Your grandma’s cozy Louisiana home might be hiding a treasure trove of valuable houseplants that collectors would pay big money for. Many older homes have rare tropical plants that have been passed down through generations, growing quietly in corners and windowsills.
What looks like just another leafy green could actually be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars in today’s booming plant market.
1. Variegated Monstera Deliciosa
Grandmothers who brought home a regular monstera decades ago might have accidentally scored a genetic jackpot. Sometimes these popular Swiss cheese plants develop stunning white and cream patterns on their leaves, making them incredibly rare.
Plant collectors go absolutely wild for variegated monsteras, paying anywhere from five hundred to several thousand dollars for healthy specimens. The more white coloring on the leaves, the higher the price tag climbs in online auctions and specialty plant shops.
Louisiana’s humid climate creates perfect growing conditions for these tropical beauties to thrive indoors.
2. Philodendron Pink Princess
With leaves that look like they were painted with bubblegum pink streaks, this philodendron became an overnight sensation on social media. Grandma probably bought hers at a regular Louisiana garden center years ago before anyone knew how special it was.
Now, a single cutting with good pink coloring can sell for over two hundred dollars. Full plants with multiple pink leaves often fetch prices between three hundred and eight hundred dollars from eager buyers.
The pink coloring happens naturally but unpredictably, making each plant wonderfully unique and highly sought after.
3. Anthurium Clarinervium
Heart-shaped leaves with bright white veins make this anthurium look like nature’s own artwork hanging on the wall. Many Louisiana grandmothers received these as gifts decades ago when they were easier to find in regular stores.
Today’s plant market values mature specimens at three hundred to six hundred dollars depending on size and leaf quality. Younger plants still command impressive prices starting around one hundred dollars for small pots.
The dramatic foliage stays beautiful year-round, requiring minimal care beyond regular watering and indirect sunlight exposure.
4. Hoya Carnosa Compacta Variegata
Twisted, curly leaves that look like thick ropes make this hoya instantly recognizable in any plant collection. When those rope-like leaves show creamy yellow and pink edges, you’ve got yourself a valuable variegated version that collectors desperately want.
Prices for established variegated hoyas range from two hundred to five hundred dollars for hanging baskets. Even small starter plants with just a few strands sell for seventy-five to one hundred fifty dollars online.
Hoyas practically take care of themselves, surviving neglect better than most houseplants around.
5. Alocasia Frydek
Velvety leaves that feel like soft fabric make this alocasia a tactile delight for anyone who touches it. The arrow-shaped foliage displays brilliant white veins against deep green backgrounds, creating dramatic contrast that interior designers love.
Mature plants with multiple leaves currently sell for two hundred to four hundred dollars at specialty nurseries. Baby plants still bring in seventy-five to one hundred twenty-five dollars from buyers who want to watch them grow.
Louisiana’s naturally humid environment keeps these moisture-loving plants happy without extra effort or expensive humidifiers.
6. Monstera Adansonii Variegata
Smaller than its famous cousin but equally stunning, this trailing monstera develops natural holes in its leaves as it matures. When white or cream variegation appears on those holey leaves, the plant becomes extraordinarily valuable to collectors worldwide.
Single rooted cuttings with good variegation patterns sell for three hundred to seven hundred dollars depending on leaf quality. Established vines with multiple variegated leaves can reach prices exceeding one thousand dollars at plant auctions.
Growing one successfully takes patience and careful attention to lighting conditions indoors.
7. Syngonium Albo Variegata
Arrow-shaped leaves start out small and compact but can grow surprisingly large with proper care over time. When random genetic mutations create white or cream sections on those arrow leaves, a common houseplant transforms into a rare collectible.
Variegated syngoniums with stable white patterns sell for one hundred fifty to three hundred dollars for full plants. Individual cuttings with at least one variegated leaf go for fifty to one hundred dollars from online sellers.
Fast growth means Louisiana owners can propagate cuttings and share or sell baby plants to other enthusiasts.
8. Scindapsus Pictus Exotica
Silvery splashes across dark green leaves give this trailing vine a sparkly, magical appearance that catches light beautifully. Often called satin pothos because of its shiny foliage, the exotica variety shows more dramatic silver patterns than regular versions.
Full hanging baskets with long trailing vines sell for one hundred to two hundred fifty dollars at plant shops. Smaller pots with shorter vines still bring seventy-five to one hundred twenty-five dollars from buyers wanting this gorgeous plant.
Extremely forgiving of occasional neglect, making it perfect for busy grandmothers who sometimes forget watering schedules.
9. Philodendron Melanochrysum
Almost black leaves with bronze undertones create an otherworldly appearance that stops visitors in their tracks. As a climbing philodendron, it needs support to reach its full potential, developing increasingly larger leaves as it grows taller.
Established climbing plants with multiple mature leaves sell for two hundred fifty to five hundred dollars depending on overall size. Starter plants with smaller juvenile leaves still fetch one hundred to two hundred dollars from eager buyers.
The dramatic dark foliage adds sophisticated elegance to any room, especially when displayed against light-colored walls.
10. Alocasia Silver Dragon
Compact size makes this alocasia perfect for small Louisiana spaces, but don’t let its petite stature fool you about its value. Silvery-white leaves with raised texture look almost metallic, creating an eye-catching display that resembles dragon scales.
Despite being smaller than other alocasias, Silver Dragons sell for one hundred fifty to three hundred dollars for mature plants. Baby plants with just two or three leaves command prices around seventy-five to one hundred fifty dollars.
The unique coloring and texture make it stand out dramatically among collections of typical green houseplants throughout the home.