Five Hard-to-Kill Houseplants

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Golden Pothos

Its lush green and yellow vines can instantly brighten up any space, whether kept on a table or placed in a hanging basket.

 

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This plant can grow in a wide variety of light conditions which make it ideal as an indoor plant. The brighter the lighting conditions, the more variegated the leaves of the pothos will be. Direct sunlight, however, is not recommended. Golden pothos can grow in soil (any potting mix will do) or in water. If grown in soil, allow it to dry out between waterings in order to prevent yellowing leaves and root rot. Pothos can also be easily propagated by rooting cuttings in soil or water. 

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Mother-in-law’s Tongue

A.k.a Snake plant as it is more commonly known is a succulent with stiff, slender leaves that grow upright and, given the right conditions, several feet tall.

 

Though it can tolerate both direct sunlight as well as low-light environments, bright indirect light is ideal. The snake plant requires a well-draining, sandier potting mix and can be watered every 2-4 weeks, as it thrives in dry conditions. 

 

Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ plant) 

A beautiful impossible to kill plant with multiple thick, fleshy stems with waxy, dark green leaves.

 

 

It can grow in any type of well-draining potting soil and in low to bright indirect light. Additionally, the ZZ plant is drought tolerant and can go for long stretches without water. To make matters easier, it is also resistant to pests and diseases.

 

Syngonium or the Arrowhead plant is a fast-growing vine which does well in low to medium, indirect light conditions. It requires a rich, well-draining potting mix that should be kept lightly moist during the warmer months and slightly drier during the colder months. The arrowhead plant prefers humidity so misting the leaves is recommended. As the leaves of the plant mature, they change shape from small arrowheads to longer, arrow-like leaves.

 

The Rubber plant is a low-maintenance houseplant that can easily become the focal point of your living space, given that it can grow around 2 meters tall in the appropriate conditions. This plant thrives in bright indirect sunlight but can also survive in low-lit areas albeit with slow growth. Direct sunlight is not recommended as it will cause leaf-drop. The rubber plant requires a well-draining potting soil and should be watered when the top two inches of soil dries out.

 

Apart from their visual appeal and being easy to care for, these plants also provide the added benefit of improving the air quality within our homes by reducing the level of toxins such as xylene, toluene, benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide. In addition, both the snake plant and the rubber plant convert exhaled carbon dioxide into oxygen. Now, who wouldn't breathe easy knowing this?

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