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
Pothos
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.
Epipremnum aureum · also called Devil's ivy
A 'N'Joy' pothos with green-and-white leaves in a pot. Photo: blumenbiene, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr.
Light
Pothos 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
Water when the top 2 inches (5 cm) of soil are dry — roughly every 7–10 days. Drooping leaves mean it is thirsty.
Is pothos safe for cats and dogs?
Toxic to cats and dogs (insoluble calcium oxalates): mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting. Keep it on a high shelf or in a room pets can’t reach — or pick a pet-safe plant instead. Source: ASPCA — Pothos.
Size and humidity
Typical size indoors: Trailing vines 6–10 ft (2–3 m) indoors. Humidity: not fussy at all.
Top tips
- Yellow leaves usually mean too much water, not too little.
- Pinch the vine tips to make it bushier.
- Cuttings root in water in 2–4 weeks.
Guides that mention the pothos
Why pothos leaves turn yellow
Yellow pothos leaves are a message. Learn to read the pattern — soft, crispy, old or new leaves — and fix overwatering, light, roots and more.
Plant Problems
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
Overwatered or underwatered?
Both make leaves droop and turn yellow. Check the soil, the leaf texture and the roots to tell overwatering from underwatering — and fix each one.
Plant Problems
Similar plants you might like
Snake Plant
Thrives on neglect. The number-one way to kill it is love — meaning too much 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.