The Best Rare Houseplants to Add to Your Collection in 2021
Houseplant trends come and go, but some plants remain evergreen favorites year after year. If you want to shake things up and try something new in 2021, consider adding one of these rare beauties to your indoor jungle. From peculiar plants with bizarre characteristics to exotic species that transport you to faraway lands, here are some of the coolest uncommon houseplants to check out.
Variegated Monstera Deliciosa
Arguably one of the hottest houseplants of the moment, the variegated Monstera deliciosa — also known as the Swiss cheese plant — definitely lives up to its name as a rare beauty. While the regular Monstera is super common, the variegated version with its white splashes and stripes is hard to come by. From my experience shopping for rare plants, these guys fly off the shelves faster than you can say “hoooooooly moley that’s an expensive plant!” The variegation pattern isn’t always stable either, so new leaves may revert back to all green. But if you can score one, you’ll have the plant envy of all your plant pals. Word to the wise though, these babes require similar care to their non-variegated cousins but cost an arm and a leg. Basically, is it worth it?
Raphidophora Tetrasperma
Nicknamed the mini monster deliciosa or mini monstera, Raphidophora tetrasperma may not quite have the same pixie dust appeal as its larger counterpart, but this rare vining plant is definitely making a name for itself in the plant world. With its perfect four-lobed fenestrated leaves and rapid climbing growth, it’s like a more compact, bushier version of the monstera. Care is similar too – keep the soil moist and give it something to climb. I’ve had situations where forgetful watering led to the leaves curling dramatically until they perked back up. The Raphidophora is becoming more widely available but still holds its status as a coveted uncommon plant. For a unique mini monstera to spice up your space, you can’t go wrong with this beauty.
Philodendron Pink Princess
Topping many plant lovers’ wish lists is the stunning Philodendron pink princess. Hailing from tropical Panama, this fairly new discovery is like no other philodendron. Its leaves emerge lime green and slowly develop pale pink blushing on the borders and veins over time in optimal light conditions. I can see why collectors are going nutso for this aesthetic stunner – its elegance and rarity make it a real showstopper. Prices remain bonkers but availability is gradually increasing as propagations spread. Kind of a hassle to care for at first since the new pink doesn’t always stick, but stick with it for a uniquely beautiful addition to your collection. Watch out though – at those high prices, it’d be an awful shame if something happened to your investment plant!
Monstera Obliqua
Last but certainly not least is the queen of rare aroid houseplants – Monstera obliqua. Originating from Central America, it’s considered the Rolls-Royce of monsteras due largely to its scarcity in cultivation and collector demand. With its thick, leathery leaves cut diagonally across the midrib, M. obliqua is simply stunning. Finding one to buy is next to impossible and prices are notoriously astronomical whenever a plant surfaces on the market. As such, it’s the ultimate grail plant and jewel of any collection. Unless you come into some serious cashola, seeing one IRL will probably remain but a dream. Still, one can dream of winning the plant lottery and importing their own M. obliqua to cultivate, right? A girl can dream.
Variegated String of Hearts
This quirky vining succulent has exploded in popularity in recent years for its cute heart-shaped green leaves. The variegated form takes it to a whole new level, sprinkling pretty ivory patches throughout the string. As with most variegated plants, care is the same as the solid green variety but costs are bumped up a notch. I snagged one last year and was stunned by its cuteness factor – it really does look like a string of tiny Valentine’s hearts! Variegation can be unstable though, so check for reversion. Overall, this cheery plant selection is sure to lighten up any space while also satisfying looks-wise.
Rhipsalis Rupestris
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As an epiphytic cactus, Rhipsalis rupestris offers a totally unique and eccentric vibe compared to more customary houseplants. Also called the coral cactus, its cascading tangled branches are dotted with small pit-like areoles rather than classic spines like other cacti. The flowers are pretty lilac things too. Basically this weirdo plant rules, dudes!
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I picked one up last year and have been loving its quirky shape. It’s grown quite quickly in its hanging basket. Water when soil is dry and give medium to bright shade – too much sun can scorch the branches. While common in its native Brazil, getting your hands on one here requires a bit of rustling. Overall, an unconventional plant pick for those who like oddities.
Variegated String of Tears
No list of rare houseplants is complete without a mention of the coveted String of Tears – aka Senecio rowleyanus. But the gold standard is finding the elusive variegated form. With creamy white or yellow highlights danced throughout its cascading ropes of teardrop foliage, this succulent really takes the cake in terms of aesthetic beauty and sensation value when showing it off to guests. “Check out my variegated string of tears – ain’t she a stunner?” Despite its delicate appearance, this resilient plant can handle moderate neglect or inconsistent watering from those slightly less plant-responsible folks like myself. Still, they demand top dollar on the market. Sometimes we gamble on plants and lose, but the wins are just as gratifying. Fingers crossed you score one too!
Philodendron Erubescens
Sweetening up any collection is the unique Philodendron erubescens with its pink flushed new leaves. Lovely creamy pink stripes emerge as the foliage develops, becoming truer blushing pink under optimal growing conditions. It thrives well in low to bright indirect light like most philodendrons. Water when dry and watch it gift you with frilly ruffled fronds throughout spring and summer. Care is straightforward, making it a great option for plant parents who desire aesthetic satisfaction without major high-maintenance demands. Plus liking pink is pretty much a win in my books – I defy anyone to frown at this cheerful plant’s aesthetic charms!
Variegated Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma
Alright, I’ll admit I’ve saved the rarest plant crusade of all for last – the mega elusive variegated form of our beloved mini monstera, the Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. Spottings of this genetic mutation are beyond rare, as unstable variegation often fails to survive or naturally occur in this species in the first place. Seeing pics online has collectors drooling over the heavenly splashy leaves like a Jackson Pollock painting come to life. Prices are generally prohibitive for home enthusiasts unless extreme luck intervenes. Nevertheless, plant geeks continue searching endlessly for their holy grail “minstera” to nurture. Perhaps science will someday stabilize the trait to make these lovelies more accessible. Until then, we glimpse from afar and dream big!
So in summary, while availability fluctuates seasonally, seeking rare plants enriches our collections with diversity and challenges us growers to care for more finicky specimens. There’s nothing quite like the novelty rush that comes with successfully propagating or sustaining an uncommon find. Most importantly, gushing over plant porn online and sharing contagious plant joy with pals is half the fun. Keep your eyes peeled – you never know when one of these unicorns may pop up on a local dealer’s shelf! Laters.
Top 10 Rare Houseplants of 2021
| Plant | Care Level | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Variegated Monstera | Moderate | $50-100 |
| Pink Princess Philodendron | Difficult | $150-300 |
| String of Turtles | Easy | $20-40 |
| Burle Marx Philodendron | Moderate | $80-150 |
| Raven ZZ Plant | Low | $30-60 |
| White Fusion Calathea | Moderate | $40-80 |
| Albo Monstera | Difficult | $200-500 |
| Moonlight Prayer Plant | Moderate | $50-100 |
| String of Tears | Easy | $20-40 |
| String of Nickels | Easy | $25-50 |
FAQ
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What rare houseplants are popular right now?
Monstera, orchids, succulents and pothos plants are basically the coolest uncommon plants to have around nowadays. While peace lilies and snake plants have always been popular choices, more folks are becoming obsessed with exotic beauties like Swiss cheese plants.
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Are unusual plants challenging to care for?
Kind of. Some weird plants definitely require more attention than your average pothos. For instance, black pagoda lipstick plants need very specific light and watering. On the other hand, maybe plants like spider plants and ZZ plants are surprisingly low maintenance despite looking abnormal. It sort of depends what odd fellow you bring home.
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Why are rare plants becoming more popular?
A few reasons why people seem to want weird botanicals nowadays. Social media is spreading amazing photos of anomalies that stimulates our interest. Additionally, caring for strange flora is a stunning flex that you’ve got a green thumb. It kind of shows off your horticultural skills to have monsters and rarities thriving on your shelves.
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How can you identify an uncommon houseplant?
Identifying unusual indoor plants takes a bit of research. Check plant tags or apps for scientific names rather than common ones. Unusual growth patterns or strange leaves are also clear signs of a rare variety. Asking plant pals on social media is another option. However, be careful purchasing plants without IDs – you wouldn’t want an infestation of spider mites from mislabeled beautiful mystery plants!
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Where can you buy unique houseplants?
Specialty plant stores and greenhouses seem to have the largest unique plant collections, perhaps even divided sections for oddballs. Nevertheless, you’d be amazed what uncommon beauties may appear at your local garden center or supermarket from time to time. On the other hand, ordering online plants is convenient, but there’s always a risk rare plants may not survive shipping. So make sure to read vendor reviews first.
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Should houseplants be treasured possessions?
It’s easy to become emotionally invested in our exotic plant babies. When they’re thriving, it’s amazingly satisfying. But is it healthy to become too attached to sentimental botanicals? Losing a beloved variegated monstera to overwatering could be heartbreaking. Maybe we shouldn’t place too much weight on material plants, but instead value them as living art that brings us joy. In the end, they’re just plants! So relax and have fun collecting unusual beauties without too much pressure.
So in summary – rare houseplants are awesome to collect nowadays thanks to social media. While unusual plants require researching care, the payoff of exotic flora is stunning visuals. Just don’t get too distraught if plant pals pass on. After all, relationships with living things always comes with risks. So relax and have fun exploring the amazing variety in the plant kingdom!