15 Rare Houseplants That You’ll Definitely Love

Visiting a friend's house, or perhaps, just checking out their background surroundings during a virtual call, you can't help but take notice of the all-too-familiar plant varieties nowadays. Spider plants, succulents, or monsteras seem to be all the rage, adorning all houseplant shelves in these homes. Rare houseplants, often, seem hard to come by.

Even snake plants, Tradescantia zebrina, and Hedera helix are no longer a rare sight. Out of almost 400,000 species and counting, there are certainly thousands of other houseplant varieties from all over the world that many people hardly invest in. Though rare, these varieties are nonetheless equally appealing and may be a fascinating addition to houseplant shelves.

Infrequently Seen Rare Houseplants You'll Yearn For

While such traditional houseplants as African Violets and Christmas Cacti, are still quite a perfect addition to a houseplant collection, for a more comprehensive houseplant collection, one may consider investing in some rarer varieties that many people hardly think of.

 

 

So, here are some of those varieties that one could incorporate into their plant collection to enhance the house's aesthetics and even the inhabitants' overall well-being.

1. Mimosa pudica

Sometimes known as the 'touch-me-not plant', this fun photosynthesizer originates from Brazil and other tropical areas. Generally, it is a woody creeping shrub, but it can also be successfully grown commercially as a houseplant. It is known for being a member of the Fabaceae (bean) family and has a pink capitulum inflorescence. While its flowers and origins may be interesting, this plant’s showstoppers are its compound leaves.

The Mimosa pudica, also commonly known as the sensitive plant or sleepy plant, is well-known for its intriguing behavior of quickly folding its leaves inward and drooping when touched, then reopening a few minutes later.

 

 

This unique response is a defense mechanism to discourage herbivores. When stimulated, the plant rapidly transports water out of the cells in its leaves and stems, causing them to wilt. The leaves remain closed until the plant has recharged its stored energy. The plant can also respond to other stimuli, such as vibrations, temperature changes, and even electrical signals, and the rapid leaf movement is believed to be one of the fastest movement responses in the plant kingdom.

Mimosa pudica has a long history of use in traditional medicine. It has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including inflammation, fever, and as a diuretic. The plant also has some reported analgesic and sedative properties.

The rare houseplant thrives in loam soil - and doesn't prefer to dry out - yet not to the point of soggy soil. One has the benefit of easily growing the plant by seed, and it may make an all-around great, rare attribution to a plant community.

 

 

The plant generally needs moist loam soil, mostly direct sunlight, and a medium- to large pot size, to be effectively grown.

2. Pineapple Plant (Ananas comosus)

The pineapple plant, scientifically known as Ananas comosus, is a tropical bromeliad that makes for a unique and eye-catching houseplant. Native to South America, this perennial plant is prized for its distinctive spiky foliage and its ability to produce a single, flavorful pineapple fruit. While growing a full-sized pineapple indoors can be challenging, pineapple plants make excellent decorative houseplants. Their sword-shaped, serrated leaves can reach up to 3 feet long and form a lush rosette.

The plants also produce striking, red-tinged flowers that develop into pineapple fruit over several months. Pineapple plants thrive in bright, indirect light and require infrequent watering - making them a relatively low-maintenance choice for the home. They prefer humid environments and well-draining soil.

 

 

With the right care, a pineapple plant can live for two to three years, constantly producing new leaves and potentially yielding edible fruit. For those seeking a unique and tropical touch, the pineapple plant is a fantastic addition to any indoor space. Its spiky silhouette and fascinating growth cycle are sure to delight all plant enthusiasts.

Even so, although many pineapple plants will not produce a generous amount of fruit as rare houseplants, you may still find it fun to grow them! As far as rare houseplants go, you may be the only one on your block to have a pineapple plant! Also, note that one can root pineapple material in different soil media and water as well. 

Plant Needs:

• High temperatures
• Direct sunlight
• Dry soil, do not water until it is fully dried out
• Water from the top, over the leaves
• Loam soil, possible additives for aeration, like perlite
• Medium to large pot

 

 

3. Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus)

The lipstick plant originates in Malaysia and is known as a vigorous creeping vine. The fascinating, rare houseplants are known for their tubular inflorescence. As much as we all love vegetation, flowers amongst our domesticated houseplants may have many pros. Mental health and pest management are two of the many benefits flora provides.

For this houseplant, popping red flowers is consistent if best management practices are in place. You may love this plant if you want continuous color in your sunroom. If you would acquire this rare houseplant, note that the standard soil temperature should be 70F–80F for optimal blooms. With its flaming red flowers and ability to be planted in hanging baskets, this plant can be a knockout as far as rare houseplants go.

 

 

Plant Needs:

• 3-2-1 (N-P-K) fertilizer ratio
• Perlite for extra aeration
• Water when dry (soggy soil = death is this case)
• Needs some direct/moderate sunlight to flower
• Medium/high humidity
• Hanging planters allow for a lot of creeping but can be grown in grounded pots too

4. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

This is yet another rare houseplant from South America, that is also quite a gem for your household. The pattern variegation on these houseplants is the main appeal to plant owners. At night the plant closes its leaves like praying hands. The green, pink, and white foliage of this houseplant works well for pots and hanging baskets. Essentially, prayer plants show brilliant pattern variegation on their leaves.

 

 

Plant Needs:

• Part shade
• Allow soil to dry out before watering again
• Additional humidity

5. Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides)

These may be rare houseplants to some, but for those who live in places such as Florida, these air plants can be considered invasive. Air plants are epiphytes; therefore, they form a commensalistic relationship with other plants; they grow on others. Epiphytes obtain their needs, such as water and nutrients, through the atmosphere.

Running out of space for your houseplants is no longer an issue with this plant! Mist it with warm water twice every week and allow it to fully dry out before watering. If you accidentally forget to water and it completely dries up, try soaking it in a pool of warm water. Overall, these plants are simple to take care of, and they add more unusual, rare houseplants to your collection.

 

 

This plant can also be beneficial if you have problems with pests in the soil, such as fungus gnats or root rot, seeing that it does not need soil. Spanish moss is also known to be widely used in the floriculture and craft industries. You will probably see it in a floral design before you do in someone’s home. As a houseplant, Spanish moss is a great plant to hang from curtains, chandeliers, or other structures because of its growth habit.

Plant Needs:

• Bright indirect light
• Mistings with filtered water
• Occasional fertilizer
• Loves humidity

6. Peperomia

If you run out of room for your rare houseplant collection, Peperomia does not take up much space and often does not need fertilization. Belonging to the family Piperaceae, the genera Peperomia is one of the largest in the family. It’s also simple to take care of and adds a fresh touch when put in a hanging basket or 4-6” pot.

 

 

The succulent-like, water-retaining leaves and stems of this plant may benefit you if you forget to water or want to go camping for a few days. Peperomia comes in many different varieties and is not difficult to take care of.

Plant Needs:

• Indirect light
• Water when dry

7. Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis)

Every year these houseplants frighten me around the wintertime! As an indoor and outdoor plant, Lemon Balm goes dormant until spring. Moreover, you don’t have to worry if it begins to die when it gets cold out. Continue watering and these houseplants shall return to you!

This member of the mint family smells fantastic, and often it gives me a lot of stress relief when I smell it. Usually, I rub my fingers gently all over the leaves, and the scent stays on my hand for me to indulge in the lemony smell. You may love this plant if you forget to water or do not have every day to spend with your houseplants. It is very resistant and will spring back to life even if it is wilted beyond belief. Not to mention, if you would want to retire this rare houseplant, you can plant it in your flower beds. Be careful though because members of the mint family can become invasive.

Trimming these houseplants to obtain the desired shape can also be a fun plant activity to do and prevents them from becoming sprawled out and all over the place. Sharing this plant with others is always fun as well. My friends will come over and I will be so excited, “sniff my plant! Give it a smell!” are often my first words, and they look at me like I’m insane…until they smell the luxury of this rare houseplant!

Plant Needs:

• Direct sunlight
• Water when dry
• Fertilize in the Spring
• Occasional plant trimming 

8. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)

To koalas, these plants may not be unusual, but for us, they can be considered rare houseplants! In my opinion, this is a difficult plant to grow from seed. The seeds are teeny-tiny and can be very picky. Although, you can grow this plant indoors as long as you have the correct lighting and heat source.

You might highly benefit from this plant for it has a myriad of physical and mental health purposes. For me, the stress relief from the scent of this plant is immense. I must warn you though, that it has quite a strong smell! Outdoors, this plant reaches towering heights. As far as indoors, you may want to have space set aside for the fast grower and recognize if you can host a tree. The leaves of this plant also give it interesting foliage. So interesting, that you will see sprigs of this plant in many floral arrangements and house decorations!

Plant Needs:

• Direct light
• Plenty of room (can reach 6+ feet indoors)
• Allow soil to dry out between waterings
• Fertilize regularly
• Keep away from koalas

9. Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)

If you rewind 60 years, these would not be considered rare houseplants, but instead one of the most iconic scents of that decade! The peace culture of the 1960s used this plant very frequently due to its powerful scent. The plant has been around for centuries and has also been used for medicinal purposes across the globe. As part of the mint family, your friends may be wowed when they see these houseplants in your home – for usually, people see it most sold as essential oils. The extract of this plant’s leaves is also a helping hand in the dermatology department. Again, I find this plant challenging to grow from seed, and generally most plants in the mint family due to their small seed size. It certainly is not impossible for you to grow patchouli from seedling to maturity if you cater to specific light and temperature conditions. Like Lemon Balm, the plant goes dormant in the winter and trimming can help create the shape you have in mind. Resistance runs in the mint family, so you won’t have to worry as much (with mature houseplants) if you miss or misread your plant watering schedule for the week. Even though there is some drought tolerance,  I notice that I have to water more often with mint members because container soil does not retain as much moisture.

Plant Needs:

• Full sun/part shade
• Water when dry
• Fertilize in the Spring
• Occasional trimming

10. Jade (Crassula ovata)

With succulents growing in popularity these days, Echeverias, cacti, and Aloes seem to be some of the main attractors. Jades may be exemplary rare houseplants you may be seeking amongst the hundreds of succulents.

As gorgeous and merrymaking that this plant may be, I have never been able to keep them alive. Last week I saw a full, thick-leafed Jade in a 4” pot, but I was too scared of history repeating itself! My main problem with them is providing sufficient light. Without enough, they become leggy, stretched, and weak due to lack of light and having to reach for it. If you have direct, bright sun, you will allow these houseplants to thrive. The pad-like leaves and slight, rare color around the leaf margins add flare to your collection. Stems of the plant can get thick and almost woody, and you may want to press and preserve the slender five-petaled inflorescence. Leaf propagation can also be easily practiced with these houseplants.

Plant Needs:

• Soil with good drainage
• Direct light
• Water when dry

11. Tri-color Sage (Salvia officinalis ‘Tricolor’)

If you have animals in your home and want to add some pizzazz to your collection, you may be looking for non-toxic and rare houseplants; look no further! The colorful foliage is the main showstopper of this plant.

You may have heard of sage, for it is used regularly in the landscape and for medicinal purposes. Native Americans use it for a variety of rituals and ceremonies, and paranormal persons use it occasionally to cleanse a space. Even today it is used in the common household for frequent spiritual cleansings and human use dates back thousands of years spanning many cultures. If you don’t want to use your houseplants to make sage bundles, indulging in the scent this mint member gives off can create positive energy within and around you as is.

Tri-color sage is particular when it comes to soil, for it needs to have a well-drained quality. Pruning will encourage growth, and over time you will see older growth turn woody. It is also possible you will see the plant flower a rare blue in the summer! If you decide to eventually transfer these houseplants outside, bees and other pollinators love it.

Plant Needs:

• Well-drained soil
• Full sun
• Water when dry
• Occasional trimming
• Fertilize in the Spring

12. Amaryllis

You can find bold and blooming beauty here! Growing from bulbs, these houseplants often deter people into not keeping them long-term. Although it is very simple to do so, allowing you to accrue more rare houseplants.

If you water small amounts in the spring, and a bit more once it begins sprouting, your flowers will arrive a month or two after planting. Avoid getting water on the parts of the bulb you can see, and do not soak the soil to prevent rot. Come winter, trim the stems back and water little until spring. Originating in Africa, these plants are usually seen outside. Putting yours on your porch in the summer to get those summer vibes will benefit the plant as well. The popping color, large petals, and slender female flower anatomy make Amaryllis an irresistible beauty!

Plant Needs:

• Indirect light and little water in winter
• Direct light in spring and summer (water when dry)
• Trim stems back after blooming

13. Porcelain Flower (Hoya carnosa)

The waxy quality of the leaves and plants shout rare houseplants to me. You will not find this type of Hoya in many households. It is a 2-in-1, with fascinating foliage and flowers. With their climbing viny ways, these houseplants do best in hanging baskets. Well-drained soil is a must, and too much water is a quick route to death. Another rare characteristic is insensitivity to being root-bound. If you do keep these houseplants in the same pot, be sure to fertilize them.

If you are a propagation enthusiast, these houseplants also are easy to root. Once these houseplants are adjusted, they tend to grow great without much maintenance. You can additionally note that it is a humidity and bright, indirect light lover. Originating in Asia, I am always in search of succulent, star-shaped flowers.

Plant Needs:

• Bright, indirect light
• Water when dry
• Sufficient humidity
• Fertilize in spring and summer

14. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)

Even one of the oldest plant families on Earth make it onto the rare houseplants list because

1. Who doesn’t love ferns?
2. Unique leaf margins
3. Glossy leaves

Humidity and soil moisture is the key to this fella. You may fall in love with this fern but sadly propagating is only possible through the spores that the plant produces. This is costly and requires lab equipment. Plants evolved from water, and ferns are early in the plant timeline. They have spores (gametophytes) to reproduce and water is necessary to pair up two spores to make a sporophyte (the fern). This fern does not like dry or soggy soil, so you must find the happy medium of consistent moisture. If all of your direct sunspots are full of houseplants, this fern is versatile and can tolerate the corners of the room.

Plant Needs:

• Part sun/part shade
• Consistent moisture (not dry, not soggy)
• Water less in winter
• Can grow in a small pot

15. Friendship Plant (Pilea involucrata)

I purchased this plant a year ago while attending a reptile show with my best friend. I had only known it by its scientific name; knowing the common name solidifies the good memory. Amongst the geckos and snakes, plant booths were set up. The bumpy and colorful foliage of these rare houseplants drew my attention immediately.

They grow upright and are also easy to propagate by stem cuttings. When I saw the tiny flowers for the first time, I watched with joy as clusters of them sprang up over a few weeks.

Plant Needs:

• High humidity
• Water when dry
• Trim dead flowers
• Bright, indirect light

I know having so many options for rare houseplants may be overwhelming; there is only so much space in the house! You would be surprised as to how I have not run out of room with hosting 71 plant residents thus far. The upside could be that although rare houseplants, many of these plants can be found if sought after. Whether it be social media, your other plant friend, or the grocery store, rare houseplants are all around!