Lifestyle

Eight houseplants that are notoriously hard to kill


Not that green-thumbed? (Picture: Getty Images)

Whether they’ve been looking to up your interior decor game or wanting to bring some nature into their lives regardless of garden access, houseplant ownership has been bourgeoning in recent months.

Not only are houseplants aesthetically pleasing, but they could also have a positive impact on our mental health.

Director general of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) told Metro.co.uk: ‘We know for sure that plants and gardening are vital for our mental health.

‘There’s nothing quite like being around and interacting with nature to relax and help ease the mind. With gardening, simply focusing on the task in hand, be it weeding, pruning or planting, can have an astoundingly positive effect on your mood.’

However, the popularity of potted plants has meant that there are plenty of the not-so-green-fingered who want to give plants a try (with varying results).

So whether you’re a total newbie or you’ve killed your share of houseplants, we’ve put together a list of tough-to-kill plants as a helping hand.

Dracaena trifasciata, aka Mother in Law’s Tongue or Snake Plant

Snake sansevieria, Viper’s bowstring hemp or Mother-in-law’s tongue (Picture: DeAgostini/Getty Images)

Perfect for those who can never remember when to water their plant children, the Dracaena trifasciata is perfectly happy when left to its own devices for a while.

These plants are happy with a wide variety of light levels, and you should make sure you let the soil get very dry between waterings.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera (Picture: Getty Images)

This breed of succulent is happiest in bright indirect light and should only be watered around once every three weeks in the summer – less in the winter.

This plant also has medicinal uses, with the gel from the leaves being good for burns.

Chlorophytum comosum, aka Spider Plant

Spider plant, Airplane plant or Hen-and-chickens (Picture: DeAgostini/Getty Images)

Spider plants are happy in hanging planters, and only need watering about once a week – or whenever the soil is dry.

These tendrilly friends also like indirect sunlight.

Epipremnum aureum, aka Pothos or Devil’s Ivy

Pothos or Devil’s ivy (Picture: DeAgostini/Getty Images)

Another plant that looks good in a hanger, Pothos can be happy in bright indirect light or less bright places, and they only need plant food once or twice a year. They can also withstand irregular watering.

If you put them in an area with lower light, they tend to grow longer in search of light.

Spathiphyllum, aka Peace Lily

Peace lily, White sails or Spathe flower (Picture: DeAgostini/Getty Images)

Peace Lilies are classic starter plants that like slightly warmer temperatures, humidity and indirect sunlight.

To get the humidity levels right, you can either pop the Peace Lily in a well-lit bathroom or mist it every few days.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia, aka Zanzibar Gem or ZZ plant

Zanzibar Gem (Picture: Patch)

Famed for being one of the most neglectable plants out there, these plants can definitely handle dry soil.

These guys prefer indirect sunlight, but they can handle most light variants.

Dracaena marginata, aka Flaming Dragon Tree 

Dracaena marginata or Asparagaceae (Picture: DeAgostini/Getty Images)

This air-purifying plant can grow up to 10 feet tall in the right conditions.

It likes having moist soil and will do well in a shadier spot in your home.

Aspidistra elatior, aka Cast Iron Plant

Cast-iron plant or Barroom plant (Picture: DeAgostini/Getty Images)

This plant is about as tough as its nickname suggests, as it can handle a wide variery of light conditions and irregular watering.

Just be wary of leaving the roots in soggy soil, as that can cause them to rot.

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MORE: How to know if you are overwatering your houseplants

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