'Mirror, mirror, on the wall – who's the rarest of them all?' If the evil queen of Snow White was looking for some rare houseplants, she would have pulled this spell. Luckily, we don't have to be wicked to find the rarest houseplants! The collector's items are highly prized for their exotic beauty, scarcity, and ridiculously high selling price. While the common houseplants are arguably practical to grow, the sense of possessing a rare plant is invaluable, taking you to a whole new level of plant parent.
What Makes a Houseplant Rare?
Houseplants are rare simply because they are hardly available in your local garden center. This also makes them harder to identify – for this purpose, use our houseplant identifier app to be sure. When we talk about exclusivity, several factors come into play, such as:
- Impractical and lengthy cultivation period;
- The plant does not produce viable seeds;
- High demand;
- Newly developed hybrid or introduced species;
- Logistics restrictions.
When you combine the above factors with the profit aspect of any business, you get a sky-high price, adding another reason why not everyone wishes to own an exotic houseplant.
Big List of Rare Indoor Plants
Today, all businesses understand the need for active social media engagement. The houseplant industry is no different. With active posting and promoting beautiful greenery, local gardening centers have seen a boom in visitors looking for unique plants. We will help you learn about what is the rarest plant in the world, so if you happen to spot one, you won't hesitate to add it to your cart!
Variegated Plants
Known for its marbled foliage, this group of rare indoor house plants is mutants from the wild type. The 'natural' or the wild cultivars rarely have alternating colors; hence many breeding companies strive for new hybrids with unique leaves, a perfect decor indoors.
Variegated False Bird of Paradise
Botanical name: Heliconia rostrata
Description: This rare plant resembles the Bird of Paradise but is relatively petite and has a floppy inflorescence. Its white-stipped leaves can soar up to 9 feet (3 meters), the perfect choice for grand ceilings.
Benefits: It is a versatile plant that can thrive indoors and outdoors (under a tree). The variegated leaves create a subtle accent when displayed indoors.
Treatment: Grows better with high humidity, away from fireplaces, drafty windows, and heating radiators.
Water Requirements: Weekly or when the soil is about to dry.
Light Requirements: Bright, dappled sunlight.
White Variegated Monstera
Botanical name: Monstera deliciosa ‘Albo Variegata’
Description: This jungle giant brings its charm to the next level with its mottled green and white colored foliage developed with a genetic mutation.
Benefits: Because of its gigantic, exotic leaves, it creates a bold statement when placed on a bare wall.
Treatment: It is best grown in humid places like a bright kitchen or bathroom. Install coco poles to support its trailing stem and aerial roots.
Water Requirements: 1-2 times weekly or before the topsoil dries out.
Light Requirements: Bright rooms with at least 8 hours of indirect sunshine.
Tricolor Arrowhead Plant
Botanical name: Syngonium podophyllum 'Red Spot'
Description: Named after its gorgeous arrowhead-shaped foliage, this plant boasts about its three-toned variegated leaves, a rare characteristic to breed for this green plant.
Benefits: Pink pigmentation in Syngonium is uncommon; hence if you want to accentuate a room with this subtle rose color, this is the plant to choose.
Treatment: Protect the delicate pink leaves from direct sunshine with a tulle curtain. Wipe the leaves when dust accumulates.
Water Requirements: Infrequent, deep watering.
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect sunshine.
Chinese Evergreen, Red Aglaonema
Botanic name: Aglaonema commutatum
Description: Aglaonema is an extremely beautiful plant with bright pink stems and deep red-tipped leaves. It's not one of the Diva plants (looking at you, Peace Lily!), so it can adapt to pretty much any condition.
Benefits (Why to choose): Aglaonema is a medium-maintenance plant that can add color to your bedroom, living room, or office.
Treatment: It's essential to provide high humidity levels to get luscious foliage. You can mist the leaves with filtered or distilled water or install a humidifier.
Water Requirements: Wait for the potting mix to be halfway dry before thoroughly watering your plant. Let the excess liquid flow from the drainage holes.
Light Requirements: Bright to medium indirect light.
Tropical Plants
This horticultural classification consists of rare indoor plants with broad leaves and jungle giants from the near-equatorial zone, the tropics. They will thrive with no fuzz if they get the proper requirements and temperatures indoors.
Nerve Plant
Botanical name: Fittonia albivenis
Description: Available in various hybrids, this multi-colorful plant is a rare find. The leaf vein color contrasts against the dark background, earning its name as a nerve plant.
Benefits: It is a relatively easy plant to grow indoors as long as you provide the correct conditions.
Treatment: Beware of cold drafts as they can damage delicate leaves. It loves to be in damp places with high humidity.
Water Requirements: Water every 3-4 days.
Light Requirements: Low to medium light.
Banana Shrub
Botanical name: Magnolia figo
Description: The name might be deceiving as this rare houseplant is unrelated to bananas but emits fragrant-smelling flowers similar to the sweet scent of bananas.
Benefits: This shrub is a perfect natural perfume indoors because of its relaxing fragrance. Its lush leaves can surely add a splash of color to any room.
Treatment: This plant is susceptible to scale insects and root rots. Apply horticultural oil and reduce the watering frequency to prevent the issues.
Water Requirements: Moderate.
Light Requirements: Bright indirect light, south-facing sunny window.
Red Mambo Jewel Alocasia
Botanical name: Alocasia azlanii
Description: A plant admired for its ornate foliage, this alocasia has one thing more to brag about, its minute veins are tinged with pink, subtly contrasting with the deep-toned leaf.
Benefits: This is a stunning decoration for a room dominated by pastel colors. The attractive leaves are an eye-catching masterpiece when placed against a light background.
Treatment: Place pebble trays filled with water under the pot or install an air humidifier.
Water Requirements: Medium to high, 2-3 times weekly.
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.
Pomegranate
Botanic name: Punica granatum
Description: Pomegranate is a beautiful tree-like shrub producing delicious fruit. Due to popular demand, gardeners created small-sized varieties that were still capable of bearing fruit. Now no matter which hardiness zone you live in, you can grow your fruit tree inside the house!
Benefits (Why to choose): Although the main advantage of indoor pomegranates are magnificent flowers, you might help your green pet bear fruit with a little effort!
Treatment: Before rushing to a store to get a pomegranate tree, ensure that you are ready to provide it with all the needed care. In the first few years of its life, you will have to do a lot of pruning to create a beautiful and healthy crown. Pick the container depending on the kind of tree you get, as some species might require a pot as big as a 10-gallon one (37 liters). As for the potting mix, you can pick any well-draining variety and add some perlite to prevent possible waterlogging.
Water Requirements: Keep the soil constantly moist but never soggy.
Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight for 6-10 hours a day.
Pineapple
Botanic name Ananas comosus
Description: The pineapple grown in the apartment is no worse (and even better) than the purchased one. You can buy fruit in the store, cut off the top and try to grow your very own pineapple tree. You will see the first growth in the next few weeks with the right conditions.
Benefits (Why to choose): You can grow a pineapple from a store-bought one. It only requires a little maintenance, but it does take a long time to produce fruit. It can be a great project to teach kids about various plant life stages.
Treatment: When picking a spot for your project, keep in mind that some pineapples can grow as tall as 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters). Pick at least a 5-gallon pot (18 liters) to give your future tree some space to establish a root system. Use a well-draining potting mix, keep the temperature consistently warm and mist the leaves if your house has low-humidity conditions.
Water Requirements: Let the potting mix dry between watering sessions.
Light Requirements: Bright direct sunlight.
Expensive Houseplants
Most rare indoor plants are expensive, especially tropical ones. This group comprises a rare collection that will undoubtedly raise your plant parent's status because of the eye-popping price. However, the beauty of these green pets will surely make you swipe the card!
Queen Anthurium
Botanical name: Anthurium warocqueanum
Description: Hail to the holy queen! This rare trending variety of anthurium has a commanding presence – the elongated leaves add verticality to centerpieces.
Benefits: The anthurium giant is a great plant to display in bare corners or a bright window. It is The Plant for well-lit bathrooms or kitchens.
Treatment: Finding this rare plant is hard enough, but growing it is another challenge. You will need to get air humidifiers or place the Queen in a room with high moisture levels.
Water Requirements: Moderate watering.
Light Requirements: Bright diffused sunlight.
Gold of Kinabalu Orchid
Botanical name: Paphiopedilum rothschildianum
Description: From the tropical highland forest of Malaysia, this spectacular orchid is one of the most costly among the whole its family. But its jaw-dropping price tag is forgotten when it blooms yellow and mauve-splashed flower.
Benefits: This lovely plant is excellent for bathrooms since it loves humid places.
Treatment: Spray the leaves with water to provide enough humidity. Use an orchid mix for potting and a pot with a large drainage hole.
Water Requirements: Low to medium, misting.
Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light.
Variegated Elephant's Ears
Botanical name: Alocasia macrorrhiza Variegata
Description: With its colossal leaves, this variegated cultivar–marbled with white and olive green shades–will surely not leave a dull sight.
Benefits: It is a stunning piece to fill a spacious room. Empty living room corners are also the perfect spot to snug this eye-catching plant beast.
Treatment: Ensure that your Elephant's Ears get enough light if you want to maintain its luscious foliage.
Water Requirements: Water 1-2 times weekly.
Light Requirements: Medium to bright light.
Desert and Semi-arid Houseplants
Desert and semi-arid houseplants are suitable for busy (or forgetful) people. If you want to display an outstanding centerpiece in your room, look no further than these green beauties right here:
Pseudolithos
Botanical name: Pseudolithos spp.
Description: This unique succulent is named after its uncanny resemblance to stone. The rugged edges can be grayish, olive, brown-green, and sometimes with rosy and silvery shades.
Benefits: Putting Pseudolithos over a windowsill or above a shelf is the perfect spot to highlight its minimalist morphology.
Treatment: It is advisable to place Pseudolithos in open windows or balconies to expose them to fluctuating temperatures.
Water Requirements: Water scarcely, every two weeks.
Light Requirements: Bright direct sunlight.
Desert Rose
Botanical name: Adenium obesum
Description: The Desert Rose, oddly enough, comes from the desert! More precisely, the deserts of Africa and the Middle East. Modern-day varieties have white, red, pink, and yellow colors that stand out against their bonsai-like stem.
Benefits: When Desert Rose blooms, it adds a beautiful touch to your room and is a great focal point for your indoor garden.
Treatment: Placing Desert Roses in well-illuminated rooms can stimulate more flower buds to grow.
Water Requirements: Low to moderate, every 7-10 days.
Light Requirements: Indirect bright light.
Trachyandra
Botanical name: Trachyandra tortilis
Description: Perennial plant with dark green leaves in the form of curls. It originates from the arid regions of Madagascar and South Africa.
Benefits: Its quirky feature has led to Trachyandra becoming a welcome guest in the home of fans of unusual house plants. It goes well on a clutter-free table.
Treatment: Plant in soils with at least 25% sand to mimic its natural habit. Ensure that the pots have drainage holes to prevent the accumulation of excess water.
Water Requirements: Low to medium, once a week.
Light Requirements: Bright indirect or direct light.
Frizzle Sizzle
Botanical name: Albuca spiralis
Description: Thick, spiral leaves add a modern architectural look to any space. In the spring, it produces fragrant flowers! Sometimes the leaves turn brown during flowering.
Benefits: Like many succulents, it is a low-maintenance houseplant with a high visual impact.
Treatment: Frizzle Sizzle plant needs a lot of light, so place it in a south-facing window. Cut off the flower thorns when they grow if you don't want the leaves to turn brown.
Water Requirements: Low to medium.
Light Requirements: Bright indirect or direct light.
Pencil Cactus
Botanical name: Euphorbia tirucalli
Description: Cacti and succulents are diverse plant creatures. Undoubtedly, Pencil cactus gets its name because... well, it looks like a bunch of pencils that come in vivid shades of pink, orange, and green.
Benefits: A captivating plant to place on table tops, office desks, and window sills because of its modern-looking linear branches.
Treatment: Sometimes stems shrivel and wilt, but it is normal, and the plant can quickly recover. The symptoms are associated with draft air or changes in temperatures.
Water Requirements: Low to moderate
Light Requirements: Direct or indirect light.
Cracked Ariocaprus
Botanic name: Ariocaprus fissuratus
Description Cracked Ariocarpus is a cactus devoid of thorns. It takes this little plant about fifty years to reach 4 inches (1 decimeter) in diameter. Due to its thick fleshy root, Cracked Ariocarpus can grow in places where other representatives of the flora are rarely found — in the crevices of rocky rocks and cliffs.
Benefits (Why to choose): As any other cacti, Ariocarpus doesn't require much care, but it will reward your efforts with beautiful pink flowers.
Treatment: Use sandy potting mixes adjusted with wood bark, and place some pebbles at the bottom of the pot to avoid oversaturating the soil with water. Don't be alarmed by Ariocarpus's slow growth, it's a late bloomer!
Water Requirements: Allow the soil to dry fully before thorough watering.
Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight.
Baseball plant
Botanic name: Euphorbia obesa
Description: There are countless Euphorbia species, ranging from cacti-like to succulents to even shrubby plants. However, Euphorbia obesa is perhaps among the most interesting-looking ones. It is a thornless little succulent resembling a ball, hence the common name, Baseball plant. At one point in history, it became so popular that in 1915 it was pronounced endangered. Thanks to quick actions of preserving seeds to maintain the population of Baseball plants, today, almost everyone can get this green pet at home.
Benefits (Why to choose): It's a low-maintenance plant used to surviving in the desert. Baseball plants would be great for people who travel often forget about owning plants.
Treatment: Pick a spot in your house that receives a lot of bright sunlight. To make Euphorbia obesa happy, plant it in well-draining cacti potting mix, add some pebbles at the bottom of the container, and avoid moving it around.
Water Requirements: Water once a month during the summer and once every couple of months in winter.
Light Requirements: Bright direct sunlight.
Pussy Foot
Botanic name: Haworthia cooperi
Description: Haworthia cooperi is quite a rare species of succulent. It grows in rosette formations with bulbous leaves. The succulent has a glass-like surface, which once was necessary for survival in the desert.
Benefits (Why to choose): Haworthia cooperi looks like it's made of translucent green marble, making it an interesting addition to practically any room. It's low maintenance, pest-free, and doesn't take up much space.
Treatment: Use a well-draining potting mix suitable for cacti and succulents. We don't recommend repotting Haworthia cooperi often, as it can bring unnecessary stress to your lovely green pet. Keep the temperature stable, provide regular watering, and your Haworthia will reward you with an astonishing look.
Water Requirements: Water thoroughly every 7-10 days, but always check the soil before pouring your green pet a drink. The potting mix should be able to dry between watering sessions.
Light Requirements: Bright indirect sunlight.
Philodendron Plants
Philodendrons are show-stoppers in the botanical world. They are also great for beginners as they only require minimal care. Many cultivars exist in the market, and a few are challenging to find. Here we list the rarest houseplant of this genus.
Philodendron Pink Princess
Botanical name: Philodendron erubescens
Description: Recently welcomed in the Philodendron family, this young hybrid makes its cousins jealous due to its pink-accentuated foliage, an uncommon color among Philos.
Benefits: The added magenta shade in the leaves will certainly please the crowd. It is a stunning decor next to a window and empty corners.
Treatment: The salmon leaves are more sensitive than the green ones, so avoid placing your Princess in direct light.
Water Requirements: Moderate, weekly.
Light Requirements: Bright indirect light.
Black Gold Philodendron
Botanical name: Philodendron melanochrysum
Description: Known for its imposing, velvety green leaves, this variety of Philo is much-loved by the plant community.
Benefits: If you are more pleased with subtle and contemporary-looking leaves, this midnight-tinged ornament is for you.
Treatment: More tolerant of shadowy places but will perform better when placed in a well-illuminated room.
Water Requirements: Moderate, 1-2 times weekly.
Light Requirements: Low to bright.
Philodendron Painted Lady
Botanical name: Philodendron spp. 'Painted Lady'
Description: The lady is in the house! This Philo hybrid is a spectacular sight with its lemon-mosaiced foliage.
Benefits: A perfect plant for modern and dark-themed interior spaces.
Treatment: Plant in soil rich in organic matter like compost and sphagnum moss.
Water Requirements: Moderate.
Light Requirements: Medium to bright.
Trailing Plants
The classic way to add dimension to the room is to use trailing plants. Whether they go up or down a shelf or the ceiling, their elongated vines create a mysterious atmosphere. Although some trailing species are very common, several cultivars are quite hard to find!
Dischidia
Botanical name: Dischidia spp.
Description: This plant originally comes from the rainforest. Its sprawling vine feeds on the sap of the crop it has attached to.
Benefits: Because of its cascading vine, Dischidia adds a theatrical experience on bare ceilings, windows, and shelves.
Treatment: Regular pruning might be needed, as this is a fast-growing vine.
Water Requirements: Moderate to high.
Light Requirements: Bright indirect or direct light.
Night-Blooming Jasmine
Botanical name: Cestrum nocturnum
Description: It is the most fragrant and rare houseplant on this list, and you should definitely consider it! Jasmine exudes a strong, intense, romantic scent when its flowers open at night.
Benefits: Since it is a fragrant plant, it can be used as a natural perfume indoors, setting a calming and relaxing ambiance.
Treatment: Be sure to find a spot with early or late afternoon sunshine and no wide temperature fluctuations. Plant in a big pot so that the roots can extend freely.
Water Requirements: Water 1-2 times weekly.
Light Requirements: Indirect or direct light.
Dolphins Succulent
Botanical name: Senecio peregrinus
Description: True to their name, the tiny leaves on this sprawling succulent look exactly like swimming dolphins.
Benefits: As a succulent plant, it requires little maintenance and care. The weeping vines set down enchanting focal points on a high ceiling.
Treatment: Use a cactus potting medium to prevent root diseases. When the vines overgrow, cut them at the desired length and insert the cut stem into the soil.
Water Requirements: Low to medium.
Light Requirements: Bright indirect or direct light.
Corkscrew grass
Botanic name: Juncus effusus
Description: The lovely Spiral grass is known for its unusual and ornamental twisting and curly leaves that resemble a corkscrew. It tends to spread easily when planted in the ground, so it would be a good call to plant it in a pot.
Benefits (Why to choose): Corkscrew grass is a great option for soggy soil (and people with overwatering tendencies) or even shallow lakes! It doesn't require much care and will thrive in practically any condition.
Treatment: You can use any soil as long as you keep it constantly moist. If you have a shallow pond, you can grow corkscrew grass around its margins or add it to the flower compositions for a splash of bright color!
Water Requirements: Keep the soil moist, and don't be afraid to overwater.
Light Requirements: Bright direct sunlight.
What Are the Most Sought-After Houseplants?
Luckily (or not), there are a lot of rare plants – identify indoor greenies precisely with our tool. If you didn't lose your mind over the plants from above, consider checking out these sough-after green beuties:
- Monsteras – _Monstera dubia, Monstera '_Thai constellation.'
- Prayer plants – Stromanthe sanguinea ‘Triostar’, Calathea ‘White Star’, Calathea lietzei ‘Stellar’.
- Orchids – Magic 'Witchcraft' Orchid, Shenzhen Nongke Orchid.
- Succulents and cacti – twisted cactus, _Peperomia graveolens '_Ruby Glow.'
- Variegated String Bean hoya Hoya wayetii 'Variegata'.
FAQ
What Is the Rarest Houseplant?
The rarest houseplant includes a mountain-dwelling species called the Gold of Kinabalu orchid and other recently bred variegated species of tropical plants.
What Is the Most Exotic Houseplant?
The most exotic houseplant include the strangest-looking succulents like Pseudolithos and Trachyandra. Many tropical plants are also considered rare because of their out-of-this-world appearance, like varieties of Monstera, Alocasia, and Philodendron.
Where to Find Rare Houseplants?
Finding a rare houseplant is like finding a needle in a haystack. However, we suggest looking at online stores, botanical groups, and social media accounts of plant enthusiasts who typically have limited offers and tips.
Share this list in your social media to get your friends ideas on what to add on their plant shopping list. By the way, do you own any of the plants discussed above? Let us know in the comments.
