Most people collect rare books, old maps, vintage records, and out-of-circulation coins. If you're like us, you probably collect plants.


Plant collection is a significant part of the plant-keeping hobby, with some people known to spend massive amounts of their money and time to acquire and grow cuttings of the rarest plants on the market.


Here are some of the most coveted plants in the plant-keeping hobby:


Monstera deliciosa Variegata


 

Noted for their beautifully speckled and blotched leaves, Variegated Monsteras (Thai Constellation, Sport, Albo Variegata) have become extremely popular, with top-quality specimens fetching large amounts of money from collectors all around the world. 

According to experts, the major reason behind their beauty also contributes to their rarity. This is because the plants’ patterns are caused by a lack of chlorophyll in their leaves, which means they need more light and that they grow at a much slower rate compared to their non-variegated forms. 

This slower growth rate, experts said, then leads to slower propagation and production – two of the factors that drive the plants’ sky-high prices.


Philodendron 'Pink Princess'


One of the most stunning plants on the market, the Philodendron Pink Princess is coveted for its showy pink and crimson leaves.

A cultivar of the fairly common Philodendron erubescens, the 'Pink Princess' owes its rareness – and hefty price tag – to the fact that its growers cannot guarantee that every plant will actually develop enough of its signature pink leaves for it to be sold as a Pink Princess.

Aglaonema pictum 'Tricolor'

Plant collectors looking for splashes of color will definitely find it in the Aglaonema pictum var. Tricolor, which has a mixture of three beautiful shades of green on its foliage. 

Similar to other rare plants, the Tricolor owes its rarity to its slow growth rate, as well as difficulties in its production, given that the plant cannot be reproduced successfully through tissue culture.


Variegated Fiddle Leaf Fig


The fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is already a magnificent plant in its own right, with its slender stems and sculptural leaves lending a striking presence to any space. Its cultivar, the Variegated Fiddle Leaf Fig, takes that to a whole other level, with the plant’s beautiful eggshell colored leaves being absolute showstoppers.

Grown mostly in Thailand, Variegated Fiddle Leaf Figs can be fussy to care for, mainly because of the low amounts of chlorophyll in its leaves.


Philodendron melanochrysum


Also known as black-gold philodendrons, Philodendron melanochrysum are a rare type of vining plant that have become popular among plant collectors due to their gorgeous and exotic-looking foliage.

Native to South American jungles, Philodendron melanochrysum appreciates high humidity, indirect sunlight, and consistent watering.

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