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
Cast Iron Plant
Named for being nearly indestructible. Takes deep shade, cold rooms and neglect — and it is pet-safe.
Aspidistra elatior
A cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) in a clay pot. Photo: fyodor, CC0, via iNaturalist.
Light
Cast Iron Plant tolerates: low light, medium / indirect. It is one of the few plants that copes with a dim room — growth just slows down.
Watering
Every 2–3 weeks, when most of the soil is dry.
Is cast iron plant safe for cats and dogs?
Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA — Cast Iron Plant.
Size and humidity
Typical size indoors: 2–3 ft (60–90 cm). Humidity: not fussy at all.
Top tips
- Keep it out of direct sun, which bleaches the leaves.
- Grows slowly; buy the size you want.
- Also grows outdoors in shade in mild climates (USDA 7–11, most of coastal Australia).
Guides that mention the cast iron plant
15 pet-safe houseplants
Non-toxic houseplants that are safe for cats and dogs, organized by how much light you have — from dark corners to sunny windows.
Pets & Plants
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.
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
