5. Philodendron bipinnatifidum ‘Tortum’
If you’re looking for a Philodendron that doesn’t look like a Philodendron at all, this is the plant for you.
Tortum has large leaves with deep lobes and pointed tips in a stunning deep green color. This shape makes the plant more characteristic of a palm or a fern than a Philodendron, bound to stun and confuse any visitors to your home.
The rarity of this plant comes with an interesting story. Tortum, discovered in 1957, naturally grows in a specific region of the Amazon. Just a few years after its discovery, the Brazilian government declared this area protected, limiting how many plants could be harvested for propagation.
The surge in demand has only made this plant more difficult to get, resulting in a higher price tag. When purchased from a nursery or grower directly, they may not be that expensive, but these opportunities are few and far between.
Instead, houseplant collectors are forced to pay far higher prices from others who have managed to get their hands on one. A large and established plant can cost as much as $250, often more, on marketplaces like Etsy.
Luckily, if you do get your hands on one, you can take comfort in the fact that these plants are quite easy to care for.
6. Anthurium regale
Anthurium regale is a species you may not immediately associate with the traditional Anthuriums we have come to know indoors. Its size, difficulty to reproduce, stunning color, and rarity make this Anthurium one of the most expensive on the market.
Anthurium regale has massive leaves, far larger than most houseplants. They are rounded at the base and pointed at the tips, with bright white veins that allow you to spot them from a mile away.
Smaller plants come in at just under $100 – when they are in stock. However, since they are often out of stock, the few that are available cost far more than $100, some as much as $400. Check local marketplaces and rare plant groups in your area for a more affordable option.
7. Philodendron Gabby
Philodendron hederaceum, also known as Heartleaf Philodendron, is one of the most popular houseplants around.
There are many cultivars, such as Brasil and Cream Splash, but no cultivar is more expensive or rare than Gabby.
Gabby is a sport of Brasil discovered and sold by Gabriella Plants.
Philodendron Gabby is heavily variegated with creamy yellow and white patches that cover almost the entirety of the leaf.
This variegation is one of the reasons these plants are so popular, as there is no other cultivar like it. However, that is also what makes them so rare and expensive.
Due to the levels of variegation, these plants are incredibly slow-growing. As they can only be reproduced through propagation or tissue culture, building up sufficient stock takes a long time.
According to Gabriella Plants, the difficulty of reproducing this plant means they are only able to grow 300-400 per year, certainly not enough to meet demand.
One small Philodendron Gabby plant will set your back about $500 – that is, if you can manage to get one before they sell out.
8. Monstera obliqua
This Monstera species has become the subject of some controversy and a lot of mislabeling. Due to its similarities to the more common Monstera adansonii and its extreme rarity, some houseplant enthusiasts have argued that any commercially sold obliqua is actually an adansonii.
Part of the obsession is due to a commonly referenced statistic that these plants have only been seen 17 times in the wild. While this outdated number is no longer correct, obliqua still remains quite rare and difficult to come by.
To purchase one of these rare collector’s items, you will need to contact a specialized grower or do some intense detective work to find the real thing.
On auction, one Monstera obliqua plant has sold for as much as $3700. As the interest in this plant increases, that price may grow even bigger.
If you’re on the hunt for one of these, make sure you know how to tell the difference between a mislabeled adansonii and the real thing. Monstera obliqua typically has thinner leaves and more holes than adansonii – to the point where there is more hole than leaf.
9. Variegated Philodendron billietiae
Similar in shape to Paraiso Verde, Philodendron billietiae has become a houseplant staple. Some retailers may sell this plant for a reasonable price, but since they don’t come around often, they are usually resold by collectors with huge markups.
However, the $100 you may pay for a Philodendron billietiae is nothing compared to the cost of the variegated version.
With marbled green and yellow variegation, and large patches left without color, this Philodendron is a truly unique plant.
Typically sourced from private collectors, there are only a few available in the world, leading to eye-watering prices.
Currently, you can find a variegated Philodendron billietiae for an insane $6000 for a small plant and over $7500 for an established one. This plant is reserved for only the most committed houseplant collectors.
