Plants That Are Impossible To Kill.

Introduction.

When it comes to plants that are impossible to kill every person with plants at home has concerns about preventing or treating issues like overwatering, underwatering, pests, and root rot. But the biggest fear – the thing that all of these minor problems could potentially lead to – is a plant’s death. Novices (and even seasoned houseplant hobbyists) always have this fear at the back of their minds, and rightfully so!

I remember back in the day, we had some relatively high-maintenance plants in the house and I’d look after them very carefully. But I had to go out of town for a few weeks and gave my mom a few pointers and directions to ensure their proper upkeep during that period. But oh well, my mom – bless her – did everything as carefully as she could, only to have me come home to a dying bird’s fern nest, and a banana plant with badly browning leaf tips.

So, being new to the houseplant game, it’s completely normal to experience a few failures when you’re just starting off. The slightest issue can determine a fatal fate for your plants – depending on your climate conditions and the type of plants you’ve got. However, the best way to ease into this hobby without a depressing chain of plant deaths is to pick highly survivable plants!

This article is all about that. I’ve handpicked 10 plants that are impossible to kill with easy maintenance and are stress-free. They won’t die on you easily, so let’s have a look!

10 plants that are impossible to kill.

Silver Pothos (Scindapsus pictus).

The Silver Pothos is one of the easiest plants that are impossible to kill and to look after and grow. It belongs to the Arum family, and it’s an evergreen tropical vine. Unless you have very cold weather where you live, this plant is extremely beginner friendly.

• General Care

✿ Light

Bright, indirect light.

✿ Soil

Nutritious indoor potting mix with a combination of perlite, peat moss, and pine bark for optimal drainage.

✿ Watering

The plant doesn’t do well in moist and soggy soil, so err on the side of less frequent watering. As always, poke your finger into the soil and if it feels dry, slowly pour some room-temperature water until it starts to seep out from the drainage holes at the bottom.

✿ Temperature

65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

✿ Humidity

40% to 50%.

✿ Fertilizer

Feed once a month during summer and spring with a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer.

• Potting and Repotting

You should re-pot your Silver Pothos if there’s visible root growth under the pot through its drain holes. You might get to this point every one or two years depending on the rate of your plant’s growth.

The best time to carry it out is right at the beginning of the growing season. Re-pot your Silver Pothos in a pot that’s at least a couple of inches larger than your current one, and use a nutritious potting mix with excellent drainage (as mentioned above).

• Propagation

Propagating this plant is also pretty straightforward! Simply snip some healthy cuttings about four inches from the top, and place them into a similar-sized pot with a suitable soil mix. Keep it in indirect light and let the soil remain moist until the plant roots. It should take about a month! Once it roots, you can start to slowly reduce your watering frequency.

Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea Recurvata).

Here’s another viciously survivable plant – the Ponytail palm! Unless you overwater this plant, it’ll stick with you through thick and thin. With long leafy streamers growing tall and arching out in all four directions – the plant’s name seems pretty accurate! In their natural conditions, these plants that are impossible to kill can get as tall as 30 feet, but stay manageably short indoors at just 4 feet.

• How to Grow

As an indoor plant, it’s a “set and forget” type of grower as long as you provide it with sufficient light and a somewhat regular watering cycle. It doesn’t grow fast though, so don’t beat yourself over it if you don’t see any additional foliage at the end of spring. It takes about two growing seasons for the plants that are impossible to kill to grow into a complete spectacle in your home collection.

• General Care

✿ Light

Bright indirect light or full sun.

✿ Soil

Organically rich, sandy soil, or indoor succulent mix.

✿ Water

Once every one or two weeks (and skip it if it rains during that period).

✿ Temperature

Above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

✿ Fertilizer

Slow-release pellet or liquid fertilizer in the growing season.

✿ Potting & Repotting

Repot into a small container with succulent potting mix every two to three years in the spring.

• Propagating

Ponytail palms can grow pups that emerge as offsets from the base. You can remove and pot these individually to propagate a new ponytail plant out of them. A rooting hormone can also help stimulate new root growth in the pup to make up for the natural lack of roots on some offsets.

• Pruning

Every once in a while, trim off damaged leaf sections whenever you spot them. You can also maintain a tidier appearance by pruning away any secondary shoots coming from the offsets from the plant’s base – but that’s optional, as some growers prefer the look of these secondary shoots.

Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis Orchid).

If you want a houseplant that’s hard to kill but doesn’t look like it – the moth orchid is a perfect choice! Its delicate looks will almost scare you off as a novice, but it’s actually pretty easy to maintain and grow (unless you plan on growing it outdoors in North America).

• Growing Indoors

Being a tropical plant originating from the tropical parts of Asia and Australia, it’s not cold-tolerant. But if you can maintain the right temperature for it, everything else is pretty straightforward. Here are the plant’s preferred conditions for growing indoors:

✿ Light

Indirect daylight or artificial light.

✿ Temperature

75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

✿ Humidity

50% to 80%.

✿ Watering

The plant has low drought tolerance, so you’ll have to water it at least once a week. Slowly water it with warm or room-temperature water, and let it drain the excess out before repositioning it at its spot.

✿ Potting Soil

Moth orchid’s root needs plenty of airflow, so ensure the soil has good aeration and doesn’t suffocate it. Also, ensure fresh airflow around the plant for optimal health and growth.

✿ Fertilizer

Use diluted orchid fertilizer every three or four weeks in the growing season.

• Pruning

Once mature, orchids should be pruned once a year outside of the flowering period to get rid of faded blooms. Get some sterile scissors, and snip the stem’s top portion to about an inch up from a node. This encourages more blooms and a new stem section. While you’re at it, get rid of any brown/black leaves and snip away dead or mushy roots.

• Potting and Repotting

You can re-pot moth orchids near the end of spring once they’ve already bloomed. But mature orchids can go about two to three years without a need for repotting, so you don’t have to do it unless you see roots growing out of the drainage holes.

To re-pot your Phalaenopsis, start by choosing a pot that’s an inch or two larger than the previous one. Use a weak bleach solution to disinfect it, and then rinse and dry the container. Then, wash your hands and make sure that the tools you’re about to use are sterile. Remove the orchid, cut away the brown roots, and gently place it in the new one. It’s recommended to use moistened bark as your potting medium and mist daily until you see new roots developing.

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera).

The Christmas Cactus – also referred to as the “Holiday Cactus” – makes for the perfect gift in the festive season. That’s because even if the person at the receiving end doesn’t know much about plant maintenance, they’ll still manage to look after this plant with ease with some basic care. The plant is flush with bold blooms that aren’t even too picky about conditions!

• General Care

✿ Light

Part-shade or diffused light.

✿ Soil

It’s a highly adaptable plant that thrives in everything from a sandy, perlite, or loamy mix, to a standard cactus soil or a general-purpose potting medium.

✿ Watering

Despite being a cactus, the plant is relatively thirstier due to its tropical origin. Water it thoroughly, let it drain out, and don’t re-water until the soil is completely dry. In hot summers, this can be as quick as 2 days.

✿ Temperature

70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in growing months, and 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit otherwise.

✿ Humidity

50% to 60%.

✿ Fertilizer

Use a balanced, water-soluble, diluted half-strength fertilizer once a month during spring and summer.

• Pruning

Prune off the last one or two segments of the plant every year right after it blooms to make the plant branch out and grow more stems.

Umbrella Tree (Schefflera Arboricola).

The large genus of tropical plants that are impossible to kill – the umbrella tree – has two particular species that stand out as ideal picks for indoor plant hobbyists. “Schefflera” is more of an umbrella term (pun intended) that includes the Schefflera arboricola, and the Schefflera Actinophylla. They’re both low-maintenance, prefer similar conditions, and add lots of aesthetic value to your space.

• General Care

✿ Light

Indirect, bright light.

✿ Soil

Rich and somewhat moist.

✿ Watering

Water regularly (more so in its growth season), and let the soil dry out before each watering. You can slightly cut back on it during the winter months as continuous overwatering can kill the plant eventually.

✿ Temperature

60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

✿ Humidity

75% and above.

✿ Fertilizer

Feed the plant once or (preferably) twice a week in spring with slow-release pellets or liquid fertilizer.

• Pruning

Your umbrella plants that are impossible to kill may need some occasional pruning, especially if they somewhat lack daylight. Snip off anything that seems a bit leggy, overgrown, or brown. This plant responds well to pruning and rebounds with fuller growth.

Cast Iron PlAnt (Aspidistra El Atior).

The Cast Iron plant is notorious for being one of the most resilient houseplants out there. It’s hard to kill even for the most negligent of plant parents. It has lance-shaped, glossy deep green leaves that grow about 2 feet in length and 4 inches wide. In other words, it’s a stunning-looking plant!

• General Care

✿ Light

A north-facing window is ideal as it keeps the plant safe from direct sunlight. The plant prefers a shady area with indirect sunlight.

✿ Soil

The plant isn’t picky about its soil, being able to tolerate almost any soil type with decent drainage. A standard quality potting mix works great.

✿ Watering

The plant has some drought tolerance, adding to its “tough-to-kill” character. Only water the plant when you don’t feel any dampness in the soil upon sticking your finger inside.

✿ Temperature

60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

✿ Humidity

Prefers high humidity, but anything above 40% is a safe range.

✿ Fertilizer

Use all-purpose liquid fertilizer during the summer and spring months, following the instructions on the label.

• Propagation

The most popular way to propagate cast-iron plants that are impossible to kill is by way of division (steps discussed earlier). It can be a costly plant in some parts of the world, so it’s a pretty cheap and low-effort way to acquire a new plant for your home collection. Since it’s such a survivable plant, it also makes for a great gift for your loved ones.

Hindu Rope Pl Ant (Hoya Carnosa).

The Hindu Rope plant is native to the East Asian and Australian regions and is commonly grown as an indoor plant in North America. It’s classified as a semi-succulent, vine-like, perennial species that is identifiable by its unique curling vines, lush and waxy foliage, and gorgeous blooms. It’s also pretty low-maintenance!

• General Care

✿ Light

Indirect, bright light (for maximum growth and bloom).

✿ Soil

Avoid using heavy soil for this plant. Instead, use a fast-draining, airy, and light potting mix. So, look for components like orchid bark or perlite.

✿ Watering

Being semi-succulents, they can naturally retain some water, allowing you to get away with infrequent watering. Only water the plant when the top inch or two are dried out, which can happen quickly during active growth season.

✿ Temperature

60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit are not sustainable for this plant’s growth and well-being.

✿ Humidity

40% to 60%.

✿ Fertilizer

The plant doesn’t require any feed during the winter months. But using a weak fertilizer solution once every two months is sufficient during the rest of the year.

• Propagating

You can easily propagate your Hindu Rope plant by way of replanting its stem cuttings, following the steps mentioned in earlier articles. Just make sure to use light, airy, and well-drained potting soil – or plant your cuttings in water until roots develop.

• How to Grow Hoya Carnosa From Seed

It’s not easy to grow this plant from seed, and that’s a well-known fact among houseplant hobbyists. Even if it works, it won’t necessarily look anything like the original plant (yes, this one’s weird). Your best bet is to propagate a cutting from your existing plant or buy a healthy plant from your nearest nursery.

Purple Shamrock (False Shamrock).

The Purple Shamrock (or False Shamrock) is a pretty uncommon plant, but that’s also what adds to its exotic vibe! Its black foliage sits well with that image, but it’s actually an extremely deep purple shade if you look closely.

Another unique element about their looks is their triangle leaves. It’s easily one of the best-looking plants that are impossible to kill on this list – but that’s subjective, of course.

Despite their delicate and outlandish appearance, the plant is actually pretty easy to look after.

• General Care

✿ Light

Grows well in partial shade to full sun. About four hours of direct sun per day is ideal.

✿ Soil

A sandy or loamy soil works best as it naturally drains well.

✿ Water

Once mature, the plant is somewhat drought tolerant, though younger purple shamrock needs regular watering. During the growing season, water the plant when the top inch feels dry to the touch.

✿ Temperature

60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

✿ Humidity

Around 50%.

✿ Fertilizer

During the growth season, use liquid or slow-release fertilizer according to the instructions on the label.

• Propagation

The Purple Shamrock can be propagated by way of division. These plants that are impossible to kill can also be relatively expensive, so getting a new baby shamrock by way of division makes a lot of sense!

Kaffir Lily (Clivia Miniata).

The Kaffir Lily – also known as the Clivia plant – is almost invincible. They have blooms in distinctive color shades of orange, cream, and bright yellow – with trumpet-shaped flowers. Having one of these adorning your interior is going to be a huge talking point, especially during bloom season!

• Blooming

Speaking of blooming, remember that the plant won’t reward you with these gorgeous plants that are impossible to kill anytime soon! It takes about 2-3 years for this plant to grow old enough to bloom – and it mainly happens at the peak of the spring season with some sporadic growth at its end.

• General Care

As long as you get the basic conditions right (as listed below), the Kaffir Lily isn’t a challenging plant to grow and maintain. At its peak, the plant stands about 18 inches tall and wide – but it’ll take them about 2 to 5 years to get to that point.

✿ Light

Bright, indirect sunlight (but can live without much of it as well).

✿ Temperature

60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

✿ Humidity

Prefers lower humidity (but can survive in the average home ambiance as well).

✿ Watering

Water your Kaffir Lily to keep the soil moist almost all the time during summer. In the winter, do it sparingly and let the soil dry out between waterings to encourage earlier blooms.

✿ Soil

Any well-drained potting mix that’s high in organic matter.

✿ Repotting

The plant prefers being pot-bound, so only repot if necessary (but not during its flowering period).

• Propagating

The two most common methods of propagating a Kaffir Lily are through division or seeds (both covered in earlier sections). Only propagate the plant once the spring season is over, as any additional stress during or before it can impact its bloom.

Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea Elegans).

The Parlor Palm takes up the last spot on this list, and it deserves it! It’s naturally so survivable that if you cut a snipping of its fronds, it can survive for as long as six weeks despite being cut and detached from the plant! This also makes it a popular choice in flower arrangements for weddings and Palm Sunday decorations.

Growing it as an indoor palm is actually pretty common among houseplant enthusiasts thanks to its striking looks and low-maintenance nature.

• General Care

✿ Light

Indirect, bright daylight.

✿ Soil

Can be planted in your yard outdoors, in some peaty soil as an indoor plant, or in any well-drained potting mix.

✿ Watering

Only water your Parlor Palm when the top inch of the soil feels completely dry to the touch. The plant is relatively sensitive to overwatering, so err on the side of dryness.

✿ Temperature

65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

✿ Humidity

The plant cannot tolerate frost or cold drafts but thrives in average humidity.

✿ Fertilizer

This plant doesn’t need much feeding. Some weak liquid fertilizer in the growing season (once or twice) would do.

• Propagating Parlor Palm

The Parlor Palm is propagated directly from the seed, but mostly by professional growers. The success rate on this for home growers is depressingly low, so you’d best stick to buying a new plant if you’re looking to expand your Parlor Palm collection at home.

• Potting and Repotting.

The Parlor Palm has relatively slow-growing and sensitive root systems, so re-potting should be done with extreme care, and only if necessary. The plant maintains a manageable size so repotting it once in two (or even three) years is sufficient.