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I need a house plant that doesn't die easily

61 replies

catinboots123 · 15/11/2021 15:12

All my house plants die. Always. I've been given a nice pot and am looking for a medium sized plant.

Bonus points if I can order it online.

Any recommendations?

OP posts:
Kotatsu · 15/11/2021 15:14

Spider plant.

Water when it's looking pale. Easy as pie.

LifeInAHamsterWheel · 15/11/2021 15:16

Honestly, I just buy artifical now. So many gorgeous artificial plants around now and they are so realistic looking. I literally can't keep a cactus alive so this is my only option Grin

TaraR2020 · 15/11/2021 15:17

Well I have an orchid that I seem unable to kill. Not that I actually want to, but it seems to survive in spite of consistent negligence.

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lunarlandscape · 15/11/2021 15:19

Spider plant. I was given three tiny seedlings of them by a neighbour. Totally forgot about them. Soil shrunk in pots for weeks. They didn't die so I potted them on when I remembered them. They doubled in size. I forgot them again. they lived. Watered them and repotted them - they tripled in size and sprouted babies. I love them. They are so hardy and cheerful.

catinboots123 · 15/11/2021 15:20

Oooh I forgot about spider plants good shout. My mum had one in a big glass orb thing in the 80s

OP posts:
Ughmaybenot · 15/11/2021 15:21

Peace lily. It starts looking floppy, you water it, it thrives on… or seems to 🤷🏼‍♀️

lilao · 15/11/2021 15:21

I've had a Kentia Palm for about 8 months now and it's still alive?

Only needs watering once every few weeks

karmakameleon · 15/11/2021 15:24

I’ve bought a few houseplants from Patch and all still alive (touch wood). Their website is really helpful for finding plants that will survive anything.

SavoyCabbage · 15/11/2021 15:24

I've got an aloe Vera from IKEA that I forget is there it's so neglected.

PlausibleSuit · 15/11/2021 15:24

I like ZZ plants (zamioculcas) or sansevieria for this kind of brief.

ZZ Raven is particularly lovely almost black leaves but is remarkably robust.

Whatinthelord · 15/11/2021 15:25

Christmas cactus

Only thing I’ve kept alive and pretty flowers when it blooms

safariboot · 15/11/2021 15:39

Succulents are pretty resilient, the main thing is don't water them too much. In fact that's the main thing with most house plants. A plant dying of too much water and one dying of too little water look almost the same.

Umbrella tree (Schefflera) are also good. They'll grow to reach the ceiling eventually. They are toxic to dogs and cats though.

CrumpleHornedSnowcack · 15/11/2021 15:40

aloe Vera are great, water every now & then and very useful in the summer

Bebeschitt · 15/11/2021 15:42

Snake plant or ZZ. Bomb proof. In fact, you can just ignore them. 🌱

IntemperateSpirits · 15/11/2021 15:42

www.patchplants.com has an "unkillables" section which should give you some ideas.

AmberRoseGold · 15/11/2021 15:43

Yes sanseveria, ZZ, spider plant or peace lily all seem to thrive on neglect. I also have a string of beads plant which is doing much better than I expected given my levels of care!

Cattitudes · 15/11/2021 15:46

Aloe vera, as long as you don't kill plants with kindness you cannot go wrong!

girlmom21 · 15/11/2021 15:46

@TaraR2020

Well I have an orchid that I seem unable to kill. Not that I actually want to, but it seems to survive in spite of consistent negligence.
You sound like an amateur to me - I've killed a fair few orchids in my time Blush

I love them as well!

StampOnIt · 15/11/2021 15:47

@Bebeschitt

Snake plant or ZZ. Bomb proof. In fact, you can just ignore them. 🌱
Agree with Snake plant, I've managed to kill spider plants, but my Snake Plant has lasted years, I probably only water it once a month if that.
AtLeastThreeDrinks · 15/11/2021 15:49

@lilao

I've had a Kentia Palm for about 8 months now and it's still alive?

Only needs watering once every few weeks

One of these and a cast iron plant, lives up to its name! Mine lives in the dark and is rarely watered and somehow survives.
polar81 · 15/11/2021 15:50

Any pothos or tradescantia. Pothos have a gorgeous jungly feel and tolerate fairly low light. Tradescantia are so colourful and pretty and you can grow a full plant from a few cuttings in months.

Yousexybugger · 15/11/2021 15:51

I wouldn't put aloe vera in the death proof category, personally. I've found them quite easy to over water. Spider plants and sanseveria are really easy care and I would say monstera deliciosa are also pretty resilient. Just don't let it get bone dry.

Daisy4569 · 15/11/2021 15:53

Calathea Elgergrass

Indestructible. When it starts looking ropey you just throw a couple of glasses of water in and as good as new the next day!

AuntMasha · 15/11/2021 15:53

Snake plants are supposed to remove toxins and pollutants from the air, so beneficial too. They used to be called ‘Mother-in-law’s Tongue’ in the bad old days!

CloverField · 15/11/2021 16:01

Aloe Vera are great

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