10 houseplants that cost as much as your rent (or your car)

Let the person who has never exceeded their budget when buying a plant cast the first stone! Some plant-addicts are prepared to spend fortunes to treat themselves to a rare flower, a century-old shrub or spectacular foliage. Discover the list and prices of 10 of the world's most expensive houseplants.

In 2005, Shenzhen's Nongke orchid became the most expensive plant ever sold in the world. It sold for $224,000 at auction. The price was justified by the time it took to develop it. Scientists worked for over eight years to create this flower with its green petals and purple heart, which only blooms every five years.

Would you like to treat yourself to one? Unfortunately for you and fortunately for your bank account, the plant hasn't been put back on the market since. If you feel like breaking your piggy bank for an orchid, you can fall back on the Kinabalu Gold Orchid (Paphiopedilum rothschildianum). Some hybrids sell for over 200 euros.

This Venus hoof orchid needs time (around 15 years) to flower. Native to the jungles of Borneo, it also requires a high level of humidity. Keep the substrate slightly moist at all times, and grow your plant in a greenhouse to maintain humidity levels above 60%.

Rarity isn't the only factor that drives up the price of a plant. The age of the specimen and the time spent cultivating it also play a part. Such is the case with bonsai. Some miniature Japanese maples, over 60 years old, fetch up to 20,000 euros. Centuries-old mini ficus retusa are on sale for 25,000 or 35,000 euros.

Given the price, are you tempted to lock up your bonsai in a safe? Not a good idea! Like all plants, your dwarf shrub needs light to flourish. Opt for a sunny spot, away from direct sunlight, or a spot in semi-shade, depending on the variety.

In 2021, a collector paid almost 16,000 euros fora Rhaphidophora tetrasperma variegata at auction. Fortunately for plant lovers, the price of this Rhaphidophora tetrasperma with its white variegated foliage has since dropped considerably. You can now buy a specimen with several leaves for 80 euros, or a cutting for 30 euros.

The variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma can be cared for like a mini green Monstera. However, make sure you choose the right exposure. A sunny spot, but away from direct sunlight, will enable the plant to meet its requirements while protecting its foliage.

When it comes to plants, the less chlorophyll, the higher the price. Such is the case with Strelitzia nicolai variegata. This bird of paradise with its yellow variegated foliage costs two to three times more than the botanical variety. If you look hard enough, for 300 euros you can buy a metre-high plant with five or six leaves.

The bird of paradise is easy to care for. Just follow the advice in our growing guide and the reminders in the Monstera app. The icing on the cake is that the plant blooms in summer. But it needs to be subjected to slight temperature variations throughout the year to give birth to its colorful flowers. Place it in your veranda or loggia to benefit from cooler temperatures in winter.

Never heard of Monstera oceana Mint? It's probably better for your wallet! This plant with its dissected leaves and variegated shades of green is out of stock almost everywhere, and the rare specimens available are worth over 800 euros for a cutting or an adult plant!

The foliage of Monstera oceana Mint is fragile. To avoid damaging it, keep your plant out of direct sunlight. When fertilizing, halve the dose of fertilizer.

What if the price of your plant depended on the length of its name? The longer it is, the more you pay. The proof is in alocasia reginula. It's not commercially available under this name. It does, however, sell for less than ten euros for a mini plant with three leaves under the name Alocasia Black Velvet. But if you're looking for an Alocasia Black Velvet 'Gold', because you've fallen in love with its velvety, yellow-tinged limbs, it will cost you at least 200 euros, including postage.

Like all other elephant ears, this variety of Alocasia requires special attention and regular care. Water with rainwater only when the substrate has dried to two or three centimetres. Afraid of making a mistake? Grow your plant in a transparent pot to monitor the condition of the roots.

Philodendron gloriosum proves the point. The botanical variety, with its large green leaves veined with white, is sold for around twenty euros for a fifteen-centimetre-high plant with five limbs. But you'll have to multiply your budget by five or ten to get a Philodendron gloriosum variegata. These plants with white variegated foliage cost between 120 and over 1,000 euros, depending on their size, the size of the variegation and the sellers.

At these prices, it's best not to take any chances and to follow the nursery's care instructions to the letter! Keep your plant out of direct sunlight and make sure the temperature doesn't fall below 16°C. Also keep the substrate constantly moist, but not soggy.

The cost of a Scindapsus Rubicon variegata depends on the number of leaves. Expect to pay around 70 euros (excluding delivery charges) for a cutting with one leaf, and 150 for a plant with four blades. This price is justified by the rarity of the plant and the beauty of its foliage. This cultivar of Scindapsus treubii has heart-shaped green blades mottled with yellow.

The variegated Scindapsus Rubicon is a low-risk investment. It's as easy to care for as a pothos. After a few months, you can even get a return on your investment by taking cuttings. Simply take a ten- to fifteen-centimeter section just above a node and plant it in a rich, light substrate.

With its large, wavy green, yellow and pink leaves, the Philodendron Caramel Marble variegata has everything it takes to become the new darling of social networks. While a few specimens are on sale for less than 40 euros from philanthropic gardeners, most sites offer much higher prices. Some mature plants, with particularly colorful foliage, fetch up to 500 euros!

Philodendron Caramel Marble variegata requires a high level of humidity. You can mist your plant regularly with rainwater. But it's more effective to place it with other plants or in a room with a humidifier.

Do you have extra money in your bank account? Why not buy an Anthurium 'King of Spade'? Rarer than Anthurium andreanum or Anthurium clarinervium, this species is also much more expensive. A baby plant with four leaves costs over a hundred dollars. The price to pay for admiring its velvety green leaf blades crossed by fine pale-green veins.

Anthurium 'King of Spade' grows slowly. Re-pot it every two to three years in houseplant substrate. Fertilize in spring and summer to support growth.