If you’re tired of the same spider plants and pothos, it’s time to explore the unusual side of the indoor plant world.
Unique houseplants not only add greenery but also spark curiosity with their strange shapes, rare foliage, or out-of-this-world blooms.
Some look like dolphins, others resemble rocks, and a few even mimic coral reefs. Here are 12 one-of-a-kind houseplants that will set your collection apart.
1. String of Dolphins
- Scientific name: Senecio peregrinus
- Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Well-draining cactus/succulent mix
- USDA zone: 9-11
This trailing succulent earns its name from its adorable leaves shaped like leaping dolphins.
Perfect for hanging baskets or shelves, it cascades down and creates a playful, whimsical effect.
It thrives with minimal water, making it easy for busy plant lovers.
In the right conditions, the String of Dolphins can even produce tiny, starry flowers with a cinnamon scent, adding another layer of charm to this already quirky plant.
2. Living Stones
- Scientific name: Lithops
- Sunlight: Full sun to bright light
- Soil: Sandy, well-draining succulent mix
- USDA zone: 10-11
At first glance, Lithops look like pebbles scattered in a pot.
These living stones evolved in South Africa’s deserts to blend into their surroundings and avoid being eaten.
They are fascinating to watch because they split open to reveal new growth and sometimes even bloom with daisy-like flowers in autumn.
Lithops demand patience, they grow slowly and don’t like frequent watering.
3. Monkey Tail Cactus
- Scientific name: Cleistocactus colademononis
- Sunlight: Bright, direct light
- Soil: Cactus potting mix with extra grit
- USDA zone: 9-11
This cactus grabs attention with its long, fuzzy, trailing stems that resemble a monkey’s tail.
Native to Bolivia, it’s both unusual and captivating when grown in a hanging basket where its stems can cascade several feet.
In summer, it rewards you with bright red flowers that contrast beautifully against the silvery hairs.
The monkey tail cactus is surprisingly easy to care for, just give it plenty of sun and occasional watering during its growing season.
4. Coral Cactus
- Scientific name: Euphorbia lactea ‘Cristata’
- Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Well-draining cactus/succulent mix
- USDA zone: 10-11
Part cactus, part euphorbia, this grafted plant looks like a piece of coral plucked from the ocean.
Its ruffled, fan-shaped crest comes in shades of green, pink, purple, or white, depending on the variety.
The coral cactus is a favorite for modern interiors because it’s as much sculpture as it is plant.
Despite its exotic appearance, it’s fairly low-maintenance, needing only bright light and occasional watering.
5. Polka Dot Begonia
- Scientific name: Begonia maculata
- Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Rich, well-draining potting soil
- USDA zone: 10-12
The polka dot begonia looks like it walked straight out of a painting. Its olive-green leaves are splashed with silvery-white dots, while the undersides glow a deep red.
This striking contrast makes it one of the most photogenic houseplants around.
It appreciates consistent watering and slightly higher humidity, which helps maintain its bold foliage.
In the right conditions, it will also bloom with clusters of delicate white flowers.
6. Nerve Plant
- Scientific name: Fittonia albivenis
- Sunlight: Low to medium indirect light
- Soil: Moist, peat-rich soil
- USDA zone: 11-12
Known for its vivid veining that looks like tiny mosaics, the nerve plant is a small but striking choice for terrariums and desktops.
Its leaves come in shades of green, pink, red, or white, each vein pattern creating a living piece of artwork.
Fittonia enjoys humidity and evenly moist soil, making it ideal for enclosed glass terrariums or bathrooms.
With its intricate foliage, the nerve plant is proof that beauty can come in small packages.
7. Bat Flower
- Scientific name: Tacca chantrieri
- Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Rich, well-draining soil
- USDA zone: 10-11
Few plants are as mysterious as the bat flower. Its dark purple to nearly black blooms resemble bats in flight.
Native to tropical regions of Asia, it thrives in humidity and consistently moist soil.
This plant is not for beginners but rewards patient growers with its one-of-a-kind display.
When in bloom, it becomes a true conversation piece, an exotic treasure that adds a touch of gothic beauty to any plant collection.
8. Pitcher Plant
- Scientific name: Nepenthes
- Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Moist, peat-based mix
- USDA zone: 10-11
The pitcher plant stands out for its carnivorous nature. Its tubular pitchers lure insects inside with nectar, then trap them as a natural fertilizer source.
This unusual adaptation makes it a fascinating houseplant for anyone who loves the extraordinary.
It needs consistent humidity and distilled water rather than tap water, as minerals can damage it.
9. Chinese Money Plant
- Scientific name: Pilea peperomioides
- Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Light, well-draining soil
- USDA zone: 9-11
With its round, coin-shaped leaves held on long stems, the Chinese money plant is as charming as it is symbolic.
Many people keep it for good fortune, but it’s also simply a joy to grow.
This plant multiplies quickly by sending out small pups that can be repotted and shared.
Easy to care for, it needs moderate watering and thrives in bright but indirect light.
10. Staghorn Fern
- Scientific name: Platycerium bifurcatum
- Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Grows mounted on wood with sphagnum moss
- USDA zone: 9-12
The staghorn fern is unlike any other houseplant because it is usually mounted on a wooden board, mimicking how it grows on trees in the wild.
Its fronds look like antlers, creating a bold and sculptural display.
This plant enjoys humidity and regular misting to stay lush.
Although it may seem intimidating at first, it’s actually quite easy once you understand its needs.
11. Dolphin Succulent
- Scientific name: Senecio peregrinus
- Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Succulent mix with sand or perlite
- USDA zone: 9-11
This trailing succulent often gets confused with string of dolphins, but its growth habit can be slightly different depending on conditions.
Still, the appeal is the same, adorable dolphin-shaped leaves that seem to leap along each vine.
It’s drought-tolerant and perfect for hanging baskets where its vines can spill dramatically.
Like most succulents, it thrives on neglect and doesn’t require frequent watering.
12. Red Veined Prayer Plant
- Scientific name: Maranta leuconeura ‘Erythroneura’
- Sunlight: Medium, indirect light
- Soil: Rich, well-draining soil
- USDA zone: 11-12
This stunning prayer plant variety has deep green leaves patterned with bright red veins and lighter green accents.
At night, the leaves fold upward as if in prayer, giving it a moving, living quality.
It loves humidity and consistent moisture, making it a great candidate for bathrooms or kitchens with indirect light.
The red veined prayer Plant is a favorite among collectors because of its striking color contrast and fascinating movement.
Read more: 10 Stunning Plants With Purple Leaves for a Bold Garden
