Your grandmother probably had a green thumb and a windowsill full of beautiful plants that brightened up her New York apartment. Back then, these houseplants were common and easy to find at local shops.
Today, some of those same plants have become incredibly rare and valuable, with collectors paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars for them.
1. Monstera Deliciosa Albo Variegata
With stunning white and green marbled leaves, this beauty was once a common sight in Brooklyn brownstones. Grandma probably got hers as a cutting from a neighbor and never imagined it would become so precious.
A single leaf cutting can sell for over $100 today, while mature plants fetch thousands. The variegation makes each plant totally unique, like a living piece of art that changes with every new leaf it grows.
2. Philodendron Pink Princess
Picture dark green leaves splashed with hot pink color that looks almost painted on. Your grandmother might have called this her fancy philodendron and kept it near her favorite reading chair.
New York collectors go crazy for plants with the most pink coloring, paying up to $500 for well-variegated specimens. The pink comes from a natural mutation that makes these plants stand out from their plain green cousins in the philodendron family.
3. Hoya Carnosa Compacta
Twisted, rope-like leaves give this plant its nickname: Hindu Rope Plant. Grandma loved how the thick, waxy foliage would cascade down from hanging baskets in her sunny kitchen window.
What cost just a few dollars decades ago now sells for $50 to $200, depending on size and maturity. When it blooms, the clusters of star-shaped pink flowers smell like chocolate and attract admirers from across the room.
4. Anthurium Clarinervium
Heart-shaped leaves with bright white veins running through them make this anthurium look like nature drew on it with a chalk pencil. Many New York grandmas treasured these as living valentines on their plant shelves.
A healthy plant can command prices between $75 and $300 nowadays. The velvety texture of the leaves feels almost like suede, and each leaf gets bigger and more dramatic as the plant matures over time.
5. Begonia Maculata
Silver polka dots dance across olive green leaves with deep red undersides that look almost magical when light shines through them. Grandma probably called this her spotted beauty and showed it off to every visitor who walked through her door.
Once sold for pocket change, specimens now range from $30 to $150 based on size. The angel wing shape of the leaves and delicate pink flowers add extra charm to this already eye-catching plant.
6. String of Hearts Variegated
Delicate chains of tiny heart-shaped leaves in pink, cream, and green once trailed from macrame hangers in countless New York living rooms. Your grandmother might have started hers from just a few strands shared at a church social.
Those generous cuttings are worth serious money now, with full plants selling for $40 to $200. The variegated version grows slower than the regular type, making it rarer and more sought-after by modern plant enthusiasts.
7. Alocasia Black Velvet
Almost black leaves with silver veins create a dramatic look that seems too fancy for a regular houseplant. Grandma kept hers away from drafty windows and treated it like royalty in her humid bathroom.
Did you know this compact beauty only grows about a foot tall? Despite its small size, collectors in New York and other places pay $60 to $250 for healthy specimens. The velvety texture makes you want to touch the leaves constantly, though gentle handling works best.
8. Scindapsus Pictus Exotica
Shimmery silver splashes cover dark green leaves that seem to sparkle when sunlight hits them just right. Many grandmothers grew this trailing vine along their curtain rods or bookshelf edges without knowing its future value.
The exotica variety shows more silver than regular satin pothos, making it extra special. Prices range from $25 to $100 for established plants. Easy care requirements made it perfect for busy grandmas, and that simplicity still appeals to collectors today.
9. Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma Variegated
Split leaves with creamy yellow and white sections earned this climber the nickname Mini Monstera, though it grows much faster than its famous cousin. Grandma appreciated how quickly it filled empty wall space in her cramped New York apartment.
A variegated cutting alone can cost $150 to $500 now, with full plants reaching even higher prices. The fenestrations, or leaf splits, develop as the plant matures, creating an ever-changing display of natural artistry.
10. Tradescantia Nanouk
Fuzzy leaves striped in pink, purple, white, and green create a cotton candy effect that brightens any room. Your grandmother might have kept cuttings rooting in water glasses on her kitchen counter, always ready to share with friends and family.
This newer cultivar has become incredibly popular in New York, with full baskets selling for $30 to $80. The colors intensify with bright indirect light, and the fast growth means you can create a lush display in just a few months.