Top five uncommon indoor plants

YOU most likely own this year’s hottest home accessory – an indoor plant.

If you’ve potted the popular Monstera deliciosa, snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, you’re probably itching to spread your leaves and try something new.

Casey O’Callahan from Hass & Co Botanics in Leederville dishes the dirt on some lesser-known varieties.

Here are her top five.

1. Licuala grandis (AKA fan palm)

While it hasn’t hit the mainstream quite yet, it is gaining popularity. Hass & Co have only been able to source this beauty twice in the last 10 months and on both occasions they were snapped up in the first few hours. They prefer bright indirect light and require a lot of warmth and humidity. According to one of Casey’s customers, people in China use the leaves as a fan in the heat.

2. Pilea peperomioides (Pilea, Chinese money plant or pancake plant)

This one has emerged as the must-have plant of Instagram in recent years. It prefers bright indirect light and warmer temperatures.

3. Monstera adansonii (Swiss cheese vine)

The trailing vine plant has become more available in Perth this year but is still quite rare in the eastern states. It will grow up stakes or poles, and looks wonderful in hanging baskets. It prefers a brighter location but can adapt to lower light areas.

4. Peperomia ‘jade necklace’

It has gorgeous tiny leaves about 1cm in diameter. The foliage looks beautiful trailing over a decorative pot and will sprout tiny flowers. The plant prefers bright, indirect light and plenty of warmth. It will tolerate the soil drying out between watering.

5. Aglaonema ‘Maria’

With a striking camouflage-like pattern on its leaves, this one is super easy to look after and can adapt to lower light conditions. The more variegation the plant has, the more light it will require.