Do you think houseplants know when they’re famous? Probably not, but we do – and when one of these coveted but not-so-abundant beauties arrives in the Greenhouse, it’s a special event for everyone. If you’ve been on the hunt for a very specific variety to add to your plant collection or just like the idea of having a houseplant your friends haven’t seen yet, take a look at this list with a few of our favorites. You won’t find them everywhere – and they’re not always on our tables either – but each one is a highly coveted addition to any collection.
Philodendron ‘Bloody Mary’
As if its long, thick, glossy-green foliage wasn’t enough, Philodendron ‘Bloody Mary’ shows off some beautiful deep burgundy stems, making it a stunning but hard-to-find addition for any houseplant collection. Its abundant foliage shoots out in all directions – including downward – which is why it looks so good draping over the side of a shelf or as a hanging plant. ‘Bloody Mary’ is also a fast grower, and as a bonus, its new foliage is often tinted red.
Like most philodendrons, ‘Bloody Mary’ likes its light bright and indirect and its soil well-draining and moderately watered with a chance to dry down an inch or so between drinks. And, of course, a prominent place to hang out and be admired is a must.
Monstera adansonii
We keep bringing them in, and they keep disappearing. Monstera adansonii is the more delicate and viney cousin of Monstera deliciosa and shares the same talent for fascinating foliage filled with holes and slits. The best way to show off its fascinating leaves is to let M. adansonii tumble out of a hanging basket or off a high shelf. Fact is, we love this guy so much we’ve devoted entire conversations to him.
Like the bigger monstera, M. adansonii thrives with bright, indirect light and a moderate watering schedule that allows for some dryness in the soil between drinks.
Saxifraga stolonifera // Strawberry Begonia
What plant has begonia in its name, looks like a geranium, and throws out runners like a strawberry – but isn’t any of these plants at all? It’s Saxifraga stolonifera – the strawberry begonia. To see one is to instantly fall in love with that hairy, silver-variegated foliage and all those sweet babies dangling from long, slender stems – just like a spider plant. To propagate new plants for yourself or as gifts, simply nestle one of the babies in moistened soil, and it’ll take off from there.
In warmer climates, strawberry begonia is a perennial, but for us, it’s a beautiful and easy-care houseplant that just needs bright, indirect light and a chance to dry just a bit between waterings. About the only thing strawberry begonia might complain about is water on its leaves, so you’ll want to be a little careful when watering.
Ficus benghalensis ‘Audrey’
What’s it feel like to be the next “It” plant, as some plant enthusiasts are calling Ficus behghalensis ‘Audrey’? Probably pretty good because it means gaining lots of fans in a short amount of time and flying out of our Greenhouse almost as quick as it arrives. You’ll definitely recognize ‘Audrey’ as a member of the well-known Ficus clan – it shares many similarities in growth habit, foliage, and care with its relatives the fiddle leaf fig and the rubber plant. But, ‘Audrey’ does have its own style too – velvety soft, oval leaves with prominent creamy yellow veins and a tall, sturdy central trunk almost resembling a birch tree. It definitely has that “indoor tree” vibe.
As for care, ‘Audrey’ is pretty easy-going. It loves lots of bright, indirect light and can tolerate some lower light too. But it doesn’t like wet feet, so be sure the soil drains well, and let the top few inches dry out before watering.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Black Raven’
If you love that stylish and easy-care houseplant known as “ZZ plant”, you’ll go nuts for this newer cultivar ‘Black Raven.’ In 2018, it was named Best New Plant at the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition in Ft. Lauderdale, and since then it’s been gradually trickling into places like our Greenhouse where eager plant collectors can finally snatch it up. Everything about ‘Black Raven’ is the same as the classic green variety – just swap out the glossy green for an equally glossy, deep eggplant purple.
Care: What care? ZZ plants are famous for thriving just about anywhere and everywhere. Low light, bright light, or fluorescent? No problem. Low humidity? Didn’t notice. Forget to water for three weeks? Perfect, actually. With the exception of soggy soil, ZZ plant will take whatever you got.
Give Them Plant Envy
Some houseplants are harder to find than others, and adding one of these elusive varieties to your collection is exciting. Before your friends get wind of this, head over to the Greenhouse and grab a few of your own before they disappear.
