19 Unique & Easy Houseplants that We’re Loving
Looking for unique house plants? Dive into our guide to find the most unusual varieties that will make your friends green with envy.
Are you tired of the same old houseplants? Looking to add a touch of eccentricity and individuality to your indoor oasis? It’s no secret that houseplants are all the rage these days. You can’t scroll through Pinterest or Instagram without seeing them everywhere. Pro tip: Add a plant to one of your styled squares and the likes will start pouring in!
Whether you’re an experienced plant parent or a self-proclaimed black thumb desperately wanting to be green, we have some beautiful houseplants to share with you. From exotic succulents with peculiar shapes to vibrant foliage that mimics famous works of art, these extraordinary plants will not only beautify your living space but also provide an exciting twist to traditional plant collections.
And if you live in a small space, that doesn’t mean your love for houseplants should be restricted. These unique house plants have been taking our eyes (and Instagram feeds) by storm! So get ready to embark on a botanical adventure as we unveil some of the most extraordinary and out-of-the-ordinary house plants available today.
Unique House Plants for Your Home
1 — Silver Pothos Plant: Scindapsus Pictus
Silver pothos, scientifically known as Scindapsus pictus, is a striking and versatile houseplant known for its lush foliage adorned with elegant silver variegation. It is not only a resilient and low-maintenance addition to your indoor garden but also a captivating decorative accent that can brighten up any room.They are easy to care for and quick to grow. Plus, they look seriously amazing displayed in a DIY hanging planter. You should definitely try one in your living room!
Care tip: The silver pothos appreciates high humidity. In dry indoor environments, mist the plant regularly or use a humidity tray to maintain moisture levels.
2 — Beauty Star Plant: Calathea Ornata
Beauty stars are a show stopper with their dark maroon and green foliage. This beauty loves high humidity and bright indirect sunlight. Scientifically referred to as calathea ornata, it is a captivating and exotic houseplant that stands out for its remarkable, intricately patterned leaves and its reputation as a symbol of beauty and elegance in the world of indoor gardening.
Care tip: Rotate the plant occasionally to ensure even growth, as Calathea leaves tend to follow the light source.
3 — Zebra Plant: Haworthia Fasciata
The zebra plant or haworthia fasciatais is a distinctive succulent known for its striking appearance, featuring bold white stripes (reminiscent to zebra’s stripes) on its dark green architectural leaves. Sometimes a long thin flower spike sprouts at the center. This indoor plant is drought tolerant so basically, it’s hard to kill. It’s a perfect small plant for anyone starting out since it only needs watering once every 3 weeks. It requires bright indirect light.
Where to place it: Place at a sunny window, preferably a south facing window.
4 — Xeros Air Plant: Tillandsia Xerographica
One of the most low maintenance indoor house plants, the air plant requires no soil to live. The Tillandsia xerographica often hailed as the “king of air plants,” is a remarkable and elegant epiphytic species known for its stunningly intricate form and silvery-grey appearance. Place them anywhere in your home with or without a pot for an instant statement piece! You can even display them in these pretty mini DIY plant pots that we made for our air plants. They make for cute desk accessories!
How to water: Soak it upside down in water for 10 seconds once per week.
5 — Snake Plant: Sansevieria
Snake plants also known as “mother-in-law’s tongue get its name due to their snake-like leaves that grow tall. So display them in these DIY plant stands to fill up those empty corners in your home. They can grow up to 12 feet high. The biggest perk of these indoor plants is that they act as a natural air purifier by releasing oxygen at night. However, keep in mind that they are toxic to cats and dogs.
Cleaning: Dust the leaves regularly to keep them clean and enable the plant to photosynthesize effectively.
6 — Sweetheart Plant: Hoya Kerrii
The sweetheart plant or lucky heart plant is a charming and unique succulent known for its heart-shaped leaves, making it a symbol of love and luck. And because so, they are popular for gifting during Valentine’s Day or as housewarming gifts. Like the snake plants, the cactus is an excellent air purifier.
Care tip: Prefers bright, indirect light—too much direct sun can scorch the leaves, while too little can slow growth even more. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot, and avoid direct sunlight to prevent scorching.
7 — Watermelon Peperomia Plant: Peperomia Argyreia
Peperomia argyreia, commonly known as the watermelon peperomia due to its striking resemblance to the fruit’s rind, is a captivating houseplant cherished for its unique and beautifully patterned leaves.
Lighting: It thrives in moderate to low light conditions. These plants can even grow under fluorescent lights. But avoid direct sunlight, as it can burn its green leaves.
8 — Swiss Cheese Plant: Monstera Deliciosa
With its dramatic foliage and tropical allure, the monstera or Swiss cheese plant is a favorite among plant enthusiasts. As the monstera grows, it may benefit from a support structure like a trellis or stake to help it climb. This can also encourage a bushier appearance. It thrives in medium indirect light but can tolerate some direct morning sunlight.
Watering: Use well-draining soil. Water when the top inch or two of soil is dry, and provide support for climbing as they mature.
9 — Angel Ears Plant: Fancy Leaf Caladium
The fancy leaf caladium is nicknamed the angel ears or White Christmas plant. They are a dazzling group of tropical plants renowned for their vibrant, heart-shaped leaves.They’re typically pure white or pretty pink. We actually even replicated in our paper plant tutorial.
Dormancy: The angel ears plant may go dormant during the winter. During this time, the leaves may die back. Reduce watering and withhold fertilization until new growth emerges in the spring.
10 — Pencil Cactus: Euphorbia Tirucalli
The pencil cactus is a distinctive and eye-catching succulent that stands out for its slender, pencil-like stems and minimalistic foliage. Its biggest requirements are bright full sun. So a sunny windowsill is a perfect location for this plant.
How to prune: Prune your pencil cactus as needed to maintain its shape and size. Be sure to wear gloves when handling, and be cautious not to touch your face or eyes while handling the plant.
11 — Frizzle Sizzle Plant: Albuca Spiralis
The frizzle sizzle plant is a captivating and quirky succulent that enchants with its unique, spiral-shaped leaves and whimsical appearance. Its distinctive foliage resembles a cascade of twirling ribbons.
Maintenance: Caring for these unique house plants is relatively straightforward, but it requires some attention to detail to ensure its unique spiral leaves remain healthy and vibrant. Always keep the potting mix moist.
12 — Marimo Moss Ball: Aegagropila Linnaei
Meet the charming Marimo moss ball, a delightful aquatic plant that’s as captivating as it is low-maintenance. Rare indoor plant (or more like a water houseplant) is a rare form of algae that grows in only a few lakes around the world. The movement from the waves slowly forms the algae in a soft fuzz-like ball.
Container ideas: Place your Marimo moss ball in a clear glass container, aquarium, vase or jar.
13 — Desert Rose Plant: Adenium Obesum
The desert rose is a striking and exotic succulent that defies the arid landscapes it originates from by producing vibrant, rose-like blooms amidst harsh desert conditions. With proper care and patience, this unique house plant will bloom pink, white, purple, and red trumpet-shaped flowers once a year. The vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers come in many colors and can last for a surprisingly long time.
Disclaimer: All parts of the Desert Rose plant are toxic to animals, including cats and dogs.
14 — Chinese Evergreen Plant: Aglaonema
The Chinese evergreen is a remarkably low-maintenance houseplant, tolerating low light and infrequent watering, making it perfect for beginners. Its attractive, patterned foliage adds a touch of style to any room. Beyond its beauty, the Chinese Evergreen is also known for its air-purifying qualities, helping to remove toxins from your home. This combination of easy care, attractive appearance, and health benefits makes it a truly unique and desirable houseplant.
Watering: Their tolerance for inconsistent watering (within reason) also adds to their easy-care nature.
15 — Birkin Philodendron Plant
The Birkin philodendron is a striking houseplant prized for its bold, creamy white variegation that contrasts beautifully against its dark green leaves. This unique, almost painted appearance makes it a highly sought-after collector’s item. While not as low-maintenance as some other philodendrons, the Birkin is relatively easy to care for, preferring bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, making it a rewarding addition to any plant lover’s collection. Its dramatic foliage adds a touch of modern elegance to any interior space.
Light: Birkins thrive in bright, indirect light. Too little light and the variegation may fade; too much direct sun can scorch the leaves. A spot near a window with filtered sunlight is ideal.
16 — Elephant’s Ear Plant: Alocasia Macrorrhizos
Often called Giant Taro or Elephant’s Ear, alocasia macrorrhizos, is a striking tropical plant known for its enormous, heart-shaped leaves that can reach several feet in size. This dramatic plant makes a bold statement in any indoor or outdoor space, adding a touch of jungle flair. While it prefers warm, humid conditions and well-draining soil, with the right care, Alocasia macrorrhizos can thrive indoors, bringing a touch of the exotic to your home. Its impressive size and unique presence make it a truly captivating specimen plant.
Light: They prefer bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, while too little light can lead to leggy growth. A spot near a window with filtered sun or dappled shade is ideal.
17 — Polka Dot Begonia: Begonia Maculata
Prized for its unique, silver-spotted leaves and deep red underside, the polka dot begonia is a striking houseplant . Native to Brazil, this eye-catching plant thrives in bright, indirect light and high humidity, making it a perfect choice for indoor plant enthusiasts. With its elegant, wing-shaped foliage and delicate white or pink blooms, it adds a touch of tropical charm to any space. Though it requires consistent moisture and well-draining soil, the Begonia maculata rewards careful care with vibrant growth and stunning visual appeal.
Humidity: Thrives in high humidity (50-70%); use a pebble tray, humidifier, or occasional misting to maintain moisture.
18 — Cuddly Cactus
The cuddly cactus, often referring to spineless or soft-spined cacti offers a unique blend of desert charm and pet-friendly appeal. Unlike traditional cacti, these varieties have fuzzy or soft, hair-like spines, making them safer to handle. They thrive in bright, indirect light and require minimal watering, making them a low-maintenance choice for busy plant lovers. With their playful appearance and easy-care nature, cuddly cacti add a fun, whimsical touch to any indoor space.
Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings; water sparingly, especially in winter.
19 — Jewel Orchid: Ludisia Discolor
The jewel orchid is a rare and stunning houseplant prized for its velvety, deep-green leaves with intricate gold or red veining. Unlike typical orchids, it thrives in low to medium light and is grown more for its striking foliage than its delicate white blooms. With its tropical elegance and easy-care nature, the jewel orchid adds a touch of luxury to any indoor plant collection.
More Decorating Ideas
Incorporating unique house plants into your living spaces not only adds a touch of beauty and elegance but also brings numerous benefits to our physical and mental well-being. From purifying the air we breathe to improving our mood and reducing stress levels, these extraordinary plants have proven to be more than just decorative elements.
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