Unconventional House Plants for Cultivation
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In the world of houseplants, there's a growing interest in unique and unusual species that offer more than just green foliage. These plants, with their distinctive growth patterns and care requirements, can be both challenging and rewarding for enthusiasts. Here's a selection of some of the most intriguing houseplants to consider for your home.
Monstera Obliqua
Known for its extremely perforated leaves, the Monstera Obliqua is one of the rarest and most expensive houseplants. It is highly sensitive to humidity and temperature, requiring careful environmental control to thrive.
Variegated Philodendron
The Variegated Philodendron features marbled leaves with striking variegation and is a versatile climber that can adapt to various lighting conditions. It is rare and highly sought after by collectors.
Alocasia 'Black Velvet'
Distinguished by its dark, velvety-textured leaves, the Alocasia 'Black Velvet' requires consistently high humidity and moisture to thrive, making it a bit challenging for typical indoor conditions.
Anthurium Crystallinum
This plant is noted for its heart-shaped leaves with prominent, striking veins and long-lasting flowers. It also has air-purifying qualities and requires stable humidity and moisture.
Calathea Orbifolia
The Calathea Orbifolia has large, round leaves with beautiful patterns and demands bright but indirect light along with consistent moisture. It is sensitive to dryness, requiring careful watering and humidity management.
Fishbone Cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger)
Known for its uniquely zigzag, fishbone-like stems, the Fishbone Cactus prefers indirect light and moderate watering. It has unusual growth compared to typical cacti and suits collectors looking for a distinct look.
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
It has large variegated leaves and requires high humidity and partial shade. It is toxic, so care is needed in households with pets or children. It grows best in dappled light and moderate watering.
String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
The String of Pearls, or String of Beads plant, has a smaller surface area to volume ratio than 'normal' leaves and loses less water. Each leaf on the String of Pearls is almost perfectly spherical and functions as a water storage organ.
Urn Plant (Aechmea fasciata)
The Urn Plant has beautiful grey-green leaves and a dramatic, hot pink bloom.
Crassula 'Buddha's Temple'
A slow-growing hybrid variety, Crassula 'Buddha's Temple' looks good for years and should be grown in a bright, airy spot in cactus compost.
Codiaeum 'Iceton'
The Codiaeum 'Iceton' is a foliage plant with pink, yellow, green, and orange leaf coloring that enjoys a sunny spot.
Air Plants (Tillandsia)
These plants are epiphytes that don't require soil to grow.
Cristate Cacti
Cristate cacti display crested or cristate growth forms. The Mammillaria geminispina variation of Cristate cacti is an example of a beautiful, undulating effect.
Crassula x rupestris subsp. marnieriana
A fantastic hybrid, Crassula x rupestris subsp. marnieriana has small, succulent leaves that give a stacked appearance and produce clusters of small creamy flowers.
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
The Bird of Paradise is a tropical plant with lush foliage and bright orange, beaked flowers.
Haworthiopsis attenuata
A small, succulent plant, Haworthiopsis attenuata has white, striated tubercles on its leaf surfaces and enjoys growing in bright, indirect sunlight.
Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)
The Staghorn Fern has large, branching fronds that can be secured to wooden boards or grown in hanging containers.
Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
The Ponytail Palm has a swollen base that stores water and is a popular house plant.
Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides)
Spanish Moss is an iconic air plant species found in the deep south of the United States, growing on great oak trees.
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra)
The Bougainvillea is a bright and showy evergreen plant perfect for windowsills.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
The Snake Plant is a striking house plant with sword-like leaves.
The String of Pearls
The String of Pearls has a smaller surface area to volume ratio than 'normal' leaves and loses less water. Each leaf on the String of Pearls is almost perfectly spherical and functions as a water storage organ.
The Staghorn Fern
The Staghorn Fern has large, branching fronds that can be secured to wooden boards or grown in hanging containers.
The Fishbone Cactus
Some house plants, like the Fishbone Cactus, are sold in their natural habitat.
The Mammillaria geminispina variation of Cristate cacti
Cristate cacti display odd growth forms that have been selected for cultivation.
The urn plant
The Urn Plant has beautiful grey-green leaves and a dramatic, hot pink bloom.
The Codiaeum 'Iceton'
The Codiaeum 'Iceton' is a foliage plant with pink, yellow, green, and orange leaf coloring that enjoys a sunny spot.
The air plant
Air plants, including species like Tillandsia, are epiphytes that don't require soil to grow.
The bird of paradise
The Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia reginae, is a tropical plant with lush foliage and bright orange, beaked flowers.
The Haworthiopsis attenuata
Haworthiopsis attenuata is a small, succulent plant with white, striated tubercles on its leaf surfaces and enjoys growing in bright, indirect sunlight.
The Crassula x rupestris subsp. marnieriana
Crassula x rupestris subsp. marnieriana is a fantastic hybrid with small, succulent leaves that give a stacked appearance and produce clusters of small creamy flowers.
To grow a house plant successfully, research its native environment and conditions. Most house plants enjoy regular misting.
Subscribe to our newsletter for advice and inspiration from favourite gardeners. Unsubscribing is possible at any time. The newsletter is protected by reCAPTCHA, and users must agree to our site's terms and conditions and privacy policy. There are many house plants to choose from today. Enjoy exploring these unique and rewarding species for your home!
- For those interested in enhancing their home-and-garden lifestyle, consider incorporating unusual houseplants such as the Monstera Obliqua, Variegated Philodendron, Alocasia 'Black Velvet', Anthurium Crystallinum, Calathea Orbifolia, or the Fishbone Cactus for a distinctive living room appeal.
- To liven up the garden area, don't forget about outdoor plants like the Bird of Paradise, Staghorn Fern, Spanish Moss, or the Snake Plant. These plants can add a touch of the tropical to your home-and-garden lifestyle, making it an inviting and vibrant space.
