8 Gorgeous Rare Plants and If You Should Really Buy Them (2024)

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These unique plants are the most coveted among houseplant lovers

Annie Burdick

Annie Burdick is a writer, editor, and gardener who has been covering a range of topics for publications like PEOPLE Magazine, Food & Wine, Apartment Therapy, and MyDomaine for the past several years.

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Updated on 01/04/24

8 Gorgeous Rare Plants and If You Should Really Buy Them (2)

There are many people in the world who love houseplants, and the bright, lively energy they can bring to your home.

But there's a difference between the casual houseplant owner who shops the local nursery and selects some classic houseplants to bring home and care for—and those who take plat collecting seriously.

As houseplants become more mainstream and more popular, more people are interested in finding and adding to their collections the more unique, rare, and specialty hybrid plants that exist on the market—variegated versions of classic houseplants, hard-to-grow succulents, and gorgeously colored foliage all among them.

Not only can these plants cost hundreds of dollars apiece, but some can also be high-maintenance to care for. Before you commit to a rare and pricey plant, take a look at this list of some of the most popular rare houseplants and what kind of care they require.

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Monstera deliciosa 'Thai Constellation'

While classic monstera varieties are easy (and fairly affordable) to come by at any plant nursery, these popular houseplants become extremely coveted and expensive once specialty cultivars and defects come into play.
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One of the most sought-after at the moment is a varietal called the 'Thai Constellation' which features the signature white patterns on its leaves caused by lack of chlorophyll, in this case in a splatter pattern.
The 'Thai Constellation' will go for more than the 'Variegata'. Depending on the specimen and the size, it can cost several hundred dollars to upwards of $1,000, Summer Rayne Oakes ofPlant One on Me shares with us.
Oakes adds she's seen cuttings go for as much as $300 to $500!
"People in general love Monstera, as it's one of those larger leaved plants with deep fenestrations," Oakes says. "But you add spatter-marked whites and yellows to the leaves—and it'll drive the price up quite readily."
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02 of 08
Monstera deliciosa Albo Variegata

However, the 'Thai Constellation' isn't only one Monstera deliciosa variety that's considered rare and valuable.
The 'Albo Variegata,' which features large white portions on its leaves, the more and the more unique in shape and structure the better, is also going for hundreds of dollars in many shops.
"Variegated Monsteras are a top seller, which are around $200, but we've seen them go for much more than that depending on the color of their leaves," Sean Dollinger, Founder ofPlantX, says. "The whiter the leaves, the more coveted they are based on a rare genetic defect."
Care Tips
To keep any monstera happy, opt for partial sun or dappled lighting spots, and avoid direct sun. Use a pot with good drainage, and water regularly.
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03 of 08
Philodendron Melanochrysum

Slowly becoming slightly easier to come by, this variety is still considered one of the rarer and more coveted philodendrons in the houseplant community, and can be expensive, especially when reaching larger sizes.
When given proper light conditions and extra humidity, these dark green beauties can climb up to 5 feet tall indoors, with individual leaves reaching massive sizes of 2 feet long.
These huge healthy specimens will be rarer and harder to find, so if you're able to nurture a small philodendron melanochrysum into a massive houseplant over time, all the better.
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04 of 08
Philodendron Tortum

Philodendrons come in many varieties, from the highly common and budget-friendly, to the ultra-rare collector species. This is another type that can break the bank, and be difficult to find.
They're very eye-catching, with their spreading, spike-like leaves. But they also differ from some of their philodendron relatives in their care needs. Philodendron tortums need extra space to spread, grow quickly, and do well with high humidity.
See Also
Pilea Peperomioides, the "Chinese money plant"
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05 of 08
Philodendron 'Pink Princess'

One final philodendron variety is a natural inclusion on a rare houseplants list. The Pink Princess is as lovely and unique as its name suggests, and is a man-made cultivar developed in the 1970s.
Single cuttings of this plant can cost upwards of $100 and mature healthy plants can cost several hundred.
Care Tips
To keep your Pink Princess thriving, provide the plant with bright but indirect light, which is best for keeping its variegated coloring. Continuously moist soil and humidity are also beneficial.
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06 of 08
Pseudolithos cubiformis

This uniquely shaped succulent isn't one you're likely to come across at your average plant store. Its cube-like shape and scaly texture are unusual in the world of houseplants and succulents, and make it desirable in the plant collector world.
But, this plant's slow-growing cycle and complex care needs make it even rarer to come across.
"Typically, the smallest specimens will go for $75 to $125," Oakes says.
Care Tips
Like most succulents, these prefer full sun and minimal water. They'll lose their distinct shape if they don't get enough direct sun. They're also vulnerable to temperatures below 40 degrees, so keeping them warm and indoors year-round is essential.
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07 of 08
Anthurium regale

Anthuriums are another common houseplant you can find in many casual collections—but its larger and more stately variety, the Anthurium regale, is a much rarer and much more expensive addition to any collection.
With small young plants priced at $100 or more and large, full-grown Anthurium regales costing upwards of $400, it's a spendy, but stunning plant to bring home.
Care Tips
To keep your plant healthy and vibrant, place it in a location with bright but indirect light, warm temperatures. Be sure to give the plant high humidity levels, and use a pot with great drainage.
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08 of 08
Aglaonema pictum 'Tricolor'

With leaves that feature a uniquely mixed look of light, medium, and dark green shades, it's not too surprising that this Aglaonema variety is sought after.
"The camouflage appearance of the leaves makes it a real crowd-pleaser," Oakes says.
While considered fairly easy to grow, they also grow slowly, which increases the difficulty of coming across one of these eye-catching beauties.
"Aglaonema cannot be reproduced successfully through tissue culture," Oakes says, "So there aren't many of these on the market, which drives up the price,"
Oakes says she purchased her back in 2016 for only $39. Nowadays, she's seen some people pay somewhere between $100 to $200.
Care Tips
Like many other tropical houseplants, this plant thrives in dappled, indirect light and humid, warm conditions. It also tends to prefer more water to less, so beware of underwatering this plant—you may end up with an overpriced, dead plant.