Fostering houseplants is an easy and unfussy approach so as to add life and vibe to an area, and killing them is simply as simple. When you do not learn to take care of a selected plant, together with the place to put it and the way a lot to water, your new fern or ficus is all however doomed. However sure vegetation are simpler to take care of than others, and a few are darn close to unattainable to kill.
To seek out out which vegetation are the hardest to kill, I turned to houseplant consultants Rebecca Sterling and Puneet Sabharwal. Sterling serves as resident plant skilled for Easyplant. The model makes smooth self-watering planters that remove one of many most important sources of houseplant dying: over- or underwatering. Sabharwal is the founding father of Horti, a plant subscription service that sends a brand new, reside potted plant to you or somebody in your present listing each month.
I requested each plant execs which species they suggest to somebody who cannot cease killing houseplants — somebody like me — and find out how to take care of them so they do not simply survive, however thrive. Beneath you may discover their options for vegetation that do not thoughts low gentle, others that do not want fixed or cautious watering and extra hearty houseplant species which are exhausting to kill and straightforward to take care of.
For extra, see the place to place houseplants for optimum development, and browse our listing of vegetation that hold bugs away.
9 houseplants which are exhausting to kill
The ZZ plant is in style amongst houseplant fanatics for its low upkeep. It is hearty and straightforward to are inclined to. It options thick, leathery leaves and rhizomes that retailer water, making it tolerant to neglect.
The ZZ prefers soil that’s saved persistently moist, however not moist or soggy. Relying on the dimensions of the pot and the atmosphere, it’s best to water the plant about each seven to 14 days.
You should definitely test the soil earlier than watering to make it possible for it’s not overly moist, and permit the highest few inches of soil to dry out earlier than watering once more. Moreover, be sure the pot has correct drainage as standing water may cause root rot.
Care ideas:
“Because the ZZ plant thrives in vibrant oblique gentle, inserting it in a spot close to a window is right.”
-Sabharwal
“If you’ll want to prune it, keep away from leaving a naked stem. Prune it low or simply above a leaf to assist it hold a pure look.”
-Sterling
Parlor palms are nice for rookies as a result of they’re forgiving. The leaves of this palm develop in dense, feathery clumps, Sterling explains, so even when it is time to take away a number of leaves your palm will proceed to have a full, lush look.
Care ideas:
“This plant appreciates a wholesome quantity of humidity, so in the event you really feel just like the air within the room is simply too dry for you, then it is too dry in your plant as properly. Time so as to add a humidifier or pebble tray to extend the humidity close to the plant.”
-Sterling
These iconic houseplants are resilient and exhausting to kill on account of their means to adapt. They’ve aerial roots, which permit them to cling to surfaces and acquire moisture and vitamins from their environment. This implies the plant can survive in many alternative sorts of circumstances, together with low gentle, excessive humidity and even with low water availability.
How do they do it? Monstera vegetation can retailer water of their thick, fuzzy leaves to assist them keep hydrated in dry circumstances. Lastly, the plant has an in depth root system which helps to anchor it in place and likewise permits it to seek for sources of water and meals from farther away.
Siltepecana vegetation sport slim inexperienced leaves with silver markings. They get pleasure from vibrant, oblique gentle however adapt properly to decrease gentle, too. Simply keep away from direct daylight as it may possibly scorch the leaves.
Care ideas:
“Monstera siltepecana vegetation ought to be watered repeatedly, however enable the soil to dry out barely between waterings. To keep away from overwatering, test the soil moisture stage earlier than watering. If the highest inch of soil is dry, it is time to water.”
-Sabharwal
Hoyas are wonderful houseplants that may final a long time, and the type of plant folks move down by way of generations. I really like the elegant character of Hoyas as a result of the vines could be inspired to develop bushy or compact. Their thicker, waxy leaves assist make Hoyas resilient to decrease humidity than thin-leaved vegetation. You’ll be able to create fairly a set of Hoyas with totally different variegation.
Care tip:
“Hoyas can take years for them to bloom, particularly if they don’t seem to be receiving sufficient gentle. After the blooms fall off, do not prune off the a part of the stem the place the flowers fashioned, known as the Pendacule, since there is a good likelihood the following spherical of blooms will emerge from the identical spot.”
-Sterling
Also called the Chinese language evergreen, Aglaonema Siam Pink vegetation have distinctive patterns on every leaf and have been grown in Asia as decorative vegetation which have been recognized to deliver good luck for hundreds of years. In summer time, it could bloom small flowers that ultimately flip into berries.
This plant is tough to kill and may tolerate a variety of circumstances together with low-light environments. “They’ve a sluggish development fee,” Sabharwal explains, “so they do not require frequent pruning or upkeep.”
Care tip:
“These vegetation like oblique daylight and may adapt to barely low-light areas. When you use a humidifier in your bed room to maintain air moist, place the Aglaonema Siam Pink there. It prefers a barely humid atmosphere and can look pretty in your nightstand.”
-Sabharwal
Pothos are notably good at cleansing the air in your house, and the vining selection is nice for rookies. They’ve a matte-like texture and really feel a bit velvety texture, therefore the satin nickname.
It’s thought-about one of the crucial indestructible houseplants on account of its hardiness and skill to tolerate a wide range of circumstances together with drought, low gentle and even a little bit of neglect. The Satin Pothos can survive in low-medium gentle however the variegation (multicolors) reveals greatest in vibrant gentle.
Care ideas:
“Satin Pothos vegetation can develop fairly giant, so discover a place in your house for it the place it may possibly unfold out and flourish and hold it away from direct solar.”
-Sabharwal
“When you discover that their newer leaves [have] modified measurement, that is simply this plant’s approach of adapting to [the] lighting circumstances you selected for them. Discuss resilience”
-Sterling
Learn extra: Need Cleaner Air? This Houseplant Filters It 30 Occasions Higher Than Others
This in style plant is acquainted to plant mother and father, each new and seasoned. The snake plant is thought for being drought tolerant, in response to Sabharwal and doing properly each in low-light and direct daylight conditions. Sansevieria are succulent vegetation — they’ve sturdy, stiff, nearly plastic-like succulent leaves that retailer water.
Care ideas:
“Though it is uncommon to see indoors, Sansevierias can bloom. This can be thrilling however be sure to prune off the flowering stem earlier than the flowers start to drip a sticky nectar.”
-Sterling
“Deal with it like a succulent when offering care because it has giant root balls that retailer water for drought circumstances.”
-Sabharwal
Sabharwal touts this versatile plant for its means to maintain abuse. The infant rubber vegetation have semisucculent properties, which signifies that they will retailer moisture of their fleshy stems or leaves, which act as backup reservoirs. These are “simple to take care of” vegetation and are simply propagated by slicing a stem or leaf and submerging it in water till roots develop.
Care tip:
“Overwatering can result in root rot, so it is vital to let the soil dry to the contact earlier than watering once more. This charming plan thrives in reasonable to vibrant oblique gentle however may tolerate decrease gentle circumstances. An excessive amount of direct gentle can scorch the leaves.”
-Sabharwal
This heart-leaf philodendron is native to South America. Its leaves, coloured in strokes of yellow and inexperienced, resemble the flag of Brazil — therefore the title. The Brazil is a vining plant and grows fairly lengthy, as much as 10 toes if untrimmed. It is a in style hanging plant however can be educated to climb a moss pole or trellis.
Philodendron Brasil does properly in medium to vibrant oblique gentle, in response to Sabharwal. It may well tolerate low gentle, however its variegation will grow to be extra pronounced and vibrant with extra gentle publicity. Direct daylight ought to be prevented as it may possibly burn the leaves.
Care tip:
“Water this philodendron when the highest inch of soil feels dry. It is vital to keep away from overwatering, because the plant is inclined to root rot. Making certain the pot has good drainage will assist stop water from sitting on the backside and harming the plant.”
-Sabharwal
Each plant consultants level to overwatering because the No. 1 explanation for plant dying.
What’s the No. 1 cause houseplants die?
Each Sabharwal and Sterling level to overwatering as the most important mistake most houseplant house owners make when caring for his or her greenery.
As a treatment, Sabharwal recommends pots with drainage, particularly in case you are a brand new plant dad or mum. “Extra water usually will get clogged on the backside of pots with no drainage, and it may possibly trigger the plant roots to rot. With drainage holes, it’s best to water your vegetation generously every time till the water begins to trickle out the underside. Let the plant soak up what’s in its flow-through tray, and after a number of hours, discard the rest.”
Sterling touts EasyPlant’s signature self-watering pot system as a pure repair. “Prospects haven’t got to fret about overwatering.” Moreover that, Sterling factors to a foul behavior people have of ravenous vegetation of sunshine.
“Many individuals assume that low gentle means their plant will thrive and proceed to develop even when it is solely receiving an hour or two of sunshine a day.” She explains, “In actuality, most tropical houseplants can adapt to less-than-ideal pure gentle circumstances, however they nonetheless want a constant gentle supply.”