102 Medium Foliage Plants | 2026 Guide - Page 2
Find 102 medium foliage plants. Complete guide for your garden.
102 Foliage Plants with medium level
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Yellow Rattleshaker
Calathea crotalifera
Calathea crotalifera, commonly known as the yellow rattleshaker, is a rhizomatous perennial herb in the family Marantaceae, native to the humid tropical forests of Central America and northern South America. It is grown for its large, glossy green foliage and its yellow, spike-shaped inflorescences that resemble the tail of a rattlesnake.
Rattlesnake Plant
Calathea lancifolia
The Calathea lancifolia, commonly known as the Rattlesnake Plant, is a tropical plant native to the rainforests of Brazil. Its elongated leaves display a dark green pattern with lighter green spots resembling rattlesnake markings, with a reddish-purple underside. Part of the Marantaceae family, it is known for its nyctinastic leaf movement, where leaves fold up at night like hands in prayer.
Cigar Plant
Calathea lutea
Calathea lutea, commonly known as the Cigar Plant or Cuban Cigar Calathea, is a large Neotropical Marantaceae native to tropical Americas. It is one of the tallest calatheas, with broad paddle-shaped leaves that can reach up to 1 meter long, featuring a distinctive waxy, pruinose silver-grey underside. It is widely used in tropical landscaping and traditionally used to wrap cigars in some regions.
Rose Painted Calathea
Calathea roseopicta
Calathea roseopicta is a perennial rhizomatous herb native to the tropical rainforests of Brazil and South America. Part of the Marantaceae family, it is admired for its oval dark green leaves with pink and silvery-green markings, plus a purple underside. Known as a "prayer plant" because its leaves fold up at night like hands in prayer.
Zebra Plant
Calathea zebrina
Calathea zebrina is a tropical plant native to Brazil, belonging to the Marantaceae family. Its velvety leaves feature light green zebra-like stripes over a dark green background, with reddish-purple undersides. Known for its nyctinastic movement, the leaves fold upward at dusk as if praying.
Bog Arum
Calla palustris
Calla palustris, commonly known as Bog Arum or Wild Calla, is an aquatic perennial in the Araceae family. Native to the northern temperate zones of Eurasia and North America, it grows at the margins of lakes, bogs, and wetlands. It produces an elegant white spathe in spring-summer. The entire plant contains calcium oxalate crystals and is toxic if ingested.
Taro
Colocasia
Colocasia is a genus of large-leaved tropical perennials native to Southeast Asia, grown worldwide both as a dramatic foliage plant and, in the case of Colocasia esculenta (taro), as one of the world's oldest cultivated food crops. Its broad, heart- or arrow-shaped leaves rise on long petioles from an underground corm, giving it the common name "elephant ear". All parts of the raw plant contain needle-like calcium oxalate crystals that irritate skin and mouth, so the corms and leaves are always cooked thoroughly before eating.
Taro
Colocasia esculenta
Colocasia esculenta, commonly known as Taro or Elephant Ear, is a tropical perennial plant prized for its dramatic heart-shaped leaves that can reach up to 60cm in length. Native to Southeast Asia, it is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world, grown both as an ornamental foliage plant and as a food crop for its edible corms. The plant produces large, velvety green leaves on long succulent stems, creating a lush tropical appearance.
Never Never Plant
Ctenanthe
Ctenanthe is a genus of around 15 evergreen perennial species in the prayer-plant family (Marantaceae), grown for their richly patterned, two-toned foliage that folds upward at night in a rhythmic motion called nyctinasty. Native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, these bushy, clumping plants stay compact but can spread wide, making them a striking foliage feature for shaded, humid corners of the home.
Fishbone Prayer Plant
Ctenanthe burle-marxii
Ctenanthe burle-marxii, commonly known as the Fishbone Prayer Plant, is a stunning tropical perennial native to the humid rainforests of Brazil. A member of the Marantaceae family, it is celebrated for its distinctive oval leaves featuring a silvery-green base adorned with dark green fishbone markings on top, and a rich burgundy-purple underside. Like its prayer plant relatives, it exhibits nyctinasty — the fascinating behavior of folding its leaves upward at dusk as if in prayer, and reopening them at dawn. Compact and elegant, it reaches around 40 cm in height and is perfectly suited for indoor cultivation, particularly in humid environments. It is completely non-toxic to humans and pets, making it a safe and beautiful choice for any household.
Grey Star
Ctenanthe setosa
Ctenanthe setosa, commonly known as the Grey Star or Never Never Plant, is a tropical plant native to Brazil in the Marantaceae family. It is prized for its stunning elongated leaves featuring silvery-grey and dark green striped patterns with deep purple undersides. Like other prayer plants, it exhibits nyctinasty — its leaves gently fold upward at night and open again in the morning, as if in prayer.
Bowmann Dumb Cane
Dieffenbachia bowmannii
Dieffenbachia bowmannii is one of the largest species in the genus, native to tropical regions of Central and South America. Its impressive leaves can reach up to 60 cm in length, displaying unique patterns of dark green with pale green to cream-white markings, making it a stunning centrepiece for indoor spaces.
Dragon Lily
Dracunculus vulgaris
Dracunculus vulgaris, commonly known as Dragon Lily or Voodoo Lily, is a spectacular bulbous plant native to the Balkans and eastern Mediterranean. Its purple-spotted stems support a dramatic dark maroon spathe up to 50 cm long surrounding a near-black spadix. The plant emits a powerful rotting-flesh odor during bloom to attract fly and beetle pollinators. All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals and are toxic to humans, cats, and dogs.
Engler's False Arum
Englerarum hypnosum
Englerarum hypnosum is a rare monotypic tropical aroid native to limestone karst forests of Southwest China, Laos, and Thailand. Formerly classified under Alocasia, it was segregated into its own genus Englerarum following molecular phylogenetic studies. It grows as a lithophyte on humid limestone ledges at 800–1000 m elevation, spreading by rhizomes to form colonies. Its large, deep-green leaves with silvery-green patterning make it a striking ornamental houseplant.
Freddie Calathea
Goeppertia concinna
Freddie Calathea (Goeppertia concinna) is a stunning tropical houseplant from Brazil, belonging to the Marantaceae family. It is celebrated for its striking striped foliage — pale green stripes over deep green leaves — that resemble a leopard's pattern. A popular choice for bringing lush, tropical vibes indoors.
Eternal Flame
Goeppertia crocata
The Eternal Flame plant (Goeppertia crocata) is a rhizomatous herbaceous species in the Marantaceae family, native to the tropical rainforests of Brazil (Bahia and Espírito Santo states). It is prized for its glossy dark green leaves with purple undersides and its striking saffron-orange flower spikes that resemble small flames, remaining showy for weeks to months.
Vittata Prayer Plant
Goeppertia elliptica
Goeppertia elliptica, commonly sold under its older name Calathea vittata or the Vittata prayer plant, is a foliage houseplant in the Marantaceae family native to humid rainforests of Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its broad, elliptical leaves are a rich green marked with pale green to creamy pinstripes radiating from the midrib, giving the plant a hand-painted look prized by collectors. Like other prayer plants, it lifts and folds its leaves at dusk and unfurls them again at dawn, tracking the daily light cycle.
Prayer Plant
Goeppertia fasciata
Goeppertia fasciata (syn. Calathea fasciata) is a rhizomatous perennial native to the humid tropical forests of northeastern Brazil. Its rounded, leathery leaves display alternating stripes of dark and light green radiating from the midrib, with a rich purple underside. Like other members of the Marantaceae family, it shows nyctinastic movement, its leaves folding upward at night and opening during the day, resembling praying hands.
Rattlesnake Plant
Goeppertia insignis
Goeppertia insignis, commonly known as the Rattlesnake Plant (formerly Calathea lancifolia), is a tropical evergreen perennial native to the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It features long, wavy lance-shaped leaves in pale green with alternating dark green elliptical spots on top and a striking purple underside. Like other prayer plants, it folds its leaves upward at nightfall in a movement called nyctinasty.
Leopard Calathea
Goeppertia leopardina
The Leopard Calathea (Goeppertia leopardina, syn. Calathea leopardina) is a compact foliage plant in the Marantaceae family, prized for its glossy oval leaves marked with dark leopard-like blotches along the veins. Like other calatheas, its leaves rise during the day and fold together at night in a movement called nyctinasty, earning the group the nickname "prayer plants." It is a popular indoor houseplant that thrives in bright, filtered light and high humidity.
Thai Beauty Calathea
Goeppertia louisae
Goeppertia louisae, commonly known as Thai Beauty Calathea, is a tropical houseplant native to the rainforests of southeastern Brazil. A member of the Marantaceae family, it captivates with its glossy, oblong leaves featuring brush-stroke patterns of creamy yellow or pale green against a deep green surface, with striking purple undersides. One of its most enchanting traits is nyctinastic movement — the leaves open at dawn and close at dusk, sometimes producing a soft, audible rustling sound.
White Star Calathea
Goeppertia majestica
The White Star Calathea (Goeppertia majestica), formerly classified as Calathea majestica or Calathea ornata 'Majestica', is a tropical foliage plant in the Marantaceae family, closely related to the popular prayer plants. Its large, oval to lance-shaped leaves display fine white or cream pinstripes radiating from the central vein against a glossy dark-green background, with undersides flushed deep purple — a dramatic contrast that earns it the "white star" nickname. Native to the humid tropical forests of South America, the plant follows the circadian rhythm typical of the genus Goeppertia, raising and folding its leaves in the evening in a movement called nyctinasty, as if in prayer. It is a highly popular indoor choice for its lush ornamental form and because it is completely non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans, though it demands close attention to air humidity, water quality, and temperature stability to keep its leaves lush and free of crispy tips.
Round-leaf Calathea
Goeppertia orbifolia
Goeppertia orbifolia, commonly known as Round-leaf Calathea and previously classified as Calathea orbifolia, is a stunning tropical houseplant from the Marantaceae family, native to the forests of Bolivia. Its large, rounded leaves adorned with bold silver-green stripes make it one of the most sought-after indoor plants. Like other prayer plants, it folds its leaves upward at night in a movement called nyctinasty.
Calathea Picturata
Goeppertia picturata
Goeppertia picturata, commonly known as Calathea Picturata, is a tropical houseplant native to northern Brazil in the Marantaceae family. It is prized for its stunning foliage — dark green leaves adorned with silvery stripes along the midrib and margins, and deep purple undersides. Like all prayer plants, it performs nyctinasty: leaves fold upward at night and open again during the day.
Furry Feather Calathea
Goeppertia rufibarba
Goeppertia rufibarba, commonly known as the Furry Feather Calathea or Velvet Calathea, is a tropical houseplant native to Brazil. It is prized for its long, wavy leaves with a glossy green upper surface and a distinctive purplish underside covered in soft reddish hairs. A member of the Marantaceae family, it is among the most elegant calatheas for indoor growing.
Medallion Calathea
Goeppertia veitchiana
Goeppertia veitchiana, popularly known as Medallion Calathea, is a tropical plant native to the rainforests of Ecuador. Its leaves are true works of art: large, rounded, and adorned with patterns in shades of dark and light green, with a wine-red underside. Like other prayer plants in the Marantaceae family, it moves its leaves throughout the day in response to light.
Jungle Velvet Calathea
Goeppertia warszewiczii
Goeppertia warszewiczii, popularly known as the Jungle Velvet Calathea, is a striking tropical houseplant native to the rainforest understory of Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Prized for its oversized, velvety dark-green leaves marked with a feathery light-green midrib pattern and deep purple undersides, it is one of the larger and more dramatic members of the prayer-plant family (Marantaceae). Like other Calatheas, its leaves fold upward at night in a nyctinastic movement, giving the plant its 'prayer plant' nickname.
Zebra Plant
Goeppertia zebrina
Goeppertia zebrina, commonly known as the Zebra Plant or Zebra Calathea, is a stunning tropical plant native to the southeastern rainforests of Brazil. It is prized for its large, velvety leaves adorned with alternating dark and light green stripes reminiscent of a zebra pattern.
Giraffe's Knees
Gonatopus boivinii
Gonatopus boivinii, commonly known as Giraffe's Knees, is a rare tuberous aroid native to East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania). Its distinctive stem features swollen knobby nodes that resemble a giraffe's knobbly knees, making it one of the most visually unique houseplants available. A single large marbled leaf emerges from the flat tuber, reaching up to 90 cm tall. It is a deciduous plant that goes dormant in winter, dropping its leaf.
Prayer Plant (genus)
Maranta
Maranta is a genus of tropical plants in the family Marantaceae, native to tropical Central and South America. Best known for M. leuconeura (the prayer plant), the genus is celebrated for its striking patterned foliage and the fascinating nyctinastic movement of folding leaves upward at night.
Arrowroot
Maranta arundinacea
Maranta arundinacea, commonly known as arrowroot, is a tropical rhizomatous perennial herb native to the West Indies, Central America, and northern South America. Grown both as an ornamental foliage plant and as a food crop, its starchy underground rhizomes are processed into a fine, easily digestible, gluten-free starch used in cooking and baking. The plant forms clumps of broad, glossy, mid-green oval leaves and produces small white flowers in spring and summer.
Prayer Plant
Maranta leuconeura
Maranta leuconeura is a tropical plant native to Brazilian rainforests, prized for its decorative leaves with unique colorful vein patterns. Its common name "Prayer Plant" comes from the nyctinastic movement of its leaves, which fold upward at night like hands in prayer and open during the day to absorb light.
Red Prayer Plant
Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura
The Red Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura) is one of the most striking members of the Marantaceae family, native to the tropical rainforests of Brazil. Its deep green, herringbone-patterned leaves are laced with vivid red veins, making it a true living work of art. The nickname "prayer plant" comes from its daily leaf movement: the leaves open flat during the day to capture light and fold upward at night like praying hands, a phenomenon called nyctinasty.
Rabbit's Foot Prayer Plant
Maranta leuconeura var. kerchoveana
A tropical evergreen perennial from the Brazilian rainforest floor, prized for its velvety, oval leaves patterned with dark blotches resembling rabbit tracks along the midrib. Like all prayer plants, its leaves rise and fold together at night and lie flat again during the day, an unusual light-driven behavior called nyctinasty.
Silver Monstera
Monstera siltepecana
Monstera siltepecana, commonly called Silver Monstera, is a fast-growing climbing vine native to southern Mexico and Central America. Its juvenile leaves are small, lanceolate, and distinctively patterned with silvery-grey markings between dark green veins — a trait that earns it its popular name. As the plant matures on a support structure, adult leaves enlarge and develop characteristic Monstera fenestrations, losing the silver sheen. It belongs to the family Araceae and thrives as a low-maintenance, decorative foliage houseplant equally suited to hanging baskets (juvenile phase) or climbing a moss pole (adult phase).
Moccmocc
Montrichardia arborescens
The moccmocc (Montrichardia arborescens) is a perennial aquatic shrub in the Araceae family, native to mangroves, flooded forests (igapós), and the banks of rivers and streams across tropical America, the Caribbean, and Mesoamerica to the Brazilian Amazon. It forms vigorous clumps with erect stems up to 3 m (occasionally 7 m), supported by prop roots and featuring spines on the internodes, along with large arrow-shaped leaves. Its spadix inflorescences, with a spathe that is light green on the outside and white on the inside, give rise to edible infrutescences, and the plant is traditionally used by riverside communities for medicinal and nutritional purposes.
Medium Care Foliage Plants
Our selection of 102 medium foliage plants combines the characteristics of this category with moderate care needs. Ideal for those with basic experience.
Why Choose Medium Foliage Plants?
Combining the beauty of foliage plants with medium difficulty level lets you enjoy this category with a balanced care commitment. Each plant was selected to offer the best characteristics of the category at the care level you are looking for.