What’s more eye catching than a plant with shiny leaves? It can make any space in your home come alive and give it that much needed boost. Here are 10 plants to inspire you!
You don’t have to be an interior designer, but the plants with waxy leaves will give your space that natural look. They instantly draw in all viewers and make for a great touch of elegance!
The cuticle is what gives plants their shiny appearance. It’s an outer layer made of wax-like substances that have been discovered by researchers to serve many different purposes in a plant’s life cycle, including protection against bacteria and insects.
You can find this wax on leaves, fruits and stems of plants that have a shiny appearance.
Here are 10 plants with the best waxy leaves:
1. Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
The Jade Plant is one of the most majestic plants with waxy leaves. It requires very little care, and it can be found all around the world in homes everywhere!
The reason why Jade plant is so famous, is because it requires very little care and maintenance.
The jade plant does not produce very impressive flowers and doesn’t bloom often, but it’s mainly grown for its beautiful little-tree look. The leaves are juicy with a glossy surface that makes them sparkle in the light – just take one look at this gorgeous succulent!
2. The Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa)
The Wax Plant is a beautiful houseplant grown for its waxy leaves and pleasantly scented flowers. It immediately attracts attention when found in any room, being mistaken oftentimes as an artificial plant due to how shiny they are!
The wax plant is a beautiful and intriguing creature that not only has waxy leaves, but also produces stunning scented flowers. It grows well in pots as well as hanging baskets!
3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
Peace lilies are perfect for those who love the look of a tropical plant but don’t have enough space. They grow slowly and their leaves retain color, making them very attractive plants that can give any location life.
Peace lilies will mostly bloom during springtime but can also produce flowers multiple times a year. Their blossoms are white and look like an open flag or the hood of a cobra snake, which makes them stand out beautifully among other plants with waxy leaves in their contrast that is almost too elegant for its own good!
4. Alocasia Polly (Alocasia × amazonica)
Alocasia polly is a large hybrid tropical plant with origins in Asia. This unique and mysterious looking plant has dark green leaves that make up an arrowhead-like shape, prominent lightgreen veins running through them like rivers on their way to infinity–and also they’re really pretty!
Alocasia Polly grows very fast during the warm season and has an intermittent period of dormancy in late fall to winter.
5. Dwarf Umbrella Tree (Schefflera Arboricola)
The Dwarf Umbrella Tree is an exotic shrub, suitable to be kept both indoors or outdoors. The name “umbrella tree” comes from the aspect of its leaves that grow in clusters and resemble a shape like open umbrellas- they have dark green color with shiny surface.
6. Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa)
The Swiss Cheese Plant is a tropical, evergreen plant that can grow up to 12 feet tall. Other common names include “cheese” plant, swiss- cheese vine or fruit salad tree among others!
The heart-shaped, large waxy leaves of the moon plant are dark green in color and perforated. It’s a very effective air purifier according to NASA research, so many people place it in their bedrooms to purify the air in the room while they’re sleeping.
7. Heart Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
The Heart Leaf Philodendron is a plant that grows in vines and has green leaves shaped like hearts. At first glance, one might think these were made out of plastic but they aren’t! So, take some time to appreciate these wonderful plants in your home!
Heart Leaf Philodendron can spread its stems between 10 to 20 ft (3-6 m) and it is perfect for those of you who need some extra decoration in your rooms.
The heart leaf philodendrons are also known to be very effective in removing harmful chemicals from the air.
8. Rubber fig (Ficus elastica)
The rubber fig (Ficus elastica) is a great plant for those who want an ornamental, non-invasive tree. With large waxy leaves that can grow up to 35 meters tall and 115 feet long in rain forests. You can grow it outside in frost-free climates, or indoors in colder climates.
Rubber fig leaves are broad and shiny, with oval shapes varying in size depending on the variety. These plants can be either light green or dark green shade but some also sport other color combinations for added beauty!
9. Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a popular houseplant with the thick leaves of dark green color and scalloped edges. These plants remain evergreen through their entire lives, even during winter months!
This plant is not only popular due to its bright smooth leaves, but also for the attractive flowers. It usually blooms in late autumn and produces pink or red petals with white cores that are sure to catch your eye during winter time!
10. Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)
Desert Rose is an evergreen succulent that has green leaves, arranged in spirals and grouped toward the tips of its shoots. They produce beautiful flowers which are usually a combination of red with white or pink coloring at their center.
Desert Rose is the perfect plant for bonsai enthusiasts, as it’s a slow-growing and very ornamental tree. If pruned correctly you can have an amazing little flowerer with a long life span!