This post is all about unique house plants.
Welcome to the world of unique houseplants! Whether you're a seasoned plant enthusiast or a beginner looking to add some green to your home, these plants are sure to catch your eye.
From carnivorous Venus flytraps to trailing String of Nickels, each of these plants has its own unique characteristics that make it stand out. Not only are they interesting and unique, but they also have the ability to purify the air and improve overall indoor air quality.
In this article, we will take a closer look at these plants and explore their characteristics, care requirements, and benefits. Get ready to discover the world of unique and unusual houseplants!
20 Unique House Plants
1. Starfish Cactus (Astrophytum asterias)
The Starfish Cactus, also known as the Sand Dollar Cactus or Sea Urchin Cactus, is a small, unique, and low-maintenance cactus that is native to Mexico.
It has a round shape and is covered in small, needle-like spines that give it the appearance of a starfish or sea urchin.
The cactus produces small, yellow flowers in the spring and summer. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It is a slow-growing cactus, but can reach up to 6 inches in diameter.
2. Fishbone Cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger)
The Fishbone Cactus is a unique and unusual cactus that is native to Central America. It has long, thin, flattened stems with small, fishbone-shaped leaves arranged in a distinctive pattern.
The cactus produces large, showy, white flowers in the spring and summer. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It is a slow-growing cactus, but can reach up to 2-3 feet in length.
3. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
The Bird of Paradise is a tropical plant that is native to South Africa. It has large, banana-like leaves and produces large, tropical-looking flowers that resemble birds.
The flowers come in shades of orange and blue and are produced on long stalks. The plant prefers bright, indirect light and moist, well-drained soil. It can grow up to 4-5 feet tall.
4. Hoya (Hoya spp.)
Hoya is a tropical, evergreen climbing plant that is native to Asia. It has glossy, green leaves and produces small, waxy, star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, or white.
The plant prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It can be trained to climb a trellis or left to trail from a hanging basket. It can grow up to 4-6 feet in length.
5. String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii 'Hearts')
The String of Hearts is a delicate, trailing plant that is native to South Africa. It has small, heart-shaped leaves that are arranged along thin, delicate stems.
The plant produces small, tubular flowers in shades of pink or purple. The plant prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It is perfect for hanging baskets or cascading over the edges of shelves.
6. String of Fish (C. megalantha)
The String of Fish, also known as the Chain of Fish, is a delicate, trailing plant that is native to Africa. It has small, fish-shaped leaves that are arranged along thin, delicate stems.
The plant prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It is perfect for hanging baskets or cascading over the edges of shelves.
7. String of Buttons (Crassula perforata)
The String of Buttons is a unique and unusual trailing plant that is native to South Africa. It has small, button-shaped leaves that are arranged along thin, delicate stems.
The plant prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It is perfect for hanging baskets or cascading over the edges of shelves.
8. String of Turtles (C. reptans)
The String of Turtles is a delicate, trailing plant that is native to South Africa. It has small, turtle-shaped leaves that are arranged along thin, delicate stems.
The plant prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It is perfect for hanging baskets or cascading over the edges of shelves.
9. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
The String of Pearls is a delicate, trailing plant that is native to South Africa. It has small, pearl-shaped leaves that are arranged along thin, delicate stems.
The plant prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It is perfect for hanging baskets or cascading over the edges of shelves.
10. Living Stone (Lithops spp.)
The Living Stone, also known as the Pebble Plant or Stone Plant, is a unique and unusual succulent that is native to South Africa. It has small, stone-like leaves that are arranged to resemble pebbles in the ground.
The plant produces small, yellow or white flowers in the fall. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It is a slow-growing plant and can reach up to 2 inches in diameter.
11. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
The Snake Plant, also known as the Mother-in-Law's Tongue or Snake's Tongue, is a tropical, evergreen plant that is native to Africa. It has tall, sword-like leaves that are green and yellow striped.
The plant prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It is tolerant of low light conditions and is a great plant for those with a brown thumb. It can grow up to 3-4 feet tall.
12. Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria spp.)
The Pincushion Cactus is a small, unique, and low-maintenance cactus that is native to Mexico. It has a round shape and is covered in small, needle-like spines. The cactus produces small, pink or white flowers in the spring and summer.
It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It is a slow-growing cactus, but can reach up to 6 inches in diameter.
13. String of Bananas (C. pepo)
The String of Bananas is a delicate, trailing plant that is native to South Africa. It has small, banana-shaped leaves that are arranged along thin, delicate stems.
The plant prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It is perfect for hanging baskets or cascading over the edges of shelves.
14. Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum spp.)
Hens and Chicks is a unique and unusual succulent that is native to Europe. It has small, rosette-shaped leaves that are arranged to resemble a mother hen and her chicks.
The plant produces small, pink or yellow flowers in the summer. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It is a slow-growing plant, but can spread to form a dense mat.
15. Zebra Cactus (Haworthia fasciata)
The Zebra Cactus is a small, unique, and low-maintenance succulent that is native to South Africa. It has a round shape and is covered in white, vertical stripes that resemble the stripes of a zebra.
The plant prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It is a slow-growing plant, but can reach up to 6 inches in diameter.
16. Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)
The Venus Flytrap is a unique and fascinating carnivorous plant that is native to the wetlands of North and South Carolina.
It has small, green leaves that are modified into traps that are used to capture and digest insects. The plant produces small, white or pink flowers in the spring and summer.
It prefers bright, indirect light and moist, nutrient-poor soil. It is a slow-growing plant, but can reach up to 6 inches in diameter.
17. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The Spider Plant is a popular and easy-to-grow houseplant that is native to tropical Africa. It has long, green leaves that are arranged on thin, delicate stems.
The plant produces small, white or yellow flowers and small plantlets, known as "spiderettes," that can be propagated.
It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It is a fast-growing plant that can reach up to 2 feet in length.
18. Air Plant (Tillandsia spp.)
The Air Plant is a unique and unusual tropical plant that is native to Central and South America. Unlike most plants, it does not have roots and instead absorbs moisture and nutrients through its leaves.
It has a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. It prefers bright, indirect light and regular misting or soaking in water.
19. Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
The Chinese Money Plant, also known as the Pancake Plant or the Missionary Plant, is a unique and unusual houseplant that is native to China.
It has round, green leaves that are arranged on thin, delicate stems. It produces small, white or pink flowers in the summer.
It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. It is a fast-growing plant that can reach up to 2 feet in height.
20. String of Nickels (Dischidia nummularia)
The String of Nickels, also known as the Dollar Plant, is a unique and unusual trailing plant that is native to Southeast Asia.
It has small, coin-shaped leaves that are arranged along thin, delicate stems. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.
It is perfect for hanging baskets or cascading over the edges of shelves. It is a fast-growing plant and can reach up to 2 feet in length.
Summary
As you can see, the world of unique houseplants is vast and varied. From the Venus Flytrap's carnivorous tendencies to the Air Plant's ability to thrive without soil, these plants offer something for everyone.
Whether you're looking for a low-maintenance plant or a conversation starter, there is a unique houseplant out there for you.
As you incorporate these plants into your home, you'll not only be adding beauty and interest to your space, but you'll also be improving your indoor air quality and creating a more healthy living environment.
So why not give one of these unique plants a try and see for yourself? Happy planting!