There are just some things that make you feel a sense of exclusivity. For plant lovers like us, you can have this feeling when you finally get your hands on a gorgeous, rare houseplant you’ve been eyeing.
Of course, these plants are hard to get, and some of them cost a lot of money. But, the joy and elegance these plants bring to a home is priceless.
Ready to add rare houseplants to your collection? To be a responsible rare houseplant keeper, you must learn how to care for them and let them thrive.
Luckily, when you get the right know-how, keeping these plants healthy will be a breeze.
Ready to learn more about these one-of-a-kind plants?
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Why Get Rare Houseplants?
Some of you may wonder if rare houseplants are worth having. After all, you need to spend both time and effort just to find one. But for me and many other plant lovers, we’ve always found owning and caring for them appealing. Houseplants easily bring the beauty of nature into the home.
You may have noticed unusual plants gaining popularity in recent years, like these solid green spider plants. Many unusual houseplants have sparked interest among plant collectors. So, what is the allure of collecting these rare species, and what got me hooked?
Feeling a Sense of Exclusivity
Many people are drawn to unique plants because of their exclusivity. Rare houseplants are hard to find and harder to maintain. They’re prized additions to any houseplant collection, and are conversation pieces that bring a touch of refinement to any room.
Unique and Gorgeous Addition to a Space
The beauty of exotic houseplants is another reason why they are popular. They usually feature unique characteristics, colors, and patterns that set them apart from more typical plants. Many people are willing to shell out large prices for rare plants because they want to own something unique and lovely.
Helps People Enjoy a Sense of Community
Owning rare varieties of plants can be considered a way of belonging to a group. Plant enthusiasts often connect through their mutual love of plants, and having rare species can give them a sense of belonging in the plant community.
Where to Buy Rare Houseplants
Rare houseplants are challenging to find, but you can make things easier for yourself by knowing where to look. You can score unique and exotic plants by checking out these places:
- The Local Garden Center: This place may house a variety of uncommon plants that you won’t find at big-box stores.
- Specialty Online Plant Nurseries: These nurseries often focus on propagating and growing rare and unusual plant species.
- Online Groups of Plant Enthusiasts on Social Media: These groups are often made up of avid plant collectors who are willing to trade or sell rare plants.
- Plant Shows: These events attract plant enthusiasts from all around together to trade or sell plants. You could even discover a new plant species that you’ve never seen before.
How to Care for Rare Indoor Plants
Houseplants add gorgeous greenery to your living space, however, rarer types can be quite challenging to care for. But don’t be discouraged, momma. With a little effort and some patience, you can grow an impressive array of rare species that can make anyone envious.
Here are some care tips for them.
1. Get to Know the Houseplant
Do some research on each plant you want to add to your collection. These plants are sourced from different corners of the world, so they have different maintenance requirements. Some may require higher humidity levels, special types of soil, or a specific amount of light. Discover what your plants need so that you can give them the proper conditions to grow well.
2. Know Proper Lighting
Proper lighting is important for any houseplant, and rare plants are no exception. Some plants may need to get direct sunlight, while others can thrive perfectly well in bright indirect light.
Some can tolerate full sun, while others bloom in low light. Understand what type of lighting your plant need and place it in an appropriate area.
3. Get the Right Soil
The right soil is crucial in growing plants. Similar to lighting, different plants have different needs; some prefer porous soil with plenty of drainage, while others require specific nutrients to thrive. Be sure to choose soil that is appropriate for your plant.
4. Have the Right Watering Schedule
It’s a no-brainer that you should water your plants regularly. However, this doesn’t mean you need to water them every day.
Overwatering may be just as bad as underwatering, so water your plants only when the soil is dry to the touch. When researching your plants, take note of the special watering schedule your plants need to survive.
5. Set the Right Humidity
Several rare species, especially tropical plants, are native to humid environments and require high humidity levels to survive.
I tried using a humidifier to see if my plants would benefit from it, and they did. So, I suggest you use a humidifier, combine your plants together, or place them on a tray loaded with pebbles and water to boost the humidity surrounding them. This can make or break whether your unique indoor plants thrive or not.
A List of 6 Most Wanted Rare and Unique Houseplants
1. Monstera Aurea Variegata
One of the most sought-after rare houseplants on this list is the variegated monstera. They are also prized possessions by many plant collectors from around the world.
I clearly get why there are so many people enthralled with this plant! The monstera family of plants has many variegated types; each of them is rare and hard to come by.
With its strikingly unique and glossy leaves, the Variegated Monstera is considered a must-have for plant connoisseurs. It has speckled leaves, usually combining light green, dark green, and creamy white. It’s definitely a stunning addition to any indoor space.
2. String of Pearls
Another gorgeous type of rare plant you should look out for is called String of Pearls. As the name suggests, the String of Pearls plant has small, round beads cascading down its vines, resembling a delicate string of pearls.
Besides the beauty it brings to your home and the bragging rights you have from owning this plant, it’s easy to care for. Thanks to its whimsical appearance, the String of Pearls has become popular for those seeking a rare and unusual houseplant. I was in love with this plant from the moment I saw it!
3. Staghorn Fern
Looking for a unique houseplant with strikingly bold looks? Try looking around for the Staghorn Fern. Thanks to its antler-like fronds, you can spot this plant as soon as you enter a room.
Because of its striking shape, it has gained popularity in the past few years. This plant is versatile as it can be mounted on a wall or hung from a pot, making for a striking addition to any indoor greenery collection.
4. Philodendron Pink Princess
One of the rare house plants many plant enthusiasts rave about is the Philodendron Pink Princess. This gorgeous houseplant has stunning pink variegation on its dark green leaves, making it an amazing showstopper in any plant collection.
It requires a bit more attention and care than other philodendrons, but the beauty it brings to your home is worth it. This might just be the next rare houseplant to get on my list!
5. Hoya Linearis
Another great plant that recently picked up in popularity is called the Hoya Linearis. Many popular Hoya plants are available in the market, but the Linearis variety is still considered rare.
You can easily distinguish it by its bunches of thin linear foliage and pretty yellow and white flowers. It’s one of the most elegant rare additions you can get for your indoor plant collection. If you’re looking for a sophisticated look, this is it!
6. Crassula Wine Cup Succulent
This is definitely one of the most unique-looking plants! The succulent Crassula wine cup is from South Africa. It’s a rare cactus plant widely admired for its small, cup-shaped leaves that resemble tiny wine cups.
This plant produces small white or pink flowers during the winter months, adding an additional touch of beauty to this already-striking plant. It’s unique appearance makes it a favorite among plant enthusiasts.
You also don’t need to fuss about it much since it’s fairly low maintenance.
Propagation Tips for Rare House Plants
Do you own unique, almost impossible-to-find plants that you would love to propagate? Good news! Many of these houseplants can propagate via cuttings.
However, to ensure proper growth, you need to tread carefully. Here are some propagation tips that may be useful for propagating such plants!
- Air dry or use hydrogen peroxide to help dry out and seal the exposed side of the stem you just cut: The hydrogen peroxide may also help promote root growth.
- Have some space: Root rot is something that you can expect when propagating from cuttings, so to have a better chance of success, allocate some more space for the root rot.
- Overwatering is a big no-no: This just makes the possibility of root rot worse. A good practice to follow is to keep your soil damp and not overly wet.
- Give your cuttings time to grow: Propagation takes time and patience to achieve. Don’t mess with or pry your cuttings around out of curiosity. This may damage the roots that are trying to form.
Looking for a Community of Rare Houseplant Lovers?
If you love uncommon houseplants, you’re likely looking for a community that shares your interest. You’re in luck, as it’s easy to find like-minded individuals who enjoy taking care of these uncommon plants. There are many ways to find a community, both online and off.
Join a Social Media Group
With the rise of social media, online groups have become great places to connect with like-minded individuals. The platform even lets you share photos and tips and ask for advice on caring for your plants with just a click of a button.
Many platforms also use hashtags to let you search for your desired content. Using #rareplants or #plantcollector can help you find and connect with other enthusiasts.
Attend Local Events
Many cities have community groups or organizations that host plant swaps and sales where you can meet other plant lovers, exchange knowledge and cuttings, and learn more about the plants that interest you.
Join a Subscription Service or Online Forum
These communities usually give members the means to connect from all over the world. They can also host resources and support if you need help to care for your houseplants.
FAQs
Simply put, rare species of plants are considered as such because they are hard to find and they may be difficult to identify. Also, rare houseplants include plants that don’t have viable seeds, new species (hybrid or newly introduced), have difficult cultivation periods and impractical logistics.
Believe it or not, numerous exotic houseplants are easy to maintain. One popular unique plant is the monstera. It’s popular not just for its looks but also for how easy it is to care for.
Another rare species that is easy to care for is philodendrons. They’re easy to maintain, and even beginner plant enthusiasts can easily work well with them.
Orchids are some of the rarest flowering plants around, and people all over the world want this beauty in their homes. It exudes luxury and elegance, and brings color and brightness to any space.
Rare, Unique, Elegant
Rare and unique houseplants add more than exclusivity, these plants also light up a room instantly and are great talking points for visitors who come over.
Ready to take the plunge? It might be time to add some gorgeous rare houseplants to your collection!