10 Cool and Unique Houseplants for Spring

watermelon peperomia leaves on a white background

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Now that it’s spring (FINALLY), it’s time to start thinking about adding more houseplants to my collection. If you’re feeling the same way, I’ve got 10 really cool and unique houseplants that you’ve GOT to consider. Plus, many of them are pretty low maintenance.

There’s something about owning unique houseplants that seems to impress people. Regardless of how easy or difficult they are to care for, there’s a wow factor! I promise you, these 10 unique houseplants will make you look like you have the magic-green-thumb touch to all your family and friends!

10 Cool and Unique Houseplants – The Quick List

Here is a quick list for reference before we really dive in.

10 Cool and Unique Houseplants – The Details

Below are 10 cool and unique houseplants along with their basic care requirements.

Tillandsia Streptophylla

Lesser known to the Tillandsia Xerographica, this air plant is more compact with tighter, more irregular curls. It’s also called the Linguine Plant! Prefers bright, indirect light. To water, soak it in a bowl of water once a week for about an hour. You may need to adjust soaking time with the time of year and climate.

Grab a Tillandsia Streptophylla here!

Alocasia Baginda

Also known as the Alocasia dragon scale. The first time I ever saw this plant I questioned whether or not it was a real plant! It has shiny leaves with deep green veins and a bumpy texture that resembles a dragon’s scale. Prefers bright, indirect light. Water when the top two or three inches of the potting mix is dry.

Grab an Alocasia Baginda here!

Goldfish Plant

This whimsical plant is known for its bright orange flowers that look like—you guessed it—goldish! Prefers bright, indirect light. Water when the top two inches or so of the potting mix is dry.

Grab yourself a goldfish plant here!

Anthurium Veitchii

This anthurium is known for its striking, very large, long, thin leaves. The leaves can grow to be multiple feet long. Prefers bright, to medium indirect light. Water when the top one to two inches or so of the potting mix is dry. Bright to medium, indirect light.

Grab yourself an Anthurium Veitchii here!

(Large Anthurium Veitchii are very expensive and can be difficult to find, so the one I linked to is a baby plant.)

Watermelon Peperomia

This peperomia’s foliage has such a gorgeous light-and-dark-green watermelon pattern, with round leaves and pointed tips. Prefers bright, indirect light. Water when the top two inches or so of the potting mix is dry. (The photo at the top of this post is a watermelon peperomia.)

Grab yourself a watermelon peperomia here!

Living Stones

Also known by their scientific name, Lithops. They are called living stones because they resemble stones on the ground! I don’t write a lot about succulents, they just aren’t my cup of tea. BUT living stones are honestly the coolest and they have me considering putting my succulent dislike aside. However, they are kind of high maintenance.

Prefers lots of sunlight. Must be watered on a schedule that mimics their natural environment and dormant periods.

Grab yourself some living stones here!

Crocodile Fern

I love epiphytic ferns. They’re so cool to mount on a wall! Everyone loves the staghorn fern, which is great, but the crocodile fern is another incredible plant that is slightly less known. It’s named after its foliage that resembles crocodile skin. Prefers filtered light, but make sure it’s not too bright. Keep the potting mix moist but not wet.

Grab yourself a crocodile fern here!

Ripple Peperomia

I know I know, there’s already a peperomia on this list, but what can I say—I love peperomias! This peperomia has a ripple texture and appears shiny with dark green veins. It kind of reminds me of a mini Alocasia Baginda (the dragon scale alocasia). Prefers bright, indirect light. Water when the top inch or two of the potting mix is dry.

Grab yourself a ripple peperomia here!

Epiphyllum Guatemalense

Also known as the orchid cactus. In my opinion, it is reminiscent of a Hoya carnosa compacta mixed with a bird’s nest fern—really fun and funky looking! Prefers bright, indirect light. Water when the potting mix is dry.

Grab yourself an Epiphyllum Guatemalense here!

Carnivorous Plants

There are many carnivorous plants, but if you’re a beginner I suggest trying out a cape sundew. They are VERY low maintenance and will help you determine if your carnivorous plant itch has been scratched or if you want to purchase something a little more…carnivorous-y.

Cape sundews prefer full sun and their pots should be sitting in a dish of distilled water at all times to mimic a bog environment. There are a few methods of feeding the sundew, the easiest for newbies being just using betta flakes.

Grab yourself a cape sundew here!

I hope I’ve convinced you to add at least one of these unique houseplants to your collection (I think the ripple peperomia is the next one on my list!). If you want to get some “oohs” and “ahhs” from family and friends, these 10 spectacular plants are sure to do just that!