21 Beautiful Indoor Plants With Striped Leaves

Nothing quite makes a statement like a plant with striped leaves. Why collect boring houseplants with solid green leaves when your stripey plants could have your guests talking?

Read on to discover a range of plants with beautiful striped foliage that you can keep indoors. From popular Dragon plants to exotic species; our guide covers them all.

1. Spider Plant

Scientific Name: Chlorophytum comosum

• Plant Type: Lily-type; perennial

• Geographic Origin: Southern Africa

• Plant Size: 24" tall

• Sun Exposure: Indirect bright light

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: Yes

Spider plants, named for their thin leaves that stick out like spider legs, are common in solid green, but they can also have contrasting white and green striped leaves. They make quite a statement and look brilliant in hanging baskets around the home.

Spider plants are great for first-time plant parents. Simply water them when the top 2 inches of soil is dry, and you'll have a happy spider plant.

Spider plants prefer indirect bright light, so a shady corner in a sunny room will make the perfect home for your collection of spider plants.

2. Snake Plant

Scientific Name: Dracaena trifasciata

• Plant Type: Evergreen, perennial

• Geographic Origin: West Africa

• Plant Size: 2.3 - 3 ft tall

• Sun Exposure: Indirect light; bright to low

• Watering Needs: Low

• Safe for pets: No

Snake plants, otherwise known as corn plants, are classic indoor plants because they are near-impossible to kill. When you think of an easy indoor plant, you probably think of one that you don't have to water daily or move around to find the perfect light conditions.

Well, you have all that in the snake plant! Your snake plant will thrive in low light or bright conditions and do well with very little water.

Snake plants are also called the 'mother-in-law's tongue' plant thanks to their spiky leaves.

3. Inch Plant

Scientific Name: Tradescantia zebrina

• Plant Type: Succulent, perennial

• Geographic Origin: Mexico, Colombia, Central America, Caribbean Islands

• Plant Size: 6" tall, 2" wide

• Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: No

Your inch plant may very well be the favorite in your indoor plant collection thanks to its purple and green leaves. The leaves have a deep purple hue near the growth, turning green towards the ends.

They don't grow very tall, but they can grow fairly wide. As they like to branch out, it might be best to keep your inch plants in hanging baskets where their creeping stems are safely out of reach.

4. Oyster Plant

Scientific Name: Tradescantia spathacea

• Plant Type: Herb

• Geographic Origin: Guatemala, Belize, Mexico

• Plant Size: 1 ft tall, 3" wide

• Sun Exposure: Indirect light, bright

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: No

This herbaceous plant is a stunning stripey specimen beloved by many plant collectors! They are fairly easy to care for, needing a bright room (the brighter the room, the more striking the purple and green coloring) and moderate watering.

Oyster plants cascade over the edges of their pots. This means you may have to trim them occasionally - unless you like that untamed jungle vibe.

5. Bromeliads

Scientific Name: Bromeliaceae spp

• Plant Type: Flowering, tropical

• Geographic Origin: Tropical Americas

• Plant Size: Tallest sp: 9 - 13 ft tall (Queen of the Andes); smallest sp: 0.8 - 2.4" tall (Spanish moss)

• Sun Exposure: Indirect light, bright

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: Yes

Not all bromeliads have striped foliage, but some have gorgeous leaves with white, green, yellow, and pink stripes. If you love indoor plants, a variety of bromeliads could be a valuable addition to your collection.

The Flaming Sword (Vriesea splendens) is the most popular striped bromeliad thanks to its boldly striped leaves and beautiful red flower.

These striking plants only bloom once in their lifetime - so don't get too attached!

6. ‘White Jewel’ Dracaena

Scientific Name: Dracaena deremensis

• Plant Type: Shrub

• Geographic Origin: Tropical Africa

• Plant Size: 3 - 10 ft

• Sun Exposure: Low to bright indirect light

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: No

The White Jewel dracaena has dark green leaves with lighter or white stripes. This contrasting coloring will undoubtedly make your dragon plant the jewel of your indoor plant collection.

These plants may be popular houseplants, but in the jungles of Africa, they can grow over 20 feet tall! Even indoors this plant can grow up to 10 ft, so keep an eye on it.

White Jewels are very easy to take care of; they need low indirect sunlight and moderate water. It has the added bonus of purifying your air, but the downside is it is toxic to pets.

7. ‘White Fusion’ Calathea

Scientific Name: Calathea lietzei

• Plant Type: Perennial herb

• Geographic Origin: Brazil

• Plant Size: 2 ft tall

• Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light or low light

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: Yes

All calathea plants are known to have gorgeous and colorful stripy leaves. The White Fusion cultivar is no different. These plants have leaves that look like oil paintings, with varying green and white patterns on each leaf. The underside of the leaf is magenta, so keep this plant up on a high table to get the best view from the top and bottom!

White Fusion is one of the best indoor plants for experienced plant parents. They enjoy 50% humidity, moderate watering, and indirect sunlight (although they do cope in low-light environments too). We'd recommend placing a humidifier in the area to keep your calathea happy.

8. Pleomele

Scientific Name: Dracaena reflexa

• Plant Type: Evergreen tree

• Geographic Origin: Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius

• Plant Size: 3 ft indoors

• Sun Exposure: Indirect bright light

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: No

Also called the 'Song of India,' the Pleomele is a gorgeous tree native to Indian Ocean Islands. Yes, you read that right - it is a tree, but it is also a top choice for a houseplant.

To prevent your lovely pleomele from turning your home into a tree-house, keep it in a smaller pot which will restrict its indoor growth.

The lovely green and yellowish-white leaves will be the most striking if you keep the plant in a brightly-lit room. Keep the soil moisture at the perfect level - oversaturated soil will result in mushy stems and a dead plant.

9. Ti Plant

Scientific Name: Cordyline fruticosa

• Plant Type: Evergreen, flowering

• Geographic Origin: Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia Islands, New Zealand

• Plant Size: 2 - 10 ft tall

• Sun Exposure: Bright light

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: No

The Ti plant is a quick grower and is popular as both indoor and outdoor plants. Outdoors they can grow up to 10 feet tall, but indoors they remain slightly smaller.

Their broad, sword-shaped leaves come in a variety of colors, of which the striped leaves are by far the most beautiful. Red specimens often have striped and blotched red and green leaves with white spots - a true sight to behold.

Make sure to plant your Ti plant in well-draining soil and keep it in a humid environment. Using a pebble tray filled with water under the pot will help in dry conditions.

10. Haworthia

Scientific Name: Haworthia spp.

• Plant Type: Succulent

• Geographic Origin: Southern Africa

• Plant Size: up to 20" tall

• Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light

• Watering Needs: Low

• Safe for pets: Yes

Haworthia are adorable little succulents with spikey leaves in vibrant colors. They are also one of the best low maintenance indoor plants thanks to their low water requirements. Despite being succulents, these plants do well indoors in low-light spots.

If you are looking for a stripey succulent, the zebra haworthia is the one for you. This plant has dark green leaves with white stripes that looked painted on.

11. Prayer Plant

Scientific Name: Maranta leuconeura

• Plant Type: Flowering perennial

• Geographic Origin: Brazil

• Plant Size: 12" tall

• Sun Exposure: Indirect light, bright

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: Yes

Do you love stripes? Do you love patterns? Do you love colors? Yes? You're in luck: the prayer plant has it all! This unique plant has broad, oval-shaped leaves in green, white, and pink. The underside is maroon and striped as well.

Prayer plants have the habit of drooping the leaves flat against the planter during the day, and at night they become erect, almost as if in prayer. So don't worry, your prayer plant isn't dying!

12. Variegated Banana

Scientific Name: Musa × paradisiaca 'Ae Ae'

• Plant Type: Tropical, perennial plant

• Geographic Origin: Hawaii

• Plant Size: 10 - 30 ft tall

• Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light

• Watering Needs: High

• Safe for pets: Yes

You probably didn't know you can grow your very own banana tree indoors. And no, not any banana tree will do, but variegated bananas from the Hawaiian islands thrive indoors!

The uniquely variegated leaves exhibit lovely shades of lush green, pale green, and white.

As a bonus, with the right care, these plants will produce edible fruits. But the right care can be tricky, as banana trees are fussy compared to other plants. They need wet soil at all times, meaning you will have to water them throughout the day.

13. Zebra Plant

Scientific Name: Aphelandra squarrosa

• Plant Type: Tropical plant, evergreen

• Geographic Origin: Brazil

• Plant Size: 1 - 2 ft in height and width

• Sun Exposure: Low light or bright indirect light

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: Yes

Two guesses how the zebra plant got its name. Yes, this plant is stripey, and you don't have to look closely to see the stripes. The dark green leaves have brilliant white stripes along the leaf veins. In summer, your zebra plant will be even more of a stunning sight, with golden flowers erupting from its center.

Your zebra plant may be a tricky house guest in that it needs moist soil, no direct sunlight, and high humidity. Only take on this plant if you are an experienced green thumb.

14. Croton

Scientific Name: Codiaeum variegatum

• Plant Type: Tropical evergreen

• Geographic Origin: Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, Pacific Islands

• Plant Size: up to 9 ft tall

• Sun Exposure: Bright light

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: No

If you are on the lookout for tropical plants, crotons are good options. A croton plant can grow up to 9 feet tall outdoors, but you can keep smaller specimens indoors.

They have brightly colored striped leaves in a variety of colors - green, red, purple, and yellow.

It is very easy to care for your croton plant. Give it some bright light and consistent water and your croton will thrive as a happy member of your plant family.

15. Birkin Philodendron

Scientific Name: Philodendron 'Birkin'

• Plant Type: Perennial

• Geographic Origin: Brazil

• Plant Size: 3 ft tall; 3 ft wide

• Sun Exposure: Indirect sunlight, bright

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: No

The Birkin philodendron has secured a spot in the hearts of many indoor plant lovers due to its off-white or white pinstriped leaves. The leaves are broad and round, tapering off to the tips.

If you really want the contrasting green and white colors to pop, place your Birkin in a spot with plenty of bright, indirect light.

16. Variegated Cast Iron Plant

Scientific Name: Aspidistra elatior 'Variegata'

• Plant Type: Evergreen, perennial

• Geographic Origin: Japan, Taiwan

• Plant Size: 24" tall and wide

• Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: Yes

The variegated cast iron plant is a popular indoor plant because of how easy it is to grow. The reason these plants are called 'cast iron' is because they are just about indestructible, making them perfect beginner plants.

The variegated leaves are sword-like, with vertical white stripes across the leaves. Some also have white speckles or splotches.

Keep your plant in bright indirect light to make the colors pop.

17. African Mask Plant

Scientific Name: Alocasia x amazonica 'Polly’

• Plant Type: Herbaceous, perennial

• Geographic Origin: Asia

• Plant Size: 2 - 10 ft tall

• Sun Exposure: Indirect sunlight

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: No

The African mask plant actually does not come from Africa! Also called the elephant ear plant, Alocasia plants are found in tropical areas of Asia.

These leaves are deep green and glossy, with white veins. The brighter the room they're kept in, the more contrasting the colors.

Just take note, an African mask plant will only live about five years, so don't get too attached. Luckily propagating it is relatively easy by dividing the plant.

18. Round Leaf Calathea

Scientific Name: Calathea orbifolia

• Plant Type: Flowering, perennial

• Geographic Origin: Bolivia

• Plant Size: 2 - 3 ft in height

• Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: Yes

The round leaf calathea looks different from its cousin, the prayer plant, which we mentioned above. This plant has scalloped leaves with silver stripes.

Round-leaf calathea is not good for beginners. They need moist soil and high humidity, and are quite picky with the amount of indirect and direct sunlight they crave.

Although this is a flowering plant, don't expect your calathea to erupt into dazzling colors in spring. Blooming of indoor calathea is actually exceptionally rare.

19. Pinstripe Calathea

Scientific Name: Calathea ornata

• Plant Type: Perennial

• Geographic Origin: Colombia, Venezuela

• Plant Size: 2 - 3 ft tall

• Sun Exposure: Indirect light, bright

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: Yes

Another calathea - this time with pinstriped leaves! Their rounded, tapering leaves have thin stripes across them.

Your pinstripe will require a lot of attention. It needs a humid environment (up to 60% humidity) but also bright indirect light. Too much light, however, and the leaves will burn. A bright bathroom with a frosted window might be its ideal home.

20. Nerve Plant

Scientific Name: Fittonia albivenis

• Plant Type: Flowering, creeping perennial

• Geographic Origin: Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil

• Plant Size: 3 - 6" tall; 12 - 18" wide

• Sun Exposure: Medium to low direct light

• Watering Needs: High

• Safe for pets: Yes

Your nerve plant may not be the biggest in your collection, but it might be the prettiest. The leaves have delicate, pink stripes across the deep green coloring. The veins can also be red or silver.

A nerve plant is the perfect indoor plant thanks to its compact size. As long as you keep your nerve plants in humid rooms or close to a humidifier, they will be very happy. Crafty green thumbs can also place nerve plants in terrariums so that they never dry out.

21. Spotted Chinese Evergreen

Scientific Name: Aglaonema costatum

• Plant Type: Herbaceous, perennial

• Geographic Origin: Asia

• Plant Size: 1 - 3 ft tall and wide

• Sun Exposure: Low to bright light

• Watering Needs: Moderate

• Safe for pets: No

This Chinese evergreen is not just a gorgeous plant, but also acts as an air purifier! Their broad, tapered leaves can be stripey or have splotches of white or light green.

These plants are very easy to care for, as they can do well in low-light or bright rooms! The lighter the variegated leaves are, the more light your plant will need.

FAQs

Why do plants develop striped leaves?

Striped leaves or variegation occurs randomly through mutations. These mutations affect the production of chlorophyll, and all offspring of the originally mutated plants will have the same leaf patterns.

What is the easiest indoor plant to take care of?

Aloe and cast iron plants are probably the easiest indoor plants, as they are virtually indestructible, doing well in any light conditions and tolerating drought.