9 houseplants that are nearly impossible to kill
If you're a beginner when it comes to plants, or if you're just looking for an easy-to-maintain houseplant, then look no further! These 9 houseplants are nearly impossible to kill. There is a plant for you and your living space, even if you think you could never keep a plant alive.
The 2 biggest mistakes beginning plant owners make are wanting to give their plants too much love or forgetting about their plants altogether. You might find yourself wanting to water your plant every day, just to give it a little extra care. Or on the flip side, after a month you look at your dried-out plant thinking "Oh right, I should've watered it weeks ago".
The best advice I can give those that love to water their plant frequently is this: Water your plant no more than once every 7 days. For those that forget to water their plants altogether, this plant care guide is for you!
In this plant care guide, we're going to look at 9 houseplants that are nearly impossible to kill. Whether you're a total plant novice or the black thumb of the family, with these 9 houseplants, your dreams of becoming a master gardener can come true! These plants will be low maintenance and require minimal watering. These are the plants we're going to look at:
Let's get started and help you find the perfect low-maintenance houseplant for you and your living space!
Aloe Vera
If you're looking for an easy-to-care-for plant, an Aloe vera is a great option. Aloe veras are succulents, meaning they store water in their leaves. This stored moisture helps them to go for long periods without water, making them ideal for those that tend to forget to water their plants.
To care for your aloe vera, place it in a bright spot with direct or indirect sunlight and water it only when the soil feels dry to the touch. If you don't like to check the soil, you can let your plant dry out and set an alarm in your calendar to water it once every 2 weeks.
If you ever go on vacation and you're gone for more than 2 weeks, no worries! The Aloe Vera can go without water for a month. Overwatering can cause root rot, so be sure to err on the side of too little water rather than too much! In winter, reduce watering frequency by half. So instead of watering it once every 14 days, you can water it once per month.
If you'd like to learn more about taking care of an Aloe vera, be sure to check out the ultimate plant care guide.
Snake plant (Sansevieria)
The snake plant, also known as sansevieria, is a succulent that is nearly impossible to kill. This plant does not require a lot of water and can grow in almost any type of sunlight exposure, from low light to direct sunlight. It's a perfect plant if you're just starting with plants because the Sansevieria is very hardy and allows you to make mistakes without dying.
To care for your snake plant, place it in a bright spot with direct or indirect sunlight and water it only when the soil feels dry to the touch. Like the Aloe Vera, you can set a reminder to water this plant every 14 days or so and it also doesn't mind if you forget to water it for a month.
If you'd like to learn more about taking care of a Sansevieria, be sure to check out the ultimate plant care guide.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston ferns or Sword Ferns are one of the most popular types of houseplants and for good reason! They're easy to care for and can tolerate a wide variety of light conditions. Boston ferns do best when they're kept in a bright spot with indirect sunlight, but are also perfect candidates for plants to keep in your bathroom. They love the humidity!
Water your Boston fern when the soil feels dry to the touch. Be careful not to overwater, as this can cause root rot. On average, you should water your Boston Fern around once every 10-14 days to keep it from drying out. The best way to help it stay moist for a while is to use soil that holds water well but also drains any excess water.
In winter, water your plant only once every 2-3 weeks. You can also place your Boston fern in a cooler room if you're not going to be around for a while, as this causes the plant to use less moisture from the soil.
If you'd like to learn more about taking care of a Boston Fern, be sure to check out the ultimate plant care guide.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is succulent with long stems and thick leaves that loves to be neglected! The ZZ plant comes in different colors: green and black. Both of these varieties require the same care.
To care for your ZZ plant, place it in a spot where it gets medium to bright indirect sunlight and water it only when the soil feels dry to the touch. Like the other plants in this plant care guide, this plant thrives when it's dry for several weeks at a time. Its thick stems store a lot of moisture, so it can sustain itself for several weeks before it needs to be watered again.
If you keep your ZZ plant in a spot that has less sunlight, you might not have to water your plant for 4-6 weeks at a time. This makes it the perfect plant for those that forget their plants often! This plant will love you for it.
If you'd like to learn more about taking care of a ZZ plant, be sure to check out the ultimate plant care guide.
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Cast iron plants (Aspidistra elatior) are one of the easiest plants to care for. They can tolerate a wide variety of light conditions and don't require a lot of water. Like the Sansevieria, it's a plant that thrives when it's dry and can grow in low light to bright indirect sunlight. It's a very versatile plant that can even grow small flowers.
To care for your cast iron plant, place it in a spot where it gets medium to bright indirect sunlight and water it only when the soil feels dry to the touch. Like the other plants, you can set reminders to water this plant once every 14 days, so you don't have to check the soil every day.
If you're looking for more information on taking care of a Cast Iron Plant, have a look at my guide "How to take care of a Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)"
Cactus
Traditionally, when you're first starting with taking care of plants, or you're being given your first plant, it's usually a succulent or cactus. This has an excellent reason! These types of plants thrive in those conditions where most other plants would die: direct sunlight and very dry soil.
They're fantastic plants to place directly next to your window and you won't have to water them for weeks at a time! Cacti also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so there's sure to be one that fits your style.
To care for your cactus, place it in a spot where it gets direct sunlight and water it only when the soil is completely dry. Usually, you can lift the pot and check the weight of the plant. This might require some practice, but the pot will be very light when the soil is completely dry.
To help you learn to water the plant on time, you can set reminders to water it once every 2-3 weeks in the summer and once per month in the winter. Pay close attention to how heavy the pot is right after watering and at the 2 or 3-week mark. Soon, you can tell if your plant needs water, just by lifting the pot!
If you're looking for more information on taking care of a cactus, have a look at my guide "How to take care of an indoor cactus".
Dracaena
If you're looking for an easy-to-care-for plant, look no further than the dracaena! These plants thrive in low-light conditions and don't need a lot of water. Dracaenas also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so there will definitely be one to fit your style.
To care for your dracaena, place it in a spot where it gets low to medium indirect sunlight and water it only when the soil feels dry to the touch. You can tell it's dry to the touch when the soil doesn't easily stick to your finger.
If you've planted your Dracaena in a small pot, you might have to water it once per week, but if it's in a larger pot, you can easily get away with watering it once every 2-3 weeks. These plants are very tough and drought-resistant.
To help you remember to water your Dracaena, you can set reminders once every 2 weeks. That way, your plant will always be hydrated and happy!
If you'd like to learn more about taking care of a Dracaena, be sure to check out the ultimate plant care guide.
Ficus Elastica
Ficus elastica plants are a great option for those that are looking for an easy-to-care-for plant. These plants thrive in low to medium light conditions and don't need a lot of water. Their stems and thick leaves store quite a bit of moisture, so you don't have to water them every week.
To care for your Ficus Elastica plant, place it in a spot where it gets low to medium indirect sunlight and water it only when the soil feels dry to the touch. You can tell it's dry to the touch when the soil doesn't easily stick to your finger. On average, you should water your Ficus Elastica around once every 1-2 weeks.
If you'd like to learn more about taking care of a Ficus Elastica, be sure to check out the ultimate plant care guide.
Philodendron
If you're looking for a tropical-looking houseplant that is easy to take care of, a Philodendron might be the perfect option for you! These plants thrive in medium-light conditions and can go for weeks without water. The Philodendron family is a very diverse bunch, so you can find many different varieties and choose one that looks the best to you!
To care for your Philodendron, place it in a spot where it gets medium indirect sunlight and water it only when the soil feels dry to the touch. On average, you should water your philodendron around once every 10-14 days, but you can extend this time if your plant is in a shaded spot where it dries out less quickly.
My personal favorites in the Philodendron family are the philodendron mican and the philodendron birkin. They look very different from one another, so perhaps you like one of these 2 philodendrons as well.
Conclusion
Houseplants don't have to be difficult to take care of. You don't even need to take care of them every week if you don't have the time. Many fantastic plants thrive when they're neglected. Not only do they look good, but they're also very easy to care for If you're looking for an easy-to-care-for plant, be sure to check out a Cactus, a Dracaena, Ficus Elastica, a Philodendron, or any of the other plants mentioned in this plant care guide.
There are low-maintenance plants for any type of light you might have in your house, so there is always a great plant for you out there! Even if you do forget to water them from time to time.
Thank you for reading this post! I hope it helps you to keep your plants healthy and beautiful! If you're looking for more guides on specific plants, you can always request a plant guide to get a guide for the plant you have trouble with.
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