Looking to truly stand out from the crowd? We’ve rounded up our favorite unusual plants to delight your sensibilities and help you create a truly unique gardenscape or houseplant display. What makes a plant unusual, you ask? Many of our picks boast especially bright colors, complex shapes, uniquely patterned leaves, and even truly out-there features like spikes! Here at HomeHobby, we’re big fans of expressing yourself through your garden, so don’t be afraid to go crazy and really embrace these unusual plants in your home or in your yard! Just be aware that just like many others, some of these plants may be toxic to humans or pets; if you have children or animals, be sure to read the label information carefully before purchasing. Ready to start exploring the weird and wonderful world of unusual plants? Check out our favorites below!
#1 Elephanthead Lousewort

Looking for something nontraditional? Elephanthead Lousewort (Pedicularis groenlandica) offers purplish leaves in early spring that give way to pinkish-purple petals in the shape of an elephant’s head and trunk. Not suitable for beginners, these unusual plants can be a challenge to grow, but the intricate blooms are well worth the effort. Bonus? The flowers are popular with bees! Elephanthead Lousewort is hardy in Zones 2 to 7.
#2 Porcupine Tomato

Looking for a zany, truly unique houseplant? Porcupine Tomato (Solanum pyracanthum), sometimes called Devil’s Thorn, is a great choice! The plant’s lobe-shaped, gray-green leaves, stems, and fruits are all shot through with bright orange spines. While its foreboding spikes are fascinating and its blooms are considered very beautiful, it is important to be aware that all parts of this unusual plant are poisonous. Porcupine Tomato is hardy in Zones 9 – 11.
#3 Spider Orchid

The colorful, uniquely shaped blooms on Spider Orchids (Brassia) resemble large spiders. Interestingly, it is this very appearance that attracts wasps, who help pollinate these singular orchids. If you’re searching for an unusual plant that truly stands out from the crowd, Spider Orchids are a great choice. They are hardy in Zone 12.
#4 Gloriosa Lily

With its unusual petals, Gloriosa Lily (Gloriosa superba) makes a stunning climber for a wall or trellis in your yard. The national flower of Zimbabwe, it does best in temperate or tropical climates, but can thrive as an annual in colder areas. It is hardy in Zones 8 – 10.
#5 Polka Dot Begonia

Polka Dot Begonia (Begonia maculata var. wightii) features unusually striking polka-dotted leaves with ruffled edges. Polka Dot Begonia grows 3 to 4 feet tall and is hardy in Zone 10, though it can be grown as an annual elsewhere and does very well indoors.
#6 Snake’s Head Fritillary

Snake’s Head Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) features bell-shaped blooms with a unique checkered pattern that resembles snakeskin. Shades include reddish brown, purple, and white. Consider planting yours in groups, as the pattern is especially stunning when these spring-blooming bulbs are sown in clusters. Snake’s Head Fritillary is deer-resistant and hardy in Zones 3 – 8.
#7 Sea Holly

Sea Holly (Eryngium selections) boasts blueish to lavender flowerheads surrounded by impressive blue bracts. In addition to its unusual appearance, Sea Holly is extremely deer-resistant as well as rabbit-resistant. It can tolerate drought and can even handle frequent cuttings for vases and bouquets. Sea Holly prefers full sun and is hardy in Zones 4 – 10, though this can vary slightly depending on which variety you choose.
#8 Sensitive Plant

Sensitive Plant (Mimosa pudica) boasts delicate powder-puff flowers set against lacy, fern-like leaflets. And it earns its name! When touched, the sensitive leaves fold up one pair at a time, all the way down the plant’s axis. Just 15 – 20 minutes later, the leaflets open up again, displaying an impressive bravery and resilience. Sensitive Plants are considered perennials and are hardy in Zones 7 – 13. Note that they can’t be overwintered indoors, where they deteriorate quickly after blooming, and also be aware that they are considered invasive in tropical areas.
#9 Prairie Smoke

Want to add some whimsical appeal to your gardenscape? Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) is a great option! It offers clusters of reddish-pink, maroon, or purple flowers with fused sepals that bloom in groups of three. The blooms are then followed by fluffy seed heads in a silvery-pink hue. In fall, the semievergreen leaves turn red, orange, or purple. Prairie Smoke is hardy in Zones 3 – 7.
#10 Artillery Plant

This unusual houseplant is a great way to add a touch of green to your home! Artillery Plant (Pilea semidentata) boasts vibrantly green, lance-shaped foliage. Reddish buds appear periodically. When misted, they burst open with a puff of pollen, hence this unique plant’s name. Artillery Plant is easy to grow indoors — just be sure to provide plenty of sunlight — and is a great way to add a pop of color to your space.
#11 Sedeveria ‘Pink Ruby’

Sedeveria ‘Pink Ruby’ succulents boast a bright, rich pink color with just a hint of green. They do best with large amounts of bright light and only need to be watered once their dirt has completely dried out. They are hardy in Zones 9 – 12 but are often grown indoors as houseplants.
#12 Candy Cane Sorrel

Candy Cane Sorrel (Oxalis versicolor) offers standout buds decorated with swirls of red and white that open with the sun to reveal white flowers with ribbons of red (they are reminiscent of candy canes, hence the name). These unusual swirly blooms last from midsummer through the fall. Candy Cane Sorrel does best in full sun and can be grown successfully in beds, containers, or even as houseplants. Candy Cane Sorrel is hardy in Zones 7 – 9.
#13 Sticks on Fire

Sticks on Fire (Euphorbia tirucallii) is a brightly colored succulent with an unusual shape that characterized by a thicket of loosely branching vertical stems. Vaguely alien in appearance, it’s a great way to add unique appeal to your gardenscape. It also makes a great container plant, but be aware that it is toxic to humans and pets — and when broken, the stems ooze sap that can irritate skin. It is hardy in Zones 10 – 12.
Want more garden inspiration? Check out our favorite colorful flowers or learn how to care for your unique succulents!