10 wildly exotic house plants for your indoor jungle

Imagine walking into your living room and being transported to a lush, tropical paradise. With the right exotic house plants, this dream can become a reality.

The appeal of exotic house plants

House plant enthusiasts are instinctively drawn to unique and exotic specimens to fill their indoor jungles.

I suspect this is because the whole point of indoor plants is to add the magic of nature to your home environment, whether in normal pots and planters or on a stunning indoor plant wall.. And if you are going to bring the natural world indoors, why not feature the most exotic, striking and unusual examples you can find?

That is certainly my approach.

So here, I’ve featured 10 of the best exotic house plants, typified by unusual flowers, stunning foliage shapes and textures, and striking colours.

Top 10 exotic house plants for your indoor jungle

1. Vanilla Orchid (Vanilla planifolia)

The vanilla orchid is a true conversation starter. This climbing vine not only produces fragrant flowers but can also grow vanilla beans indoors. To keep your vanilla orchid thriving:

• Provide bright, indirect light
• Maintain high humidity
• Use a well-draining orchid mix
• Support the vine with a moss pole or trellis

2. Frizzle Sizzle (Albuca spiralis)

The frizzle sizzle plant is a whimsical addition to any plant collection. Its cork-screw-like leaves add a touch of playfulness to your indoor jungle. To care for this quirky plant:

• Place in bright, indirect light
• Allow the soil to dry between waterings
• Provide cool temperatures in winter for best growth

3. Velvet Leaf Anthurium (Anthurium clarinervium)

The velvet leaf anthurium boasts heart-shaped leaves with a mesmerising, velvety texture. Its shimmering foliage can grow quite large, making it a stunning focal point. To keep this beauty happy:

• Provide bright, indirect light
• Use a well-draining potting mix
• Maintain high humidity
• Water when the top inch of soil feels dry

4. Alocasia Jacklyn

The alocasia jacklyn is a showstopper with its dramatic, shield-shaped leaves and striking venation. This exotic plant looks impressive in both large and small sizes. To care for your alocasia jacklyn:

• Place in bright, indirect light
• Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
• Provide high humidity
• Protect from cold drafts

5. Hoya carnosa Krimson Queen

The hoya carnosa ‘Krimson Queen’ is a delightful trailing plant with variegated leaves in shades of green, pink, and white.

Its waxy foliage and occasional clusters of star-shaped flowers make it a true exotic beauty. To keep your hoya happy:

• Provide bright, indirect light
• Allow the soil to dry between waterings
• Use a well-draining potting mix
• Support the vines with a trellis or let them trail

6. Variegated poinsettia

While Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are often associated with Christmas, variegated Poinsettias can be stunning year-round house plants. Their colourful bracts in shades of red, pink, and cream add a tropical flair to any room.

The patterns on the bracts can vary, but they will usually be marbled, mottled, or speckled in appearance. Commonly available varieties of variegated poinsettia include ‘Ice Punch,’ ‘Marble Star,’ ‘Holidaze’, ‘Sonora White Glitter,’ and ‘Winter Rose Marble.

To care for your poinsettia:

• Provide at least 12 hours of bright light daily
• Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
• Maintain moderate humidity
• Prune regularly to encourage bushiness

Read our complete Poinsettia care guide here.

7. Gloriosa lily (Gloriosa superba)

The gloriosa lily, also known as the flame lily, is a climbing plant with spectacular, flame-like flowers. Its unique growth cycle adds to its exotic appeal. To grow this beauty indoors:

• Provide bright, indirect light
• Support the vines with a trellis
• Keep the soil lightly moist during the growing season
• Allow the plant to go dormant in winter

8. Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae)

The bird of paradise plant is renowned for its large, banana-like leaves and striking crane-shaped flowers. Getting these to flower indoors can be hard, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Even the foliage is spectacular, so it is a great plant to grow for the foliage alone.

I grew one of these from seed, and it grew to a decent size in about 3 years. I used to place it outside on a sunny patio in summer.

To care for your bird of paradise:

• Place in the brightest spot possible
• Water deeply but allow the soil to dry between waterings
• Provide high humidity
• Be patient, as flowering may take several years indoors

9. Alocasia Odora

The Alocasia Odoraa is a bold and beautiful tropical plant with large, glossy leaves. Its impressive size makes it perfect for creating an instant jungle vibe. To keep your Alocasia Odora thriving:

• Provide bright, indirect light
• Keep the soil consistently moist
• Maintain high humidity
• Fertilise regularly during the growing season

10. Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa)

The lady palm is an elegant, fan-leaved palm that adapts well to indoor conditions. Its lush, tropical appearance belies its relatively easy care requirements. To grow a healthy lady palm:

• Place in moderate to bright indirect light
• Water with distilled or rainwater when the top inch of soil is dry
• Maintain moderate humidity
• Protect from cold drafts

Tips for successfully growing exotic house plants

Growing exotic house plants can be a rewarding challenge. Here are some general tips to help your indoor jungle thrive:

• Research each plant’s specific light requirements and place them accordingly
• Invest in a humidifier or use pebble trays to increase humidity
• Use well-draining potting mixes suitable for each plant type
• Monitor watering carefully, as many exotic plants are sensitive to overwatering. Make sure you balance the amount of water you give the plant with the amount of light it needs (click the link for more on this)
• Regularly inspect for pests and treat promptly if found.

Creating your own indoor exotic jungle

To create a lush, tropical atmosphere in your home:

• Group plants with similar care requirements together
• Use plants of varying heights and foliage shapes and textures for visual interest
• Incorporate hanging plants to add depth and dimension
• Allow plants to climb and trail to give the layered jungle look
• Display plants on shelves, plant stands, or wall-mounted planters
• Add natural elements like driftwood or rocks to enhance the jungle feel.

By combining these exotic house plants and following proper care techniques, you can transform your living space into a breathtaking indoor jungle.

Remember, each plant is unique and may require some trial and error to get the care right. This means moving plants nearer or further from the light and trying different combinations until you get the look you want.

These unusual and exotic house plants can bring a touch of the extraordinary into your everyday life.