13 Unique Houseplants for a One-of-a-Kind Collection

Raven ZZ Plant

While many houseplants have green foliage, raven ZZ plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia) strays from the pack with its unique leaves that are so purple they look black. The best part? This plant is extremely hardy and low-maintenance. "It has a wide range of lighting conditions, and its rhizome roots make it drought-tolerant," says Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University.

• Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
• Care requirements: Indirect sunlight (too much direct sun will burn the leaves); well-draining soil; water then the top 2 inches of soil is dry

Triostar

Triostar (Stromanthe sanguinea) has beautiful variegated pink-and-green foliage that sets it apart from other houseplants. It is a member of the prayer family and, like other varieties within this species, it folds its leaves up at night, says Langelo.

This plant can be somewhat finicky but is generally beginner-friendly. It likes humidity, so the bathroom is typically a great location for it. "It needs to be watered with spring or distilled water because of the chemicals in tap water," says Langelo. "During the growing season, it does well with a diluted solution of a balanced fertilizer every couple of weeks."

• Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Bright, indirect sunlight; well-draining soil; water with distilled, room temperature water

Curly Orchid Cactus

Curly orchid cactus (Epiphyllum guatemalense 'Monstrose') is an epiphyte—meaning it gets its nutrients from the air—with long evergreen stems that twist and curve as they grow, says Langelo. "These undulating stems are notched and look like wavy locks of hair. The stems produce aerial roots," she says. "They have 3-inch wide white flowers with 6-inch long tubes that open at night."

• Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Bright, indirect sunlight; moist, well-draining soil; water when the top inch of soil is dry
  

Life Saver Plant

Life saver plant (Huernia zebrina) is a low-growing perennial succulent with unique zebra-striped flowers. This plant grows in a creeping pattern and has gray-green stems that are usually mottled with purple, says Langelo. Despite its intricate appearance, life saver plant is low-maintenance and needs little watering.

• Size: 6 to 8 inches tall x 1 to 6 inches wide
• Care requirements: Bright, indirect sunlight to partial shade; well-draining potting soil; water when the top inch of soil is dry (during the growing season, only water once a month, as the plant is dormant)

Albo Variegated Monstera

Albo variegated monstera (Monstera lechleriana Albo-Variegata) is a hard-to-find variety that features lush green leaves with irregular splashes of creamy white. "It’s gorgeous when it’s young, but becomes an absolute showstopper as it climbs and matures as this variegated monstera’s leaves get much bigger and are decorated with rounded fenestrations," says Justin Hancock, horticulturist for Costa Farms.

• Size: 6 feet long x 3 feet wide
• Care requirements: Bright, indirect sunlight; well-draining potting soil; water when the top half of the soil is dry to the touch

Dolphin Succulent

Aptly named for its curly dolphin-shaped leaves, dolphin succulent (Senecio peregrinus) is a vining plant that blooms in spring with small white flowers once it reaches maturity. It looks beautiful when displayed in a hanging basket, allowing its foliage to spill over the container delicately.

• Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
• Care requirements: Bright, direct sunlight; well-draining potting soil; water when the soil is mostly dry

Frizzle Sizzle Plant

Even the name of this houseplant is fun! Frizzle sizzle plant (Albuca spiralis) has quirky thin leaves that curl into very tight springs as they grow, says Langelo. This bulbous succulent forms charming lime-yellow flowers that resemble daffodil blooms.

• Size: 8 inches tall x 12 inches wide
• Care requirements: Bright, indirect sunlight; well-draining potting soil; water when the soil is mostly dry

Bat Flower

Bat flower (Tacca chantrieri ) is a tropical herbaceous perennial that grows from rhizomes with glossy, lance-shaped green leaves, says Langelo. As the name implies, this plant produces bat-shaped flowers with brown, black, or purple whisker-like bracts.

• Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care requirements: Indirect sunlight; moist, well-draining soil; mist regularly to boost the humidity surrounding the plant

Living Stone Plant

One of the most unusual plants on this list, living stone plant (Lithops spp.), mimics the appearance of stones and pebbles that grow in dry sandy soil, says Langelo. These succulents range in color from muted earthy shades to vibrant greens, oranges, and pinks.

• Size: 1/2 inch tall x 1 to 3 inches wide
• Care requirements: Bright, indirect sunlight; well-draining cactus potting soil with a slightly acidic to alkaline pH; water when the soil is mostly dry

Jewel Orchid

Jewel orchid (Macodes petola) features velvety, glossy broad leaves with intricate veining. While the foliage is the star of this orchid, it also boasts clusters of small creamy white flowers with yellow to brownish petals.

• Size: 10 inches tall x 10 inches wide
• Care requirements: Bright, indirect sunlight; equal parts perlite and coco coir medium; the soil needs to be consistently moist, but not soggy

Hoya Heart

One of Martha's head gardener's favorite houseplants to give on Valentine's Day, hoya heart (Hoya kerrii) is a vining succulent with thick, heart-shaped foliage. It's a slow grower but very easy to care for and can survive for years when kept in a location with bright sunlight.

• Size: 13 feet long x 3 feet wide
• Care requirements: Bright to medium, indirect sunlight; well-draining cactus potting soil with a slightly acidic to alkaline pH; water when the soil is mostly dry

Scindapsus Mount Salak

Scindapsus Mount Salak (Scindapsus 'Mount Salak') is a lovely climbing plant with heart-shaped green leaves mottled with shades of green and silver, says Hancock. "As it grows, the leaves get bigger, adding to the impact it brings your space. Despite its elegant looks, it’s a pretty forgiving rare plant, so you can enjoy it whether you’re an expert plant parent or just starting out," he says.

• Size: 6 feet long x 3 feet wide
• Care requirements: Bright to medium indirect sunlight; well-draining potting soil; water when the top half of the soil is dry to the touch

Pothos Neon Joy

Pothos Neon Joy (Epipremnum aureum 'Neon Joy') is an adorable pothos variety that can be hard to find. It shows off small, heart-shaped leaves in a vivid neon-yellow color. "Each leaf is delicately and irregularly edged in dark green, creating a stunning contrast," says Hancock. "It’s slower growing than other pothos varieties and with the smaller leaves, it makes a great choice for tighter spaces."

• Size: 6 feet long x 3 feet wide
• Care requirements: Bright to medium indirect sunlight; well-draining potting soil; water when the top half of the soil is dry to the touch