Rare and Unusual Houseplants Worth Growing
Expand your collection with these unique and conversation-starting plants.
Beyond the Basics
Once you've mastered common houseplants, these unusual specimens offer new challenges and rewards.
String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
Succulent with bead-like leaves cascading from baskets. Needs bright light, minimal water.
Lithops (Living Stones)
Bizarre succulents that mimic pebbles. Fascinating adaptation, very low maintenance.
Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes)
Carnivorous plants with stunning traps. Need high humidity and bright light.
Staghorn Fern (Platycerium)
Epiphytic fern mounted on boards. Dramatic antler-shaped fronds.
Where to Find
Specialty nurseries, online retailers, and plant shows.
Tools and supplies for this
Products we'd actually buy for this job. Linking to Amazon — if you buy through these links we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
- Weston Mill Pottery Terracotta plant pots, 175mm (pack of 10)
Mid-size workhorse terracotta — perfect step-up for plants outgrowing their nursery pots.
- Weston Mill Pottery Terracotta plant pots, 20cm (pack of 5)
Heavyweight 20cm clay for established plants — the porous walls help prevent the soggy roots aroids hate.
- Whitefurze G04012 7.5cm Garden Pot - Terracotta (Set of 10)
Cheap, cheerful plastic propagation pots — what we actually use for cuttings and small offsets.
- Whitefurze G04013 10cm Garden Pot - Terracotta (Set of 7)
Reliable mid-size nursery pots with proper drainage holes — the boring essential every plant parent runs out of.
Alex Martinez
Rare Plant Collector
Passionate about helping plant parents succeed with expert tips and proven techniques.
Comments(7)
I appreciate the enthusiasm for unusual plants, but I've found that rarity often doesn't equal reliability—especially in cold climates where most exotic houseplants struggle. I've had better luck focusing on lesser-known herbs like shiso or bronze fennel that actually thrive indoors here rather than chasing hard-to-keep specimens. What draws you more: the visual novelty or plants that are genuinely functional to grow?
I'm still building up from my four plants, so reading about rare varieties is both inspiring and a little intimidating. I'm curious whether any of these unusual ones would actually survive in a cold climate, or if they're mostly tropical finds that need a greenhouse setup? Would love to hear what others in colder regions have successfully grown.
I totally get that feeling—I've got eleven now and still feel like I'm learning! The good news is that a lot of rare tropicals do fine in temperate homes if you're willing to give them bright indirect light and maybe a humidifier or pebble tray. I've had success with some unusual aroids that people swear need greenhouse conditions, and honestly, a west-facing window has been my secret. What's your light situation like at home? That usually determines whether you can go wild with the tropical rarities or if you'd be better off exploring some of the stranger temperate-hardy options.
I've got six plants going right now and honestly I'm still figuring out the basics, but this post is making me curious—are these rare plants actually harder to care for or just harder to find? I've got a monstera and some succulents that seem pretty forgiving in my mediterranean climate, so I'm wondering if something unusual would need totally different conditions or if it's just about sourcing them. Would love to try something conversation-starting once I'm more confident with watering schedules!
I love this angle! Though I'd gently push back on "rare" – sometimes the truly unusual plants are the ones already native to our own regions that we overlook. I've been trying to grow more Mediterranean species indoors (think Ruscus aculeatus, Smilax aspera) and they're honestly way more rewarding than hunting down trendy exotics. Have you found any rare plants that actually thrive in typical home conditions, or does that defeat the purpose for you?