I used to think flowers were the only way to get color in the garden—until I discovered these stunning plants that don’t bloom at all.
From vibrant foliage to bold stems and unexpected textures, they bring serious personality without a single petal. Some even change color with the seasons, which keeps things fresh year-round.
I’ve mixed a few into my beds and containers, and now they totally steal the show. If you’re looking to add a pop of color without relying on flowers, these 14 plants are absolute gems!
#1 Blue Fescue: Ornamental Grass That’s Perfect For Your Garden
Let’s start with a beautiful ornamental grass – blue fescue. These ornamental grasses have a blue color in spring, and in summer their foliage turns a blue-green shade! Blue fescues are interesting looking grasses because of their blade-like leaves.
They are perennials, which means that you’ll enjoy their beautiful foliage year after year! Trust me, you’re going to love them the first time you see them.
But in which part of your garden do these grasses thrive best? For the best performance you’ll need to place them in full sun! Watering them weekly is a must, especially during hot summers.
#2 Pink Muhly Foliage Will Provide You With An Eye-Catching Display
If blue isn’t really your color, what about pink? If you are more into this eye-catching color, here’s another grass for your garden – pink muhly! These grasses will for sure bring elegance to your garden with their pink, cloud-like plumes.
If you want to make your muhly grasses the happiest, place them in full sun! Muhly grasses can also tolerate partially shaded locations. You don’t need to water them regularly, especially if you live in an area where rainy days are regular!
#3 Add A Splash Of Color To Your Containers With Coleus
If you don’t have enough space for growing everything you want, then coleus is a perfect plant for your small garden! You can grow this plant in containers and place it on your patio. You’ll have the perfect plant that will amaze everyone who steps on your patio!
Coleus has oval-shaped foliage that comes in pink, green, yellow, orange, red, burgundy, and purple. With its exotic appearance, your garden will have that pretty tropical look!
You can grow them in sunny or partially shaded places, but I suggest you go for full sun! In direct sunlight its stunning colored foliage is most vivid. You should water it every time you notice that the soil feels dry!
#4 For The Best Ground Cover, Grow Coral Bells
If you’re looking for the best ground cover, you can stop searching! Coral bells are the perfect candidate for ground cover. Their heart-shaped foliage with deep purple, green, peach, and pinkish-red colors will provide a stunning display in your garden year-round!
These plants grow best in partially shaded areas with four to six hours of sunlight. Coral bells thrive in moist soil and that’s why you need to water them once every week!
#5 Earth Star Will Steal The Show Of Every Plant In Your Garden
Now let me introduce you to the plant that has won the hearts of gardeners all over the world – earth star! This is one of my favorite plants. I can’t get enough of its eye-catching appearance!
Cryptanthus bivittatus (its other name) has star-like, variegated leaves that come in green, neon pink, and deep red. This contrast of colors makes this plant unique and it will definitely outshine every single flower in your garden!
It would be best to place your earth star in a spot where it will receive indirect light. The midday sun is too strong for this plant and it can do more damage than you think. Watering it every twelve days will be more than enough!
#6 Persian Shield’s Breathtaking Foliage Will Make An Impression On You
The persian shield has remarkably large leaves adorned with purple, silver, and green! Its shiny foliage will make your garden one of a kind, so don’t be surprised if neighbors start complimenting your garden every day.
If you live in the north, you’ll need to place this plant in full sun, but those of you who live in southern states should place the persian shield in partial shade! This plant is sensitive to overwatering so it would be best to water it once a week.
#7 Brighten Up The Shady Parts In Your Garden With Hostas
If your garden is covered in shade, then you’ll need some special plants. What’s a better way to brighten up your shady garden than by growing hostas?! Their stunning foliage comes in different color combinations such as green, yellow, or white.
Once again, hostas enjoy full shade, so make sure to plant them in their favorite spot! Newly planted hostas should be watered daily for the first two weeks, once they are established you can reduce it.
#8 You’re Going To Love Joseph’s Coat’s Three-Tone Foliage
The first time I saw this plant it reminded me of a flower, but later I found out that Amaranthus tricolor (aka joseph’s coat) is actually an edible crop! This plant has foliage with three tones that include green, yellow, and red. Have you ever seen a plant like that?
Joseph’s coat should be placed in direct sunlight or part shade. But if you live in a hot climate make sure to provide this plant with afternoon shade! As for watering, you need to water it once a week.
#9 Purple Plant Is Perfect For Adding A Gothic Vibe
Purple plant has majestic foliage that comes in, well, like its name states, purple! This plant also creates lush ground cover with its shining leaves. Besides growing it outdoors, you can also try growing a purple plant as a houseplant! Your house needs some pretty decoration, too.
For best color development, place your purple plant in full sun! If it receives more shade than sun, it’s more likely for purple plants to develop a green rather than violet color. You should water it every seven to ten days for the best results!
#10 Elephant Ears Will Offer You More Than Just Typical Green Foliage
Elephant ear is a tropical plant that has big leaves! Even though this plant is green, there’s one variety that you’re going to like because of its dark violet color. You can try growing a variety called black magic because it’s the cutest plant on earth!
Black magic comes in a rich purple color, and with its glossy leaves you’ll get a beautiful landscape.
You can place this plant in full sun, no matter which variety you decide on. Elephant ear needs at least six hours of direct sunlight to thrive! There’s only one rule you need to follow when it comes to watering and that’s to water it whenever the soil feels dry.
#11 Rainbow Croton Will Bring A Tropical Flair To Your Garden
If you love vibrant, multi-colored plants, rainbow croton is a must-have! Its thick, glossy leaves come in an incredible mix of yellow, orange, red, and green, making it one of the most eye-catching foliage plants you’ll ever grow.
This tropical beauty thrives in bright, indirect light but can also handle full sun. The more light it gets, the more vivid its colors will be! Crotons prefer consistently moist soil, so water them when the top inch feels dry.
#12 Japanese Blood Grass Turns A Stunning Shade Of Red
Japanese blood grass will take your garden to another level with its fiery red tips! The green blades of this ornamental grass transition to a deep crimson hue as the season progresses, creating a striking contrast against other plants.
This grass loves full sun and well-draining soil. While it’s drought-tolerant once established, occasional watering during dry spells will keep it looking its best.
So, these are some of the most beautiful, colorful plants and grasses you can grow that aren’t flowers! All you have to do is choose the plant that caught your eye the most. The decision might be difficult, but whichever you choose you can’t go wrong!
I’m sure you’ll find your favorite color among these stunning plants. The best part of growing them is that they will make your garden stand out all-year round! Isn’t that fascinating?
#13 Rex Begonia Will Instantly Grab Your Attention With Its Swirls
If you’re looking for a plant that will make your guests stop and stare, rex begonia is the one! This plant has the most unique foliage with spirals, patterns, and colors that range from silver and pink to deep red and purple. No two leaves look the same!
You can grow rex begonias in pots or plant them directly in the ground—either way, they’ll bring a whimsical touch to your garden. Keep them in bright, indirect light to protect those pretty colors from fading.
Water them when the top inch of soil feels dry, and try not to get the leaves wet—rex begonias are a little sensitive when it comes to moisture on their foliage.
#14 Nandina Will Light Up Your Garden With Fiery Leaves
Also known as heavenly bamboo, nandina isn’t really bamboo at all—but it does grow in slender clusters with vibrant leaves that change color throughout the seasons. You’ll spot everything from green and pink in spring to bright red and burgundy in fall and winter.
This plant is a great choice if you want something low-maintenance but still eye-catching. Nandina grows well in full sun or partial shade, and once it’s established, it only needs watering during long dry periods.
If you want year-round color with minimal effort, nandina is the plant for you!