Most people care about houseplants but still fail to keep them alive – maybe you can relate. Maybe your houseplant graveyard is visible on your window sill, maybe you spend some time contemplating the perfect green houseplants at the store. That goes on any time you visit the plant section at any store.
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Check PriceThese 9 extraordinary plants have adapted to some of the most extreme environments man can face. They have developed amazing survival techniques to make your neglect feel like a 5 star resort. Plus, learning how tough these plants are will instantly change you from a plant murderer to a plant whisperer!
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ZZ Plant: The Indestructible Champion
The ZZ Plant can go months without water due to its thick underground rhizomes that store water. This plant want you to forget about it! Typically you will want to water this plant every 3-4 weeks, but only do so when the soil is completely dry. The leaves are glossy, are designed to capture all light, and will remain green even in low light. If you notice leaves turning yellow, it's likely due to overwatering.
Snake Plant: The Champion of Low Light
The Snake Plant has a special ability called CAM photosynthesis. This means they open their gaps at night which helps them conserve water during the day. Because of this, they prefer those dark corners instead of bright light places where other plants would die. Water the snake plant every 2 to 3 weeks at the maximum. Look for soft mushy leaves at the base of the plant which is a sign of overwatering. If you forget to water your snake plant, you can literally go two months without watering them and they will still look amazing.
Pothos: The Vining Survivor
Pothos plants are unique because of their roots. Roots that can survive in either soil or water. Pothos are also incredibly hardy and can bounce back from situations that would cause the death of most other houseplants. If the leaves are pale, they need more light. If the leaves have brown tips, that means they need less water. You should water your plant when soil is dry one inch down (approximately every 1 to 2 weeks).
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Spider Plant: A Marvel of Self-Propagation
Spider plants are practically the Swiss Army knife of house plants! They tolerate a remarkable range of temperatures, irregular watering, and air pollution. They also produce baby plants you can share with friends! Their thick, fleshy roots store water and nutrients, making them nearly drought proof. That's why you only have to water them weekly during the growing season and then every two weeks during winter. If you notice yellow tips on the leaves, it could mean that your tap water has too much fluoride. The solution would be to switch to filtered water.
Aloe Vera: An Expert in Surviving the Desert
Mature aloe plants can go months without water due to the incredible water storage ability of their thick, succulent leaves. This means that the relaxed watering schedule you adopt for your plants may actually be ideal for them! Generally, you’ll want to water your Aloe plants deeply but infrequently; that means every 2-3 weeks in the summer, and then just once each month in the winter. The leaves are gonna tell you how the plant is doing: if the leaves are plump and firm the plant is happy. If it is starting to get wrinkly, that means it thirsty, whereas soft, brown and droopy leaves means the plant has been overwatered.
Peace Lily: The Drama Queen That Forgives
Peace lilies are well known for their theatrical wilting performances when they require water. However, this plant actually favors being watered less often, and the leaves will spring back to life a few hours after watering. The leaves will droop as a form of communication (not distress) and will need to be watered when drooping occurs. Typically this will happen every week. Additionally, brown tips on leaves usually means that humidity is too low, and is not an indication that the plant needs water.
Victorian Survivor: The Cast Iron Plant
For good reason, cast iron plants have survived the gas lit, sooty air of Victorian homes, so they will definitely survive your apartment. These plants SLOWLY grow on purpose as a means of conserving energy for survival rather than going for rapid growth. They only need watering every 2-3 weeks (even less in the winter). A good rule for determining when to water is when the soil is dry about 1-2 inches down. If you notice the leaves turning yellow, you're likely overwatering, or they are getting too much direct sunlight.
Jade Plant: The Living Piggy Bank
The thick coin-shaped leaves and woody stems of jade plants help them store water. In fact, these types of succulents can survive on rainfall alone in many environments! Water your jade plants when the soil is `completely dry`, which is usually every 2 to 3 weeks. If the leaves are wrinkled, that means they are underwatered (extremely rare). In contrast, soft and mushy leaves indicate overwatering. In the winter, jade plants need to be watered monthly because they enter near-dormancy.
Parlor Palm: An Amazing Air Purifier
Parlor palms always grow in the understory of tropical forests. This habitat makes parlor palms great for the low light and infrequent watering environment of your home. Because of their slow growth rate, they won't be demanding resources all the time. They should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry, about 1-2 weeks. If you notice brown leaf tips you might think it's a sign of neglect, but it's usually a sign of low humidity or overwatering. These plants actually prefer when they're a bit pot-bound.
Understanding the Psychology of Constructive Neglect
These plants have similar ways to survive such as the capability of storing water, utilizing light efficiently, and having slow metabolism that does not require constant feeding. Most house plants die due to overwatering which causes root rot, a condition these plants actively defend themselves from through their evolved drainage and storage systems.
In order to be successful, it is important to recognize that 'neglect' is not actually 'neglect.' instead, it is managing the natural rhythms of the plants. You have to check soil moisture, use your finger, watch for signals from your plants, and try not to do too much to 'help.' Those that survive will reward your efforts with years of growth and zero stress.
