Hidden among the familiar potted plants in Indiana grandmothers’ homes sometimes lurk botanical treasures worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The Hoosier state’s stable indoor climate makes it perfect for nurturing exotic specimens that have quietly appreciated in value over decades.
What started as simple cuttings exchanged at church socials in the 1970s might now represent retirement-fund-worthy investments just sitting on those sunny windowsills.
1. Variegated Monstera Deliciosa
That split-leaf beauty with white patches in Grandma’s sunroom isn’t just pretty—it’s possibly worth over $1,000! Genuine variegated Monsteras have become collector obsessions because each leaf shows unique patterns.
Many Indiana plant enthusiasts acquired these decades ago when they were considered novelties rather than investments. The slow-growing nature and finicky propagation make them increasingly rare in the market.
I once spotted one at my aunt’s place in Fort Wayne that she’d kept since 1982, completely unaware she was nurturing a plant now worth more than her antique china cabinet.
2. Pink Princess Philodendron
Grandma might call it her “pretty pink plant,” but collectors would recognize this stunning philodendron immediately. The striking pink variegation appears randomly on dark leaves, making each plant one-of-a-kind.
Back in the 1980s, these were occasionally available at Indiana garden centers for just a few dollars. Today, a mature specimen can fetch upwards of $300-500, especially if it shows generous pink coloration.
My neighbor’s grandmother in Indianapolis had one trailing along her bookshelf for thirty years—she’d received it as a housewarming gift and never imagined it would become more valuable than her retirement stocks!
3. Mature Fiddle Leaf Fig
That towering tree-like plant in the corner of Grandma’s living room might be paying its rent and then some. Large, established Fiddle Leaf Figs have exploded in value, with six-foot specimens commanding $400-600 in today’s market.
The humidity of Indiana summers paired with stable indoor winter environments creates ideal conditions for these finicky plants to thrive for decades. Many older homes across the state shelter these gentle giants.
During a visit to my grandmother in Bloomington, I realized her 30-year-old Fiddle Leaf was taller than me and probably worth more than the antique table it stood beside.
4. Spiral Variegated Hoya Compacta
Those twisted, waxy vines with cream-splashed leaves might be a treasure hiding in plain sight. Variegated Hoya Compacta ‘Hindu Rope’ plants are slow-growing oddities that have become collector’s items worth hundreds.
Many Indiana grandmothers received these as gifts in the 1960s and 70s when they were common nursery plants. The decades of growth have transformed them into spectacular specimens rarely found in today’s market.
While helping clean my great-aunt’s sunporch in Muncie, I noticed her ‘weird twisted plant’ trailing down from a hanging basket—a magnificent example that plant enthusiasts would drive hours to purchase!
5. Grandmother’s Antique Christmas Cactus
That massive Christmas cactus that blooms faithfully every December might be a century-old heirloom worth hundreds to the right collector. Vintage specimens often develop woody trunks and spectacular branching patterns impossible to find in young plants.
These plants frequently traveled with families during Indiana’s manufacturing boom years, passed down through generations. Their longevity and sentimental value make them particularly precious in Midwestern homes.
My grandmother’s Christmas cactus in Evansville was started from a cutting in 1923 and now spans three feet across—a botanical time capsule that plant historians and collectors would treasure.
6. Rare Syngonium Podophyllum Albo
Grandma might call it her “white and green arrowhead plant,” but this striking Syngonium with splashes of creamy white variegation could be worth hundreds. The contrast between deep green and stark white makes it instantly recognizable to collectors.
These beauties were sometimes found in Indiana department stores decades ago before becoming coveted rarities. Their ability to thrive in the state’s moderate indoor conditions has helped preserve specimens that would now command premium prices.
During a family reunion in South Bend, I spotted a stunning example climbing up a moss pole in my great-uncle’s widow’s home—a plant that could easily sell for $250 today.
7. Vintage ZZ Plant Specimens
That glossy, dark green plant in the corner that never seems to need water might be worth far more than anyone realizes. Mature ZZ plants with multiple thick stems can command surprising prices, especially rare varieties with unusual growth patterns.
Though now common in stores, large specimens from the 1970s-80s when they first entered the American market are increasingly valuable. Their extreme durability means many have survived for decades in Indiana homes despite minimal care.
At an estate sale in Carmel, I watched plant collectors nearly come to blows over a massive ZZ plant that had belonged to the elderly homeowner—it sold for over $300!
8. Grandfather’s Snake Plant Collection
Those tall, architectural plants lining Grandpa’s study aren’t just hardy survivors—they might be valuable varieties of Sansevieria now worth significant money. Rare types like ‘Whale Fin’ or ‘Masoniana’ can fetch hundreds from eager collectors.
Many Indiana homes feature these plants because they thrive despite the fluctuating humidity between summer and winter. Their longevity means some specimens have reached impressive sizes rarely seen in commercial settings.
My grandfather’s collection in Richmond included several unusual varieties he’d collected during his factory career—plants I later discovered were sought-after cultivars worth more than the vintage cabinet they decorated.
9. Vintage Boston Fern Specimens
That enormous fern that’s been hanging in the bathroom since before disco was popular might be more valuable than anyone realizes. Decades-old Boston Ferns develop massive root systems and spectacular growth patterns that new plants cannot replicate.
The stable indoor climate of many Indiana homes has allowed these plants to thrive for generations. Their lush, cascading fronds often span several feet in diameter after decades of consistent care.
During a home assessment in Gary, I was astonished to discover a Boston Fern that had been thriving since 1965—a spectacular specimen that specialty nurseries would value at $200-300 for its size alone.
10. Grandmother’s Jade Plant Tree
The tree-like succulent that’s lived on Grandma’s porch every summer since the moon landing might be worth more than her wedding china. Decades-old Jade Plants develop thick, gnarled trunks and tree-like structures that bonsai enthusiasts covet.
These plants adapt beautifully to Indiana’s seasonal rhythms when brought indoors for winter. Their slow growth means specimens from the 1960s-70s have developed character impossible to replicate with younger plants.
While helping my grandmother downsize in Terre Haute, three different plant collectors offered to buy her 45-year-old Jade Plant—the highest bid reaching $600 for this living heirloom.