7 more houseplants you can’t kill

In a previous blog, I introduced you to seven houseplants that can tolerate a bit of neglect. In today’s blog, I will share seven MORE houseplants that can take a little abuse from an absent-minded or inexperienced plant parent. 

​Ready for more? Here we go…

Philodendron

There is a wide variety of philodendrons, from the large monstera to the cut-leaf philodendron to smaller plants with heart-shaped leaves that grow in vines. Your options depend on the space available for your new plant babies. These easy-to-care-for plants do very well in humid conditions like bathrooms, but they don’t like to sit in wet soil, so don’t overwater. Just water the soil evenly, then let dry out before watering again. Philodendrons don’t love direct sun but will thrive in bright indirect light and tolerate dimly lit spaces.

Image by ArtBackground on Adobe Stock.

Ponytail Palm (a.k.a. Beaucarnea recurvata)

I call this the Dr. Seuss plant. I bought a ponytail palm two years ago and stuck it in my southwestern-facing window, and it has doubled—if not tripled—in size! For me, it was love at first sight! These plants can get very large and heavy over time, so they are not your typical windowsill plant. How fast and large they grow will depend on the size pot, so the larger the pot, the larger the plant will grow!

Ponytail palm. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2021.

The name implies it’s a palm, but it’s actually a succulent related to the yucca or agave. Ponytail palms store water in the trunk, so they don’t need watering as much as other plants. Don’t overwater this plant. Water it thoroughly and evenly, then let the soil dry out completely before watering again. For a happy plant, use succulent or cactus soil and place in a spot with bright indirect light but not direct sun.

Pothos (a.k.a. Epipremnum aureum or Devil’s Ivy or Golden Pothos)

Pothos is a vine plant that will thrive under the right conditions. If you want to keep it more bushy, you can trim it back. Or, if you like the long trailing vines, you can place your pothos in a spot where the leaves can dangle. My pothos is currently sitting on the window ledge in my bathroom—where it gets easterly sun, mostly indirect except for first thing in the morning—and it is starting to take over!

Pothos. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

​This vine plant likes humidity but can tolerate dry conditions as well. Give this plant well-draining potting soil some bright indirect light, and don’t overwater it, and you’ll have a happy pothos! It will even tolerate lower light levels if that’s the best you can do.

Rubber Plant (a.k.a. Ficus elastica)

Like the ponytail palm, this drought-resistant plant can grow tall and heavy, so put your rubber plant in a sturdy pot. This is a good plant for a well-lit corner, as it prefers bright indirect light. Use well-draining soil and keep it slightly moist but never soggy.

Image by LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS on Adobe Stock.

Snake Plant (a.k.a. Sansevieria, or Mother-in-Law’s Tongue)

The snake plant—commonly known as sansevieria or Mother-In-Law’s Tongue—thrives in humid conditions. My snake plant temporarily had its home in my bathroom until my pothos and haworthia crowded it out! The plant now looks quite happy living in my front window with my other plants. 

Image by Pixel-Shot on Adobe Stock.

The snake plant is another type of succulent that stores water in its leaves, so water thoroughly and then let the soil dry out. Use well-draining soil for best results.

Sansevierias will tolerate a range of lighting conditions but thrive in medium to bright light levels, just not direct sun.

Spider Plant (a.k.a. Chlorophytum comosum or Airplane Plant. not to be confused with Air Plant)

Spider plants are one of the most well-known houseplants and seem to thrive in a variety of conditions. This dangly plant produces tons of plantlets or spiderettes that you can clip and propagate to get new plants! Other than that, spider plants don’t need frequent repotting. As for watering, wet the soil thoroughly and evenly, and don’t water again until the soil is just dry. The plant will wilt to let you know when you need to give it water ASAP. Hang this houseplant in a window with bright indirect sun if you want a happy plant with tons of new babies!

Image by AHatmaker on Adobe Stock.

ZZ Plant (a.k.a. Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, Zanzibar Gem, or Eternity Plant)

And finally, yet another plant that stores water in its leaves! ZZ plants can survive neglect and low light and are drought tolerant. If you want your plant to be its best, put it in bright indirect light, give it decent potting soil, and water only when the soil is dry.

Image by fabrizio on Adobe Stock.

​Make sure you go back and read “7 Houseplants You Can’t Kill!”! Let me know in the comments if you have a favorite plant baby that has been super simple to maintain. Do you have a neglected plant that still keeps going? Drop it in the comments below!

Related blogs you may want to read:

7 ways to kill a succulent
​7 houseplants you can’t kill!
Eight tips for assessing natural light in your home
How to repot a bonsai ficus
How to repot a pothos plant
How to propagate bromeliad pups
Small houseplants that love bathroom humidity
Eight health benefits of decorating with plants
Let’s talk about houseplants

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This article may contain a few items or commercial mentions, but I only used them for demonstration purposes only. I am not endorsing any particular product or receiving any monetary gain for this blog.
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Sources:

https://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/10-house-plants-you-cant-kill.html
https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/projects/houseplants-you-cant-kill/
https://balconygardenweb.com/houseplants-you-cant-kill-even-if-you-want/
https://smartgardenguide.com/hard-to-kill-houseplants/
https://youhadmeatgardening.com/best-hard-to-kill-houseplants/
https://blog.mytastefulspace.com/2021/07/24/impossible-to-kill-houseplant/
https://www.thespruce.com/easy-houseplants-hard-to-kill-4141665
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/hard-to-kill-houseplants.htm
https://www.treehugger.com/houseplants-are-almost-impossible-kill-4863173