10 Houseplants With the Most Unique Leaves That You’d Love

You can probably recognize a cactus without a second glance. Even snake plants are becoming more and more common. But what about red Oxalis? Or the Pilea peperomioides? (try saying that five times fast). However, these are the usual houseplants one would find in, practically, every indoor plant aficionado's household. But there are others. Houseplants with unique leaves. These are often sought after by plant enthusiasts for their eye-catching and distinctive appearance.

The distinctive leaf shapes, patterns, and textures are often the result of the plants' evolutionary adaptations to their natural environments. This makes them both visually striking and fascinating to observe. So, if you already have a home filled with plant babies that all look the same, you might want to make one of these varieties your next addition to the household.

Strange, Weird, Cool Houseplants With Unique Leaves

We would all like an indoor jungle, but if you only have space (or budget) for a few houseplants, you might as well make sure they are true eye-catchers.

One of these houseplants with some of the most unique leaves we've seen could be your next plant baby. Read on for some striking varieties that will capture anyone's attention and raise the question: What is that?

1. String of Pearls (Senecio Rowleyanus)

String of pearls is a beautiful, cascading succulent that will add that little quirk to any house. The plant grows fast and propagates easily and can grow both indoors and outdoors. The leaves grow on trailing stems that gracefully spill over the sides of planters and hanging baskets.

You can use these stems to propagate the plant, which is a very robust and quick grower but does not live long without propagation. If you are looking for a beautiful succulent to grow, Senecio rowleyanus Strings of Pearls is a great choice.

2. Lithops

Lithops, also known as ‘living stones,’ are a genus of small, succulent plants that have a unique feel around them, especially due to the uniqueness of their leaves. Hailing from the arid regions of southern Africa, these unique houseplants are prized for their remarkable ability to blend seamlessly into their surroundings.

Each Lithops spp. plant consists of a pair of fused, succulent leaves that resemble small stones or pebbles. The leaves come in a variety of subtle shades, including gray, brown, rust, green, and pink, often adorned with elaborate patterns of dots, lines, or patches that help them camouflage among the rocks and sand. The leaves are thick and water-storing, allowing the plant to survive for months without rain.

What makes these plants truly amazing is their growth cycle. As new leaves develop, the old leaves dry up and fall away, revealing the fresh growth beneath. This process repeats annually, with the plant's fissure shifting to accommodate the new leaves. In the fall, lithops may even produce delicate, daisy-like flowers that emerge from the fissure.

Despite their unassuming appearance, lithops make for fascinating and low-maintenance houseplants, perfect for adding a touch of the unusual to any indoor space.

3. Prayer Plant (Maranta Leuconeura)

The prayer plant is one of the most distinguishable tropicals, thanks to its beautiful decorative leaves. The popular tricolor variety has deep green, velvety leaves with yellow splotches down the midrib and arching red veins traveling to the leaf margins. A slow-grower, the prayer plant can eventually reach up to a foot in height indoors.

The plant is fairly common as houseplants and can be planted and cared for indoors at any time of the year. The prayer plants get their name from their characteristic quality in the way the leaves fold in the evening, resembling hands folded in prayer.

4. Staghorn Fern (Platycerium Spp.)

If you're looking to add a touch of the tropics to your indoor space, then the staghorn fern is another fascinating choice you can try. This epiphytic plant, native to the rainforests of Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia, boasts some of the most distinctive foliage in the houseplant world.

The staghorn fern's common name refers to its unique fronds, which resemble the antlers of a stag. These large, fertile fronds grow outward and upward, creating an eye-catching, architectural silhouette. Beneath the stag-like fronds lie the plant's sterile fronds. These are round, hard shields that protect the roots and help the plant absorb water and nutrients.

While staghorn ferns are epiphytes in the wild, meaning they grow on other plants rather than in soil, they can thrive as houseplants when given the right care. These ferns prefer bright, indirect light and consistently moist, well-draining soil. Regular misting or placement near a pebble tray can also help maintain the high humidity they crave.

With their one-of-a-kind appearance and relatively low maintenance needs, these plants make excellent additions to any indoor jungle. For houseplant enthusiasts seeking a truly distinctive foliage plant, then this one is a must-have.

5. Chinese Money Plant (Pilea Peperomioides)

Pilea peperomioides is an easy-to-grow, modern-looking houseplant. Also called the Chinese money plant or pancake plant, it's straightforward to care for and simple to propagate. Whether you're a newbie to houseplants or a seasoned expert, a Pilea peperomioides plant is sure to be a welcome addition to any indoor plant collection.

They are frequently featured in Scandinavian interiors, where their bright green pancake-shaped leaves provide an adorable and welcoming burst of color against white walls. It originally came from China and has flat round coin-shaped leaves. Together, these things gave rise to its common name, the 'Chinese money plant'.

6. Oxalis

Often referred to as wood sorrels, Oxalis is also known as false shamrocks and a plethora of other common names. Of the Oxalis species in cultivation, oxalis triangularis is the one most commonly cultivated as a houseplant. It has three (normally) purple heart-shaped leaves, which each have three sides, that sit symmetrically to one another, resulting in a sort of butterfly clusters effect. Oxalis is also a little bit of magic because it can revive itself from the dead. Rather than being intrinsically linked with the soil like many other plants, oxalis is linked to the soil by its tiny bulbs.

If you forget to water it, the temperature drops too low, or its living conditions are generally poor, everything above the surface will wilt and die back to take refuge in the bulbs below. As soon as good conditions are restored the plant comes back to life incredibly quickly. 

7. Begonia Maculata

Definitely not your grandmother's Begonia, the maculata is a real eye-catcher with its large angel wing-shaped leaves patterned with polka dots on top and a deep purple-red on the bottom side. It is undoubtedly one of the most strikingly gorgeous species of indoor plants.

This exotic plant derives its name from its unique silver spotted leaves and red undersides. And do you want to know something great? The polka dot Begonia maculata is a houseplant that is pretty easy to care for. No need for a green thumb to impress with this houseplant.

8. Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia Argyreia)

With its watermelon-esque leaves and purple stems, watermelon peperomia is the next plant you need to add to your indoor plant collection. Before you make an excuse about how you already have enough indoor plants, you can never have enough.

Watermelon peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) is appreciated for its rounded, fleshy leaves marked with silver and dark green stripes that resemble the markings of a watermelon. This plant falls into the easy-grow category and it actually is great for new green thumbs.

9. Philodendron Bipinnatifidum

Also known by the common names tree philodendron, lacy tree Philodendron, or split-leaf philodendron, Philodendron bipinnatifidum is a spectacular plant native to the tropical rainforests of South America, particularly Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay.

This is a large and striking plant, boasting large, deeply lobed leaves that can grow up to three feet in length. These glossy, dark green leaves are held on long stalks, giving the plant an elegant and feathery appearance. As the plant matures, it develops a long bare trunk, adding to its striking silhouette.

The ever-popular houseplant is not only aesthetically pleasing but also has air-purifying capabilities, making it a great addition to your urban jungle. Imagine a tropical paradise right in your living room, purifying the air and boosting your wellness.

Philodendron bipinnatifidum is, also, a low-maintenance plant that thrives with bright, indirect light and regular watering. Ensure you keep the soil moist but well-draining and avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. With its unique and exquisite leaves, this plant is a must-have for any urban jungle enthusiast.

10. Fittonia

To add a touch of drama and intrigue to your indoor plant collection, then look no further than the Fittonia, also known as the nerve plant or mosaic plant. This houseplant is prized for its strikingly patterned leaves that look a lot like a nervous system or mosaic.

Fittonia plants come in a variety of colors, including pink, red, white, and green veins contrasting against deep green leaves. This striking foliage is what gives the plant its common name, as the veining resembles the intricate network of nerves or a mosaic tile pattern.

While these houseplants may look delicate, they can actually be quite hardy if provided with the right growing conditions. They thrive in bright, indirect light and consistently moist, humid soil. Allowing the soil to dry out completely can cause the leaves to dramatically wilt, but the plant will typically bounce back with good watering.

Even so, with their unique leaf patterns and compact, trailing growth habit, Fittonias make excellent additions to terrariums, dish gardens, or as standalone specimens on shelves and tabletops.

Feature image by @pandurrburr, and header image by ignartonosbg