Red Potted Plants

• Many varieties of Japanese maple grow with bright red leaves. Nathan Blaney/Photodisc/Getty Images

  Whether you want to grow them indoor or outdoor, choose from a number of plants with either red leaves or blooms, or both. Many grow well in pots and containers with red plants making a strong focal point in the garden and the home. Create a display by combining potted plants with colors that go well with red, such as purple, pink and bronze.

Canna

• Gardeners choose cannas both for their foliage and flowers, which come in a variety of colors including red. Cannas thrive in containers with good drainage in a sunny outdoor spot. Cannas can reach 10 feet in height, but choose the smaller varieties for growing in pots that are at least 12 inches wide. The Iowa State University Extension recommends some red-leafed varieties including Black Knight with crimson red flowers and Red Futurity with dark red flowers. Both types have burgundy leaves and grow no taller than 3½ feet. Cannas do not tolerate frost so cut the plant down to about 4 inches in fall and move indoors until spring.

Japanese Maple

• Japanese maple has varieties producing distinctively pointed red leaves. Choose the smaller types for outdoor containers and grow them in a sheltered spot. Ensure the pots do not dry out. Japanese maples need to be repotted every 2 years to a larger pot. The best time to do this is in April or September. The University of Florida notes that Japanese maple is hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture Zone 5B. In colder areas, move them indoors for the winter before the first frost. In zones hotter than 7B, Japanese maple needs afternoon shade to avoid leaf-scorching. Red-leafed cultivars include Bloodgood, Atropurpureum and Burgundy Lace.

Poinsettias

• Grown as a houseplant, poinsettias produce bright red blooms in November or December. The flowers are actually adapted leaves called bracts. The blooms keep their shape and color until March in the right conditions. Place the poinsettia plant in a position where it gets about six hours of indirect sunlight each day. Direct sunlight won't kill the plant fades the bloom color. The Colorado State University notes that the plant should be kept out of drafts and recommends maintaining it at a temperature of 60 to 70 F. Poinsettias should be moist in their pots, but not waterlogged.