“Vibrant Violets: Discover 15 Stunning Plants with Purple Foliage”

Add some flair to your garden with plants sporting purple foliage, bringing life to your space all year round, even when flowers are not in bloom.

For a garden that attracts pollinators and has a delicious scent, pineapple sage is a must-have herb for both herb beds and pollinator gardens.

If you’re looking to add some more vibrancy and depth to your garden, consider incorporating plants with purple foliage into your landscaping. Not only do they provide a pop of color that lasts beyond their bloom, but they can also serve as a bridge between other vibrant flowers. Whether you prefer a reddish hue or a deep, almost black purple, our list of 15 plants with purple leaves has got you covered. From Ajuga to other stunning options, mix and match to create a visually striking masterpiece in your yard!

Bugleweed, also known as Ajuga reptans, is a perennial plant that grows low and spreads slowly. It is perfect for providing coverage in any area of the garden, whether it gets full sun or part shade. ‘Black Scallop’ is one of the many varieties available, and it stands out with its rich, deep purple leaves that almost resemble chocolate. The violet flowers that bloom in spring and early summer complement the foliage nicely. This plant thrives in average soil and can grow up to 6 inches tall and 1 foot wide, making it suitable for zones 4-9. Another great option for your garden is the Alternanthera plant.

Dean Schoeppner suggests that Alternanthera is a versatile plant that comes in different colors, including the purple variety ‘Purple Prince.’ This plant can grow up to a couple of feet tall and wide and thrives in both sunny and shady conditions. It produces lovely white blooms in spring, making it an ideal landscape plant. Additionally, ‘Purple Prince’ makes a great container plant. To grow this plant successfully, provide it with full sun to part shade and average soil. It can grow as an annual in any zone, while it is hardy in zones 9+.

Moving on to another plant, begonia is also worth considering.

Begonias are a great choice for adding pops of vibrant color to your garden. Their beautiful leaves come in a variety of shades including reds, pinks, whites, silvers, purples, and greens, making them a favorite among home gardeners. One standout type is the rex begonia, known for its exceptional beauty. A great example is ‘Shadow King’, which features a stunning mix of deep reds, purples, silvers, and greens. These plants thrive in part shade and require moist, well-drained soil. They typically grow up to 10 inches tall and can be grown in zones 10+ or as an annual anywhere else. Another colorful option for your garden is coleus.

Looking for a plant that will add a pop of color to your garden? Look no further than Coleus (Plectranthus spp.). Boasting a wide range of vibrant hues, these plants can add an eye-catching element to any bed or container. However, some varieties may become messy and unsightly due to excessive flowering and overgrowth. Fortunately, newer strains like ‘ColorBlaze Newly Noir’ offer a low-maintenance solution to this problem, keeping your plants looking healthy and robust throughout the season.
To cultivate optimal growth, provide your Coleus with moist, well-drained soil and exposure to full sun or partial shade. These plants can grow up to three feet tall, and are suitable for Zones 10+ or as an annual anywhere else. So why wait? Add some colorful flair to your garden with Coleus today!
Another great plant option is Coral Bells. With their bright hues, they make for the perfect accent plant in any garden.

Coral bells, also known as Heuchera spp., are a versatile plant that can thrive in a range of light conditions from full sun to full shade. These plants offer vibrant and colorful leaves, with the Dolce line being a great example of this, boasting a wide range of colors including the lovely purple hue of the ‘Dolce Blackcurrant’ variety. Even in shaded areas, newer coral bell varieties like ‘Northern Exposure Purple’ have been developed through genetic improvements to maintain their vivid coloration despite the lack of sunlight. Coral bells require moist, well-drained soil to grow best and can reach up to one foot in height. They are suitable for growing in zones 3-9. Another interesting plant is Elephant’s Ear.

Peter Krumhardt discusses how elephant’s ear, also known as taro, can add a tropical vibe to any garden. With their moody hues, purple elephant’s ears are especially eye-catching and can be planted in containers or directly in the garden. They can be lifted and stored in cool, dry locations until the next growing season for years of enjoyment. Krumhardt highlights the popular dark purple variety ‘Black Magic.’ These plants require full sun and constantly moist to wet soil, can grow up to 5 feet tall by 6 feet wide, and thrive in zones 8+ or as an annual anywhere else. One other plant that can add a unique touch to your garden is the Fringe Flower.

Denny Schrock recommends fringe flowers (Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum) as they require minimal upkeep and are disease-resistant. They also attract pollinators due to their purple evergreen leaves, especially the ‘Plum Delight’ variety. These plants can grow up to 5 feet tall and wide and thrive in full sun to part shade with proper moisture and drainage. Additionally, he suggests Japanese Maple for your garden.

If you’re looking for a stunning tree with colorful foliage all year round, the Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is an excellent choice. These trees are famous for their range of hues, from deep purples to blood reds, which change seasonally. They thrive in cooler climates with plenty of moisture, making them a perfect specimen tree. However, if you live in a colder climate, you might want to consider newer selections like ‘Velvet Viking,’ which is robust and can grow both in-ground or in a protected container.

To ensure your Japanese maples thrive, plant them in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil that’s moist. They come in sizes ranging from 3 to 25 feet tall and wide, making them a versatile landscaping option. Japanese maples are hardy in zones 5-9.

Another tree species worth noting is the ninebark.

Ninebark, also known as Physocarpus opulifolius, is a sturdy and beautiful shrub that flowers in the early summer and boasts appealing bark. The ‘Diabolo’ variety has stunning purple leaves and is an excellent choice for a vibrant display. Although Ninebark can tolerate some shade, it thrives in bright light, resulting in compact growth and deep purple foliage. This plant prefers average soil and can grow up to 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide. It is suitable for planting in zones 2-8. In addition to Ninebark, Purple Basil is another lovely option for a pop of color in your garden.

Experience the beauty of almost black-purple by planting the purple basil (Ocimum basilicum) in your garden. The ‘Amethyst Improved’ variety is perfect for container gardening and is known for its dark hue, fast growth, and lovely purple flowers. This Italian basil thrives in full sun and requires moist, well-drained soil. It grows up to 2 feet tall and is an annual plant. To bring fresh flavor to your kitchen, harvest basil using these simple steps. Lastly, add some purple fountain grass to your garden for added beauty.

Looking to elevate the look of your container garden? Consider adding some height and texture with purple fountain grass, also known as Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’. This beautiful ornamental grass grows quickly and boasts long, dark purple leaves that are topped with fluffy flower spikes in the middle of the season.

To cultivate your own purple fountain grass, be sure to provide it with plenty of sunlight and moderate watering. At full maturity, this grass can grow to be between 4-5 feet tall. It’s best suited for growing in zones 9-11.

If you’re looking for another striking purple plant to add to your collection, consider Purple Heart.

The purple-leafed plant, commonly known as the purple heart plant or
Tradescantia pallida
‘Purpurea’, has various names and is typically used as an annual in colder regions and a groundcover in warmer areas. These plants are admired for their vibrant hue and low maintenance requirements. Ideally, they require full sun exposure to produce three-petalled flowers that stand out against the foliage. With ease, these plants can propagate from cuttings and serve as excellent indoor plants. Purple heart plants thrive in moderate watering conditions and prefer full sun to partial shade. They grow up to 8 inches in height and are suitable for zones 9-11.

Jay Wilde’s article highlights the timeless appeal of oxalis, a beloved plant known for its stunning deep purple leaves, delicate blooms, and low-maintenance care. He suggests planting oxalis in the ground as an annual or lifting it in colder climates to store tubers for winter. Oxalis also makes an excellent container plant and can thrive in full sun with ample moisture, producing a fluffy mound of purple leaves. Wilde notes that oxalis thrives in full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil, reaching a height of eight inches. It can grow anywhere as an annual, making it a versatile addition to any garden. Additionally, Wilde mentions the Smoke Tree as another noteworthy plant.

Here’s some information about the beautiful smoke tree varieties – Cotinus coggyria and Cotinus obovatus. Although these plants are famous for their vibrant fall foliage, there are also purple-leaved types of each that look stunning during the growing season. One such variety is ‘Royal Purple’, which maintains its reddish-purple hue even in the heat of summer. It’s a hardier option than the species and can thrive in zones 4-10. These trees grow well in full sun to part shade and average soil, reaching a size of 15 feet tall by 10 feet wide. They’re best suited for zones 5-9. On a different note, let’s talk about the sweet potato vine.

Sweet potato vines, scientifically known as Ipomoea batatas, are highly favored in container gardening. A particular variety called ‘Blackie,’ with striking purple leaves, is quite popular and serves as a beautiful contrast with lighter-colored leaves and flowers. Recently developed ‘Treasure Island’ sweet potato vines offer both visual appeal and edibility in one plant, combining beautiful purple leaves with garden variety sweet potatoes. These vines thrive best with full sun exposure and moist, well-drained soil. They typically reach a height of about 1 foot and trail to up to 5 feet. These vines grow exceptionally well in zones 10 and above but can also be grown anywhere else as an annual.