Normal is overrated. Let’s bend the rules and go outside the box. These 7unique houseplant leaves are what you’ve been looking for. Not only are they exciting but rewarding in terms of décor and taste.
Gardeners who have been-there-done-that often find traditional houseplants dull and lackluster. If something bores you, you won’t have the inspiration and the drive to care for it.
But as the old Englishman said, a change is as good as a rest. So whether you’re growing houseplants for the first time or you have experience with houseplants and are looking for something outside the norm to fill your house with, then this blog piece is for you. Jonathan Ritter a medical expert at Gym Expert says houseplant leaves bring more than a sentimental value. They prepare the body and soul for a rigorous workout by immersing the person in a touch of nature.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled seven of the rarest houseplant leaves you’ve may have ever seen. We’ll also give you recommendations on the proper environment, so you get to decide which one works for you.
7 Most Unique Houseplant Leaves for You
Prayer Plant [Maranta leuconeura]
A family that prays together stays together. Well, here is an excellent reminder to do exactly that every night. These slow-growing houseplant leaves fold up at night as if in prayer. They come in a wide variety, including a tricolor type with velvety, deep green leaves, yellow splotches around the midrib surrounded by red veins trekking to the leaf margins. The Calathea orbifolia is another type of prayer plant with a different color shade and somewhat broader leaves.
There’s nothing to worry about with these easy houseplant leaves as they are non-toxic to pets and humans.
The prayer plant grows to around a foot in height and thrives under bright, indirect sunlight. The environment needs to be moist and the soil rich but well-draining.
Begonias
Red-alert!
Begonias are beautiful from afar and will literally call out your name. Just be careful not to be enticed to stuff it in your mouth (or your kids.) The leaves are mildly toxic, and the roots are especially lethal to both pets and humans.
There are currently more than 2000 species of begonias, and most differ in shape, color, and patterns. Begonia is one good example of a houseplant with green leaves and purple underside. With proper care, its flowers will more than wow you. Some unique begonia cultivars have a mixture of more than four colors on the same leaf – that’s not common in the plant kingdom.
Always expose your begonia houseplant leaves to morning sunlight with regular watering. You may also feed these houseplant leaves with houseplant fertilizer every once a month for maximum growth.
Ruffled Fan Palm [Licuala grandis]
Picture a hand fan. Now picture a live growing green hand fan more majestic than your typical store-bought fan. Well, the only difference is, with these lovely houseplant leaves, you can’t use them for fanning yourself.
The large, pleated leaves are quite unusual and have a sensational feeling when you touch these houseplant leaves. They are non-toxic and do well in a moderate supply of water.
Why do houseplant leaves turn yellow? That’s a question we get a lot from houseplant growers. Well, excessive cold and overwatering certain plants is a prime contributor. Therefore, before watering the ruffled fan palm, allow the top two inches of soil to dry out. Licuala enjoys a moderate indirect but bright light.
Snake Plant [Sansevieria trifasciata]
This is one toxic beauty you don’t want anywhere near your mouth, but one that will turn your house into a glorious haven. Some call this exotic beauty ‘mother-in-law’s tongue’ due to their apparent long, sharp appearance leaves. Their sword-like leaves shoot up from the ground and can grow up to 35″ (90cm) tall. The snake plant may not be your ideal pick if you are searching for a houseplant with big green leaves.
This plant variety has several advantages. First, they are not demanding, requiring only a little water and care. They also thrive in low-light environments, making them ideal in winter conditions.
Staghorn Ferns [Platycerium]
Staghorn Ferns are now gaining wide acclamation. Their broad leaves resemble stag’s horns (or elk’s.) Above that, these peculiar houseplant leaves can grow straight from a mounted board with minimal soil. Well, if you are looking for a natural house décor, this is it. In the wild, these elk-like plants don’t sprout from the soil but instead attach themselves to other plants.
Staghorn needs little care and maintenance. They save you the hassle of watering if your house is highly humid. The drier your home, the more water it may need. Alternatively, you can occasionally dunk the entire roots in a bowl of room temperature water for a minute. If you notice the fronds turning darkish-brown, then you are overwatering the plant.
Butterfly Plant [Christia obcordata]
Also commonly known as swallowtail. This outstanding houseplant with 8 leaf clusters has a triangular shape almost mimicking a butterfly. The reddish-purple veins run through to the margin giving the plant a life-like sensation. They have a close similarity to Swiss chards, which are best on whey protein flavor.
The quickest way to kill a butterfly plant is to expose it to direct sunlight. Place it on your window with shears to shade from direct exposure and let visitors enjoy your elegant taste. It could be the best conversation starter.
Wine Cup [Crassula umbella]
If you can’t live without an occasional glass of wine, then these houseplant leaves will complement your taste. Aside from acting as a decorative accent, these beauties are easy to care for. Wine cups feature waxy, round-cupped leaves encircling a stalk of brightly colored yellow-green flowers with an aesthetic reddish pink right at the center.
Winding Up
Before we finish up, we’ll give you one bonus for coming all the way down here. Call it our personal favorite.
Hoya “Lucky Heart” [Hoya Kerii]
It’s not just the enchanting shape that’s attractive about this plant. It’s not just the wide variety of species that draws us to these succulents. There is something magical that words can’t express. They are rare, and they last for years if you treat them well. Rare is always priceless.
Cleaning houseplant leaves amounts to proper care and maintenance for your plants. While some only need a little dusting, you may have to insert others in water and rinse in the shower. Once you’ve settled on your ideal houseplant leaves, be sure to research these plants’ best care and maintenance. If you’re wondering how to identify a houseplant by its leaves, this app is your best tool. All you need is a clear photo.
Bio:
Mr Melvin has lived on a farm all his life, where he gained outstanding knowledge of gardening and farming from his grandparents, and now he continues to grow in this area with his family, passing on knowledge to his children and gaining new ones with their help. Now he has decided to share his experience with others who are as obsessed with gardening as he is.