Houseplants can be found in homes around the world. The tradition of houseplant ownership is not a new one, either. They can be traced back thousands of years...just look at the hanging plants in the garden of Babylon!
Demand for rare and unusual houseplants is at an all-time high. This is why we have put together a few of our favorite unusual houseplants. Take a look at this list, we think it’s one that any enthusiast would drool over…
Aloe marlothii
- Aka ‘Mountain aloe’, can grow up to 10’, significantly less in a container
- Full sun
- Touch dry between waterings, do not over water
- Native to South Africa
Pedilanthus tithymaloides "Devil's Backbone"
- Aka ‘zig zag plant’ due to growth habit, easy care
- Part sun - bright, indirect
- Touch dry between waterings, do not over water
- Native to Florida, Mexico, Central America, northern South America and most islands in the Caribbean
Dischidia Ruscifolia "Million Hearts"
- Numerous small heart shaped leaves, hence the name. Great hanging container plant, epiphytic, meaning it grows on other plants/trees. Can flower, strong fragrance, tiny white blooms
- Morning sun / bright indirect
- Touch dry between waterings, do not over water
- Native to the Philippines
- If you’re familiar with hoya, you’ll treat this species very similarly
Epiphyllum Anguliger "Fishbone or Zig Zag “Cactus”
- Aka orchid cactus, has fragrant white/yellow blooms, great as a hanging container plant, PET SAFE!
- Part sun - bright indirect
- Touch dry between waterings, do not over water
- Native to Mexico
- Plants don’t usually bloom freely in the home. In late winter, stimulate bloom production by placing the cactus in an unheated space that's above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, such as a garage or porch, for about three weeks.
Hoya Kerrii "Sweetheart Plant, Valentine Hoya"
- Heart leaf Hoya, easy grower, PET SAFE!
- Part sun
- Touch dry between waterings, do not over water
- Native to South-East Asia
- Formerly sold in the industry with inscriptions carved into the leaf ‘i love you’ or initials, as valentines/other gifts, scarring lasting for years
Opuntia ‘Baby Rita' "Prickly Pear"
- Turns rich purple shade in cold weather, warm weather light blue gray, frost hardy! (indoor or outdoor plant) 8”-2’ tall
- Full sun indoors, outdoors will tolerate light shade at the expense of vibrant coloring
- Allow to dry thoroughly, sit dry for a few days, thoroughly saturate
- Native to American Southwest into Mexico
Peperomia graveolen ‘Ruby Glow’
- Easy Grower, can get up to 10” tall, grown for unique foliage, PET SAFE!
- Full - part sun
- Touch dry between waterings, do not over water
- Native to Ecuador, Peru
- Was first collected in 1973 by German botanists at an altitude range of 2000 to 2500 meters
Sansevieria stuckyi
- Sans. Species commonly called “snake plant”. Known to be ‘plants of steel’ tolerant of practically any light conditions, neglect, hard to kill unless overwatered
- INDOORS can take full sun - low light *versatile*
- Allow to dry thoroughly, sit dry for a few days, thoroughly saturate
- Native to Equatorial Africa
- There are 70 species of sans. (which is now known as Dracaena) Cornell Farms carrying 20 different sp. currently
Senecio Stapeliiformis "Pickle Plant"
- Pencil-like stems with purple-green color, soft, can get up to 10” tall
- Part sun
- Touch dry between waterings, do not over water
- Native to South Africa
- Has large red-orange blooms
