10 house plants that thrive on neglect

Looking for a truly easy house plant to keep alive with minimal care? The majority of us feel like we’re cursed when it comes to keeping indoor plants alive. Whether we over-water the soil or keep them in too much sunlight, many plants don't survive the first year of ownership.

But some are easier to look after than others. Below, are 10 choices for growers that neglect, forget and under-water their green friends. From this point onwards, you’ll finally be able head down to the local garden centre with confidence to sniff out the easiest of house plants to grow indoors.

1. Natal lily (Clivia miniata)

The natal lily is a traditional house plant that seems to be making a comeback with indoor growers. While being a distant relative of the Christmas amaryllis, this drought-tolerant choice will also produce orange trumpet-shaped flowers during the spring that’ll last around three to four weeks. They’ll live happily for at least 30 years in the right care, too.

Why it’s unkillable: A very, very drought tolerant evergreen plant

2. False shamrock plant (Oxalis triangularis)

Oxalis triangularis is a tremendous plant to have in anyone’s collection and is rather forgiving when it comes to neglect. This burgundy-toned delight has an unusual ability by moving its foliage throughout the day and night; its leaves will droop downwards at nightfall before pointing to the sky at the first signs of daylight. We can almost guarantee that it’ll even bloom everyday for several years to come due to its prolific ability to flower in all seasons.

Why it’s unkillable: Grows with little soil moisture and lots of light

3. Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata)

Being a trusty favourite in the house plant community, the dragon tree is often overlooked for beginner growers or those who want a fuss-free life. It prefers a bright windowsill (or within one metre of a window) to compliment the plant’s future shape when growing. Only rehydrate the soil once it fully becomes dry, as over-watering is prone with older specimens of more than five years old.

Why it’s unkillable: Grows well in sunny locations and lives for over 20 years

4. Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera truncata)

Despite only being grown during the months of October to January, the Christmas cactus is actually a very, very easy house plant to grow. It really should be sold all year round in garden centres as it requires very little attention. Reduce the frequency of watering from August onwards to allow the stems’ tips to callous over, significantly increasing the likelihood of flowers.

Why it’s unkillable: Flowers when given minimal care

5. Rocket plant (Sansevieria cylindrica)

Often sold in almost all garden centres and DIY stores, Sansevieria cylindrica is a simple, but effective house plant to have in your collection. It doesn't care too much where you place it in your home - whether on a hot, sunny windowsill, or in the corner of a shady room. As long as you ensure the soil becomes dry in between waters, this plant will slowly become a long-living fixture in any house.

Why it’s unkillable: A slow grower and can live without water for two months

6. Swedish ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus)

Plectranthus verticillatus. Getty images — *Plectranthus verticillatus*. Getty images

This is the one house plant on the list that’s only available to buy on online retailers or local marketplaces. Despite originating from southern Africa, its name comes from the plant’s initial popularity in Sweden where neighbouring countries learned of this quick-growing species. You can place a Swedish ivy on tables, shelves or windowsills to allow its naturally flowing stems to cover the surrounding areas.

Why it’s unkillable: They can survive being bashed around and are rarely a thirsty plant

7. The old man cactus (Cephalocereus senilis)

Cephalocereus senilis. Getty images — *Cephalocereus senilis*. Getty images

Nicknamed due to its grey tufts that resemble the most experienced in our society, the old man cactus is a slow-growing plant that’ll quietly flourish in the sunniest window of your home. Its slow pace of around 0.7cm of growth per year earns itself as a great option for terrariums or cactus gardens. It’s also the least high-maintenance on the list, only needing a water once every two or three months.

Why it’s unkillable: This plant prefers to be forgotten, don’t fall in the trap of over-watering or over-feeding

8. Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae)

Strelitzia reginae. Getty images — *Strelitzia reginae*. Getty images

A bird of paradise plant is the ultimate choice for filling an empty corner of a conservatory due to its tolerance to both warm and cold temperatures typically found in these rooms. Its iconic orange and blue flowers will emerge after the eighth year and will continue to bloom annually thereafter when kept in dry soil over winter. You can also help increase the chances of a show of flowers by feeding the plant in the previous summer and autumn in the usual flowering times of January to May.

Why it’s unkillable: Prefers to be kept on the dry side during the autumn and winter months

9. Crown of thorns (Euphorbia milii)

Similarly to the Oxalis, a crown of thorns will flower every day all year round, producing small circular-shaped flowers on the tips of each stem. As they naturally grow in the drier areas of Madagascar, they’re equipped to deal with two-month long droughts without showing signs of dehydration. It’s best to keep yours in a sunny window or conservatory to provide warm soil to help promote healthier growth. Never keep these plants standing in water as it may result in root rot and eventual plant death.

Why it’s unkillable: A leafy succulent that tolerates dehydration and harsh sunlight

10. Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum/ pothos)

We couldn’t find a better trouble-free plant to round off this list than the ever-popular devil’s ivy. Often called a pothos, this trailing house plant will grow in every room of the home as long as it has a window somewhere in the vicinity. Their ‘top speed’ of growth is up to eight leaves per year, which can be translated to around 40cm in a bright location for metric lovers. The best piece of advice I can give is that the further away the plant grows from a window, the less often you want to water. Ensure the majority of the soil dries out in between drinks before giving it another drench of lukewarm water. Less is more with this plant.

Why it’s unkillable: Tolerates all light levels, even in the dark corners of the house

Now that you’ve learnt some of the easiest house plants to care for, you’ll be armed and ready to make better purchases at local garden centres. The best piece of advice for house plants is to read what the potting mix is telling you, so that you can avoid the risk of root rot. If it still feels damp and soil sticks to your finger when touched, it’s not time for a drink.

So, what are you waiting for? Start off with one or two plants, nurture them and watch them flourish in your care.