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Forget another cactus or snake plant: these 12 houseplants include leaves shaped like dolphins, stems twisted like springs, rosettes that resemble roses, and a fern that can become living wall art. They are visually unusual, but they are not interchangeable. The list mixes trailing and sculptural succulents, a caudex-like grass, a wall-growing fern, ornamental grass and a compact gentian. Light, watering, eventual size and safety differ sharply.
The names below come from a 2017 Country Living feature by Lauren Smith McDonough. Where that article used a common name or an uncertain spelling, the identification is labeled accordingly. More recent guidance from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and North Carolina State Extension is used only where it addresses a particular plant or group. Treat the original list as visual discovery, not as 12 complete care sheets.
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At a glance: twelve forms, not one care category
| Plant as listed | Distinctive form | Useful size or habit detail | Care or safety evidence available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphin succulents (string of dolphins) | Blue-green leaves shaped like tiny dolphins | Trailing succulent relative | RHS: bright indirect light, some sun tolerated; toxic |
| Trachyandra | Pipe-cleaner-like, wiry leaves | Native to eastern and southern Africa, according to the 2017 article | No species-level care profile in the article |
| Rose succulents | Rose-like rosette | Listed as “Greenovia Dodrentalis” in the article | Article says water when the soil surface is dry |
| Crassula umbella (“Wine Cup”) | Upright cup-like growth and yellow-green buds | Up to 6 inches tall when flowering | No fuller routine supplied |
| Euphorbia obesa (baseball plant) | Thornless, nearly spherical body | About 6–15 cm wide | Stores water for drought periods; species-specific caution still needed |
| Euphorbia caput-medusae (Medusa’s Head) | Many snake-like stems from a central crown | Article gives Cape Town, South Africa as origin | No complete care profile supplied |
| Platycerium (staghorn fern) | Antler- or horn-shaped fronds | Can be displayed on a wall | Article emphasizes display, not a watering schedule |
| Euphorbia tirucalli (firesticks) | Pencil-like branches with red branch tips | 2–6 ft tall and 1–3 ft wide indoors, per NC State Extension; the article says up to 25 ft | Bright indirect light or direct sun; dry between waterings; caustic sap |
| Haworthia cooperi | Bubble-like, translucent green leaf tips | Clusters of small rosettes | No detailed schedule supplied |
| Sedum morganianum (donkey tail) | Blue-green beads on trailing stems | Stems reported up to 24 inches; native range listed as southern Mexico and Honduras | General succulent care should not be assumed without a species profile |
| Corkscrew grass | Naturally spiraled blades | Spreads readily in the ground; article recommends a pot | No botanical species name or complete routine supplied |
| Gentiana urnula (starfish succulent) | Layered, plate-like leaves | Suggested for a rock garden | Article calls it low-maintenance; that is not a comparative test |
This table shows why a single “easy unusual plants” ranking would be misleading. The available evidence is descriptive for most entries, while the strongest current cultivation details concern string of dolphins and firesticks.
1. String of dolphins: a trailing plant with swimming leaves
The 2017 article calls this “Dolphin Succulents” and prints the botanical name Senecio peregrinus. The RHS currently uses Curio peregrinus and notes that Curio was formerly treated as Senecio. That taxonomic change matters when you search for a plant or care sheet: both names may appear in listings.
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Each small, curved leaf suggests a dolphin leaping from the stem, giving the plant its common name. It is a trailing succulent, so a hanging pot or shelf lets the stems and repeated silhouettes remain visible. The RHS recommends bright indirect light for this group and says it can tolerate some sun. It also warns that string-of-beads relatives, including string of dolphins, are toxic. Keep it where children and pets cannot chew the foliage, and confirm the seller’s identification before applying advice written for another Curio or Senecio.
2. Trachyandra: pipe-cleaner foliage from Africa
Trachyandra is the list’s most immediately alien-looking plant: narrow leaves twist and curl into coils that resemble a bundle of green pipe cleaners. The article identifies its broad origin as eastern and southern Africa but does not give a species name. That omission is important because “Trachyandra” covers more than one species and a photograph alone may not identify the plant precisely.
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Use the appearance as an identification starting point, not as a care prescription. Ask a nursery for the full botanical name, the plant’s light preference and whether it has a dormant season before buying. Without that information, an exact watering interval or potting recipe would be guesswork.
3. Rose succulents: rosettes that imitate petals
The article’s “Rose Succulents” have tightly layered leaves arranged like an open rose. It prints the name “Greenovia Dodrentalis,” including that spelling; verify the current botanical name when you shop because older articles and listings may use different terminology.
The only cultivation instruction supplied is to water when the top of the soil is dry. That is a useful trigger, not a calendar: drying speed changes with pot size, soil, light, temperature and season. Check the surface and the root-zone moisture before watering, and do not infer a complete succulent routine from this one sentence. A seller’s species-level guidance is more reliable than a generic “rose succulent” label.
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4. Crassula umbella (“Wine Cup”)
Crassula umbella is nicknamed “Wine Cup” because its growth forms a small, cup-like display. The article says it can reach up to six inches tall when flowering and produces yellowish-green buds. That measurement describes the flowering plant in the feature, not a guaranteed mature height in every home.
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5. Euphorbia obesa: the thornless “baseball plant”
Euphorbia obesa looks like a green baseball: a rounded, ribbed body without the spines associated with many cacti. The 2017 description places its width at roughly 6 to 15 centimeters and explains that it stores water to withstand drought.
“Thornless” does not mean harmless or indestructible. Its rounded body can be damaged by prolonged wet soil, while a container without drainage can keep the roots saturated. The article does not provide a full routine, so use the plant’s exact name when checking light and watering requirements and avoid treating its water-storage ability as permission for neglect.
6. Euphorbia caput-medusae: a crown of serpentine stems
Known as “Medusa’s Head,” this euphorbia produces many narrow, snake-like stems from a central base. The name refers to the Greek mythological figure whose hair was made of snakes, and the silhouette is unmistakable when viewed from above.
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The article gives Cape Town, South Africa, as its native origin but does not establish a species-specific care plan. Because it is an Euphorbia, handle it as an identified plant rather than relying on a photograph or a broad “succulent” label. Confirm sap precautions and light requirements with a reputable horticultural source before placing it in a home with children or animals.
7. Platycerium: a staghorn fern for vertical display
Platycerium, commonly called staghorn fern, produces fronds that branch like antlers. The 2017 article highlights its potential as a wall display, a useful reminder that unusual plants can change the way a room is arranged rather than simply occupy another shelf.
A mounted specimen and a potted specimen present different practical questions: mounting affects watering access and support, while a pot changes weight and drainage. The article does not state a species, mounting medium or humidity routine. Identify the particular Platycerium and follow instructions for that species before fastening it to a wall; the decorative form should not be mistaken for proof that it is low-maintenance.
8. Euphorbia tirucalli (“Firesticks”): dramatic color with a real hazard
Firesticks has slender, pencil-like branches whose newest tips can turn red, orange or pink under strong light. The feature says the plant may grow to 25 feet. That figure describes the plant’s potential in the context of the original article and should not be used as an indoor planning measurement. North Carolina State Extension gives a more practical indoor range of 2 to 6 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet wide.
NC State Extension says E. tirucalli thrives in bright indirect light or direct sun, should be planted in well-drained soil and allowed to dry between waterings. Its milky sap can cause dermatitis and blistering, injure eyes and harm anyone who eats it. Wear gloves when pruning or repotting, wash exposed skin promptly, keep the plant away from children and pets, and seek urgent medical attention after ingestion or eye exposure. Gloves reduce contact risk; they do not make the sap safe.
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9. Haworthia cooperi: translucent “bubble” rosettes
Haworthia cooperi forms clusters of small rosettes with fleshy green leaves whose rounded, translucent ends look like bubbles filled with light. The effect is subtle at a distance but remarkable close up, making this a strong choice for a desk or windowsill where the leaf tips can be examined.
The article supplies no precise watering or light directions. Do not transfer a schedule from a different haworthia or from a cactus without checking the plant’s identification and growing conditions. A shallow inspection of the leaves, roots and soil moisture is more useful than watering by a fixed weekly rule.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.10. Sedum morganianum (“Donkey Tail”)
Donkey tail, Sedum morganianum, carries blue-green, bead-like leaves along stems that the article reports can reach 24 inches. It lists southern Mexico and Honduras as the native range. The stems create a dense curtain when allowed to trail over a container, but individual leaves can detach when the plant is moved or brushed.
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Buyers should confirm the botanical name because “donkey tail” is also used for related sedums. The source list does not provide a complete care profile, so select a location and watering routine from guidance for the identified species rather than assuming all trailing succulents want the same exposure.
11. Corkscrew grass: spirals that need containment
Corkscrew grass grows in naturally twisted, spiral blades. Unlike the succulent entries, it reads as ornamental grass, with movement and texture rather than fleshy leaves providing the visual surprise.
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The article’s practical warning is clear: grow it in a pot because it spreads easily when planted in the ground. A container also makes its spread easier to monitor, but the article does not name the botanical species or specify light, moisture or winter behavior. Ask for the full identification before choosing a site, especially if you intend to move it outdoors or share a container with other plants.
12. Gentiana urnula (“Starfish succulent”)
Gentiana urnula is nicknamed “Starfish Succulent” for layered, plate-like leaves arranged in a shape suggestive of a starfish. The article recommends it for a rock garden and calls it low-maintenance.
“Low-maintenance” is the magazine’s characterization, not a measured comparison with the other 11 plants. The source does not explain its watering, temperature or light requirements. Treat the name as an invitation to investigate a distinctive plant, then obtain species-level instructions before deciding whether it suits your windowsill or an outdoor rockery.
How to choose one without guessing
Start with the visual habit
- Choose a trailing form such as string of dolphins or donkey tail for a hanging pot or high shelf.
- Choose a compact, close-view subject such as Haworthia cooperi or Euphorbia obesa if the unusual detail matters more than height.
- Choose Platycerium for a wall-oriented display, but confirm the mounting method before installation.
- Choose corkscrew grass only where a container can control its spread.
- Choose firesticks when you have room for a tall, branching silhouette and can enforce safe handling.
Check the evidence before buying
Ask for the complete botanical name, mature dimensions for your region and whether the seller’s plant is grown indoors, in a greenhouse or outdoors. Common names can cover several species, as “donkey tail” and “rose succulent” demonstrate. Taxonomy can also change: the RHS uses Curio peregrinus for string of dolphins, while the older article uses Senecio peregrinus.
Match care to the actual plant
Do not turn the word “succulent” into a universal watering rule. The list includes plants with different structures and habitats, and the original article gives detailed cultivation advice for only a few. For firesticks, the current extension guidance is bright indirect light or direct sun, well-drained soil and drying between waterings. For string of dolphins, the RHS guidance is bright indirect light, some sun tolerance and a toxicity warning. For the remaining entries, obtain species-specific instructions rather than filling gaps with assumptions.
Safety checks for unusual houseplants
- Firesticks: Euphorbia tirucalli has caustic milky sap. Wear gloves, protect eyes, keep it away from children and pets, and seek urgent care after ingestion or eye exposure.
- String of dolphins and relatives: the RHS identifies these trailing plants as toxic. Prevent chewing and label the plant so visitors know what it is.
- Other euphorbias: the list includes Euphorbia obesa and Euphorbia caput-medusae. Confirm the handling guidance for the exact species rather than assuming that every euphorbia has identical risk.
- Unknown names: do not buy a plant labeled only with a novelty nickname if you cannot obtain its botanical identity and safety information.
The best reason to grow one of these plants is not that it is guaranteed easy. It is that an accurately identified specimen can add a form your usual houseplant collection does not have: a dolphin-shaped trail, a rose-like rosette, a living wall sculpture or a crown of serpentine stems. Buy for the shape, then make the decision responsibly by checking the plant’s real size, verified name, available care evidence and any risk to people or pets.
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