Unique indoor plants you have to know

Hey there,

When we talk about houseplants, everyone thinks of the ZZ plant, snake plant, or monstera. However, there are also special indoor plants with unique shapes, and their care is often just as easy as that of a traditional, well-known plant. In this post, I’ll introduce you to 14 rare and unique houseplants, and you’ll also receive a brief care guide to help you decide if any of these beauties below are right for you.

1. Monilaria obconica

Monilaria Obconica needs 0.8 cups of water every 12 days when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5.0″ pot. Monilaria may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves, without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the growth potential. Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth. By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil, it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway. To replenish this plant’s nutrients, repot your Monilaria Obconica after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

2. Kalanchoe delagoensis

Kalanchoe delagoensis prefers sunny or partially shaded locations. Choose a spot with direct sunlight when planting the plant, as this helps in the beautiful development of its flowers. The plant requires well-draining soil, so use cactus soil or create your own mixture with garden soil, sand, and perlite. Ensure that the flower pot has drainage holes at the bottom to prevent root rot. Kalanchoe delagoensis tolerates drought better than overwatering. Water the plant when the top layer of soil has slightly dried, but avoid letting water accumulate at the bottom of the pot. Reduce watering frequency during winter. The plant requires minimal nutrients, but occasional fertilization is beneficial. Use a low-nitrogen cactus fertilizer and fertilize monthly from spring to fall. It thrives at room temperature; however, during winter, be cautious to shield it from drafts or cold air.

3. Lithops

The Lithops requires approximately four to five hours of sunlight in the morning, followed by partial shade in the afternoon. This is best achieved with a south-facing window. Watering is necessary from August onwards. Instead of shallow watering, saturate the soil with water, considering that the taproot extends deep. However, allow the soil to dry between two watering sessions, meaning you should not water damp soil. Plant it in well-draining soil that dries relatively quickly. The soil should not stay moist for days, as this often leads to fatal rotting. Gradually reduce watering after flowering. Dry soil helps the plant adapt to the cool winter season. During winter, if kept in a cool place, let the soil dry completely, even if the plant shrinks. Do not remove old, wrinkled leaves, as they provide moisture to the newly developing leaves. For planting, use cactus soil, to which you can add sand in a 2:1 ratio.

4. Senecio rowleyanus (String of pearls)

Senecio rowleyanus is fundamentally fond of light and warmth. Choose a well-lit, warm, and draft-free spot in your home with bright, diffused light; a few hours of direct sunlight daily can be advantageous, but protect it from intense midday sun. The ideal temperature for the plant during the growing season (from spring to fall) is 21-26 °C, while in winter months, it should be lower, around 13-15 °C. As with most succulents, it’s best to thoroughly water the plant during the growing season and then wait until the top layer of the soil has dried before the next watering.

5. Senecio haworthii

Its care is the same as described for S. rowleyanus.

6. Haworthia cooperi

Haworthia cooperi prefers a bright but protected location from direct sunlight. From spring onwards, it’s advisable to gradually acclimate them to balconies or terraces. Excessive, direct sunlight can cause the leaves to burn, so it’s ideal if they receive morning to mid-morning sunlight. Always observe the plant’s reaction and be flexible in adjusting its placement to find the most suitable spot. They thrive in loose, sandy soil mix (2 parts sand, 2 parts potting soil, 1 part perlite). Use a pot with drainage holes. Water from the bottom or directly onto the soil, avoiding water contact with the plant’s leaves. Moderate watering is required, allowing the soil to completely dry between watering to prevent root rot. During the winter months, reduce the frequency of watering to a minimum. Repotting is recommended once a year, ideally in early spring when the plants are in their active growth phase.

7. Sedum morganianum

Sedum morganianum thrives best when exposed to direct sunlight for at least four hours daily. If this is not possible, it can tolerate average temperature and light conditions from spring to fall. Maintain a temperature of 8-10 °C during winter. Water regularly and thoroughly from spring to fall, but only when the soil has started to dry out. Add cactus fertilizer to the irrigation water once a month. In winter, water sparingly to prevent leaf shrinkage and avoid fertilization altogether. For planting, use cactus soil or create a mixture using universal potting soil and one-third coarse sand. The mixture should preferably be light and crumbly. Avoid transplanting older plants too frequently, as they may suffer leaf loss.

8. Tacca chantrieri

The Tacca chantrieri prefers well-draining soil and requires regular watering. It thrives in 70-80% shade, high humidity, and warmth. An ideal soil mixture consists of 50% pine bark, 40% peat, and 10% sand. It favors acidic soil. It’s a demanding plant, so keep this in mind when purchasing.

9. Platycerium bifurcatum

Platycerium bifurcatum prefers moderate to bright indirect light. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight as it can be too intense and damage the leaves. It thrives in warm and stable temperatures, feeling comfortable between 18-24 degrees Celsius. Avoid sudden temperature changes and drafts. Generally, it’s advisable to wait for the top layer of the soil to dry before watering the plant again. However, it’s important not to over-soak the plant, as excessive water can lead to root rot. It’s better to water less but regularly and ensure proper drainage in the flower pots.

10. Peperomia argyreia (Watermelon peperomia)

Peperomia argyreia is a houseplant with average light requirements. It thrives in a bright, non-direct sunlight location, but it can also tolerate partial shade. This plant falls into the category of Peperomias which prefers higher humidity. Avoid misting its leaves with water, as direct humidification is not an ideal solution. Instead, place the plant’s pot on a tray filled with water and pebbles, promoting humid air through evaporation. It is a plant with moderate water needs, so keep its soil slightly moist. Reduce watering during winter; at this time, the soil should not be kept wet to prevent cold and the risk of rot. From April to September, provide the plant with a diluted fertilizer every three weeks, and you can skip fertilizing during other times of the year.

11. Sansevieria cylindrica

The Sansevieria cylindrica is a heat-loving, light-demanding plant that thrives in a bright but not directly exposed to sunlight location; however, it also tolerates semi-shaded environments well. During winter, it’s essential to maintain a temperature above 15 °C and drafty places should be avoided. The plant has excellent drought tolerance and requires infrequent watering. It withstands underwatering much better than overwatering, so wait for the top layer of the soil to dry between two watering sessions. It needs even less water during the winter months. It appreciates receiving diluted fertilizer in the watering every 2-3 weeks during spring and summer, and you can skip fertilizing during other times of the year. It can tolerate drier air and doesn’t require a humid environment, so you don’t need to worry about humidification. Occasionally, you may need to remove damaged or yellowed leaves using sharp and sterile scissors or a knife, but further pruning is not necessary.

12. Trachyandra tortilis

Trachyandra needs a bright light with indirect exposure to it. Watering needs to be properly regulated. Once the soil gets dry, water it thoroughly until it’s fully drenched. After draining excess water, you can bring the plant back to its location. You have to wait for the soil to dry in between waterings. Make sure your area has a prevailing temperature that ranges between 5 – 15°C. Extreme temperatures, especially the colder ones, would seriously harm your plant. As for the soil. a special potting mix that’s intended for succulents and cacti is just right. The most important thing is that it should drain well. The mixture must be porous in structure and well-aerated.

13. Crassula umbella

The Crassula umbella needs sufficient scattered light which should be bright and transparent but strong sunlight in summer may burn its leaves and stems. The plant doesn’t need much water. Soil is very important for the growth of Crassula umbella, which must be loose and ventilated. The plant doesn’t need fertilization in its growth cycle. You can add a little slow-release fertilizer in early summer, and it’s fine if you do not apply fertilizer.

14. Oxalis palmifrons

Oxalis palmifrons is a very slow-growing perennial. It needs to be in a free-draining soil mix over the winter growing season. Can be grown in a dry bright spot indoors, make sure not to get the bottom of this plant waterlogged, it will appreciate a good top dress layer. The plant will die back into bulbs in the Summer months and this begins to die back in February/ March. Once Autumn comes, they will sprout back into life. These plants are winter growers and prefer lower temperatures during this time.

Conclusion

If you read the post all the way through, you can see that the care of these rare houseplants is not complicated at all. If you want to get a compliment or two from your guests, be sure to get a couple of these. The uniqueness of the plants will capture everyone’s attention, and you will effortlessly become “The Gardener” in the future. So, go for it!