Choosing Unique Indoor Plants to Match Your Style
If you’re searching for “unique plants indoor,” you’re not alone in wanting to bring more life and visual interest into your home. Indoor plants can totally transform a space, but with so many options, it can be difficult to choose plants that match your personal tastes. In this article, I’ll share some of the coolest and most distinctive houseplants you can grow, along with tips for care so you can enjoy them for years to come.
Air Plants Are Totally Low Maintenance
Air plants, or tillandsias, don’t require soil at all – they get their moisture and nutrients directly from the air. This makes them an excellent choice if you tend to forget to water other plants. Just mist them lightly a few times a week and occasionally soak them in water. Their unusual shapes and textures can add modern flair to a shelf or wall display. I have an assortment in a floating wood-and-glass shadowbox that has become a real focal point in my living room. Because of their flexibility, air plants pair well with various creative mounting options.
Succulents Come in Amazing Varieties
Succulents have surged in popularity in recent years for good reason – they’re hardy, colorful, and come in an almost endless variety of shapes and sizes. Beyond the classic jade and aloe, you’ll find species with unusual features like fuzzy leaves, striped patterns, clustering “pups,” and more. Because succulents store water in thick leaves or stems, they thrive on infrequent watering, making them ideal for busy schedules. I keep several types in small terra cotta pots grouped together on my kitchen windowsill, and they’ve repaid my care with constant new growth.
- Echeveria: Rounded rosettes with delicate pastel hues
- Haworthia: Clustering bamboo-like fronds in shades of green and white striping
- Kalanchoe: Thick foliage in reds, pinks and oranges sometimes adorned with small flowers
No matter your personal style, there’s a succulent perfect for you. Experiment with creative potting combinations – the versatility of succulents allows for lots of unique, eye-catching arrangements.
Tillandsias Are Perfect for Creative Mounting
If you’re after something really unique, try displaying tillandsia air plants in imaginative ways. You can find them affixed to wood, cork, or Styrofoam bases ready for hanging. Get creative by wiring or gluing several together into geometric shapes. From my experience, they also look awesome dangling en masse from a macrame hanger or curled into a spiral around a branch. Their structural forms hold well in glass terrariums too. Air plants thrive on misting and soakings without soil, making them ideal for mounting almost anywhere indoors. Get out of the conventional pot mindset and show off these beauties in new ways!
Orchids Require More Care But Are Totally Worth It
Orchids are undeniably elegant houseplants, but they demand a bit more attention than your average pothos. If grown properly however, phalaenopsis (moth orchids) reward you with long-lasting sprays of showy blooms. Here are some tips I’ve learned over the years to keep orchids happy: Use a well-draining potting medium like bark chips, water only when the mix is dry, provide adequate light but not direct sun, and occasionally fertilize during spring and summer. It may seem like a lot, but seeing such stunning blooms year after year is definitely satisfying. If cared for, orchids can live for many blooming seasons. Few indoor plants compare to a profusion of brightly colored orchid blossoms.
Try Out Tropical Foliage Plants
For low-light conditions try monsteras, philodendrons or pothos – they thrive on neglect. Monsteras in particular sort of blew up on Instagram recently for their iconic heart-shaped leaves and fanciful fenestrations. Their wild, jungle-like appearance is a fun change from basics. Philodendrons come in lots of varieties with interesting leaf shapes and patterns. Pothos are exceptionally hardy trailers great for draping or hanging. Their heartleaf or marble queen cultivars add bold color and texture. Tropical foliage plants complement the typical potted plant aesthetic, imparting a sense that your indoor space is its own mini-rainforest!
Whatever your style – modern, bohemian, minimalist – there’s a unique indoor plant to match. Experiment until you find your favorites. Gardens for good days and decorative accents for not-so-good ones – plants have a way of brightening any space. I hope this overview has sparked ideas to get your plant hobby going or to try something new. Best of luck, and happy planting!
Popular Plants for Indoor Growing
| Plant | Care Level | Light Needs | Water Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | Low | Low | Allow soil to dry between waterings | Vining plant, very hardy |
| Snake plant | Low | Low-medium | Let soil dry out between waterings | Air-purifying qualities, very drought tolerant |
| ZZ plant | Low | Medium | Let soil partially dry between waterings | Hardy and tolerant of low light |
| Peace lily | Low-medium | Medium-high | Keep soil moist | Produces fragrant white flowers |
FAQ
- What types of unique plants can grow indoors?
- How often do I need to water indoor plants?
- What kind of light do most indoor plants prefer?
- How do I know if my indoor plant needs fertilizer?
- What pests are common on indoor plants and how do I treat them?
There are actually quite a few unusual indoor plant varieties you can have at home. Some options are air plants, succulents, orchids, peace lilies, bamboo palm, Chinese evergreen, and pothos vines. Each has their own watering and lighting needs, so do some research to find what fits best with your indoor environment.
The frequency of watering depends basically on the plant type and conditions. Some general guidelines: succulents only need water every couple weeks, foliage plants like peace lilies around once a week, and plants in lower light may need water every 5 days. The soil should dry out slightly between waterings. You can check soil moisture with your finger – if it’s dry an inch down, it’s time to water.
The vast majority of houseplants thrive best in medium to bright indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight streaming through a south-facing window can be a bit much for some more delicate varieties. Meanwhile, plants in dark corners won’t get enough light to photosynthesize properly. Aim to keep your unique indoor plants in spots receiving 4+ hours of exposure from an east or west window every day.
Signs that an indoor plant may need a boost of nutrients include sluggish growth, yellowing leaves, or stunted appearance. Typically, most houseplants benefit from feeding in the spring and summer growing seasons, when light levels are highest. Look for a balanced houseplant fertilizer and follow package directions for diluting and application frequency – usually every 4-6 weeks. Overfertilizing candamage some plants, so go slowly until you get the hang of it.
Among the pests potentially plaguing unique indoor plants are spider mites, aphids, scale, and mealybugs. These small soft-bodied insects suck plant juices and weaken foliage. Treatment involves isolating the plant, pruning heavily damaged areas, and using an insecticide suitable for houseplants, like neem or insecticidal soap. Regular inspection and quick response are key to keeping pests under control without your plants becoming too stressed.
For cat owners looking to grow greenery indoors, keeping feline friends from nibbling plants can be challenging. Some tricks that possibly work include surrounding pots with gravel or decorative stones, placing plants high up out of paw’s reach, growing cat-safe varieties like spider plants or english ivy, or spraying leaves with bitter apple spray. You might also try distracting kitty with plants approved by animal experts, so they hopefully leave the others be. But cats will probably be cats – it seems some taste temptation no matter what.
Unfortunately yes, there are several common houseplants poisonous if ingested by dogs and cats. Some of the worst offenders include English ivy, dracaena, philodendron, peace lily, and pothos. Symptoms can range from mild stomach upset to more serious problems like drooling, vomiting, difficulty breathing. As amazing as our indoor jungle may seem, it’s best to thoroughly research any plant species before bringing it into a home with pets. Perhaps displaying favorites out of paw’s reach or behind a baby gate would offer safer enjoyment for all.