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Every plant is beautiful in its own way. But most houseplants are so familiar to us that our eyes are no longer amazed. Only particularly developed specimens occasionally earn a longer look. But there are also plants that are so extraordinary that they fascinate everyone who sees them. They offer bizarre leaf shapes, blatant colors or amazing properties. Works of art of nature that we can use decoratively at home. Which one from our pre-selection is your favourite?
25 Extraordinary Houseplants
Are you looking for a new eye-catcher on the windowsill? We present 25 special houseplants.
From
Albuca spiralis
This particular plant has its origins in South Africa. But the cultivar Frizzle Sizzle has made it to Europe as a houseplant. It's a summer flowering bulbous plant from the hyacinth family, but its appearance is so different:
- the leaves have a spiral shape, similar to corkscrews
- blooms from May/June
- the flowers are reminiscent of orchids
- Plant exudes vanilla scent
tip: The rotation of the leaves becomes more beautiful the brighter this extraordinary houseplant is allowed to stand.
Baseball Spurge
Euphorbia obesa, as the plant is botanically called, looks like a typical cactus and yet it is not a cactus. The grey-brown spurge grows symmetrically and is covered with very fine line patterns. It is initially the size and shape of a baseball. Hence the unusual folk name. Later it develops a cylindrical shape and grows up to 30 cm high. There are no spines to be found on it, but it has fine teeth.
notice: Native to South Africa, this desert plant can cause irritation with its milky sap. Some varieties are even poisonous. That's why she has no place in a household with small children or near pets.
pencil bush
In its natural environment in southern and eastern Africa, the tree grows to about 10 m in height. We have to be content with the room variant, which is also very decorative:
- bot.: Euphorbia tirucalli
- reaches 40 to 80 cm in height
- forms numerous green sprouts
- they are reminiscent of pencils
- small leaves appear on it
- but fall off quickly
notice: In this country, the Euphorbia tirucalli only rarely flowers. Nevertheless, the plant is interesting, especially for modern rooms.
bonsai
Bonsai are not in themselves a species of plant. But this form of cultivation also makes simple plants or tree species so interesting that they have to be mentioned here. Bonsai training is mastered in Asia. In this country, the supply of these plants is more modest, but they are still extremely decorative.
From C - F
Crassula umbella
The leaf shape is reminiscent of an umbrella turned upside down by the wind. A thin stalk with mini flowers grows from the center of each of the numerous, fleshy leaves. For most plants, these are rather inconspicuous. But some species form magnificent flowers. This succulent can reach a height of 0.5 to 1.5 m.
pea plant
No, this is not about the plants that have edible pods in the garden. It is an extraordinary houseplant that owes its name to its spherical leaves. They are as small and green as a pea. And because they line up so beautifully on the long shoots, the plant is often referred to as a string of pearls. Botanically, the extraordinary houseplant is called Senecio rowleyanus.
tip: To get the most out of this plant, it should be grown in a hanging basket in a bright and visible place.
donkey tail
Also the donkey's tail, bot. Sedum morganianum, is interesting as a hanging houseplant. The larger the specimen grows, the more impressive the long shoots come into their own. The small, very fleshy succulent leaves are lined up close together. This special houseplant is also known under the name snake sedum.
trout begonia
The low-maintenance trout begonia has countless species, including some extraordinary ones. The large leaves of these plants are particularly impressive. The Begonia Maculata is also commonly referred to as the polka-dot begonia.
- pointed leaf shape
- with conspicuous white dots on top
- and red-tinted backs
- Plant can grow up to 2 m high
- produces bright red flowers
- with good care also all year round
From G - H
antler fern
Many green deer antlers hang down from a traffic light. This is how this houseplant could be aptly described. But Platycerium does not come from the north, where the deer are native, but from the subtropical forests of Asia and Australia. Accordingly, the demands on care are high. For example:
- requires high humidity
- must not be exposed to direct sun
- goes in the shadow
- likes an acidic, coarse substrate
hawaiian palm
Although also known as the Volcano Palm, Brighamia insignis is a succulent. That should not bother us further, because with a houseplant the appearance is decisive. There is a trunk and leaves at the top resembling palm fronds. To top it off, pretty pale yellow flowers appear in winter.
notice: The Hawaiian palm occurs naturally only in Hawaii, where it is threatened with extinction. As a houseplant, it only grows to about 1 m high and is still a rarity in this country.
heliconia
Extraordinary flowers are the adornment of these extraordinary houseplants. The unusual shape and strong choice of colors are characteristic. That is why they have been given the following names in our vernacular:
- False bird of paradise flowers
- lobster claws
- parrot flowers
tip: Heliconias (bot. Heliconia) come from the tropics and therefore like warm, humid environments. In dry living rooms, they should be sprayed regularly. In addition, the extraordinary heliconia is very easy to care for.
heart plant
Hoya kerrii and little darling are other names for this plant. It is interesting because of its foliage, which consists of heart-shaped leaves. Small specimens of the climbing plant are sold commercially. Usually just a large, planted heart leaf. The heart plant grows very slowly. Mature specimens show white, fragrant flowers.
From K - L
Kaladie
Some people know this particular houseplant as bun or bun. She boldly plays with color contrasts. For example, the green of the shapely leaves can be interspersed with plenty of pink. Of course in such a way that impressive patterns are formed. But this is only one possible leaf variant of many. This extraordinary plant pulls in its leaves in autumn, likes to hibernate in a cooler place and sprout again in spring.
Variegated root, caladium, caladium
pitcher plant
The pitcher plant, also called nepenthes, catches and digests insects. That fact alone makes it interesting. But the carnivore offers other special properties. For example her looks. The plant is hung with numerous shapely pitchers. It looks so bizarre that floral decorations become a minor matter.
notice: Did you know that the jugs together have a capacity of up to 2 l. They are filled with an acidic liquid in which the insects that fall into them are decomposed within a short time.
corkscrew rush
Juncus effusus 'Spiralis' is actually a hardy swamp plant, but it is increasingly in demand as an extraordinary houseplant. Its upright shoots are thin as chives, but twisted like a spiral or curl. Lovelock is therefore another name for this special phenomenon among houseplants. And don't worry, waterlogging doesn't have to be avoided here! While other houseplants rot quickly, wet roots don't bother her.
The love curls owe their name to their “twisted” stems.
living stone
A stone cracked in the middle, and from it rises a beautiful colored flower. This is what a special houseplant can look like. If it weren't for the bloom, one wouldn't believe that "the stone" is actually alive. Group several colorful specimens decoratively in a bowl. These houseplants are guaranteed to be admired by everyone.
air plant
This houseplant is rather simple in shape. But the way they grow makes them interesting. Instead of being rooted in the ground, it floats bare-rooted in the air. In the wild, tillandsias are supported by tree branches. In our rooms they have to find some other support. There are no limits to the owner's imagination. Of course, air plants require special care. Underneath regular spraying or immersion in water.
From M - S
medusa head
Many green, narrow shoots wind up from the center of the plant. Euphorbia Caput-Medusae is reminiscent of a snake-studded Medusa head. It is decorative as a houseplant, but should still be used with caution. Because it is also interesting for children and animals, but poisonous inside.
mosaic plant
Their leaves are rather small to medium-sized and also simply shaped. But they are multicolored and provided with eye-catching net patterns. The second color besides green can be white, pink, yellow, orange or red, depending on the variety. Contrastingly colored indoor plants like the Fittonia simply have to attract attention.
orchids
Orchids are so commonly sold as houseplants that looking at them is very familiar. Especially the butterfly orchids. Nevertheless, orchids should not be missing from the list of extraordinary indoor plants. Their long-lived flowers in countless shapes and color variations give them this honor. The leaves are rather boring in comparison.
saw blade cactus
The epiphyllum anguliger has no thorns. Its leaves arise from the base, are green, flattened and long. They are gently serrated on both sides and are amazingly reminiscent of saw blades. With increasing length, they bend downwards in an arch. The huge flowers of this Mexican cactus species are also beautiful and fragrant.
Black succulents
A black houseplant can also be decorative if it harmonises with the furnishing style or challenges the eye as a break in style. The large family of succulents offers such specimens. Aeonium likes it sunny and can go outside in summer.
From T - V
tarantula fern
A fern alone is not an exceptional houseplant, although its foliage is undeniably beautiful. But when some "hairy spider legs" are hanging out of the pot, things get interesting. Because the tarantula fern actually forms beige-brownish rhizomes that look like big, thick spider legs. So that Humata tyermannii gets the attention it deserves, the plant should be cultivated hanging from the ceiling.
Trachyandra
You probably have to first explain to your guests that the trachyandra is actually a plant. It could also be a work made of plasticine. Her appearance is so plastic. There are several upright shoots that twist and turn like a snake. They are bright green, only brown in the lower area.
venus flytrap
The Venus Flytrap is a special plant. Nobody will dispute that. It's not a giant among houseplants. Instead, a green huntress who can snap at lightning speed with her tentacles. It's fun to watch them catch flies then.
Venus Flytraps, Dionaea muscipula