If you’re looking to add bold color and striking contrast to your outdoor space, purple foliage plants are the perfect way to do it. Their rich, moody hues bring a sense of elegance, depth, and intrigue to any garden design whether planted in flower beds, containers, or as accent borders. From velvety leaves to glossy plum shades, these plants hold their color beautifully through the seasons and pair effortlessly with greens, silvers, and golds. Here are 10 stunning plants with purple foliage that will instantly upgrade your garden’s style.
1. Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ (Coral Bells)
A perennial favorite, Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ is celebrated for its deep burgundy to near-black leaves that shimmer with a metallic sheen in the sun. This hardy, low-growing perennial thrives in both sunny and partially shaded spots, making it a versatile choice for borders, rock gardens, and containers. In late spring to early summer, delicate white or pink flower spikes rise above the foliage, adding even more interest. It pairs beautifully with lighter plants like silver lamb’s ear or lime-green hostas for a gorgeous color contrast.
2. Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida)
Known for its rich purple, lance-shaped leaves and vibrant pink flowers, Purple Heart is a fast-growing, heat-tolerant plant perfect for borders, hanging baskets, and ground cover. Its trailing habit makes it a striking addition to container gardens or as an edging plant. It loves full sun to partial shade and is especially vivid in bright light. While grown as a perennial in warmer climates, it also thrives as an annual or houseplant in cooler regions. This bold beauty delivers a strong, contemporary vibe to any setting.
3. Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus)
Persian Shield is a tropical showstopper with iridescent, purple-silver leaves that shimmer in sunlight. The foliage is large, elongated, and deeply veined, creating a dramatic, almost metallic effect. Ideal for shaded garden spots or containers, Persian Shield thrives in warm, humid conditions and benefits from regular watering. It can be grown as a perennial in zones 9-11 or as a striking annual elsewhere. Its vibrant coloring pairs beautifully with ferns, caladiums, and coleus for an exotic, textured look.
4. Purple Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’)
Purple Smoke Bush is a stunning, large shrub known for its dark maroon to purple foliage that turns fiery shades of red and orange in fall. In summer, airy, smoke-like flower clusters create a wispy, ethereal effect, adding to its unique appeal. This hardy shrub grows well in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It makes an excellent specimen plant or dramatic backdrop in mixed borders. Its bold color and airy texture add year-round drama and dimension to any landscape.
5. Oxalis triangularis (Purple Shamrock)
Charming and whimsical, Oxalis triangularis boasts triangular, deep-purple leaves that fold up at night and reopen during the day. In addition to its striking foliage, it produces delicate, pale pink to white flowers that contrast beautifully with the dark leaves. Ideal for containers, hanging baskets, or as an edging plant in shaded garden spots, it’s easy to grow and maintain. This plant is a lovely conversation starter and adds a playful, elegant touch to garden beds, patios, and indoor displays.
6. Alternanthera ‘Purple Knight’
For gardeners craving intense, saturated color, Alternanthera ‘Purple Knight’ delivers with its glossy, deep-purple to almost black leaves. This fast-growing annual works well in sunny garden beds, containers, or as a low-maintenance groundcover. It thrives in full sun, which intensifies its color, and is heat-tolerant and easy to care for. Often used as a bold accent plant, it pairs wonderfully with ornamental grasses, bright zinnias, or lime-green coleus for eye-catching contrast. It’s also excellent for adding late-season color.
7. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’)
One of the most elegant and sought-after ornamental trees, the ‘Bloodgood’ Japanese Maple features rich, deep-purple foliage that holds its color through summer before turning brilliant scarlet in fall. This deciduous tree grows gracefully with a rounded crown and delicate, lacy leaves. It thrives in well-drained soil and partial shade, making it ideal for courtyards, patios, and mixed borders. The ‘Bloodgood’ adds structure and drama, while its fine texture provides a beautiful contrast against bolder-leafed plants.
8. Coleus ‘Black Dragon’
Known for its ruffled, velvety leaves in rich shades of burgundy and purple-black, Coleus ‘Black Dragon’ is a must-have for shady borders and containers. Its deeply serrated foliage adds texture and dimension, and it pairs beautifully with ferns, impatiens, or chartreuse foliage plants. While it’s grown as an annual in most areas, it can be overwintered indoors. This easy-care plant thrives in part to full shade and consistently moist soil. Regular pinching encourages bushier growth and a fuller appearance.
9. Ajuga reptans ‘Black Scallop’ (Bugleweed)
Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’ is a fast-spreading ground cover prized for its glossy, nearly black-purple leaves and dense, mat-forming growth habit. In spring, it produces spikes of deep blue flowers that contrast strikingly against its dark foliage. Ideal for covering shady or partially shaded areas, it’s low-maintenance and helps control soil erosion. Perfect for edging pathways or underplanting shrubs, this hardy perennial adds bold color and rich texture to the garden year-round, even when flowers are absent.
10. Sweet Potato Vine ‘Blackie’ (Ipomoea batatas)
‘Blackie’ Sweet Potato Vine is a vigorous, trailing plant known for its deeply lobed, nearly black-purple leaves. Popular in containers, hanging baskets, and as a ground cover, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Its fast-growing habit and dramatic foliage make it a favorite for adding color contrast to mixed plantings. While typically grown for its leaves, it occasionally produces small, trumpet-shaped flowers. This plant pairs beautifully with bright blooms or variegated foliage for striking combinations.