Wow, the response I received last week about my 5 favorite low light house plants was unexpected! Apparently, you guys are into plants and want to know more… and I’m totally game. I wouldn’t exactly call myself a house plant expert by any means, but I do my best. Mostly, I’ve just had lots of plants over the years and have figured out what works — and what doesn’t! Which brings us to today’s post… it’s all about hard-to-kill house plants. Even if you have a black thumb, these 7 plants are easy to keep alive and growing — I promise.
The Easiest Plants to Keep Alive? Try These 7 Hard-to-Kill House Plants!
Aloe Vera
Not only is this plant a great natural remedy, it’s so easy to grow and propagate. As a kid, my grandma would cut off a piece of her aloe vera plant any time I got a sunburn (way too often). Now that I have one, I do the same! This plant is virtually indestructible, too. If you break off a leaf, a new one will grow in. Recently, I had a repotting disaster with mine and it’s already flourishing again!
Money Tree
The Money Tree plant, aka Pachira aquatica, is also known for it’s resilience and air purification. Also, it is viewed as a symbol of good luck! Typically, these pet-friendly plants, prefer indirect sunlight and for the soil to dry out a little between waterings. And the funniest part of these hard-to-kill house plants? They prefer smaller pots!
Pothos
When I think of hard-to-kill house plants, pothos immediately jumps to mind. There are so many appealing, pretty varieties, but my personal favorite is the silver satin pothos. They prefer bright, indirect light and moist soil. If you notice a yellow leaf, that means that you need to cut back on the watering. Also, pothos is incredibly easy to propagate and turn into new plants! Simply take a cutting and place in a glass of water. You’ll see roots start to form. Then, either plant it in soil or keep it in the jar!
ZZ Plant
I mentioned the ZZ plant in my last plant post, but here it is again! Seriously, this resilient plant is perfect if you have a black thumb. It’s extremely tolerant of low light conditions, doesn’t need frequent waterings, and is a great air purifier! The leaves are thick and wazy. If you’re shopping for this house plant, it may come under different names such as Zamioculcas zamiifolia, Zanzibar Gem, Welcome Plant, and Cardboard Plant.
Snake Plant
Another repeat! But what can I say… I love snake plants, aka Sansevieria, for their heartiness and how easy it is to keep this plant alive. Also, over time, this striking house plant can grow really tall, making it perfect for filling in awkward corners in your home. Usually, I water mine once a week, but it can definitely go longer when I forget…
Chinese Money Plant
Aka Pilea peperomioides, this plant has seemingly taken over Instagram now that it’s become commercially available! As I write this post, I’ve realized that the one plant I don’t own from this list is a Chinese money plant… and that I need to immediately remedy that. With it’s round, pancake shaped leaves and skinny stems, this house plant is visually appealing and thrives in bright light with weekly waterings or soakings. Plus, it’s pet-friendly!
Prayer plant
Known alternatively as Maranta leuconeura or Calathea, this one is a true favorite of mine. I’ve moved my Prayer plant about 3-4 times (once across the country!) and it just keeps on going. This pet-friendly house plant is easily recognizable with it’s striped leaves that contain green, red, pink, and purple undersides. The reason it’s called a Prayer plant is because their leaves ‘close’ at night… meaning that the leaves will move throughout the day. It’s pretty cool!
Want more recommendations for easy to grow plants? Try these:
- Rubber plant
- Jade plant
- Chinese evergreen
- African violets
- Junipers
- Parlor palm
- Yucca
- Dragon tree
- Yucca plant
- Ponytail palm
- Philodendron
And lastly… a few things to keep in mind with house plants in general:
- Make sure your soil has proper drainage. This means that the roots won’t drown or rot. I always add an inch or two of small rocks to the bottom of a garden pot before planting. Some people recommend packing peanuts, but I don’t like the idea of using styrofoam ever. I’ve also seen people using coffee filters.
- Do your research before buying plants! This means making sure you can provide the correct amount of water, light, and fertiziler. There are so many plants I want, but I know they won’t thrive… so I don’t buy them.
- Create your own natural fertilizer by combining 20 eggshells and a gallon water, then boiling or 5 minutes. Let it steep for at least 8 hours, then use according to the plant’s specific feeding schedule.
- Consider your humidity levels, especially if you’re going to buy a tropical plant. In the winter, when the air is drier, I use a spritz bottle to provide extra moisture.
- Don’t move your plants too often. Plants can literally go into a state of shock when they are moved, so be sure to pick a spot and stick to it whenever possible.
