11 Unique Indoor Plants to Turn a House into a Home

Plants are a wonderful way to make a house feel more homey and cozy and alive, not to mention the physical benefits of having them around, such as cleaner air. While there are thousands of indoor plants to choose from, we’ve selected a few unique houseplants that will stand out from the usual pothos, snake plant, and peace lily crowd.

Pencil Cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli)

Despite its name, the Pencil Cactus is not a cactus. A member of the Euphorbia family – which includes succulents, poinsettias, and crown-of-thorns – this stunner turns beautiful shades of pink, orange, and yellow when grown in bright sun during cooler months. A perfect way to bring fall colors into your home. A small piece of advice: It’s recommended you wear gloves and exercise caution when caring for this plant as it can produce a sap when injured that is strongly irritating. This wildly branching plant needs a lot of light, low water, and soil that drains well (we recommend a cactus soil potting mix).

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

If you’re looking for a gift that keeps on giving, jadesare thick-leaved, glossy green succulents that live long enough to pass downfrom generation to generation. They have trunks that make them look like smalltrees, and they do best with a lot (4+ hours) of direct sunlight. They don’tlike to dry out as much as other succulents, so water as soon as the soil feelsdry to the touch, and keep in mind this plant is highly toxic for dogs andcats.

Aralia Fabian (Polyscias scutellaria ‘Fabian’)

This unique-looking plant has a trunk that makes itlook like a little, columnar tree with round, flat leaves that have a purplish underside. Somewhat similar in appearance to the larger Fiddle Leaf Fig (see below), it grows three to four feet in height, likes a warm spot – never below70°F – and several hours of direct sunlight from the south, east, or west. This Aralia likes to dry out, and overwatering will cause problems. It’s toxic to cats and dogs, so it’s a good idea to keep out of reach from furry friends, but is also easily treated by a veterinarian.

Fiddle-Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

The Fiddle Leaf Fig is one of the larger plants on our list. It can grow up to six feet and has dramatic, large leaves and a tall, sculptural form. It attracts many homeowners, and if you adopt one of these majestic beauties it’s important to care for it properly. It prefers bright, indirect light, and is sensitive to both under- and overwatering. Never water more than once per week, and make sure the soil is dry one inch down before watering again. Place the Fiddle Leaf Fig in a clear, plastic saucer and water the soil until it pours out into the saucer. Make sure the water has fullydrained from the soil before returning it to its container. Quick tip: This is another that causes stomach irritation if ingested by pets.

Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)

The unique colors and patterns of the Prayer Plant make it a beautiful and unique addition to any home. It is called a PrayerPlant because every evening the tips of its leaves turn upward in a supplicant position. These non-toxic plants have one peculiar requirement: they cannot tolerate treated tap water. Either use tap water that has been sitting out forat least 24 hours, or use rainwater.

Flamingo Lily (Anthurium)

There aren’t too many colorful plants that can withstand or even prefer low light conditions, but the Flamingo Lily is one of them! This is also one of the plants listed in the NASA Clean Air Study for removing formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and ammonia from the air. Like its well-known relative the Peace Lily, Flamingo Lilies like humidity. If it isn’t in a location with extra moisture, place it on a tray of pebbles with a little bit of water to keep it humidified. Cats and dogs who ingest this plant will experience immediate symptoms, so they are unlikely to ingest enough to do serious harm.

Cotton Candy Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Smithii’)

This fluffy, appropriately-named fern has an attractive bright green color and can reach 5 feet in length. It’s a fern, so it will eventually drape down from a hanging basket (but can certainly be in a smaller, tabletop container to start). It is easy to care for, as long as it isgetting plenty of bright, indirect light. It’s not as thirsty as some otherferns, but it does appreciate consistent watering.

Twisted Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus ‘Rasta’)

This funky plant is so named because its flowers resemble a tube of lipstick, and its draping stems and leaves resemble dreadlocks. A hanging basket is ideal for this cascading plant. It prefers the70 – 80°F range, and bright, indirect light. It needs slightly moist soil and doesenjoy some humidity, so mist it regularly.

Ponytail Palm (Beaucamea recurvata)

This sculptural plant is actually not a palm at all, but more closely related to the Joshua Tree. In its native environment, it cangrow up to 30 feet, but indoors, will rarely grow above four feet tall. It generally has one central stump and a cascade of long, green leaves that resemble – wait for it – a ponytail. It likes a lot of light, but will tolerate a range of conditions. It stores a lot of water in its trunk, so it prefers dry soil. Let the top 1–2 inches get very dry before watering and make sure itdoesn’t stand in water. Water even less frequently in winter. This is a plant that will thrive on benign neglect. It’s non-toxic to pets, which is especially good for cats who might mistake this plant for a new toy.

Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa)

If you have empty space to fill in your home, this plant is a perfect fit! The Swiss Cheese Plant has aerial roots growing downfrom the stem, giving this plant a vine-like tendency. Its dramatic, large leaves that resemble Swiss cheese (hence its common name) make quite a statement, and overall it can grow to over 30 feet outdoors. When kept indoors, its container will limit its size but you will still need to trim it back from time to time. It prefers bright, indirect light, a temperature in the 68 – 86°F range, and high humidity (so be sure to mist it regularly).

Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

Doesn’t looking at this plant make you smile? There’s something about it that’s so peppy and fresh, and its floating disc leaves are just too cute. It needs just a few things to thrive: bright and indirect light, well-draining soil, not too much water (water when it looks a little droopy),regular rotating (for balanced growth), and keep it away from any drafts or temperature fluctuations. You can spot a happy Chinese Money Plant because they propagate themselves when they are doing well.

Honestly, this list could go on for days. There are so many amazing plants out there, and scientists are still discovering new ones and developing interesting crossbreeds. Whatever houseplants you choose to bring into your home, figure out what they need to thrive so you and yourfamily can enjoy them for years to come. And if you choose a long-lived plant –like the Jade Plant or Ponytail Palm mentioned above – you may even pass them on to your children someday. What a special heirloom.

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