What plant should I grow indoors?

I'm thinking about growing a plant and putting it in my room. I have an endtable that has had nothing on it for the longest time and I think it's about time to change that. Part of the reason I'm doing this is because I want to grow something (legally, by the way), so a potted plant is out of the question. I want a plant that looks nice (smelling nice is a bonus), leaves the soil exposed (I have various things to decorate the soil with), and isn't in every other american's home (bamboo, rose, etc).