West Virginia grandmas always seem to keep the most interesting plants on their windowsills. I recently learned some of those old favorites are worth far more than I imagined.
Collectors are crazy about certain vintage varieties. It’s funny how something so familiar can turn out to be a treasure. You might be watering a little goldmine without even realizing it.
1. Variegated Monstera Deliciosa
Grandmothers across West Virginia knew this plant as the “swiss cheese plant,” but the variegated version is a collector’s dream today. Each leaf displays stunning white and green patterns that make no two plants identical.
Collectors pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for cuttings because the variegation occurs naturally and unpredictably. Your grandma probably kept hers near a bright window, rotating it weekly to maintain those gorgeous markings.
If you inherited one from a West Virginia home, check online marketplaces to see current prices—you might be pleasantly surprised by what it’s worth today!
2. Hoya Carnosa Compacta
With twisted, rope-like leaves that curl into fascinating shapes, this Hoya was a favorite in many West Virginia households. Grandma called it her “wax plant” because of the thick, waxy texture of its foliage.
Mature specimens with established root systems fetch premium prices from plant enthusiasts. The fragrant, star-shaped flowers that bloom in clusters add to its appeal and value.
West Virginia grandmas knew patience was key—these slow growers take years to reach their full cascading beauty, making older plants especially valuable to impatient collectors seeking instant gratification.
3. Philodendron Pink Princess
Did you know this stunning plant can sell for over $200 for just a single cutting? The pink and green variegation creates an almost painted appearance that social media has made wildly popular.
Your grandma in West Virginia probably propagated hers from a neighbor’s plant decades ago, long before anyone knew its future value. The more pink on the leaves, the higher the price tag climbs among modern collectors.
Keeping the pink coloration requires specific light conditions, something experienced West Virginia plant keepers mastered through years of trial and observation.
4. String of Hearts
Cascading like delicate jewelry, this trailing beauty adorned many West Virginia porches and sunrooms. The tiny heart-shaped leaves connected by thin purple stems created living curtains that grandmas loved showing off to visitors.
Rare variegated varieties with pink, white, and green leaves command especially high prices today. Established plants with long, full strands are worth significantly more than young starts.
West Virginia grandmothers often propagated these by laying strands on soil, creating new plants to share with friends—a generous habit that now seems financially questionable!
5. Anthurium Clarinervium
Velvety leaves etched with brilliant white veins make this Anthurium unforgettable. Your West Virginia grandma might have called it her “velvet cardboard” plant because of the thick, textured foliage that feels almost artificial.
These tropical beauties thrive in the humidity West Virginia summers provide, though winter indoor heating challenged even experienced growers. Collectors now pay premium prices for mature specimens with multiple leaves and good root development.
The dramatic appearance and relatively difficult care requirements keep demand high while supply remains limited, pushing values upward for well-maintained plants passed through West Virginia families.
6. Begonia Maculata
Polka dots weren’t just for dresses in West Virginia homes—this Begonia brought the pattern indoors with silver-spotted leaves and crimson undersides. Grandma probably kept several cuttings rooting in water glasses on her kitchen windowsill.
The striking appearance photographs beautifully, making it Instagram-famous and driving prices upward for healthy specimens. Established plants with multiple canes and abundant foliage sell for significantly more than single-stem cuttings.
West Virginia’s variable climate taught grandmas to watch for powdery mildew, a skill that kept their Begonias thriving when others failed miserably with this somewhat finicky beauty.
7. Alocasia Zebrina
Those zebra-striped stems supporting arrow-shaped leaves made this Alocasia a conversation starter in West Virginia parlors. Grandma understood that this plant needed consistent moisture and humidity—conditions she maintained through dedicated misting and pebble trays.
Modern collectors obsess over the dramatic stem patterns and pay handsomely for specimens with multiple healthy bulbs. Larger plants with established root systems command the highest prices in today’s competitive market.
West Virginia grandmothers knew this plant went dormant sometimes, patiently waiting for new growth rather than throwing away seemingly dead plants—wisdom that saved many valuable specimens!
8. Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma
Often mistaken for a miniature Monstera, this fast-growing climber graced many West Virginia homes before anyone called it “Mini Monstera.” Grandma’s specimen probably reached across an entire wall, trained along strings or wooden supports she crafted herself.
The split leaves and vigorous growth habit make it popular with impatient collectors wanting instant jungle vibes. Established climbing plants with multiple growth points sell for considerably more than basic cuttings.
Your West Virginia grandma’s secret was probably giving it something tall to climb—these plants develop larger, more dramatic leaves when allowed to ascend rather than trail downward.
9. Scindapsus Pictus Exotica
Shimmering like satin fabric, this trailing beauty hung in West Virginia bathrooms where steam from showers kept it happy. The silvery spots splashed across velvety green leaves caught light beautifully, creating living artwork grandma admired during her morning routine.
Collectors particularly value the ‘Exotica’ variety for its larger, more abundant silver markings compared to common versions. Long, full strands with healthy growth tips command premium prices from enthusiasts seeking mature specimens.
West Virginia grandmas knew bathroom humidity worked magic on this plant, a free growing condition that many modern plant parents struggle to replicate artificially with expensive equipment.
10. Peperomia Polybotrya
Shaped like perfect raindrops, these glossy leaves earned this Peperomia a special spot on West Virginia windowsills. Grandma appreciated its compact size and forgiving nature—it tolerated occasional watering neglect better than many houseplants.
The thick, almost succulent-like leaves store water efficiently, making it ideal for busy grandmothers balancing garden work and household duties. Collectors now seek out mature clumps with numerous stems and unblemished foliage.
West Virginia plant keepers discovered this beauty stayed compact and attractive without much fussing, unlike leggy plants requiring constant pruning and maintenance to look presentable for Sunday visitors.
11. Calathea White Fusion
Painted with white, green, and purple brushstrokes, this Calathea represents the crown jewel of prayer plants. West Virginia grandmas who successfully grew these were considered plant wizards by neighbors because of the notoriously finicky care requirements.
The stunning variegation and dramatic leaf movement at night make collectors willing to pay hundreds for healthy specimens. Established plants with multiple stems and vibrant coloration fetch the highest prices.
Your grandma’s success in West Virginia likely came from understanding this plant craved humidity and consistency—conditions she provided through careful placement and unwavering routine that modern plant parents struggle to maintain.
12. Philodendron Gloriosum
Velvety heart-shaped leaves crawling across the soil made this Philodendron unique among West Virginia houseplants. Unlike climbing varieties, this beauty spreads horizontally, creating a living carpet that grandma displayed in wide, shallow containers.
The prominent white veins contrasting against deep green velvet command attention and high prices from serious collectors. Mature plants with multiple growth points and large leaves are especially valuable in today’s market.
West Virginia grandmothers understood this crawler needed room to spread, often repotting into wider containers rather than deeper ones—knowledge that kept their specimens thriving when others wondered why their plants looked cramped and unhappy.
13. Monstera Adansonii Variegata
Smaller than its famous cousin, this variegated version creates delicate lace-like patterns with holes and white markings. West Virginia grandmas trained these to climb walls or trail from high shelves, creating living curtains that filtered afternoon sunlight beautifully.
The combination of natural leaf holes and unpredictable variegation makes each plant unique and highly sought after. Single cuttings with good variegation can sell for several hundred dollars to eager collectors.
Your grandma’s West Virginia home probably provided the bright indirect light this plant craves, along with the consistent care that maintained those valuable white markings through multiple generations of growth and propagation.