Seeing a mosaic of colourful flowers like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths in our gardens can make us smile and remind us of how beautiful new life can be. But did you know that colour also plays a vital role in a plant's survival?

Read on to discover why colour in plants matters, and how different hues help achieve specific outcomes.

Why It Matters
Different colours evoke different emotions. Seeing pink, for instance, feels nothing like seeing black or grey. In nature and urban environments alike, access to green spaces (plants, trees) and blue spaces (water, open sky) doesn't just make us feel calmer but actively support our mental wellbeing. Research shows that taking in greenery and sky can reduce stress, improve mood and focus, and even lower blood pressure.

Within plants themselves, colours like red, white, and green communicate different functions that help the plants, and those around them, survive and thrive.

White: Nature’s Spotlight
Don’t underestimate a white flower just because it might feel plain – they are remarkably helpful. White plants are:

• Highly visible, standing out clearly against surrounding colours
• Reflective, bouncing sunlight away and helping keep nearby plants cool
• Luminous at night, attracting moths and bats, which help plants manage unwanted pests

Red: Open for Business
If you're looking for pollen, you'll likely find it in abundance in red plants. Red plants are:

• Easily spotted by hummingbirds and pollinators
• Often produce generous amounts of nectar
• Signals ripeness and high sugar content, drawing in birds and reptiles to help disperse seeds.

Green: A Green Plant is a Healthy Plant
Green means grow. A plant's rich green colour comes from chlorophyll, a pigment that enables plants to convert sunlight, air, and water into energy for producing flowers and fruit. Stems, bark, and other structures also play a role in capturing that sunlight efficiently.

When choosing plants for your garden this season, think about the colours you're selecting - you might just create something that's as functional as it is beautiful.