Houseplants are a lovely addition to any house, but with all of their different requirements and demands, caring for a variety of plants can be intimidating for first-time plant owners.
Fortunately, there are several plants that do not require much attention. There are even plants that thrive with little attention and can tolerate prolonged neglect.
When purchasing a new plant, it is a good idea to research its care requirements, such as how much light it requires or how regularly it should be watered. However, if you are unsure that you will be able to keep up with the care flawlessly, there are many plants that will tolerate a little neglect.
If you want to add some greenery to your home but are concerned about your plants dying as soon as you purchase them, don’t be.
Sprout Anywhere has compiled a list of plants that can flourish even with the worst plant parent.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ plant, also known as an aroid palm, thrives in a wide range of light conditions. They thrive when watered on a regular basis, but they must be well-drained beforehand. The ZZ plant is easily propagated through leaf cuttings or division. It gets its name from the Arabic word for an elephant’s ear.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Part shade to full shade.
- Water: Medium.
- Soil: Medium moisture and well-drained.
- Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs.
Related: Best Apps to Help With Plant Care
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
This broadleaf evergreen shrub prefers well-drained soil and direct sunlight, though it will take some shade. The succulent stems of the jade plant give it the appearance of a miniature tree, and the small white or pink flowers that bloom on it in the spring further add to its beauty.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Part shade.
- Water: Medium.
- Soil: Loamy and well-drained.
- Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs.
Cast-Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
The cast-iron plant is one of the easiest plants to care for because it tolerates low light and a wide range of temperatures while requiring no humidity or regular watering. Despite its apparent ease of care, a cast-iron plant does not thrive in direct sunshine. The glossy leaves of the plant can grow up to two feet tall and four inches broad.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Part shade to full shade.
- Water: Medium.
- Soil: Well-drained and peaty potting mixture.
- Pet Safety: Nontoxic to cats and dogs.
Aloe (Aloe vera)
Aloe is well known for its gel-like sap, which is used to cure cuts, scrapes, and burns. It prefers well-drained potting loams and full sun, though it may survive partial shade. Aloe plants are easy to grow, so give one to a friend as a lovely summertime present. Be on the lookout for mealy bugs.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Full sun.
- Water: Dry.
- Soil: Sandy, well-drained, commercial potting loam.
- Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Although the snake plant enjoys strong light, it can survive in low light conditions and can thrive in almost every room of the house. A little carelessness with watering will not destroy it. Despite being called the viper’s bowstring and other ominous titles, this delightful native of tropical West Africa is an air-cleaning dynamo and makes a gorgeous, low-maintenance houseplant.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Part shade.
- Water: Medium.
- Soil: Well-drained, potting mix.
- Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Oregano, a delicious herb, makes an excellent houseplant for the inexperienced gardener. This aromatic plant tolerates heat and dryness well and tolerates some shade. Oregano has the extra bonus of imparting a wonderful taste to everything from bread to stews once picked.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Full sun.
- Water: Dry to medium.
- Soil: Gritty, sandy loams.
- Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs.
Related: How to Care for Potted Plants?
Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Lucky bamboo tolerates dim illumination and does not require frequent watering. It prefers uniformly distributed, moist soil and indirect sunlight. Its stalks may be trained to form a variety of shapes, from spirals to braided, which appeals to house plant enthusiasts.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Part shade to full shade.
- Water: Low.
- Soil: Evenly moist soil or in water with a substrate of pebbles.
- Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies require little sunlight and fertilizer, making them excellent houseplants for novice gardeners. These white-flowering perennials prefer to be planted in large pots and do not require frequent watering. Flowers will form effortlessly in these simple growth conditions. Fortunately, pest problems with peace lilies are uncommon.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Part shade to full shade.
- Water: Medium.
- Soil: Evenly moist but not soggy.
- Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs.
Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)
Crown of thorns, so named because of the thick, thorny stems that protect its small, clustered flowers, doesn’t need much water and tolerates poor soil conditions. The lovely plant is also quite resistant to most pests and diseases. The white sap produced by the crown of thorns, on the other hand, is dangerous, so wear gloves and exercise caution when handling it.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Full sun.
- Water: Dry to medium.
- Soil: Tolerant of poor soils and rocky soils.
- Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs.
Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia)
The watermelon peperomia’s striking green and silver stripes on the leaves make it a lovely houseplant—and they don’t require much direct sunlight or care. In the spring, the plant, which is native to South America, produces tiny green flowers on its scarlet stems.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Part shade.
- Water: Medium.
- Soil: Peatty potting mix.
- Pet Safety: Nontoxic to cats and dogs.
Related: What Kills Houseplants?
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum)
The popularly known Chinese evergreen thrives in atmospherically dry and slightly shady conditions. The Chinese evergreen does not commonly flower when planted indoors as a houseplant, but the unusual patterns of pale and dark green on its broad leaves make for a magnificent display.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Part shade to full shade.
- Water: Medium.
- Soil: Peatty potting mix.
- Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs.
Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Golden pothos is native to the Solomon Islands and has beautifully marbled leaves that don’t require much direct sunlight. The plant is a climbing vine that can reach eight feet in height as a houseplant and can also be used as a hanging plant. Look out for mealy bugs, mites, and scale.
Plant Care Tips
- Light: Part shade.
- Water: Medium.
- Soil: Peatty potting mix.
- Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs.
What is the Hardest to Kill?
A lot of it comes down to your natural care routine, but if you don’t have one yet, start small with cacti or air plants. ‘There are the old trusty ‘unkillable’ plants like Snake plant, ZZ plant, and Areca palm,’ adds Ransom. However, in my experience, the plants I take the finest care of are the ones I care about the most! I can’t get enthused about snake plants, so I neglect to water them. But I really like and tend to hibiscus and orchids, so those are the ones that are more unkillable for me.’
