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Every new houseplant brings hope and promise. Busy schedules and inconsistent indoor climate conditions often turn those bright green spaces into a wilted, brown mess within months. For those who struggle with growing and caring for indoor plants, starting with the hardier plants will help avoid the inevitable heartbreak.
To achieve success with indoor greenery, start with the hardiest houseplants.
There are so many amazing indoor plant varieties designed to survive Low lightFull sun, infrequent watering, and almost everything in between. We tapped two plant specialists to find the toughest picks for novice plant parents or anyone with an inconsistent routine.
Rebecca Stirling is the resident plant expert at Easyplant, a self-watering plant growing startup, and Puneet Sabharwal is the founder of Horti, a monthly plant subscription service. They both discussed why most houseplants don’t make it, and which ones are easiest to survive.
The number one cause of houseplant death
Both plant experts point to overwatering as the number one cause of plant death.
Both experts call overwatering the most common mistake that kills houseplants.
As a guard against overwatering, Sabharwal recommends pots with drainage, Especially if you are a new plant parent. “Excess water often clogs at the bottom of pots without draining and can cause plant roots to rot. With drainage holes, water your plants generously each time until water starts to flow from the bottom. Let the plant absorb what’s in the overflow tray and after a few hours, shake out the rest.”
Sterling promotes EasyPlant signing Self watering pot system Natural eyeliner. “You don’t have to worry about overwatering.” In addition, Sterling points out a bad habit people have of starving plants of light.
“Many people think that low light means their plant will thrive and continue to grow even if it only receives an hour or two of light per day,” she says. “In fact, most tropical houseplants can adapt to less than ideal natural lighting conditions, but they still need a constant light source.”
Here are the nine they recommend, even for the most neglected plant mom.
9 houseplants that are difficult to kill
The ZZ plant is very popular among houseplant enthusiasts because of its low maintenance. It is tough and easy to take care of. It is characterized by its thick, leathery leaves and roots that store water, which makes it tolerant of neglect.
ZZ prefers soil that remains constantly moist but not soggy or waterlogged. Depending on the size of the pot and the environment, you should water the plant approximately every seven to 14 days.
Be sure to check the soil before watering to make sure it is not soggy Excessively Moisten and allow the top few inches of soil to dry before watering again. Additionally, make sure the pot has proper drainage as stagnant water can cause root rot.
Care tips:
“Since ZZ plants thrive in bright, indirect light, placing them near a window is ideal.”
-Sabrwal
“If you need to prune it, avoid leaving a bare stem. Prune it low or just above the leaf to help it maintain its natural appearance.”
-sterling
Palms are great for beginners because they are tolerant. The leaves of this palm grow in dense, feathery clumps, so even if it’s time to remove some leaves, your palm will still have a full, lush appearance, says Sterling.
Care tips:
“This plant appreciates a healthy amount of humidity, so if the air in the room feels too dry for you, it’s too dry for your plant, too. It’s time to add a humidifier or pebble tray to increase the humidity near the plant.”
-sterling
These distinctive houseplants are resilient and difficult to kill due to their adaptability. They have aerial roots, which allow them to cling to surfaces and obtain moisture and nutrients from their surroundings. This means that the plant can survive in many different conditions, including low light, high humidity, and even low water availability.
How do they do it? Monstera plants can store water in their thick, fuzzy leaves to help them stay hydrated in dry conditions. Finally, the plant has an extensive root system that helps hold it in place and also allows it to search for water and food sources from far away.
Siltepecana plants have narrow green leaves with silver markings. They enjoy bright, indirect light but adapt well to low light as well. Just avoid direct sunlight as it can burn the leaves.
Care Tips:
“Monstera siltepecana plants should be watered regularly, but let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. To avoid overwatering, check the soil moisture level before watering. If the top of the soil is dry, it’s time to water.”
-Sabrwal
Hoyas are amazing houseplants that can last for decades and are a type of plant that people pass down for generations. I love the elegant character of Hoyas because the vines can be encouraged to grow dense or compact. Their thick, waxy leaves help make hoyas more resilient to low humidity than plants with thinner leaves. You can create a large collection of Hoyas with different variations.
Care Tips:
“A hoya can take years to bloom, especially if it doesn’t get enough light. After the flowers fall, don’t prune the part of the stem where the flowers formed, called the pendula, as there’s a good chance the next round of flowers will appear from the same place.”
-sterling
Also known as Chinese evergreens, Siam rose Aglaonema plants feature unique patterns on each leaf and have been grown in Asia as ornamental plants known to bring good luck for centuries. In the summer, small flowers may bloom that eventually turn into berries.
This plant is difficult to kill and can tolerate a range of conditions including low-light environments. “Its growth rate is slow, so it does not need frequent pruning or maintenance,” explains Sabharwal.
Care Tips:
“These plants love indirect sunlight and can adapt to slightly low-light areas. If you use a humidifier in your bedroom to keep the air moist, place Aglaonema Siam Pink there. It prefers a slightly humid environment and will look beautiful on your nightstand.”
-Sabrwal
Pothos is particularly good at Clean the air in your home The variety of vines is great for beginners. They have a matte finish and feel a bit velvety to the touch, hence the nickname satin.
They are considered one of the most damage-resistant houseplants due to their hardiness and ability to withstand a variety of conditions including drought, low light, and even a little neglect. Satin Pothos can survive in low to medium light but the (multicolored) variety shows up best in bright light.
Care Tips:
“Satin Pothos plants can grow quite large, so find a place in your home for them where they can spread and thrive and keep them out of direct sunlight.”
-Sabrwal
“If you notice that its new leaves change in size, that’s just this plant’s way of adapting to the light conditions you’ve chosen for it. Talk about resilience.”
-sterling
Read more: Want cleaner air? This houseplant filters 30 times better than others
These popular types are familiar to new and seasoned vegan parents. The snake plant is known to be drought-tolerant, according to Sabharwal, and thrives in low-light conditions and direct sunlight. Sansevieria are succulents with strong, tough, plastic-like leaves that store water.
Care Tips:
“Although it is rare to see it indoors, sansevieria can bloom. This can be exciting but be sure to prune the flowering stem before the flowers begin to drop sticky nectar.”
-sterling
“Treat it as a succulent when providing care since it has large root balls that store water for drought conditions.”
-Sabrwal
Sabharwal praises this versatile plant for its ability to withstand abuse. Young rubber plants have sap-like properties, which means they can store moisture in their stems or fleshy leaves that act as reserve reservoirs. These are “easy care” plants and can be easily propagated by cutting a stem or leaf and submerging it in water until roots grow.
Care tips:
“Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it’s important to let the soil feel dry to the touch before watering again. This charming plant thrives in moderate to bright indirect light but can also tolerate low-light conditions. Too much direct light can burn the leaves.”
-Sabrwal
The heart-leaf philodendron is native to South America. Its leaves, colored in strokes of yellow and green, resemble the flag of Brazil – hence the name. Brazil vine is a vine and grows very tall, up to 10 feet if not pruned. It is a popular hanging plant but can also be trained to climb a moss pole or trellis.
Philodendron Brazil does well in medium to bright indirect light, according to Sabharwal. It can tolerate low light but its variety will become more pronounced and vibrant with exposure to more light. Direct sunlight should be avoided as it can burn the leaves.
Care tips:
“Water this philodendron when the top of the soil feels dry. It is important to avoid overwatering, as the plant is susceptible to root rot. Ensuring the pot has good drainage will help prevent water from remaining at the bottom and damaging the plant.”
-Sabrwal