12 Most Wanted Rare Houseplants to Grow at Home

“You can never have too many plants!” If that sounds familiar, rare specimens may be the next for your home collection. Admired for dramatic foliage, unusual color, and limited availability, they bring distinction indoors. With Botan’s care tips in mind, this guide covers the 12 most wanted rare indoor plants for home growing. 

Rare Houseplants at a Glance 

Not every rare plant is difficult to grow. Start with practical guides for beginner plant owners, then compare species by appearance, light and humidity requirements, care level, and soil needs to see which options match your conditions. Choosing the right mix matters too, since rare houseplants may need a very different substrate from the best soil for a corn plant. Use the table below for a quick look at 12 unusual species. 

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1. Monstera Albo (Monstera deliciosa)

Monstera albo is one of the most recognizable rare indoor houseplants because of its white marbling, sectoral variegation, and dramatic split leaves. Since white areas of this vine contain less chlorophyll, place it in a place with bright, indirect light.

But avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch pale tissue, while too little light may reduce new variegation. For good growth, plant Monstera albo in a chunky, airy mix. Also, provide it with a moss pole for climbing support.

2. Philodendron Pink Princess (Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’)

Philodendron pink princess is on the same list of the rarest houseplants because of its oval-shaped green leaves with a balanced pink pattern. Royal Horticultural Society advises keeping this tropical perennial in loam or sand soil in a place with partial shade. 

Water it when the top layer of the mix begins to dry, but don't let the plant become waterlogged to prevent root rot. Also, rotate the pot so growth stays even. 

3. Velvet Cardboard Anthurium (Anthurium clarinervium)

Thanks to its thick, velvety heart-shaped foliage and pale, decorative veins that look drawn by hand, velvet cardboard anthurium is a valuable plant among collectors. It fills the space with a tropical atmosphere, especially on shelves, plant stands, or in bright bedrooms. 

This plant prefers a coarse aroid mix with bark, perlite, and light organic matter, which allows the soil to deliver both moisture and air to stems and foliage. Water velvet cardboard anthurium carefully. Make sure that it is placed in a warm, humid, and bright space with indirect light. 

4. Glorious Philodendron (Philodendron gloriosum)

Large heart-shaped velvet leaves with white, pale veins make the glorious philodendron one of the most elegant rare indoor plants you can grow in your flat or house. When planting it, keep the rhizome on the surface of the potting mix instead of burying it.

Provide bright indirect light and steady humidity for this plant. It helps the leaves reach their best size.

5. Swiss Cheese Vine (Monstera adansonii)

The highlight of this plant is heart-shaped fenestrated leaves with cream or white patterning resembling Swiss cheese. That’s where the greenery’s common name comes from. According to NC State Extension, Swiss cheese vine light requirements are bright, indirect sunlight that helps support healthy indoor growth. 

Choose a moist but well-drained potting mix that reduces the risk of root rot. Since the plant has a vining growth habit, provide a moss pole or other support. Keep it evenly moist but never waterlogged.

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6. Jewel Alocasia (Alocasia cuprea)

Jewel alocasia is valuable for its coppery-green leaves that, thanks to deeply indented veins, look almost sculptural. This plant is quite demanding to care for. It dislikes cold drafts, dry air, and irregular watering.

For healthy growth, it requires lightly moist soil and bright indirect light. If conditions change suddenly, be prepared for the plant to pause or drop leaves. 

7. Hindu Rope Plant (Hoya carnosa ‘Compacta’)

This semi-succulent is a nice addition to the rare plants collection thanks to its distinctive puckered, tightly curled leaves along trailing or climbing stems. Despite its exotic appearance, this plant doesn’t require any special care. It grows well in bright indirect light, a fast-draining potting mix, and a small pot. 

Avoid frequent repotting, because the Hindu rope plant often blooms and grows better when slightly root-bound rather than placed in an oversized container where excess moisture is around the roots. 

8. String of Nickels (Dischidia nummularia)

Small round leaves that resemble coins are why collectors buy this epiphytic trailing plant. Since its stems cascade, it’s better to keep this greenery in hanging baskets, mounted displays, or airy pots. String of nickels prefers bright filtered light and a loose, well-draining medium. 

As an epiphyte, it naturally grows on other plants rather than in dense ground soil, so good drainage is especially important. Allow the growing medium to dry a little between waterings. Don’t keep the plant wet. 

9. Black-Gold Philodendron (Philodendron melanochrysum)

Philodendron melanochrysum is valued for long, deep green, heart-shaped leaves whose surface feels like velvet to the touch. Along with a coppery sheen and pale green veins, this plant has an almost luxurious appearance, especially when given a moss pole. 

Royal Horticultural Society lists bright filtered light and loam, airy soil as the optimal conditions for good growth of this plant. 

10. Silver Vine (Scindapsus pictus)

Silver vine is admired for heart-shaped leaves patterned in dark green and silver. Since it is a trailing or climbing houseplant, it grows well in pots or hanging baskets where its stems are able to trail naturally. 

Keep this plant in an east-facing or south-facing windowsill where it can receive full sun. It prefers a moist but well-drained growing medium. It’s important to avoid waterlogging as it can cause root rot. 

11. Alocasia Dragon Scale (Alocasia ‘Dragon Scale’)

Its large, textured, arrow-shaped, silvery-green leaves with deep dark green veins make Alocasia Dragon Scale one of the most unusual foliage plants for indoor collections. It prefers a warm place with good humidity, south-facing or west-facing placement, and careful watering. 

If your home is dry, a humidity tray or room humidifier may help, but good airflow remains important. 

12. Hearts on a string ‘Lady Heart’ (Ceropegia woodii ‘Variegata’)

This trailing succulent is valued for its decorative heart-shaped foliage, whose edges have cream, pink, and green varieties. Its long stems make it especially suitable for hanging containers, where they can cascade naturally.

It is more forgiving than many rare houseplants if it grows under bright light and in fast-draining soil. Note that if you don’t let the mix dry between waterings, its tubers can rot.