I love this plant color combination! Dark purple and lime green or chartreuse create a bold and striking contrast of color in the garden. It’s really eye-catching.
You can use this plant color combination in shade gardens or full-sun. Just be sure you’re selecting the right plants for your garden.
Full Sun Purple and Lime Green Plants
Sweet Potato Vines in Dark Purple or Lime Green
The most well-known full-sun purple and lime green plants are sweet potato vines (Ipomoea spp). These vines tolerate full sun and the Southern heat, too. Sweet potato vines trail, so be sure to either trim them regularly or plant them where you have plenty of room for them to spread. These can be companion plants to other lime green or purple plants that grow in the sun, or they can be planted together.
Coleus Plants for Shade or Full Sun in Purple and Lime Green
Coleus that can be planted in the sun can be paired with sweet potato vine as well. These complementary colors work great in container gardens where you want to bring the drama.
You can even find Coleus that have both colors to create this contrasting garden color scheme. Some Coleus can be planted in only part shade and some in full sun, so be sure to check the label.
Elephant Ears
The dark purple (or black) elephant ears (Colocasia spp.) can be paired with a lime green coleus or other tall sun-loving plant for that same bold pop of colors in your garden. One of the popular elephant ears is called ‘black magic’ and grows in part sun to part shade. A lime green elephant ear, ‘Maui Gold’ (Colocasia) is an example, can also work in this pairing. Another elephant ear plant, a bright green Alocasia would also be a good partner to black magic elephant ears.
Asparagus Fern Paired with Purple Sweet Potato Vine
I also adore the mixture of asparagus fern with purple sweet potato vine. Not only is this a contrast in colors, but the mixture of textures makes it extra interesting. I think this would be stunning included in a container garden.
Purple Fountain Grass – Part Shade to Full Sun
Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’) is a tall grass that grows quickly to a size of 4 to 5 feet tall. Imagine this paired with the bright lime green of sweet potato vine or heuchera. It would be awesome! The grass produces purple flower spikes in the middle of the growing season.
Golden Creeping Jenny with Chartreuse Color
The color of the golden creeping Jenny is bright and cheery. However, this plant spreads quickly (and everywhere), so be cautious when planting it. It works well as a spiller in a container garden. I am using it as a filler in between the stepping stones in part-shade and it is doing well. It produces roots all along the runners, so any piece that is broken off can be stuck in the ground and rooted. Just look at that color!
Purple Heart
This low-growing plant (Tradescantia pallida) spreads quickly and, when paired with a lime green coleus or asparagus fern, will create a great plant color combination for your garden. Purple heart can be used in container gardens or as a ground cover. In some zones, it may be treated as an annual. It can handle some light shade.
Lime Green and Purple Plant Color Combinations for Your Shade Garden
You can even get this plant color combination in your shade garden – with just the right plants.
Heucheras and Heucherellas in Lime and Purple Plant Color Combination
Heucheras and heucherellas come in hundreds of different colors. Both have lime green-leaved and purple-leaved options. Heucheras (also known as coral bells) need a little sun, so part-shade is best for them, while heucherellas can tolerate more shade and soil moisture. I just added this exact combination of heucheras
Japanese Forest Grass with Bright Lime Green Leaves for Shade Gardens
Another great plant with lime green leaves that can be planted in part shade in Japanese forest grass. I added a few of these to my garden last year. Their flowing, long leaves are graceful and help add a pop of color. They do require moist soil, so be sure to include some irrigation in your shade garden.
Lime Green Hosta
Hostas do well in shade and the lime green hostas are bright and cheery. When paired with a dark purple heuchera or heucherella or even a shade tolerant coleus, the contrast is stunning.
Conclusion for Lime Green and Purple Plant Color Combination
So, if you’re looking for a bold pop of color that strongly contrasts in your garden, lime green and dark purple definitely fit the bill. These complementary colors are stunning and will draw attention to your garden – whether it’s a shade garden or full sun. With several plants to choose from, you can find the right fit for your garden or container planting to create this plant color combination.
