Being a gardener isn’t for everyone, but that does not people who have “brown thumbs” can’t have plants in their homes. There are actually plants that do not need a lot of attention for them to thrive. In fact, they can even live indoors and they will survive even without you watering them frequently.
Hard-to-kill house plants are available for the person who does not have enough time or patience to care for them. If you are looking for the perfect house plant for you, there are certain qualities that you should look for such as plants that can thrive in low lighting, can adapt to indoor household humidity and temperature, can grow well in typical soil and will survive even if you don’t mind them for a longer period.
Do these hard-to-kill houseplants really exist? Yes, they do! These 12 plants will give you a relaxing vibe even if you don’t put much effort in growing them.
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Also known as “mother-in-law’s tongue”, this house plant will not care if you keep it under sunlight or if you don’t water it for weeks. It has stiff and pointy leaves that are hard to the touch. In some varieties, the leaves have yellow stripes running down the edges, giving the plant a gradient, spiky look. Because it thrives in low light and with very little watering, this plant is perfect for offices.
2. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
The aloe plant is a succulent that grows from a center cluster then stretches upward. Its leaves are filled with a gel that has numerous health and beauty uses. They thrive even if the soil is all dried out. In fact, when you water it, make sure that you drain the water out of the pot and leave the typical potting soil to dry out for the aloe plant to thrive better. This plant needs bright indirect sunlight so keep it near a window.
3. Cactus (Cactaceae)
This houseplant is probably is the easiest to grow among all the plants on this list. Their sizes and shapes vary, giving you a wide range of possible house plants to choose from. Caring for this hard-to-kill beauty is pretty basic. Just water it twice a month and leave it near a window for some indirect sunlight.
4. Zebra Haworthia (Haworthiopsis fasciata)
The Zebra Haworthia is a succulent that has a rose-like shape. They are low maintenance just like the aloe plant, which makes them perfect for beginner gardeners. During spring and summer, you may water this succulent weekly and make sure the water drains out of the pot. In winter, this plant is even more unfussy as you only need to water it once every other month! How convenient is that?
5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Now, this plant is highly popular because it is very easy to care for. The variations for this plant is either green, white or light green in color. Why is this called spider plant, though? Well, that’s because this house plant has little clumps of plants at the end of its runners. These clumps can be propagated into additional plants for you and your gardener friends to grow.
6. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
The color of this houseplant is perfect for the bright colors of the holiday season, that is why it is always given as a gift during Christmas, hence its name as well. Keep them in pots that drain thoroughly and make sure they are placed under bright, indirect sunlight.
Want to make it bloom again in the following Christmas? All you need is to give it 14-hour nights of darkness for six straight weeks under temperatures of 50 to 55°F. Or you can just buy another one if you don’t want to be bothered by the additional work.
7. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum sp.)
Peace lilies are easily blooming if you keep it under bright, indirect sunlight such as areas near windows. They are best kept indoors and are great for office tables. There are sizes that are small enough to fit a desktop and they dig the humidity and temperature of your home or office.
8. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema sp.)
Looking for a strong, hard-to-kill plant that is also beautiful and colorful? The Chinese evergreen is the best choice for you. The pretty green leaves are filled with silvery specks and pink hues.
It is a refreshing burst of colors that is not just easy to the eyes, but also easy for you to handle. When small, this plant can grow while sitting atop your table, but once it’s grown, it becomes the perfect indoor plant that can be placed in corners of your office or home.
9. Purple Shamrock (Oxalis triangularis)
Also known as false shamrock, this purple houseplant resembles a three-leaf clover or a shamrock. The deep purple color of this houseplant sets it apart from the other hard-to-kill indoor plants. The flowers look really delicate but they are actually sturdy.
A bright, indoor light will be perfect for this beauty. Its flowers open and close as a response to the light and darkness, making it an enchanting houseplant for you to behold.
10. Flaming Katy (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
Believe it or not, this house plant thrives on neglect. Also known as kalanchoe, this hard-to-kill indoor beauty has various shades of color ranging from white, yellow, orange, red, and even pink. It can go as long as two weeks without being watered, but make sure it is placed in an area where direct sunlight can be accessed.
11. Bromeliads (Bromeliaceae)
When caring for bromeliads, the crucial things to consider are soil and water. Using soil that drains fast is the key. When you water it, make sure all the water drains out and you’ll surely be happy while looking at this house plant that has a really beautiful array of colors like red, orange, and yellow.
12. Flamingo Flower (Anthurium Sp.)
Who doesn’t know about anthuriums. right? Their bright red flowers are popular across countries because they are shiny and heart-shaped. The key is putting it on the right kind of soil. Mixing 1 part of soil and 1 part perlite will make soil that does not easily drain and can remain moist even if you don’t water it regularly. Do this trick and find yourself gazing at the beautiful blooms of this plant in no time!
We need plants for oxygen, but in truth, they provide more than just cleaner air for us to breathe in. Seeing them can actually encourage calmness and relaxation, relieving us in their own way after a stressful day. They certainly have more benefits than just being beautiful.
And now that we are mostly at home because of the pandemic, we need to be around plants more for a lot of health reasons. Take a pick from these incredible hard-to-kill houseplants and enjoy!
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