Plants worth thousands could be mistakenly sold for cheap at DIY and supermarket chains, according to reports.
Shops including Aldi, Lidl and BBQ are known to offer an impressive array of inexpensive plants and flowers on their shelves.
But what they don't know is that these retailers could be selling rare plants worth thousands without even realising, reports WalesOnline.
READ MORE: Ten popular houseplants that are toxic to pets
Naturally occurring variations in some species of plants make it difficult to differentiate the rare breeds from the most common ones.
Houseplants have boomed in popularity and allegedly make adults feel happier and healthier according to one report.
But how do you differentiate the rare species from their distant, more common relatives on your quest for indoor greenery?
Here are some of the rare houseplants you might expect to see lined up for cheap on supermarket shelves:
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Variegated Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera Deliciosa, most commonly known as a Swiss Cheese plant, is distinguished by the large cheese-like holes in its leaves.
And while a regular green plant will set you back a few pounds, a variegated Monstera is very rare.
This particular species is identifiable through its marbled white markings on its stem and leaves, which may even grow an entirely white leaf.
Shops can often confuse the species with the plain variety as the difference are very subtle and sell them for a fraction of the price they would go for at specialist plant shops.
Just one cutting can sell for between £65 and £150 on plant websites, and one seller on Etsy had a stem listed for £4,562.18.
Variegated Monstera Adansonii
Variegation is all the rage among plant lovers, and the Swiss Cheese plant's smaller cousin has an even higher value.
These plants require feeding throughout winter, unlike most other houseplants, otherwise, they are prone to developing white spots that cause shops to sell them for a reduced price.
But these spots are easily confused with the beginnings of variegation, which has the same tell-tale white stripes on the stem as the Deliciosa.
The most expensive Adansonii for sale on eBay is listed for £3,699 while a single leaf can sell for as much as £1,533.39 on Etsy.
Monstera Obliqua
A genuine Mostera Obliqua is amongst the most eagerly sought-after species by plant enthusiasts.
The delicate leaves on the Monstera Obliqua plant can be mistaken for pest damage. Up to 90 per cent of a mature Monstera Obliqua leaf is empty space.
We found a single leaf selling on a garden website for £15 while on Etsy, prices can go as high as £1,590.
On eBay, the most expensive price was £1,250 a small plant was listed at as much as £1,000 on Facebook Marketplace.
Philodendron White Princess or White Knight
With over 400 species of Philodendron in the world, it is an easy occurrence that shops might struggle to differentiate between them.
Just like the Monsteras, there is a Philodendron with white leaves that is worth more than a regular plant.
The Philodendron White Princess and White Knight look very similar, with lustrous green leaves scored with white lines that might be mistaken for disease or damage by shops without intricate knowledge of the plant species.
We spotted some shops selling them online for £40, while others are stocking them for £120.
On Etsy, rare species of Pliodendron are listed for as much as £4,216.82 for a White Knight and the White Princess is on sale through various online stores for around £400.
Pink Princess Philodendron
The Pink Princess Philodendron or PPP is comparable to the White Knight and White Princess, but has vibrant pink leaves instead of white.
It can take a while for it to appear as more than a shadow on a young plant, hence why sellers could offer the plant at a lower price.
A mature plant can be sold online for around £20 but some sellers are listing them on Etsy for a far heftier £2,228.
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