If you’re looking for easy-to-grow plants for your indoor plant collection, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a list of the best exotic house plants and flowers to inspire you.
In case you’re interested in philodendron varieties, we have a list just for you. But, if you’re looking for low-maintenance indoor plants (with a difficulty level!), we’ve got you covered right here.
Exotic Indoor Plants List
Air Plants
The exotic and popular Tillandsia family comes in a variety of unique colors. Whether it’s pink, light blue, or lavender, these small, colorful plants are easier to grow than most.
Air plants are recognizable because of their shape: air plants appear with long, spikey foliage with a unique pompom-like appearance.
If you’re looking for low-care plants, air plants are one of the best choices. This beautiful species only need water once a week. Soak your air plants in a jar of water, shake them dry, and put them back in their spot.
These houseplants don’t need to live in a pot; in fact, they do best as wall decoration. Bright and indirect light works best, as this species retains its color in the shade.
This indoor plant lives on trees in the wild, but they definitely work as house plants, too! Air plants are often collected in groups, so feel free to add more than one to your collection.
Tillandsia Varieties To Add To Your Collection
- Air Plant ‘Ionantha’ – This classic plant comes in red, neon, and green foliage and needs little space in your garden or room.
- Air Plant ‘Xerographica’ – This variety loves growing its leaves in a curly, wavy fashion that’s sure to be an interesting conversation piece.
Alocasias
With their mesmerizing triangle leaves, these tropical plants are native to the jungles of Africa and Asia. The Alocasia family belongs to a special variety of plants that are famously challenging to care for.
If you’re ready to up your gardening game, this plant is it! You won’t be disappointed with their exotic foliage: it’s especially rewarding to grow alocasias for their leaves, because of how much effort it takes.
With the proper light and watering techniques, these houseplants are surprisingly easy to grow. Alocasias are usually found living under forest trees and thus, receive filtered and bright indirect light.
What’s more, Alocasias thrive in rainforests. This means that the water they receive is distilled and the soil in their environment is consistently moist and humid.
Alocasia Varieties To Try
- Alocasia ‘Elephant Ears’ – This variety has green leaves with white veins that have a very exotic houseplant vibe!
- Alocasia ‘Amazonica’ – This indoor variety was actually cultivated and grown in the United States, not the Amazon.
- Alocasia ‘Frydek’ – For a classic look, this alocasia has green leaves and thick stems that add a certain glow to any indoor space.
Anthuriums
If you want to add a jungle vibe to your houseplant collection, Anthuriums definitely give off that exotic, tropical decoration you’re looking for. The best part? These beauties still bloom in the winter!
Found naturally growing in the forests of South America, this species has become popular in recent years because of its large, beautiful leaves and delicate flowers.
Anthurium plants love high humidity and indirect sun. To care for them, you may want to buy a humidifier and provide them with moist but well-draining soil. Consistent water supply is also a must!
These interesting plants grow amazingly in indoor settings. If you manage to snag this houseplant, you’re in for a treat: in ideal settings, this exotic species produces curved flowers and fruit, too!
Exotic Anthurium Houseplants To Buy
- Anthurium ‘Flamingo Flower’ – This classic houseplant produces red and pink flowers that look great in indoor settings.
- Anthurium ‘Crystallinum’ – This exotic beauty grows foliage that looks like crystals, hence its name!
- Anthurium ‘Magnificum’ – Being a more common member of the Anthurium family, this stunning plant’s green leaves really do look magnificent.
Begonia
If you’re a fan of interesting leaves, the Begonia family is a perfect add-on to your collection. These exotic houseplants come with crinkled, paper-like leaves that are perfect for all types of indoor settings.
Native to tropical climates, these houseplants don’t disappoint: their leaves come in dazzling colors of red, yellow, purple, and even pink! Their beautiful blooms even look like roses.
To grow your Begonia, water and light are a must. This exotic houseplant needs well-draining soil and humidity for its growing conditions. Begonias often start small, so an appropriate-sized pot is a must.
The blooming season of this plant is usually from the early summer to early winter. During those months, feel free to add a monthly fertilizer for your blooms to have more color.
Begonia Varieties For Your Collection
- Begonia ‘Angel Wings’ – This houseplant grows polka-dotted green leaves that are shaped just like angel wings, hence being called this nickname.
- Begonia ‘Rex’ – The Rex Begonia plant comes in beautiful pink and purple-colored leaves that add an eye-catching accent both indoors and in the garden.
- Begonia ‘Wax’ – Wax Begonias have petal-shaped leaves and are great for small growing spaces. As a houseplant, this variety requires little care and produces colorful flowers.
Carnivorous Plants
What’s more exotic than some carnivorous plants? A carnivorous plant is a sure way to bring the tropics right to your home. Being anything but common, carnivorous plant varieties make for perfect houseplants!
As you’ve probably guessed, carnivorous plants are called that way because they live off eating small insects and animals. If you plan to grow one, it’s a must to keep a supply of living bugs to keep your plant fed.
Naturally growing around jungles and high humidity areas, you’ll need to give your plant a little humidity, too. Misting a little water on your plant can add some humidity, but a humidifier is best.
In the wild, a carnivorous plant thrives in full sun, so make sure to give them plenty of light. They also like to be dry most of the time, so a weekly watering will do just fine.
Carnivorous Plant Species To Grow Your Collection
- Venus Flytrap – This iconic red and green-colored plant is the definition of exotic. With its stunning, clamp-like leaves, keep this plant in a sunny area and feed it plenty of bugs!
- Nepenthes ‘Pitcher Plant’ ‘Monkey Cup’ – This rare, cup-shaped plant has light yellow pockets that trap prey and swallow them whole. How’s that for hardcore?
- Sarracenia ‘Black Widow’ – With lovely red-purple pitchers, this plant turns dark black with optimum conditions and eats live insects with gusto!
Ficus Family
Have you ever wanted a tropical collection but don’t know where to start? The Ficus family might be just what you need. Coming in interesting leaf patterns and perfect to grow indoors, this unique species is perfect for tree-lovers!
Ficus plants grow all around the world and some even produce fruits when grown outside. Otherwise, this species still gives off lovely leaves and stunning foliage.
Though Ficus trees seem high-maintenance, the secret trick to their care is not to move them around too much. Consistency is the name of the game. Timed watering, filtered light, (and sometimes, a little prayer vigil) can do wonders for this plant.
Depending on the type of plant, light and water requirements will vary. For an indoor setting, bright indirect light and weekly watering are more than enough.
Ficus Types For Your Collection
- Ficus Lyrata ‘Fiddle Leaf Fig’ – This popular plant is definitely a level-up for beginner gardeners. When given proper care, the thick and leathery leaves of this plant shine like no other.
- Ficus Elastica ‘Rubber Tree’ ‘Tineke’ – With shades like ruby red and warm pink, this Ficus graces even the most plain-looking rooms with pops of color.
- Ficus Triangularis – The triangle leaves of this plant are variegated with flecks of gold and light green.
Monstera Family
The monstera family is filled with interesting species that add exoticism to any indoor space. If you want to convert your room into a jungle in minutes, these quirky-looking plants are a must!
Often, the image of a tropical haven is incomplete without a monstera plant. The signature leaves of the Monstera Deliciosa is an exotic favorite because of its holes, which are scientifically called fenestrations.
The Monstera family is filled with interesting plants to add to your collection. From their adorable leaves to their easy care (bright indirect light and once a week watering!), these gorgeous greens are the definition of exotic.
Monsteras for your Indoor Space
- Monstera Adansonii ‘Five Holes plant’ – This member of the monstera family vines like a Pothos plant, and produces holes like a Monstera deliciosa. It’s small and compact, too!
- Monstera Albo Variegata – This popular plant is a genetic rarity among your usual green Monstera deliciosa. With its shining white-specked leaves, it’s the cream of the crop in indoor gardening.
- Monstera ‘Thai Constellation’ – With a similar appearance to the Monstera Albo, the Thai Constellation is filled with golden-yellow variegation that resembles the night sky.
Read more: Find where you can buy variegated monstera plants
Marantaceae Family ‘Prayer Plants’
If you want to add a touch of the tropics to your home with just a few plants, this family is a top contender. Native to the lowland tropics of Asia and Africa, these famous plants often have the habit of folding up their leaves at night as if in prayer, thus earning the nickname Prayer plants.
These lovely green, pink, and sometimes purple plants come in many varieties. If you’re also up for a challenge, this family is famously known for its love of high humidity and consistent watering.
The most popular members of the Marantaceae family are Calatheas, Stromanthes, and Ctnenanthe plants. One thing they have in common is that they prefer indirect light and warm temperatures.
If your room is a little on the dark side but also high in humidity, these plants reward you with gorgeous leaves and lifelike movement.
Marantaceae members to add to your home
- Stromanthe ‘Triostar’ – This lovely, bright pink plant produces blush-colored leaves that become a centerpiece in any garden.
- Maranta ‘Rabbit’s Foot’ – The foliage of this plant produces leaves that appear like a bunny’s tiny soles, and like its other marantaceae cousins, it folds up at night, too!
- Calathea ‘Pinstripe’ – This plant produces green leaves with bright, narrow pink stripes, thus earning the name ‘pinstriple plant’!
Orchids
No garden is complete without an orchid or two. If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at growing this plant, this is your sign!
Orchid plants come in multiple shades and hues. The most common are Moth orchids, which sell for an economical price. Rarer types, though, go up to the thousands per piece!
The key to orchid care really comes down to the soil. A small investment of orchid-specific bark and good watering habits will keep your blooms around for a very long time. Months, in fact!
Orchids don’t need much water. Sometimes, once a week is just enough. A bit of sunlight in the morning will work well, too. Orchids don’t need much maintenance as long as their soil needs are met.
You’ll want to explore your local store for different types. Whichever Orchid you choose, though, will be a fun and rewarding experience.
Orchids For Your Indoor Jungle
- Phalaenopsis ‘Moth Orchid’ – Known best for its delicate yellow and white blooms, this variety is a great add-on to any collection.
- Cattleya Orchid – The dazzling pink blooms of this plant will not disappoint. These all-time favorites are a mainstay centerpiece in an indoor garden.
Succulents
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just juicy Echeverias that belong to the succulent family: Cactus plants fall under this species, too!
Known for their easy care and love for neglect, succulents add a southern touch to any exotic plant collection. Whether inside your house or outside in the garden, these houseplants are adapted to practically any environment.
Just about every type of succulent and cactus loves dryness and sunlight. Full sun works for most types, but partial shade is great, too! Give these beauties lots of sun and twice a month watering.
Actually, these plants don’t need much to thrive; these plants don’t even need fertilizer. Their only requirement is good soil: tons of perlite and sand will work best.
Succulents To Collect and Bring Home
- Lithops ‘ Living Rock’– These button-shaped cuties have delicate white flowers and have season-specific care.
- Mammillaria Elongata Cristata ‘Brain Cactus’ – This rare plant is called a Brain Cactus for a reason: it resembles this organ in a funky and unique way. An equally uncommon pot pairs well with it!
- Pachyphytum Compactum ‘Little Jewel’ – If you love jewelry, this succulent produces long, crystal-like fleshy growth that’s far from common.
