14 Hardy Plants You Can't Kill, No Matter How Hard You Try

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Growing a robust garden is an ambitious endeavor—especially if you have been labeled as someone who could kill a cactus. Plenty of resilient plants can live healthy for many years with minimal care, which is perfect for beginners and forgetful gardeners. These tough plants survive wanton neglect and even thrive in suboptimal conditions, making them the ideal starting point for someone looking to dip their toe into gardening.

If you have limited time and are new to gardening, selecting tough and tolerant plants is everything. These indestructible wonders can survive drought, bad soil, and all sorts of weather. Instead of frail flowers, choose robust and reliable ones so that your garden is always green and vibrant.

Snake Plant

A list of easy houseplants to care for would not be complete without the snake plant, Sansevieria. It is perfect for an absentee owner, as it needs very little care and can grow in low-light situations. Its indoor leaves are almost sword-like, making it look unusual and strikingly modern.

Spider Plants

Spider plants are among the easiest plants to grow. They can tolerate low light and need only infrequent watering. Their long, graceful leaves are perfect for providing a pop of green accent in your home, and they are known to grow mini “baby” plants.

Peace Lily

They are also known for their air-cleaning properties and adaption to different lighting levels. They enjoy misty or indirect light and require little water, so the leaves physically droop off when in need of hydration, so they serve as a natural reminder to you.

ZZ Plant

ZZ plants are drought-prone powerhouses that thrive when only watered when totally dried out. Shiny leaves are common in bright indoor and low—to medium-light spaces.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera, in addition to its medicinal advantages, is also a tough plant. It can survive in bright, indirect light and requires watering every two to three weeks. The plant has thick, fleshy leaves that store water, so it can tolerate a little neglect in dry indoor conditions.

Jade Plant

The jade plant is a succulent that can last for decades with very little maintenance. It likes bright light and only needs watering just about every three weeks, as its fleshy leaves hold water during drought conditions. The jade plant has also been known to invite good luck and wealth.

Cast Iron Plant

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With a name like the cast iron plant, you can guess that it is a strong contender. It tolerates low light, drought, and a general fluctuation of conditions. It has shiny leaves and can practically take care of itself, so it is a popular choice for gardeners and people looking to include houseplants.

Rubber Plant

Rubber plants are very versatile and can grow in low light or bright, indirect sunlight. They like to dry out between waterings, and their big, thick leaves make a great statement in any room. They also neutralize the air, which is a win-win.

Philodendron

Philodendrons are adaptable plants that come in many varieties, all of which are hard to kill. They love indirect light and want the soil to dry out between waterings. They feel most at home as climbers and can be planted to trail from hanging baskets.

Pothos

Pothos is one of the more forgiving houseplants that tolerate low light and erratic watering. The bright green leaves are shaped like a heart and grow on long trailing vines that hang perfectly over shelves.

English Ivy

a close up of a plant — Photo Credit: Pexels

English ivy is a versatile plant that quickly may outgrow its indoor environment but is adaptable to over-watering. It is easily confined to a hanging basket or climbing support with regular pruning in the same season.

Succulents

Photo Credit: Shutterstock/Ayesha_Nabeel

Succulents are a large group of plants classified by their water-retaining leaves. They need tons of light and only a teeny question of water, which is perfect if you’re used to drowning your plants. They have interesting geometric shapes and vibrant colors.

Lavender

Lavender is a perennial herb with fragrant leaves and culinary uses. It loves full sun and well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established. Its beautiful and aromatic flowers make it a perfect plant for any garden.

Cactus

Cacti are a friendly reminder that even the most aggressive desert plants cannot withstand zero sunlight; still… no watering is needed. They like the sun and little light watering—only about once every few weeks. From dainty little ones to large giants, cacti make great abstract shapes and textures as statement decor items.