Not everyone was born with a green thumb. There are dozens of people dying for space filled with houseplants, but cannot seem to find the right one to create their own indoor garden. Learn more about plants that you’ll probably never be able to kill, why your plants are dying, and whether they’re actually immortal!
There are plants on the market that are suitable for beginners. Their resilience and drought tolerance allow them to continue growing despite neglect. Some examples of hard to kill plants for homegrown landscaping include the Spider Plant, Aloe Vera, Snake Plant, and Jade Plant.
Hard-To-Kill Plants and How to Care for Them
The following are ten low-maintenance plants that are ideal for beginners or serial plant killers. These plants don’t require a great deal of work or time. Some will survive without much effort and time.
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
The succulent plants are not only easy to grow, but also have green, fleshy leaves which are used to store water. People place succulent plants on their desks at work or at home and are able to easily care for them.
Benefits:
Plants containing saponin are great for healing cuts and burns and are also considered lucky in feng shui, said to attract good fortune when placed in the right spot.
Care Tips:
Succulents, in general, require minimal attention, especially when watering, since they do not require a lot of work. If you have a busy schedule, you may not have time to water other plants every day. Here are some tips you may find helpful if you have purchased a Jade plant.
Light
Plants that grow in jade withstand full sunlight, as well as indoor lighting. A Jade plant with access to at least four hours of full sunlight differs only in height from one in an office cubicle. Jades will tend to grow short if they are kept away from full sunlight, whereas those placed outdoors will be able to reach their optimal height.
Water
One thing you need to know about succulents is that they do not require a lot of water. Too much water may cause their roots to rot, killing your plant eventually. You would need to water your Jade plant when the soil is dry to the touch.
Ideal Temperature
Plants that are exposed to much more sunlight are able to manage much higher temperatures, as long as they are kept at 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fertilizers
Plant fertilizers are not really necessary, but you can apply them once every six months or so. You should avoid fertilizing your plant when the soil is dry; this will cause damage to your roots and eventually kill your plant. A balanced water-soluble mixture is the best way to grow your plant.
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
People have been growing aloe vera for hundreds of years and it was quite popular back in 1750 BC as depicted in Sumerian literature.
Benefits:
These plants are so useful since they don’t need to be processed commercially. A variety of uses are possible for these plants, including soothing gels, shampoos, herbal preparations, and more.
Care Tips:
The Aloe Vera is also a succulent, similar to the Jade plant. They do best in dry environments and do not require undivided attention to grow. They can practically be placed anywhere and survive with the bare minimum.
Water
Aloe vera is not a succulent meant to be overwatered, so it is best to let the soil completely dry out before watering the plant. After thoroughly drying, water the pot, but make sure to completely drench the soil. To ensure this, make sure the pot has a drain so the water can drain out and prevent the roots from being over-soaked. One of the main reasons why aloe plants die is because they are watered too often.
Light
Proper lighting for aloe vera within your home is essential. In its natural habitat, the aloe vera can be found in full sun. Indoors, any space that’s brightly lit would be ideal.
Ideal Temperature
This type of plant is quite resilient and can grow in temperatures between 30 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but thrives best from 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You need not make the same temperature environment for your plants; instead, expose them to direct sunlight on a regular basis.
Fertilizers
It is not necessary to fertilize aloe vera plants, but you may choose to do so if you like. Fertilizing should only be done once a year. You can use a liquid fertilizer containing phosphorus and dilute it in water if the plant is actively growing.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria spp.)
The snake plant is highly resistant to neglect, so it would definitely be the winner of an award if they were given out. Because it is so resilient and hardy, it is a favorite, especially among beginners. The care plan for the snake plant is fairly straightforward and exact. They are perfect for beginners or serial plant killers. There are many varieties of snake plants available in the market. You just need to pick one that suits the aesthetics of your home.
Benefits:
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducted a study in 1989 to prove that plants like the snake plant can clean the air indoors by absorbing toxic material like formaldehyde and benzene.
Care Tips:
A snake plant is literally impossible to kill. These plants are accustomed to harsh and extreme weather conditions, but can easily adapt to indoor environments.
Water
The snake plant does not need daily watering since it is not a succulent. During active growth, the soil must be completely dry before watering again. During colder seasons or dormant phases, monthly watering would be ideal.
Light
Even in the deserts of Africa, snake plants get enough sunlight to thrive, and they also thrive in lower-light conditions. So if your home isn’t as bright, the snake plant would be the best option.
Ideal Temperature
Your snake plant prefers temperatures between 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which is why it should avoid being rooted outdoors during winter. Its ideal temperature is between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fertilizers
The snake plant does not need to be fed. As we have said, this plant is completely hassle-free and would be suitable for people who don’t have much time to deal with the nitty-gritty details. In case you would like to feed your snake plant with fertilizer, use a mild cactus fertilizer during growing season and dilute the solution before applying. Do not use fertilizers during winter.
Philodendron
There is a reason why they are one of the most common plants you will find in indoor spaces. They are quite resilient and easy to adapt to various conditions. Even inexperienced gardeners can care for these plants with no problems. By observing your plant you will be able to tell what it needs and how to help it.
Benefits:
As well as the snake plant, the philodendron has also been included in the NASA study in 1989. It has been proven effective in removing formaldehyde in high concentrations.
Care Tips:
A philodendron needs sunlight, water, and fertilizer, just like most other plants. Here are a few things you can do to keep it healthy and happy:
Water
Indoors, you don’t have to water your philodendrons as routinely, but in outdoor environments you will need to water more often. A standard watering schedule must be followed based on the moisture level of the soil. The plant prefers damp soil, but cannot withstand sitting in water after being watered for long periods. Keeping the soil too dry will result in stressed leaves.
Light
The best location for your philodendron is next to a window. You can place your pot on a window sill where indirect sunlight can gently touch the leaves. You should not expose your plant to too much sunlight since it causes the foliage to burn. If it gets too much sun, the stems become long and leggy. When this occurs, allow your plants to absorb more light than usual.
Ideal Temperature
A philodendron can survive in temperatures ranging from 55 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit because of its resilient nature, but they are best kept between 65 and 75 degrees.
Fertilizer
In order to promote leaf growth, the ideal feed for a plant is foliage fertilizer packed with macro-nutrients. Fertilize once every eight weeks. If you notice that your plant has small pale leaves, this is a sign that there is not enough food in the soil to allow your philodendron to grow optimally.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
One of the easiest to grow and one of the easiest to maintain plants, this plant is widely known in gardening circles. A wide range of varieties to choose from, and all are quite strong, this plant is easy to grow in practically any condition and is least likely to catch a disease.
Benefits:
The spider plant is very useful for air purification. They can clean air by absorbing carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and xylene. These plants were also a part of the NASA study in 1989 and have proven effective against other air toxins.
Care Tips:
Spider plants are the perfect starter plants for beginners. The best choice for someone who knows nothing about gardening and isn’t going to be invested in taking care of plants is this. A spider plant is quite tolerant of abuse, and is quite forgiving to those who don’t care.
Water
When left in very soggy soil, spider plants are at risk of root rot. Water your plant again only when the soil is completely dry. Plants can withstand neglect but cannot endure over-watering.
Light
In indirect sunlight, they thrive, although they can adapt to any lighting conditions. Keep them in a bright place and rotate to fully expose them.
Ideal Temperature
While they are quite resistant to temperature and humidity, they enjoy a cooler climate. Ideally, they would prefer to be within a range of 55 degrees to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fertilizer
It is completely unnecessary to fertilize spider plants.
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