous foliage favourites. Their strikingly vibrant leaves are an easy way to add colour and drama to your home and garden during the cool season. Find out the ideal conditions to promote lush growth for these four colourful plants:
Prayer plant/Calathea (Goeppertia spp.)
Rex/painted leaf begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum)
Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides)
Cordyline (Cordyline spp.)
Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.
Prayer plant/Calathea (Goeppertia spp.)
With their dazzling range of graphic patterned leaves, some with a velvety texture, prayer plants bring instant life to indoor spaces. They can also be grown outside in dappled shade in tropical or subtropical climates. Many varieties are happy with the humidity level found in most homes, but be aware that some may need more.
Rex/painted leaf begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum)
These compact foliage plants brighten any indoor space. Leaf colour combinations range from soft or deep green to burgundy, silver, pink and purple tones, often with an iridescent sheen. They thrive in bright, indirect light and prefer slightly humid conditions. Water regularly during the warmer months, but avoid wetting the leaves to prevent fungal problems.
Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides)
Loved for its stunning ornamental foliage, this evergreen perennial thrives outside in tropical, subtropical and frost-free temperate zones, or indoors in cooler areas. Its patterned leaves range from deep burgundy and green to shades of brilliant pink, yellow and purple. Grow in a sunny or semi-shaded spot, water regularly and tip prune occasionally to encourage a bushy habit.
Cordyline (Cordyline spp.)
The strappy leaves of these hardy perennials come in multicoloured shades, from deep green and bright red to purple, often variegated. They grow well indoors or out. If planted outdoors, the more vibrant species such as C. fruticosa prefer warm, frost-free climates, while the hardier green- or red/burgundy-leaved varieties like C. australis tolerate cooler temperate conditions.
Keep in mind…
Take care when selecting your plants as some can be poisonous to children and pets, and check their suitability for your region, as some may be classified as weeds in certain states and territories.
Keen to add some good fortune to your indoor space?
Discover our guide to plants for good luck around the home.
Photo credit: Adobe Stock.
More D.I.Y. Advice
Health & Safety
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.