20 Unique Plants To Liven Up Your Home

Whether you are thinking of adding new plants to your indoor jungle or gifting a plant lover friend, there is something about adding eye-catching and unique plants to a home. Instead of adding or gifting commonly found plants like the snake plant and pothos, go for some of the rarest plants and unique plants of the plant kingdom.

If you don't have the greenest thumb, you may think of a rare and unique plant as a sensitive plant. While some will require a high humidity level and have temperature requirements, others can just be as easy to care for as any other plants.

If you do give these fascinating and incredible plants a try, you won't regret the decision! Turn your home into a one-of-a-kind botanical oasis with the twenty unique plants below. Thanks to their unique leaves, flowers, and palm fronds, they're unlike anything else in your plant collection.

20 Unusual Plants To Add To Your Plant Collection

This South African String of Hearts plant (Ceropegia woodii), sometimes called a Rosary Vine or Sweetheart Vine, makes a stunning addition to any home. The trailing, succulent-like plant earns its name from its heart-shaped leaves. Some varieties boast gorgeous variegation. Its thin vines can reach up to twelve feet long, making it an excellent choice for hanging planters and high shelves. With proper care, it'll produce gorgeous magenta-colored flowers each year. But like other succulents, the String of Hearts is prone to overwatering and root rot.

Light— Bright, indirect sunlight, not suitable for low-light environments

Water— Infrequently, when the top 2/3 of the soil has fully dried out

Soil— Prefers well-draining cacti and succulent potting mixes

Climate— Ambient temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees F with moderate humidity

The eye-catching Escargot Begonia (Rex cultorum begonia) is a great way to add shape and texture to your containers or garden beds. The European hybrid earned its name from its snail-shaped foliage. Its spiraling leaves are marked by a unique texture and thick silver and green bands. The evergreen perennial can be planted outdoors in warmer climates but should be brought inside anywhere with cold winter weather.

Light— Partial sun

Water— To avoid soggy soil that leads to disease, only water when the soil feels dry to the touch

Soil— Well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter

Climate— Moderate humidity, not frost tolerant

The Ruffled Fan Palm (Licuala Grandis) is guaranteed to make a statement in any indoor space. Its large, pleated palm fronds look just like an open fan, hence the nickname. The unusual plant grows to be quite sizable, especially when planted outdoors. Potted, it can reach anywhere between 6 and 10 feet with glossy leaves up to 22 inches in diameter. Native to the humid rainforests of the Vanuatu Islands off the Eastern coast of Australia, it prefers warm, humid conditions and doesn't tolerate frost well.

Light— Partial to complete shade, does not tolerate full sun well

Water— Infrequent watering, especially during the off-season

Soil— Tolerates clay and loamy soil, but grows largest in sandy soil with plenty of organic matter

Climate— Enjoys slightly cooler temperatures with high humidity

The Chinese Evergreen plant (Aglaonema) is one of few plants that can survive under fluorescent light, making it a great choice for office spaces. In low light conditions, you'll want to rotate it periodically to ensure even growth and adequate photosynthesis. Its lush green foliage boasts beautiful variation with various green colors and speckled patterns. The evergreen plant prefers stable temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees F, so keep away from heaters and windows with cold drafts.

Light— Indirect light, tolerates low light conditions well

Water— Prefers to dry out almost entirely between waterings, prone to overwatering and root rot

Soil— Well-draining, slightly acidic soil

Climate— Grows well in room temperatures and low to moderate humidity

Go big or go home with a stunning Rhaphidophora decursiva plant. Its giant leaves look reminiscent of the lobed leaves of a Monstera plant or a delicate palm. In the wild, the unique plant tops out at 40 feet with leaves up to 40 inches long and 20 inches wide. But don't worry, as a houseplant, your R. decursiva will grow to be around 5 feet tall. When it comes to plant care, the tropical climbing plant is surprisingly low-maintenance.

Light— Bright, indirect sunlight from an east or south-facing window

Water— Infrequently, when the first 1 to 2 inches of soil have dried out

Soil— Well-draining soil with monthly fertilizer during the growing season

Climate— High humidity with stable temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees F

The Parachute Plant (Ceropegia Sandersonii), also known as an Umbrella Plant, Lantern Plant, or Fountain Flower, is one of the most unusual plants out there. The evergreen succulent boasts delicate stems, heart-shaped leaves, and parachute-like flowers on funnel-shaped tubes. Its long, trailing stems make it an excellent choice for high shelves, windowsills, and hanging baskets. This unique member of the Apocynaceae family originates from Southern Africa, where it enjoys high temperatures and ample sunlight.

Light— Full sun, avoid overexposure to direct sunlight in hot climates

Water— Light watering and occasional misting

Soil— Tolerates most potting soil but does prefer rich, porous mixes that drain well

Climate— Prefers cool, humid climates, not frost tolerant

If you love unusual houseplants, add this rare Alocasia Dragon Scale plant (Alocasia baginda) to your collection. Its dark green leaves are tough and pliable, with a hardened topside and veiny texture that resembles dragon scales. Some varieties have a silver or purple tint to them. Though beautiful, the uniquely-textured leaves are poisonous to animals and humans, so be sure to keep them out of reach from pets and small children.

Light— Bright, indirect sunlight or dappled shade

Water— Keep soil moist, but allow to dry slightly between waterings

Soil— Light, airy soil with infrequent fertilizing

Climate— Warm temperatures and high humidity levels

Looking to add an unusual succulent to your growing collection? This adorable Bunny Succulent (Monilaria moniliforme) is a small, sparse shrub with soft, cylindrical leaves that grow in pairs resembling bunny ears. Once it reaches maturity, it'll grow large pinkish-white flowers from time to time. Like most succulents, it's relatively low maintenance and can go long times between waterings.

Light— Direct or bright, indirect sunlight

Water—  Once monthly, allow the soil to dry completely between waterings

Soil— Prefers well-draining cacti and succulent potting mixes

Climate— Prefers hot, dry environments and does not tolerate frost

If you're ready to test your green thumb with a species that's slightly more care-intensive, try the stunning Stephania Erecta or Stephania Pierrei plant. The unique house plant sits atop a strange potato-looking bulb known as a caudex. Its long stems boast round, veiny leaves reminiscent of a Chinese Money Plant. Oftentimes, the plant is sold as a simple tuber that may require a bit of skill to help sprout.

Light— Does best in bright spaces, avoid direct sunlight during hot summer weather 

Water— Light watering when soil is almost fully dried out

Soil— Light, sandy soil with adequate drainages, such as a cacti potting mix

Climate— Warm temperatures with low humidity

Swap out your simple ivy for the fascinating Honey Plant (Hoya carnosa). Its long, thin vines are covered in dark green leaves with a waxy shine and leathery texture. Some varieties are flecked with gorgeous variegation too. Under the right conditions, it'll produce small clusters of delicious-smelling flowers.

Light— Bright, dappled light, avoid too much direct sun

Water— Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings, water sparingly during the off-season

Soil— Rich potting soil

Climate— Extremely cold-sensitive, does tolerate temperatures below 40-50 degrees F

The corpse flower, also known as titan arum, is a flowering plant with the world's largest unbranched inflorescence. Like its name, this flowering plant has a rotting flesh and death scent when in bloom. But lucky for us, this stinky plant only blooms every seven to nine years and only lasts 24 to 36 hours. The foul smell is meant to attract pollinators like carrion-eating beetles and flies that normally feed on rotting meat.

Light: filtered sunlight or partial shade

Water: Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings

Soil: Regular potting soil that contains perlite or peat moss

Climate: warm growing condition above 75 degrees F.

Carnivorous plants, known as insectivorous plants, can capture and digest insects through pitfalls and traps. In the United States, you can find venus flytrap, American pitcher plants, sundew, butterworts, monkey cups, bladderworts, tropical pitcher plants, etc. These fascinating plants can get nutrients from insects and other animals while also generating photosynthesis.

Light: Bright light, direct sunlight

Water: Rainwater, melted snow, or distilled water is ideal

Soil: Sphagnum moss, dried long-fiber sphagnum moss, or a mix of about three parts peat moss to one part clean, sharp sand

Climate: Almost all of them require high humidity, and temperature varies

Pebble plants, also known as living stones, are little succulents that look like pebbles and rocks. Native to Africa, these little succulents grow extremely slow and only need little water. This genus has daisy-like flowers, and they will emerge in fall and winter. Easy to grow and low maintenance, this plant is perfect for beginners.

Light: Full sun

Water: Small amount of water every 10 to 14 days

Soil: Sandy, well-drained

Climate: can tolerate heat well and can survive temperature down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit

The baseball plant is a succulent perennial flowering plant that is native to South Africa. These slow-growing succulents are characterized by bulbous shape, V-shaped marketing, and seam-like ridges that resemble stitching that look like a baseball or sea urchin. In the wild, this plant

Light: Bright, direct light

Water: Once a month during the growing season and every few months during winter

Soil: Well-draining cactus/ succulent potting mix

Climate: Warm temperature but can tolerate occasional temperature down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit

Nerve plants are also known as mosaic plants or painted net leaves. This easy to care for and unique-looking evergreen plant offers striking leaves of pink and green, white and green, or green and red. Nerve plants are a low-growing creeper that is perfect for terrariums.

Light: Bright indirect light to part shade

Water: Moderately. Allow soil to dry in between watering

Soil: Well-draining moist

Climate: Warm area and away from drafts. Will need high and constant humidity.

Pray plant is a unique tropical plant where the leaves stay flat during the day and then fold up like praying hands at night. The distinguishable tropical plants feature tricolor variety: deep free, velvet leaves with yellow splotches down the midrib and red veins traveling throughout the leaf. This plant does take some effort to grow over the long term and is not recommended for beginners.

Light: Partial shade, full shade

Water: Regular watering but allow the soil to dry partially

Soil: Well-draining moist

Climate: Warm, moist, gentle airflow, and plenty of fertilizer

Air plants are fun and trendy plants that don't need soil to survive, but they do require a little attention to thrive. Like the plant name applied they grow and thrive just in the air. There are hundreds of species and varieties of air plants you can find on the market, and they are easy to care for once you know what they need.

Light: Bright lit spot

Water: Once per week

Soil: None

Climate: Warm temperature

The Swiss cheese plant gets its common name from its large, heart-shaped leaves that develop holes as plants age and result in looking like Swiss cheese. Swiss cheese plant is native to Central and South America but can be grown in a container indoors when given its ideal condition. And if you have fur babies at home, keep in mind that Monstera plants are toxic to pets.

Light: Bright, indirect light

Water: Once per week

Soil: Moist and well-drained. Best in peat-based potting mix

Climate: Thrives in high humidity and warm temperatures

‘Mojito’ elephant’s ear is a stunning plant to add to your home as it features dark flecks, splotches, and streaks, along with purple stems. This plant is fast-growing, strong, and easy to care for, making it perfect for beginners.

Light: Full Sun or part shade

Water: frequent watering

Soil: Organically rich oil

Climate: Warm