7 Houseplants That Are Hard to Kill
Love houseplants but have a history of forgetting to water them?
You’re exactly who this list is for.
Some plants are much more forgiving than others. They can handle missed waterings, imperfect light, and the occasional beginner mistake without giving up on you.
If you want beautiful indoor plants without a complicated care routine, start with these 7 hard-to-kill houseplants.
1. ZZ Plant
The ZZ Plant is one of the toughest indoor plants you can own.
Its thick underground rhizomes store water, helping it tolerate dry soil and longer periods between waterings.
It can also adapt to lower-light environments, which makes it a great choice for offices, bedrooms, apartments, and homes without perfect natural light.
Why it’s hard to kill
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Very drought tolerant
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Handles lower light
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Requires little maintenance
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Forgiving if you forget to water
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Great for beginners
If you’ve struggled with houseplants before, this is one of the best places to restart.
2. Snake Plant
Snake Plants have earned their reputation as some of the toughest houseplants around.
Their thick, sword-shaped leaves store moisture, allowing them to go longer between waterings than many common indoor plants.
They also grow upright, which makes them easy to fit into smaller spaces.
Why it’s hard to kill
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Drought tolerant
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Doesn't need frequent watering
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Handles a range of indoor light
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Compact upright growth
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Great for busy plant owners
Snake Plants generally prefer being underwatered rather than constantly sitting in wet soil.
Shop Snake Plants at Ethereal Company →
3. Marble Queen Pothos
The Marble Queen Pothos is one of the easiest trailing plants for beginners.
It grows beautiful green-and-white leaves along vines that can hang from shelves, trail from planters, or climb a support.
Pothos can adapt to a range of indoor conditions and is forgiving if you occasionally miss a watering.
Why it’s hard to kill
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Easy to grow
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Handles occasional missed waterings
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Adapts to different light levels
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Fast-growing vines
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Easy to propagate
Pothos is also a great plant for learning because you can easily see how it responds to light and water.
4. Spider Plant
The Spider Plant Reverse is another forgiving option for beginners.
Its arching leaves create a full, lively look, and mature plants can produce small baby plants called spiderettes.
Spider Plants are adaptable and grow well in many common household environments.
Why it’s hard to kill
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Adaptable to different light levels
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Fast growing
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Easy to propagate
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Forgiving of minor mistakes
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Pet-friendly
If you want a plant that rewards you with visible growth without demanding constant attention, Spider Plants are a great option.
5. Chinese Evergreen
The Chinese Evergreen 'Maria' is popular because it can handle conditions that are less than perfect.
It grows attractive patterned foliage and is especially useful in rooms that receive moderate or lower levels of natural light.
Why it’s hard to kill
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Tolerates lower light
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Doesn't require direct sun
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Attractive patterned leaves
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Adapts well indoors
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Beginner friendly
Chinese Evergreen is an excellent option for offices, bedrooms, or other rooms where brighter tropical plants might struggle.
6. Heartleaf Philodendron
The Heartleaf Philodendron is another forgiving trailing houseplant.
Its green heart-shaped leaves grow along long vines that can hang from shelves or climb a support.
It adapts well to normal household conditions and is much less demanding than many more exotic tropical plants.
Why it’s hard to kill
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Easy trailing growth
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Adaptable to indoor conditions
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Doesn't require direct sun
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Forgiving care requirements
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Excellent beginner plant
It's a great alternative if you like the look of Pothos but want something slightly different.
Shop Houseplants at Ethereal Company →
7. Parlor Palm
The Parlor Palm has been grown indoors for generations.
Unlike many palms, it can adapt well to typical indoor environments and doesn't require intense direct sunlight.
Its soft green fronds add a tropical feel without the demanding care routine associated with many tropical plants.
Why it’s hard to kill
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Works well indoors
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Handles indirect light
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Attractive tropical foliage
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Doesn't need intense sunlight
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Good choice for beginners
If you want a tropical-looking plant without turning plant care into a full-time hobby, Parlor Palm is worth considering.
What Is the Hardest Houseplant to Kill?
If you want the safest possible choice, start with a:
ZZ Plant
ZZ Plants are exceptionally drought tolerant and can adapt to lower-light indoor spaces.
Snake Plant
Snake Plants store water in their thick leaves and can handle long periods between waterings.
Marble Queen Pothos
Pothos is forgiving, fast growing, and easy to understand even if you've never cared for a plant before.
These three are excellent choices for people who describe themselves as having a “black thumb.”
What Usually Kills Houseplants?
Ironically, one of the easiest ways to kill a supposedly easy plant is by caring for it too much.
Overwatering
Many beginner houseplants are more tolerant of dry soil than constantly wet roots.
Before watering, check whether the soil has started to dry.
No Light at All
A plant may tolerate low light, but that doesn't mean it can survive permanently in complete darkness.
Plants still need light to grow.
Poor Drainage
Water needs somewhere to escape.
If excess water sits around a plant's roots for too long, it can cause serious problems.
Constantly Moving the Plant
Plants need time to adjust to their surroundings.
If your plant seems happy in a location, you usually don't need to keep moving it around the house.
Is It Better to Underwater or Overwater Houseplants?
It depends on the plant, but many beginner-friendly plants handle temporary dryness better than constantly wet soil.
This is especially true for plants such as:
Instead of watering according to a strict calendar, check the soil first.
If it's still damp, wait.
If it has dried to the level recommended for that particular plant, it's probably time to water.
What Is the Best Houseplant for Someone Who Forgets to Water?
The ZZ Plant is one of the strongest options.
Its underground rhizomes store water, allowing it to tolerate periods of dry soil better than many common houseplants.
Snake Plants are another excellent choice.
If forgetting to water is your biggest problem, plants that store water are generally much easier to manage than plants that demand constantly moist soil.
What Is the Best Beginner Plant for Low Light?
If you have both low light and limited plant experience, start with:
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Snake Plant
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Chinese Evergreen
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Parlor Palm
These plants are more adaptable to indoor lighting than many sun-loving plants.
You can see more options in our Low-Light Houseplant Collection.
Start With a Plant That Fits Your Lifestyle
The easiest plant isn't necessarily the same for everyone.
If you forget to water, choose a drought-tolerant plant.
If your home doesn't receive much natural light, choose a plant that adapts to lower-light conditions.
If you have limited space, consider an upright Snake Plant or a trailing Pothos that can grow from a shelf.
The secret isn't having a green thumb.
It's choosing the right plant for your home and lifestyle.
At Ethereal Company, we make it easier to find beautiful houseplants that don't require expert-level care.
Ready for a Plant You Can Actually Keep Alive?
Start with one of our easy-care indoor plants and build your collection as your confidence grows.
