Plants in the home are not a temporary living trend. They create a calming, fresh atmosphere in the house and improve the indoor climate. Exotic and unusual houseplants with their bizarre leaf shapes and bright colors provide a special eye-catcher. Some representatives from the subtropical and tropical regions also thrive in the home and can be cultivated on the windowsill or another sunny place. We have selected 20 exotic plant species that can easily thrive indoors all year round.
1. Living stones
Stones or plants? Their appearance is really bizarre. Like a flower on a pebble, the unusual appearance of these plants is actually a protective function against animals that use the plants as a source of water in the desert regions. These are a type of water-storing plants or succulents. Thanks to their thick, rounded shape, they can survive for months without water and look like stones to the animals. Their botanical name “Lithops” comes from the Greek – lithos meaning stone and opsis meaning appearance. Their homeland is South Africa and they bloom from August to September. The flowering period only lasts four or five days and the flowers are very similar to a daisy flower. Their resting period begins in October and November and during this period they hardly need any water. They are watered again in May, during the growth phase. The optimal location for the living stones is sunny, bright and protected from rain and wind, preferably outdoors in the summer months.
2. Aeonium, black succulents
Aeonium isa type of succulent, which is native to the Canary Islands. It has large, flat rosettes of leaves that grow up to 70 cm high and come in different colors: from light green to bluishtowards dark red or black. Like the other plants in the genus, Aeonium prefers sunny locations and well-drained soil. It is not hardy and as a container plant or in a stone bed or pot garden it needs to be overwintered bright and cool at 10° to 15°.
3. Hoya Kerrii
Because of the unusual leaf shape, Hoya kerrii is colloquially known as the heart plant. It comes from Southeast Asia and is also very popular in Europe as an exotic houseplant. It also develops very beautiful umbel-like shoots and numerous showy flowers. The Hoya grows in well-drained and loose soil. It is best to mix mineral soil with sand or use cactus soil. The plant must not be in direct sunlight, but it still needs a sunny location.
4. Cactus Epiphyllum anguliger/ Segeblattkaktus
Epiphyllum anguliger is a very popular cactus variety known by many names such as Zig-Zag Cactus, Fishbone Cactus, Fishbone Cactus or Sawfly Cactus. It is an orchid cactus that has a wonderful scent. It produces large, pure white flowers from late summer to autumn that last for many weeks. The cactus will feel comfortable on a windowsill or in a mini greenhouse in partial shade. It prefers temperatures between 23 and 28°C during the day and around 20°C at night.
5. Trachyandra
Succulent care - how to water the plants correctly!
Succulents are the all-rounders in the plant world - they can be propagated quickly and offer a space-saving alternative for your home and garden. What plays a crucial role in succulent care is watering - we give you useful tips on what you need to pay attention to and how to care for the plants
This extraordinary plant comes from south-eastern Africa and is actually threatened with extinction in the wild. It is specially cultivated as an attractive houseplant that is particularly eye-catching.
6. Euphorbia obese
Euphorbia obesa is also known as baseball spurge and is assigned to the spurge family. The milky sap of this desert plant can cause skin rashes in sensitive people, so it should never be placed within the reach of children or pets. Caring for Euphorbia obesa is easy. It remains relatively small and reaches a maximum height of around 30 cm and a diameter of around 9 cm. It does not form thorns, but usually has eight raised ribs on which small, blunt teeth grow. Small grey-green false flowers also form there. As an exotic species, the plant finds a central place in many exotic collections due to its exceptionally symmetrical appearance.
7. Crassula Umbella
Crassula is a succulent plant that comes in different shapes and sizes and belongs to the thick-leaved family. Depending on the species, it can reach a height of between 50 and 150 cm. Typical of all Crassula species are the thick-fleshed leaves, which are arranged one against the other. Their flowers are usually inconspicuous, but there are species that also produce magnificent flowers. The plant is not very difficult to care for, but it has its demands. It prefers light-rich locations and cannot tolerate too much fertilizer or excessive waterlogging.
8. Platycerium
Platycerium is classified in the fern genus and is characterized by the unusual pinnate shape of the leaves and is therefore referred to as staghorn fern. The plant grows epiphytically and is native to the tropical regions and rainforests of Africa, Southeast Asia, South America and Australia. It holds on to the tree using its antler-like leaves. Platycerium are very adaptable and can therefore be cultivated wonderfully as houseplants. Since the plant leaves can spread up to 100 cm, you should provide a suitable warm, humid and bright to partially shaded location without direct sunlight.
9. Euphorbia Caput-Medusae
Euphorbia Caput-Medusae is a species of succulent plant native to South Africa. It gets its name from the many snake-like stems that emerge from a central trunk and resemble the head of a Medusa. An optimal location for this unusual houseplant is on the windowsill or in a partially shaded mini greenhouse.
10. Euphorbia Tirucalli
Euphoribia tirucalli belongs to the spurge family, this plant species is also known as Tirucalli spurge, pencil euphorbia or latex spurge. Like other plants in this genus, the sap can irritate the skin and cause rashes in sensitive people. Therefore, you should avoid the plant within the reach of children and pets. Euphoribia tirucalli can also be called because of its round, pencil-like and abundantly branched shootsa decorative foliage plantdesignate. It grows as a vigorous shrub and can reach a height of up to 10 meters in its habitat. When it comes to care, full sunlight is very important all year round.
11. Haworthia Cooperi
Haworthia is a succulent perennial that belongs to the aloe family. There are many different looking varieties, most of which have very interestingly shaped and colored leaves. They originally come from South Africa and Namibia and, like other succulents, are extremely easy to care for. You should especially be careful with watering. Their resting phase is in July and August and they need very little water. The rest of the time it is enough to water once a week and even rarely in winter. The optimal location for the plant is not in direct sun, but rather in the shade, for example on a north window.
12. Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'/ Korkenzieherbinse
The corkscrew rush has proven to be a popular and unusual houseplant that always causes a stir in the home. It impresses with its long, lush green twisted stalks, which are also wonderful for decorating bouquets. You can also use the corkscrew rush in the pond as a special evergreen eye-catcher. However, if it has enough nutrients, it spreads extremely and therefore becomes more maintenance-intensive. It usually reaches a height of 40 – 50 cm and requires a bright location and enough moisture.
13. Sedum morganianum/ Affenschaukel
Sedum morganianum, also known colloquially as monkey swing, is a herbaceous perennial with long, drooping shoots. It comes from tropical Central America - southern Mexico and Honduras. Therefore it cannot tolerate temperatures below 7°C. Because of the long shoots - up to 60 cm long, which hang freely over the edge of the pot, the plant is one of the few Sedum species that can be cultivated as an ampel plant in the home and can also be left outside in summer.
14. Aegagropila linnaei/ Mooskugel oder Moosball
Moss ball, moss ball or bothan Aegagropila linnaei is an aquatic plant that is not only used in aquariums, but also makes a great eye-catcher in any transparent glass container. It is often commercially available and is common in both brackish water and freshwater lakes. The moss balls grow slowly and are around 3 to 10 centimeters in size. They do not require any special care and are not crucial for the water quality in the aquarium, but rather provide a visual enhancement.
15. Gentiana Urnula/ Enziane
Gentiana Urnula is an extraordinary perennial that grows between the stones and impresses with its thick, symmetrical leaves. It belongs to the large family of gentians, which are mostly found in alpine habitats in Europe, Asia, North and South America. Some species, such as Gentiana Urnula, can also be grown as houseplants in the home, while others are difficult to grow outside of their original habitat. They prefer full sun but can also grow in partial shade. The soil should be well-drained and neutral to acidic. They are particularly popular for growing in rock gardens.
16. Senecio rowleyanus/ pea plant, peas on a string, string of pearls
This strange plantowes its common name to its leaves, which are very similar to pea seeds. It comes from South Africa and is actually not related to peas. It loves sunny to semi-sunny locations and can be cultivated in the apartment or on the balcony in summer. However, it does not tolerate direct sunlight. Conventional cactus soil is very suitable for substrate. The pea plant should be watered continuously in summer and winter.
17. Of the Helicons
Heliconias are tropical plants native to the Caribbean. With their attractive, brightly colored flowers, they enchant living spaces and create an exotic, paradisiacal atmosphere. There are over 225 known species, all of which exude the same colorful tropical beauty. Depending on the variety, the plants reach a height of between 60 and 200 cm and are characterized by upright or hanging growth. Their flowering phase begins from April to July/August. Caring for these exotic plants requires many years of gardening experience and is therefore not suitable for newcomers. Above all, the heliconias need a lot of light, but should not be in full sunshine.
18. Tillandsia/air plants
The rootless tillandsias, also known as air plants, are among the most attractive and unusual houseplants. Now they have become very popular as a living home decoration. In contrast to conventional plant species, they do not draw valuable nutrients and water from the substrate, but from the air via the leaves. Above all, they require high humidity and are therefore suitableperfect for a bright bathroom.
19. Opuntia santa-rita
This plant species with an extraordinary color belongs to the cactus family. It grows shrubby and can be up to 2 - 3 meters high and wide. This type of cactus needs a suitable warm and sunny location where it can spread. In nature it is particularly widespread in the southern regions of the United States and Mexico.
20. Puna clavarioides
Puna clavarioides is a small cactus that is also known colloquially by the terrible name Negro finger. It grows slowly and differs little in terms of care from other conventional cactus plants. Above all, it needs a sunny and warm location and a permeable substrate.
