By Alison Isko
Some of us don’t have green thumbs, and that’s okay. There are still dozens of plants that are virtually indestructible. So head down to the store and pick up one (or three) for your room. Seeing plants in the morning is sure to brighten up your day.
Lady Palm: This plant has long, oblong leaves and can be up to 10 ft tall outside, though they end up significantly smaller when grown in containers indoors. The good thing about Lady Palms is that their size is customizable––just repot it every two years until it’s as big as you want it to be. It can tolerate temperatures as cold as 15 degrees and should only be watered when its soil feels dry.
Peperomia: Peperomia’s striped leaves hold water, as do their stems. Because of this, it’s not an issue if you forget to water it. If you stick to a regular watering schedule, make sure to time it so its soil is completely dry (roughly every one-two weeks), but Peperomia don’t require much attention to thrive.
Mini Jade Plant: Like Peperomia, this plant holds water in its leaves. It can survive over a month without any attention, whether that be watering or fertilizer. As long as you keep this plant in a sunny area, preferably by a window, it can survive nearly any amount of neglect. Mini Jade Plants have small, round leaves and vaguely resemble bonsai trees.
Air Plant: Get this plant if you want to keep dirt out of your house. It should not be potted, and will not react well to any form of soil. To keep it alive, all you need to do is submerge it in water every 10 days for about two or three hours. They don’t take up much space on your shelf, either. They are small and spiky, usually clocking in at a few inches tall.
English Ivy: English Ivy looks great on a shelf. Its tendrils will hang down and add texture to your room. You will have to be careful when watering English Ivy. Its leaves turn dry and brown if it’s overwatered, but it can get mites if it’s underwatered. That being said, the ideal watering schedule is only about twice a week, and this plant doesn’t require much attention beyond that.
Phalaenopsis Orchid: This flower doesn’t require much light or much water. They only need to be watered roughly every 7-10 days, but aren’t fussy if their ideal conditions aren’t met. Phalaenopsis Orchids come in multiple colors, as well. You can buy them in white, yellow, pink, red, or purple, so you’ll likely be able to find one to match your room’s color scheme.
Philodendron: Philodendrons don’t need much light or water, either. You shouldn’t water them more than once a week, so they’re a good choice for someone with a busy schedule. As it’s a fairly traditional looking plant, it’s also good for those with busy rooms. It is a little more unique than a garden-variety houseplant, however. Its leaves are velvety and iridescent, so they can appear to be dark green, light green, or bronze.
Cast-Iron Plant: This large-leaf plant is almost impossible to kill. They don’t like too much water or too much light, meaning you don’t need to worry about forgetting to care for it. As an added bonus, insects and disease don’t typically bother it.
String of Pearls: Succulents are the one of the easiest kinds of plants to take care of, and String of Pearls, which uncannily resemble their namesake, are one of the easiest kinds of succulents to care for. You just need to keep its soil moist and ensure you don’t store it in a humid area of your house. One thing to keep in mind with String of Pearls is that it’s toxic to animals and humans. If you have a pet or small children, you might want to steer clear of this succulent.
ZZ Plant: Good news! This plant does best if you essentially ignore it. It only needs water when the soil is completely dry, and won’t have any adverse reaction if you forget a couple of times. It is resistant to drought thanks to its waxy leaves. Like String of Pearls, it is toxic to humans and animals. Don’t buy it if you have children or pets, and make sure to wash your hands after each time you touch it.
If you don’t have a flower shop in your neighborhood, you can also pop down to your local Home Depot or order these plants online. They’re so hard to kill that they can easily survive a trip in the mail.