Blue, a color often associated with tranquility and depth, is not commonly found in the foliage of plants. However, a select group of indoor and outdoor plants are blessed with stunning hues of blue, creating a visually cooling effect and a unique aesthetic.
These blue-leaved wonders range from hardy trees to petite succulents, adding an unexpected pop of color to any green space.
In this article, we delve into 22 plant varieties with blue foliage that can take your gardening or home décor to the next level.
Table of Contents
1. Blue Chalksticks (Senecio serpens)
Blue Chalksticks is a fascinating, ground-cover succulent that produces tight clumps of long, thin, chalk-like fingers of brilliant blue. The plant grows to about 1 to 2 feet in height, making it a great choice for ground cover or for use in a rock garden.
- Native to: South Africa
- Blue Color Intensity: High
- Ease of Care: Easy; requires well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
- Fit for: Outdoors primarily, but can also be grown indoors with sufficient light.
2. Blue Spruce Sedum (Sedum reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’)
Blue Spruce Sedum, or stonecrop, is a perennial plant that offers lovely blue-green foliage resembling spruce branches. It produces clusters of yellow star flowers in the summer and has a relatively low, spreading habit.
- Native to: Europe and Asia
- Blue Color Intensity: Medium
- Ease of Care: Easy; tolerant of a variety of conditions, but prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Outdoors
3. Hostas
Hostas are popular shade-loving perennials, and some cultivars like ‘Halcyon’ and ‘Hadspen Blue’ have leaves of a deep, metallic blue. They are generally easy to care for and can add a splash of color to darker corners of a garden.
- Native to: Northeast Asia
- Blue Color Intensity: Varies (medium to high in blue varieties)
- Ease of Care: Easy; prefers shade and consistently moist, well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Outdoors
4. Echeveria Secunda
Echeveria Secunda, also known as Glauca or Blue Echeveria, is a popular flowering succulent that forms beautiful rosettes of blue-green leaves. It’s a perennial plant that produces lovely orange-red flowers.
- Native to: Mexico
- Blue Color Intensity: Medium
- Ease of Care: Easy; prefers full sun to light shade and well-draining soil.
- Fit for: Indoors and Outdoors
5. Blue Star Fern (Phlebodium aureum)
This fern variety is an attractive houseplant with arching fronds that are green with a hint of blue. Blue Star is hardy and relatively easy to grow, making it a favorite among houseplant enthusiasts.
- Native to: Tropical regions of the Americas
- Blue Color Intensity: Low
- Ease of Care: Moderate; prefers humidity and indirect light.
- Fit for: Indoors
6. Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)
Blue Fescue is a hardy, perennial grass known for its striking blue-gray foliage. This low-maintenance plant is drought-tolerant once established and does well in a variety of soil conditions.
- Native to: Southern France
- Blue Color Intensity: High
- Ease of Care: Easy; full sun, well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Outdoors
7. Dichondra Silver Falls
Dichondra Silver Falls is a ground-cover plant that stands out for its cascading, silvery-blue foliage. It’s often used in hanging baskets and container gardens for its trailing habit and easy care.
- Native to: Australia and New Zealand
- Blue Color Intensity: Medium (silvery-blue)
- Ease of Care: Easy; prefers partial to full sun and well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Both indoors and outdoors
8. Blue Glow Agave (Agave ‘Blue Glow’)
The Blue Glow Agave is a slow-growing succulent that forms rosettes of thick, spiny-edged leaves that are blue-green in color with red margins. It’s a hybrid plant that’s particularly suited to dry conditions.
- Native to: Hybrid (not native to a particular region)
- Blue Color Intensity: Medium
- Ease of Care: Easy; needs full sun and well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Both indoors and outdoors
9. Blue Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus glaucescens)
This fascinating cactus has a spherical or barrel shape with bluish-gray coloration. Its golden yellow spines contrast beautifully with the blue-green skin. It’s a slow-growing cactus that enjoys full sun and can survive in drought conditions.
- Native to: Mexico
- Blue Color Intensity: High
- Ease of Care: Easy; requires full sun and well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Both indoors and outdoors, but prefers outdoor conditions.
10. Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)
Dusty Miller is known for its striking silver-grey foliage that appears almost white in certain lighting. This plant’s foliage provides an excellent backdrop for brightly colored flowers in garden borders or containers.
- Native to: Mediterranean region
- Blue Color Intensity: Low (Silver-grey)
- Ease of Care: Easy; prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Outdoors
11. Silver Sword Philodendron (Philodendron hastatum)
Silver Sword Philodendron is a robust houseplant known for its long, slender leaves that have a silvery-blue hue. Its impressive foliage and easy care make it a popular choice for indoor gardeners.
- Native to: Brazil
- Blue Color Intensity: Medium (Silvery-blue)
- Ease of Care: Easy; prefers indirect light and a well-draining potting mix.
- Fit for: Indoors
12. October Stonecrop (Sedum sieboldii)
October Stonecrop, also known as Siebold’s Stonecrop, has succulent foliage that forms a round, trailing mound. The blue-green leaves turn pink in the fall, creating a stunning display.
- Native to: Japan
- Blue Color Intensity: Medium
- Ease of Care: Easy; prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Outdoors and indoors
13. Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)
Colorado Blue Spruce is a large, hardy tree renowned for its silvery-blue needles. It is often used as a Christmas tree due to its beautiful color and symmetrical shape.
- Native to: North America (Rocky Mountains)
- Blue Color Intensity: High
- Ease of Care: Moderate; prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Outdoors
14. Blue Shrimp Plant (Cerinthe major ‘Purpurascens’)
The Blue Shrimp Plant is a unique flowering plant known for its blue-purple foliage and deep blue tubular flowers. This plant is loved for its ornamental appeal and ability to attract bees and butterflies.
- Native to: Mediterranean region
- Blue Color Intensity: Medium
- Ease of Care: Moderate; prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Outdoors
15. Blue Tears Sedum (Sedum sarmentosum)
Blue Tears Sedum is a perennial groundcover that forms a low carpet of tiny, bright green leaves, not typically blue. In the right conditions, this plant will spread quickly and provide excellent ground coverage.
- Native to: Asia
- Blue Color Intensity: Low (Greenish-blue)
- Ease of Care: Easy; prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Outdoors
16. Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
Burro’s Tail is a trailing succulent that grows long, bead-like stems covered in plump, blue-green leaves. Its cascading, hair-like nature makes it perfect for hanging baskets or head planters.
- Native to: Mexico and Honduras
- Blue Color Intensity: Medium
- Ease of Care: Easy; prefers bright light and well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Both indoors and outdoors
17. Cebu Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Cebu Blue’)
Cebu Blue Pothos is a trailing houseplant known for its elegant, elongated leaves that can have a silvery-blue hue. It’s a versatile plant that can climb or trail, depending on its surroundings.
- Native to: Philippines
- Blue Color Intensity: Medium (Silvery-blue)
- Ease of Care: Easy; prefers medium to bright indirect light and well-draining soil.
- Fit for: Indoors
18. Short Leaf Aloe (Aloe brevifolia)
Short Leaf Aloe is a compact succulent that forms rosettes of thick, triangular leaves that can be a green to bluish-gray color. It’s a slow-growing plant that adds a unique texture to any indoor or outdoor garden.
- Native to: South Africa
- Blue Color Intensity: Medium
- Ease of Care: Easy; prefers bright light and well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Both indoors and outdoors
19. Sea Kale (Crambe maritima)
Sea Kale is a perennial plant with large, blue-gray leaves and white flowers. It’s a hardy plant that’s tolerant of sea spray and salty soils, making it an excellent choice for coastal gardens.
- Native to: Europe
- Blue Color Intensity: High
- Ease of Care: Easy; prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Outdoors
20. Myrtle Spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites)
Myrtle Spurge is an eye-catching perennial succulent with trailing stems and spirally arranged, blue-gray leaves. It produces bright yellow flowers in early spring, providing a striking contrast.
- Native to: Southeastern Europe and Asia
- Blue Color Intensity: High
- Ease of Care: Easy; prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Outdoors
21. Mangave
Mangave is a human-made hybrid cross between the genus Manfreda and Agave. Some varieties, like ‘Blue Mammoth’, have bluish foliage. They combine the best traits of both parents, including interesting leaf forms and patterns.
- Native to: Hybrid (not native to a particular region)
- Blue Color Intensity: Medium (varies by variety)
- Ease of Care: Easy; prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Both indoors and outdoors
22. Beaked Yucca (Yucca rostrata)
Beaked Yucca is a slow-growing tree-like yucca with a trunk that can reach up to 15 feet tall, crowned with a sphere of narrow blue-gray leaves. It’s a striking plant that adds architectural interest to any garden.
- Native to: Texas and Mexico
- Blue Color Intensity: High
- Ease of Care: Easy; prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
- Fit for: Outdoors
Wrapping it up
From the steel-blue elegance of the Blue Star Fern to the silvery tones of the Silver Sword Philodendron, blue foliage plants offer a captivating and unique alternative to the usual greens we often see in our gardens or indoor spaces.
Incorporating these plants can bring depth, contrast, and a hint of the unusual to your green space. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener looking for a new challenge or a beginner eager to start your journey, these 22 blue-leafed plants are sure to inspire and transform your botanical endeavors.
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