I love houseplants. They add vibrancy and a cosy feel to any home. Many can even help improve air quality and add freshness to your living space. They help make a house feel like a home.
However, I’ve become a bit notorious for not looking after plants very well. If they’re fussy, forget it. They won’t last. I want an easy-to-maintain plant that will bounce back if I’ve not checked in on it for a while – *cough cough* weeks.
I’ve owned quite a lot of houseplants now, and I have 4 that are completely unkillable. They’re robust, bounce back quickly if I’ve forgotten to water them, and won’t die if I haven’t given them the right amount of light.
If you’re a beginner just starting in the world of houseplants or want a completely non-fussy plant that can survive in just about any setting, this is the post for you.
1. Peace lily
My number 1 most resilient plant is a peace lily. I’ve had this plant for years, and it’s seen some rough times. I went weeks without watering it by mistake, and it went all droopy and sad. To be honest, it looked dead.
But it bounced back overnight. The following day, the peace lily was standing tall and looked very healthy.
Although peace lilies prefer bright indirect light, they work in shadier spots too. You won’t destroy the plant if you forget to water it, even though the soil should be kept moist, and it can survive in different levels of light.
My peace lily will always be my fave houseplant. It looks great, grows easily, and is super robust. I also love how full and bushy this plant looks. Mine doesn’t flower very frequently, but it’s so pretty when it does!
2. Dracaena fragrans
Another unkillable houseplant is the draceana fragrans. I’ve never so much as even see this plant look like it’s struggling. It can handle overwatering and underwatering and works in different levels of light.
While this plant thrives in bright indirect sunlight, it can work in shadier spots. It should be watered when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
I love the vibrant green leaves, fan shape, and cute bumblebee plant pot. This plant is probably the easiest plant to care for in this post, as it seems to handle anything – even an at-times-unattentive owner like me!
3. Parlour palm
The most recent addition to my houseplant collection is this beautiful parlour palm. My first and only floor plant, this tall palm plant is so pretty. The long stems and feathery leaves are so striking and stand out against almost any background.
It’s another plant that likes bright indirect sunlight. Just like the draceana fragrans, it should be watered when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
It’s a low-maintenance plant that won’t throw a strop if you’ve not watered it for a while and can be easily positioned to a bright, indirect light spot in your home.
4. Spider plant
One of my most commented-on plants is the spider plant. This plant often turns heads, with people saying how much they like it. It has a unique spiky appearance and two-toned foliage, which are very pretty.
Again, the spider plant likes bright indirect sunlight and should be watered when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
I accidentally put this in a spot that had too much direct light and the leaves started to go yellow, with the plant looking droopy overall. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to revive it. However, after I moved it to more indirect light, it bounced back almost immediately. So beginners don’t need to worry about getting the care spot on, as it won’t die on you while you’re learning to care for it!
Sarah Sarsby is the owner of A Woman's Confidence. With over 6 years' experience of writing in the fields of beauty and lifestyle, Sarah is passionate about all things content, makeup, skincare, wellness, and lifestyle. She has oily skin, is obsessed with lip gloss, and loves cookie dough.
You can certainly kill all of these but they are all hearty plants. My Peace Lily is at least 13 years old, has gone through several near death experiences and has not only survived them but is thriving in 100+F outdoor temps in partial sun
I had no idea they could handle those temps. I’m assuming no sun?
Yeah, peace lilies seem to be able to survive just about anything! I didn’t actually realise you could have them outside. Outdoor plants aren’t my thing, but that’s definitely good to know.
I have a peace lily that was full and beautiful but is now just tall and thin.. I put it outside once when someone told me to give it direct sunlight and it turned the leaves black.. it’s still alive but I don’t know what to do.. I’m watering once a week with miracle grow, is there anything else I can do
Continue to provide care and wait for new growth. The damaged leaves will remain damaged but can be cut off once new growth comes along. Direct sunlight is not a friend to the peace lily (even inside) Filtered light/indirect light is preferred.
Hmmm. I’ve killed 3 of those in the last 6 mos. It would be 4 but I haven’t had that one yet. My peace lily was 12 years old before it passed… I do not have a green thumb.
Oh no! With the exception of the parlour palm, I’ve had all of the plants for at least year, and they’re all super healthy and thriving. I wouldn’t say I have a green thumb either, but these have been plants that have simply thrived for me, even at times where I thought I’d accidentally killed them.
I LOVE plants as well and have such a variety. I especially love the ZZ plant, snake plants, and the ponytail plant. I have a varierty of pothos because they can live through anything! Plants definitely create “a happy place.”
Couldn’t agree more about plants creating a “happy place”. Snake plants are really pretty. They’re on my ‘to buy’ list!
I must be super horrible, but I have had them all and they all died.
Nooooo! That sucks 🙁
I had my spider plant for a week. I overwaterd it and it died.
Really? I’m surprised it died on you. Mine is really robust, as I definitely burned it at one point, and it bounced back almost immediately!
Hi thank I for the valuable information.
I love my houseplants and they add just so much tranquility to my life. Caring and just looking at the plants gives me such a sense of peace.
I think every house should have at least a peace lily just to care for and to live
Regards
Yasmin
Parlour Palms are not an easy plant by any means. They require a lot of humidity, up to 80% or misting every single day. They also need a specific soil mixture. Almost all Palms are prone to spider mites. Put a Parlour Palm in too much light and it’ll burn.
I find my palms are generally pretty robust, too, even though they aren’t always known for this. My spider plant bounces back from anything and also let’s me know if it’s not happy by it colour and shape, so I always know what to do!
Excellent tips on indoor plants
I’m sorry to say that the parlour palms do die. Mine did, I wish I could hang my spider plants but I can’t because they are very heavy. Any advice?
I have killed ferns a million times but it keeps bouncing back.
Thanks for the wonderful care on indoor plants. I have a snake plant n it recently produced beautiful white flowers. I have a white Petra n a purple one. The white is in a large pot but it’s now 4 years n no flowers. Any advice.regards Ghairun
That all sounds good and I love all four plants The only problem is nobody ever says whether they are toxic to cats! I have four cats two of which love to chew on plants so therefore I have to get one so it won’t be toxic or none. And I really love plants in the house and I just redecorated the living room and dining room and bought pots for each room and the plants that I put in there to have died.