Most rare houseplants are expensive and difficult to access. This could be a result of the plant’s limited supply due to its ability to only survive under specific growing conditions.
The rarest types of plants are also mostly variegated. This means that their leaves and sometimes stems have multiple colors. These types of plants do not occur naturally, and cultivating them to get this feature can be difficult, which in turn makes them very expensive. They require constant care and attention and therefore are not a good choice for beginners.
Monstera Albo Variegata
The number one plant on our list of rare house plants is the Monstera Albo Variegata. This rare plant belongs to the Araceae family of flowering plants and is a member of the Monstera genus. This plant is the variegated variety of the Monstera deliciosa plant.
The beauty of this plant lies in its leaves. Their green-colored leaves are fenestrated, i.e., have holes in them. They also have large patches of white variegation. And if properly cared for, the plant might produce white or cream-colored flowers, which are even rarer.
- Botanical Name: Monstera deliciosa “Albo Borsigiana”
- Light Requirement: Filtered or indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: A moist and fast-draining soil mix.
Monstera Aurea Variegata
The second plant on our list is another variegated variety of the Monstera deliciosa plant. It also belongs to the Araceae family and the Monstera genus, like the Monstera Albo Variegata. One distinguishing feature of this plant is its splotchy, patterned variegation.
This variety is rare as it is less cultivated due to its small, rounded, and compact leaves, which grow up to 2 feet in diameter at full maturity. Another reason it is not cultivated more is that it has the lowest probability of producing variegated leaves.
- Botanical Name: Monstera deliciosa “Aurea”
- Light Requirement: Filtered or indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: A moist and fast-draining soil mix.
Monstera Obliqua
Another highly sought-after rare monstera plant is the Monstera Obliqua. It is native to South and Central America. The reason this plant is considered a rare variety is due to the difficulty involved in propagating it.
This plant is incredibly pricey and has unique-looking leaves. The fenestration in this plant is next level, as it contains a lot of holes. The leaves are also very delicate, making it difficult to propagate cuttings for sale.
- Botanical Name: Monstera obliqua
- Light Requirement: bright, indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: moist soil rich in peat moss.
Monstera Adansonii Variegated
Otherwise known as the Swiss cheese plant, variegated Monstera adansonii is a rare beauty to behold. This plant produces large, greenish, heart-shaped leaves with white variegation. Their leaves are also fenestrated, which adds to their beauty.
Native to the forests of southern Mexico, this plant is toxic to pets, so it should be handled carefully.
- Botanical Name: Variegated Monstera adansonii
- Light Requirement: bright, indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: moist and fast-draining soil.
Variegated Mini-monstera
This plant is actually not a Monstera, but it shares a close resemblance with the Monstera deliciosa plant. It is native to southern Thailand and Malaysia and has beautiful fenestration. It belongs to the Rhaphidophora genus and is part of the Araceae family of flowering plants.
It is the variegated variety of the mini monstera that’s rare, as it produces green leaves with yellow or milky-colored variegation.
- Botanical Name: Rhaphidophora tetrasperma variegata
- Light Requirement: Partial Sunlight
- Soil Type: Moist but also well-drained.
Philodendron Gloriosum
Moving away from the Monstera genus, the next house plant on our list is the Philodendron Gloriosum. This plant is popular for its large, heart-shaped, green-colored leaves, which make it a great ornamental plant. The Philodendron Gloriosum belongs to the Philodendron genus and is part of the Araceae family. They are native to the tropical regions of Columbia.
The Philodendron Gloriosum has a crawling growth pattern which makes it rarer.
- Botanical Name: Philodendron gloriosum
- Light Requirement: Partial or Indirect Sunlight
- Soil Type: well-draining soil
Philodendron Pink Princess
This beautiful, rare, and highly sought-after variegated plant is native to the Southern and Central parts of America. The philodendron Pink Princess also belongs to the philodendron genus and the Araceae family. Their leaves are heart-shaped with a deep, glossy greenish-black color attached to burgundy stems. They are also difficult to propagate through seeds, so they are not always available.
- Botanical Name: Philodendron erubescens
- Light Requirement: indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: organic, rich, well-drained loamy soil.
Philodendron White Princess
Just like the Pink Princess, the Philodendron White Princess is one of the rarest plants available. It is indigenous to Central and South America. Its bright green leaves have white variegation of varying degrees depending on how it was raised. Also, its red-colored stems are variegated. Once you can meet the light needs of this plant, it shouldn’t be difficult to cultivate.
- Botanical Name: Philodendron erubescens “White Princess”
- Light Requirement: bright, indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: Porous and Well-Draining Soil.
Ficus Triangularis Variegata
The Ficus triangularis variegata is a rare ornamental plant that has a unique look and shape. These tropical houseplants are part of the Moraceae family and are native to the southern and western parts of Africa.
Its leaves are green with cream-colored variegation around their border, which is shaped in the form of a triangle. Once provided with bright, filtered light, the plant will continue to produce its variegated leaves. So, always keep them away from intense sunlight.
- Botanical Name: Ficus Triangularis Variegata
- Light Requirement: Filtered Sunlight
- Soil Type: Moist but also well-draining
Alocasia Frydek Variegata
This is a variety of the Alocasia Frydek plant. This beautiful tropical plant is native to Southeast Asia. It belongs to the Araceae family of flowering plants and also belongs to the Alocasia genus.
The Alocasia Frydek Variegata produces broad, dark leaves in the shape of a heart with glossy dark green color and white veins. Their leaves have silver-colored patches on them, giving them a metallic look. The selling point of this plant is its contrasting colors.
- Botanical name: Alocasia Frydek Variegata
- Light Requirement: bright, indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: well-draining soil
FAQs
Because the chance of successfully creating them is very low. There is a 1 in 100,000 chance of successfully creating a variegated plant.
Because a lot of work goes into caring for and maintaining the plant.
Variegation occurs when there is not enough chlorophyll in some parts of the plant to produce its color.
Yes, variegation can be induced by using ethylene gas, but it is not easy and cannot be done at home.
Always expose your variegated plants to a daily dose of about 8 hours of bright indirect sunlight. Lack of light can force the plant to create more chlorophyll, causing the plant to develop all green leaves.
