Burgundy Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica)

Plants with dramatic foliage have continued to evolve as an ongoing houseplant trend, and that won’t change for 2023.

“This year, variegated and dark-foliage plants will have a moment as plant parents move towards that foliage combination,” predicts Lindsay Pangborn, a plant expert with Bloomscape. “The Burgundy Rubber Tree is a great choice for this trend, making a statement with its dark, glossy leaves colored in a moody palette.” She adds that this ficus is also quite adaptable, and can add beauty to all sorts of interior aesthetics.

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Soil: Light, well-draining soil
• Water: Water when 75% of its soil volume is dry  
• Temperature: 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 60 to 80%

“Burgundy Rubber Trees are sensitive to being moved around multiple areas, so make sure the spot you pick is one that it can stay in for long periods of time,” adds Pangborn. “Multiple placement changes can cause its leaves to drop off.”

Peperomia Hope (Peperomia deppeana×quadrifolia)

Perfect for small spaces, the Peperomia hope is a compact plant that typically grows to be around six to eight inches tall. It’s actually a hybrid plant created by crossing the deppeana and quadrifolia species of peperomia.

“This plant has round, fleshy leaves that are usually green with white or silver stripes,” notes Puneet Sabharwal, co-founder and CEO of Horti. “The leaves are slightly thicker than those of some other Peperomia species, which helps the plant retain moisture.” Like many other Peperomia species, hope is a low-maintenance plant that’s relatively easy to care for.

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Soil: Light, well-draining soil
• Water: Water when top inch of soil feels dry 
• Temperature: 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40 to 50%

Inch Plant (Tradescantia zebrina)

Given the popularity of hanging planters, it’s no surprise that inch plants are having a real moment in 2023. Its striking purple, green, and white leaves leaves trail downward as they mature. It even produces small flowers at the stem tips from time to time.

“Whether your home décor style is more minimalistic, or you love to fill your space with bright colors, this plant’s beautiful markings and texture are sure to stand out,” says Rebecca Sears, plant expert and CMO for Ferry-Morse. ”Inch plants trail very nicely, so I recommend growing these in a hanging basket so you can better display those cascading leaves.”

Care Tips:

• Light: Medium to bright light 
• Soil: Loose, well-draining soil
• Water: Keep top inch of soil moist 
• Temperature: 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 45%+

Polka Dot Begonia (Begonia maculata)

Native to Brazil, the begonia maculata grows on a cane-like stem with long emerald green leaves and a smattering of silver spots. The back of the leaf is red, and the plant flowers with dense clusters of white blooms. It almost has a cartoonish aesthetic, making it the star of any space.

“As this plant thrives in humidity, it’s considered high-maintenance. However, with great care, this plant will reward you with stunning leaves,” says Carrie Waggoner, the experiential and workshops manager at Flowers for Dreams. “It can sometimes be hard to find, as it’s not available all year. Keep your eye out at home improvement stores, and if you see it in a shop, snap it up.”

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Soil: Light potting soil or sandy loam
• Water: Allow to dry completely, then soak; don’t mist
• Temperature: 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 20 to 50%

Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)

If you’re craving a bit of a tropical touch, look no further than the gorgeous, color-drenched bromeliad plant. With their easy-going nature, they’re a great way to bring a natural, warm glow into your space.

“Bold and bright colors are a plant trend that never goes out of style, but what makes bromeliads special are their bloom spikes, which flower once in their lifetime and can last for months,” Pangborn says. “Each plant produces new baby plants called ‘pups’ that eventually have a bloom of their own.”

The pups will eventually replace the original plant, and can be snipped off and moved to another pot or kept with the mother plant to take over that pot.

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Soil: Quick-draining potting soil that still retains moisture
• Water: “Bromeliads have a special vase in the center of their plant structures that can catch and absorb water,” notes Pangborn. “Make sure the vase is always filled halfway with water in addition to watering the plant when its soil volume is 75-100% dry.” 
• Temperature: 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40 to 60%

Cat Palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum)

With its tall, dense palms and tropical appearance, the cat palm instantly infuses a dose of jungle vibes into your space. “This plant is a great way to create a green oasis in your home,” says Pangborn.

It can be an economic choice, too, “As we see the cost of living increase for consumers all around, plant parents looking for adaptable plants that can thrive indoors and outdoors will want to keep their eye on the cat palm,” Pangborn adds.

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Soil: Loose, well-draining soil
• Water: Water when 50% of its soil volume is dry.   
• Temperature: 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 50%+

Sweetheart Plant (Hoya kerrii)

The hoya kerrii is a beautiful, vining succulent native to Thailand. A quick look at the heart-shaped design will tell you how this trending house plant got its name. Not only is it super photogenic, making it a #PlantTok superstar, but it’s a low-maintenance plant that dries out completely between waterings.

Sears says that succulents, in general, have remained a houseplant mainstay. “Not only are they a go-to for desk décor, but you can also use them in a centerpiece for your tablescape or plant a few different varieties in a large picture frame for a living piece of artwork,” she says. “Succulents also have air purifying properties.”

Like some of the other popular houseplants on this list, the hoya kerrii can be tricky to find at big-box stores. So, you may want to check out boutique plant shops or Etsy to get your hands on one.

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Airy, well-draining soil
• Water: Allow to dry completely, then soak; mist occasionally
• Temperature: 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40 to 70%

Calathea Medallion (Calathea roseopicta)

Calathea medallion is a showstopper with its large, dark green leaves with silver and emerald green bands and deep, red-purple undersides.

“For people looking for a stunning plant that can also tolerate low light, this is an ideal plant,” notes Sabharwal. “One of the most interesting features of the Calathea medallion is that its leaves move and respond to changes in light and temperature. At night, the leaves fold up, and during the day, they unfurl to capture more light.”

Interestingly, this movement—referred to as nyctinasty—is thought to help the plant conserve moisture and protect itself from excessive sunlight.

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Soil: Spongey, well-draining soil
• Water: Water when top inch of soil feels dry 
• Temperature: 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 40 to 60%

Bird’s Nest Anthurium (Anthurium Superbum)

Colloquially known as a bird’s nest anthurium (not to be confused with the bird’s nest fern) the dazzling Anthurium superbum is recognized by its waffled, shiny, ironclad leaves. Jayson Opgenorth, director of horticulture for LiveTrends Design Group, tells us it originates in Ecuador, and is an excellent “gateway plant” for those who want to get more comfortable growing other members of the anthurium genus.

“Some distinctive characteristics are its bronze-colored new foliage and beefy, above-soil structural roots,” Opgenorth says. “A superbum is a slow-growing species and is endangered in its native habitat, so verify it is not collected from the wild and grow one yourself to keep the genetics alive,” he adds.

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect sunlight
• Soil: Light, well-draining soil
• Water: Keep moist but not soaked; mist often
• Temperature: 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• Humidity: 65 to 80%