10 supercool houseplants
Houseplants continue to grow in popularity as more people recognize the amazing benefits, bliss & beauty that comes with bringing nature in.
With demand comes supply and online marketplaces like Craigslist and Etsy have opened avenues for plant-sharing across the globe. All sorts of rare and wonderful species are creeping into the online houseplant market, making unique and coveted varieties more accessible than ever before.
Lush up your space and stay ahead of the trend with these hot houseplants!
©
begonia
With unique silver spotted leaves and deep red undersides, this plant is rumored to have been the inspiration behind Christian Louboutin’s ‘red bottoms’!
Native to South American tropics, this pretty plant is keen to a warm, humid environment, with ideal temperature around 70 F or above. Keep soil moist, but not soaked and never dry. Begonias prefer bright, indirect sunlight and tend to thrive when direct sunlight is avoided.
Begonias are increasing in popularity and becoming more frequented on the market than before. Live options can be found here, here, and over here. Cuttings (which will regrow) can be found here.
scientific: begonia maculata wightii
nicknames: polka-dot plant
©
2. wine cup
This fascinating succulent has been gaining traction for its unique look and ease of care.
A part of the genus Crassula, the ‘wine cup’ characterizes itself by unbranched stems and rounded cup-like leaves. Native to South Africa, these plants prefer less water and a bit warmer environment.
A live wine cup is hard to come across on the web. Seeds are available, running at around 200 seeds for $16 from here.
scientific: crassula umbrella
nicknames: wine cup
© @indoorjungledecor
3. caladium
from the tropics of South America with over 1,000 cultivars (varieties), Caladiums are beautifully strange with heart-shaped leaves and unworldly coloration.
What makes these beauties a must is how well they do indoors. Caladiums aren’t super light sensitive and can thrive in full shade. Naturally, they need a warm, humid environment to flourish (about 70 F).
Caladiums are relatively easy to find online. Price can range from $10 to over $100, depending on the variety, size & age. Find live caladiums here, here and here. Purchasing bulbs (vs. live plant) is more economical and they grow quickly with the right environment (sprouting after about a week after planting.) I’ve ordered bulbs from here- shipped fast and the bulbs grew quickly and beautifully!
scientific: caladium (genus)
nicknames: elephant ear, angel wings
©
4. Triostar
With vibrant, impressive foliage, the triostar comes from the eye-catching family of prayer plants.
Native to Brazilian tropics, the triostar is as much a work of art as it is plant, with leaves that look hand-painted by nature. Much like her tropic sisters, this plant loves humidity, so I recommend misting in between weekly watering. She prefers bright, indirect light, as any direct light can harm her delicate leaves.
Triostars can be found online, but not for cheap. A small, live plant can cost between $20-$60. Find a live plant here, here or over here!
scientific: stromanthe (genus)
nicknames: magenta triostar
©
5. hoya
There has been a resurgence of wax plants on the market, due to their robust growing, trailing vines and playful look.
These plants rock because they are pretty difficult to kill. Native to Asia, Hoya is a genus of about 300 species. Though each specie varies slightly on preferred requirements, generally avoid direct sunlight and keep the air relatively humid.
Two of my favorite hoya varieties are obovata and kerrii. They can be found at shops like this, this and this one.
scientific: hoya (genus)
nicknames: wax plant
© Happy plant people
6. ric-rac
The zany ric-rac is all sorts of fun with its zig-zaggy leaves and wild growing patterns.
A member of the Nightblooming family, the ric-rac is actually not a cactus. It originates from the tropics of Mexico, where it typically hangs from trees. This makes it a perfect hanging houseplant by a sunny window- check the soil weekly and if dry, give it a good drink. Watch it zig and zag all sorts of ways with very little maintenance!
Etsy has a plethora of available ric-rac cactus. Cuttings can go for under $10 and can be propagated easily. Small plants usually start around $8-$15. Find here, here and here.
scientific: epiphyllum
nicknames: orchid cactus, fishbone, zig-zag
©
7. rosso
A stunning jeweled-toned pallet of deep green leaves and vibrant red underside, this eye-catcher is native to Brazil.
A part of the Peperomia family of low-light loving succulents, the Rosso is a relatively low-maintenance houseplant. Like most succulents, avoid over-watering.
A small Rosso can go for anywhere between $10-$20 online. Check out what’s available on etsy here.
scientific: peperomia rosso
nicknames: eden rosso
©
8. Banana
A modern twist on a tropical classic, the variegated banana plant is a stunning work of art.
Variegated refers to exhibiting different colors as patches or streaks, making the species look out-of-this-world and a living statement piece to any home. With plenty of sunshine and water, this beauty can thrive inside.
This exotic variegation can cost a pretty penny and is a bit more challenging to find online. With expensive, unique varieties like this one, make sure you do your research before purchasing from an online seller. Find one here!
scientific: musa (genus)
nicknames: banana plant
© Len Land Photography
9. Tradescantia
The tradescantia is a bright and fun houseplant with beautiful patterns in bright colors from white to purple to pink.
This is a perfect plant to hang and let flourish all sorts of ways. Be mindful of moisture levels, ensuring the surrounding air never gets too dry. Also avoid over-watering as soggy soil can lead to root rot. Will do best in bright, indirect sun..
There are over 75 species of the Tradescantia genus with much availability online. Small plants can go for about $20-$40, depending on size and variety. Cuttings can go for under $10 if you are willing to put in the work to root it! Either way, make sure you read through the description, so you know what you are getting! Check out what’s available on Etsy here.
scientific: tradescantia
nicknames: spiderwort, wandering jew
© Beards and Daisies UK
10. silver pothos
With silver and green teardrop leaves, this trailing beauty is part of the Araceae family and makes the perfect cascading houseplant to spruce up any small space.
The silver pothos prefers bright, direct sunlight and soil that stays damp, but never too wet.
With fairly widespread availability, a small plant can cost around $10. I’ve found the plant to be very temperature sensitive- with fatal risks if temps drop below 65 F. If you live in a cooler region, opt for shipping options that provide heat packs. Browse around for this beauty here.
scientific: epipremnum (genus)
nicknames: silver satin