12 houseplants that are hard to kill
Serial plant killer? These 12 tough houseplants survive low light, missed waterings and dry air — plus the one mistake that still kills them.
Indoor Plants
Snake Plant
Thrives on neglect. The number-one way to kill it is love — meaning too much water.
Dracaena trifasciata · also called Mother-in-law's tongue
Snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) with banded leaves, growing outdoors. Photo: KIRUTHIKA OFF, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Light
Snake Plant tolerates: low light, medium / indirect, bright indirect or some sun. It is one of the few plants that copes with a dim room — growth just slows down.
Watering
Let the soil dry out completely. Every 2–3 weeks in summer, once a month or less in winter.
Is snake plant safe for cats and dogs?
Mildly toxic to cats and dogs (saponins): nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Keep it on a high shelf or in a room pets can’t reach — or pick a pet-safe plant instead. Source: ASPCA — Snake Plant.
Size and humidity
Typical size indoors: 1–4 ft (30–120 cm) tall. Humidity: not fussy at all.
Top tips
- Use a terracotta pot and cactus mix so water drains fast.
- Mushy leaf bases = root rot. Cut off soft parts and repot dry.
- Happy in a dim corner, faster in bright light.
Guides that mention the snake plant
How often to water houseplants
Watering on a schedule kills more houseplants than anything else. Learn the 10-second finger test, how much water to give and how seasons change it.
Plant Care Basics
10 plants for dark apartments
No sunny windows? These 10 plants grow in low light — plus how to tell how much light you really have and the one mistake people make in dark rooms.
Indoor Plants
A watering chart for 24 plants
A printable watering chart for 24 popular houseplants: when the soil should be dry, how many days in summer vs. winter, and which plants are toxic to pets.
Plant Care Basics
Similar plants you might like
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The classic "can’t kill it" vine. Grows in almost any light, tells you when it is thirsty, and roots in a glass of water.
ZZ Plant
Glossy, almost plastic-looking leaves that tolerate dark offices, dry air and forgetful owners.
Peace Lily
White blooms in low light and a built-in "water me" signal. Great for people who need reminders.