There are at least 5 houseplants you can’t kill. Houseplants add so much to our homes, but taking care of them can be tricky. Some can be over watered, some can be underwater, the care of them is so important. Choose houseplants you can’t kill and it will be easy.
Don’t let their care scare you away from having a few in your home. I honestly think something green should be in every room. Just one green plant in every room makes it seem alive and healthy. If you choose plants that are easy to care for then it makes it so much easier to keep them.
1. The African Violet
No plant says grandmother’s house more than an A. Violet. I just love them. They really are not hard to grow. They like to be left alone and not moved around much. The hardest thing about growing them is finding the perfect light.
The African violet is a much-loved houseplant. They are easy to grow and can blossom for months. The varieties are overwhelming and you can find them on the clearance rack all the time at Lowe’s Home Improvement Store. The is where I buy mine and they are easy to propagate. Let me tell you a few specifics about the African violet and you will realize that is really is one houseplants you can’t kill.
- Light: They like sunlight, but not directly. Facing the eastern sun is their favorite light. Direct sun will scorch their leaves, but the violets love the sun. Many people use an artificial type of lights for these plants. I have found that they even like to be near a lamp. Direct sunlight will turn their leaves yellow and cause the edges to brown.
- Water: One big tip for African violets is to use warm water. They do not like cold water. The cold water will prevent them from blooming. They also DO NOT LIKE THEIR LEAVES WET. When the leaves get wet it causes them to look like they have been burned. So water the pot around the plant and leaves. Also, do not leave water standing in the pot. It will cause rot. Leaves sitting in water will rot also. Make sure your pot has drain holes. Water when soil is slightly dry.
- Pot: Some people use pots that are made for African Violets. If you look it up you will see them on Amazon or other sites, but I personally don’t like them. I have a hard time keeping my violets alive in them. So, I have gone to terracotta pots almost exclusively. The pot must have a drain hole at the bottom to allow excess water to drain.
- Soil: Fast-draining soil is a must. The violets really do not like water sitting in the pot or the bottom of the pots. A soil that is mix with vermiculite and African Violet soil is best.
- Repot: Do not repot frequently. African violets bloom better when the pot is slightly full. When the leaves start to bunch up and climb or start to look to compacted together, then it is time to repot.
- Fertilize: There is the fertilizer that is made specifically for A. Violets. Use it, it is the best fertilizer for this plant. Violets need a fertilizer that is urea free.
- Propagate: African violets are easy to propagate. You just snip a healthy robust leaf off and stick it in clean new soil. It will root after several weeks and start to have new growth. It does take a considerable amount of time. You can hasten the process a little by using root hormone powder on the leaf.
- Temp: The environment needs to be between 65F – 75F
So to sum this plant up, it is easy to propagate, likes light and looks great in any room. Simply because is also loves artificial light you can put it anywhere. That is at least one of the houseplants I know you can’t kill.
2. Arrowhead Plant Or Goosefoot
The Arrowhead plant is awesome. I have never had a plant like this one before. My mother-in-law gave me a piece of it years ago. You can not kill it. I just pinch some off when it gets out of control and put it back in the soil. It just gets bigger and grows longer.
It is a plant that has to be kept under control. Arrowhead plant can be grown up a trellis, as high as 6 ft tall. Yep, 6 ft, but I don’t like that kind of plant. I keep mine short and bushy.
- Light: This plant is a light lover. You have to turn it around to keep it from pointing totally in one direction. All of the leaves will lean towards the light. It does not like direct hot sunlight. The sun will scorch the leaves. So it needs to be close to the window, but not directly in the sun.
- Water: When the top inch of soil becomes dry it is time to water this baby. Reduce watering this plant during the winter months. It can dry out a little, but will not recover easily from over watering.
- Soil: Any potting soil will work for this plant.
- Pot: Repot every 2 years. It is just good for the plant and just pinch off a piece and put it back in the pot.
- Propagate: There are 2 ways to propagate this plant. One pinches a healthy stem off and puts it back in the soil. I do this to control growth. 2, put a healthy 3-inch stem in water. Let is grow some root and repot the stem.
This is probably the easiest plant in the world to grow. My sister-in-law has some and complains about how it gets so out of control. If your goal is to have houseplants you can’t kill, this is a good one.
3. Golden Pothos Another Good Choice of Houseplants You Can’t Kill
I have propagated this plant so much I have to give it away or throw it away. It will get as long as you want it to. I guess that is why it is also called Devil’s Ivy, because it will grow, and grow.
I promise you, this plant is forgiving. You can not kill this houseplant. Unless you do not water it, EVER. My daughter has proven this. This plant is easily shared with others too. If she didn’t kill hers you won’t either. The pothos is another one of the houseplants you can’t kill.
- Light: It loves indirect sun. This plant is great for a book shelf. The low density light is tolerated as well. Direct sunlight will burn the leaves. In some places, like zone 10, 11 and 12, the pothos can be planted outside in hanging baskets.
- Water: Prefers dry soil. That is why it is so easy to keep. You can forget to water it for a very long time. Like I said my daughter tested this out. 🙂 Over watering will kill this plant. The roots will rot.
- Soil: A good potting soil is perfect. Your pot does need to have drainage holes. Gravel at the bottom of your pot is a good idea too.
- Repot: Needs to be transplanted when pot is really, really full and root bound. Otherwise just leave it be.
- Fertilize: When you like, maybe 2 times a year.
- Propagate: Pop a section off that is healthy and put it in a glass of water. In 2 weeks you will have roots for a new plant. They are great in the bathroom, bedroom, any room really.
4. Christmas Cactus
This is a plant that is also very easy to grow. It really is one of the houseplants you can’t kill, but although it is called a cactus it is really a tropical plant. They really do not like to have completely dry soil.
Now I called this a Christmas Cactus, but I have some that bloom during Thanksgiving, and Easter. The first time someone told me there are different varieties that bloom at different times I did not believe her. After reading up on it, I found out that is true.
Flower bud initiation responds to cool temperatures and shortened day length. Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus should be left outdoors, away from artificial light until night temperatures dip into the 40s. At this time, they do best at temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees. Bring them in and place them in a cool area, keeping them away from all light between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 a.m., and water weekly. Avoid heating vents that can cause temperature fluctuations. The plants should come into flower sometime in December through January.
“If you want them to bloom sooner, start the cool temp/short day treatment earlier,” says Smith.
Martha Smith, University Of Illinois Extension
- Light: Full direct sunlight in Fall and Winter. Too much light when flowering will prevent the plants from blooming. During warm months the cactus can be outside in full sun.
- Water: They actually like moist soil. I did not realize this. Mine has been somewhat abused until I realized this. Yet they did survive. If they are in terra cotta pots put them in the bathtub or sink and soak them well. I do this at least once a month and water them on the tops when the soil feels dry. Mist the leave occasionally as well.
- Fertilizer: The plants like magnesium. A mixture of 1 Tsp of Epsom salts and 1 gallon of water is good for that. A house plant fertilizer is also perfect for them during the season they bloom.
- Propagate: You can literally take a section of this plant off and place it in moist soil. It will grow roots and can be transplanted to its own pot.
5. Fiddle Leaf Figtree
Now, I am including this plant. Some of you may think, what they are not easy to grow, but they really are. I believe they are a houseplant you can’t kill. I love them, they can go outside to a shaded porch during the summer, or kept inside in a warm location during the winter.
- Light: Brightly lite room, or indirect sunshine. Likes a sun room, or near a window, with filtered light. Direct sunlight will scorch the large fiddle shaped leaves.
- Water: This is a plant that can easily be over watered. The roots will rot if over watered. I usually water mine biweekly during the winter and maybe every 10 days in the summer. The soil should feel dry to touch. The leaves will tell you when to water it also . The begin to look a little droopy.
- Soil: Must have well drained soil. Does not like wet feet. So pot holes are a must and a pan to allow drainage.
- Temp: Likes it between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temps below 55 degrees.
- Propagate: This is not for the faint of heart and is not easily done. You can take stem cuttings, add root hormone on the stem and place in soil. Use bottom heat, like a heating pad, and hope for the best.
I will confess I am a little bit in love with my fiddle leaf fig tree. Mine is named Matilda. I have moved her around the house several times and had her outside during the summer.
She has gotten kind of lanky and tall this year and has been fuller at times. There is an entire blog dedicated to this plant. The home decor world has been enamored with it for a while. You can spend hundreds of dollars buying one, but I bought mine at Home Depot about 3 years ago for 20$, so you do not have to spend a lot on them. They can get extremely tall and do need to be cut at the top eventually. I am afraid to try that right now. The Blog The Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant is right here.
My Choices For 5 Houseplants You Can’t Kill
Any plant that is totally neglected won’t live, but it does not have to be hard. These are just a few choices that I love in particular. Start with one and build on that. There a few more that I did not mention, that you can try. We will share those on another day.
If you decide to buy one and give it a try, let me know in the comment section of this post. I would love to hear about it. Honestly, Janet.