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
ZZ Plant
Glossy, almost plastic-looking leaves that tolerate dark offices, dry air and forgetful owners.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
A ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) in a pot. Photo: Mx Lucy, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Light
ZZ 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
Every 2–4 weeks. Its potato-like rhizomes store water, so skipping a month is fine.
Is zz plant safe for cats and dogs?
Toxic to cats and dogs (calcium oxalates). Wash hands after handling sap. Keep it on a high shelf or in a room pets can’t reach — or pick a pet-safe plant instead. Source: ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.
Size and humidity
Typical size indoors: 2–3 ft (60–90 cm) tall. Humidity: not fussy at all.
Top tips
- Yellowing stems usually mean overwatering.
- Grows slowly — that is normal.
- Wipe the leaves to keep the shine.
Guides that mention the zz plant
The hand-shadow light test
The free 30-second trick plant pros use: read your hand's shadow to know if a spot has bright, medium or low light — and which plants will thrive there.
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Indoor Plants
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Indoor Plants
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