Top 20 'Thrive-on-Neglect' Houseplants to grow for Beginners Who Love Greenery but Hate Watering - Goh Ling Yong
So, you’ve tried. You really have. You’ve seen those gorgeous, plant-filled apartments on Instagram and thought, "I want that." You went to the nursery, picked out a few green friends, brought them home, and gave them what you thought was love. Two weeks later, you’re holding a funeral for a crispy fern and a mushy succulent. You’ve officially labeled yourself a "plant killer."
Welcome to the club. The secret is, most people aren't born with a green thumb; they just learn which plants can handle their lifestyle. And if your lifestyle involves a busy schedule, a tendency to forget things, or a simple aversion to the chore of watering, then you’ve come to the right place. We believe that a lush, green home should be accessible to everyone, not just those who own a moisture meter and a color-coded watering schedule.
This isn't a list of plants that will merely survive your neglect. This is a curated collection of 20 botanical champions that will positively thrive on it. These are the low-maintenance houseplants that prefer their soil on the dry side and would rather you go on vacation for a month than hover over them with a watering can. Get ready to transform your space from a plant graveyard into a thriving indoor jungle, no green thumb required.
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
The undisputed king of indestructible houseplants. With its stiff, architectural leaves that shoot straight up, the Snake Plant (now technically a Dracaena) adds a modern, sculptural element to any room. It comes in various forms, from the tall, yellow-edged 'Laurentii' to the compact 'Bird's Nest' variety.
Why does it thrive on neglect? Snake Plants are native to arid regions of Africa and are built to withstand drought. They store water in their leaves, meaning they can go for a month or even longer without a drink. In fact, the single fastest way to kill this plant is by overwatering it. Let the soil dry out completely—and then wait another week—before even thinking about watering.
Pro-Tip: Besides being tough, they are renowned for their air-purifying qualities, converting CO2 into oxygen at night. This makes them one of the best houseplants for bedrooms. Stick one in a corner and enjoy the clean air while you forget it exists.
2. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
If the Snake Plant is the king, the ZZ Plant is the queen. Its wide, glossy, dark green leaves are so perfect they often look artificial. The ZZ Plant is the definition of a statement plant that requires almost zero effort to look stunning.
Its secret weapon lies underground in its large, potato-like rhizomes. These rhizomes store an incredible amount of water, allowing the plant to survive extended periods of drought. Seriously, you can forget to water this plant for two months, and it will likely look exactly the same. It also tolerates extremely low light, making it perfect for that dim corner where everything else has perished.
Pro-Tip: When you do water, water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, then dump the excess water from the saucer. Let the soil become bone-dry before watering again. If a stalk turns yellow and mushy at the base, you're being too kind—back off!
3. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Often called Devil's Ivy, Pothos is the classic, fast-growing trailing plant that’s practically a rite of passage for new plant owners. Its heart-shaped leaves come in a variety of beautiful variegations, like Golden, Marble Queen, and Neon. It's incredibly versatile—you can let it trail down a bookshelf, climb up a wall, or keep it bushy in a pot.
Pothos is wonderfully communicative. When it's thirsty, its leaves will start to look a little soft and droopy. Give it a good drink, and within hours, it will perk right back up. This forgiving nature makes it one of the best beginner houseplants. It's happy in a range of light conditions, from bright indirect to lower light (though variegation may fade in less light).
Pro-Tip: Pothos is ridiculously easy to propagate. Snip off a vine with a few leaves, making sure there's at least one node (the little brown bump where the leaf meets the stem). Stick it in a glass of water, and you'll have roots in a few weeks—a free plant!
4. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The retro, arching Spider Plant is a champion of resilience. It's known for the "spiderettes" or baby plants that dangle from long stems, which can be easily snipped off and planted to create new plants. This makes it the plant that keeps on giving.
Spider Plants have thick, tuberous roots that store water, helping them endure periods of forgetfulness. They prefer their soil to dry out between waterings and are generally unfussy about light, though they look their best in bright, indirect sun. They're also non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them a safe choice for pet owners.
Pro-Tip: If you notice the tips of the leaves turning brown, it's often due to fluoride or chlorine in tap water. Try using filtered or distilled water, or simply let your tap water sit out overnight before watering to allow some of the chemicals to evaporate.
5. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
The name says it all. This plant is as tough as cast iron. With large, deep green, leathery leaves, it brings a touch of the tropics to even the darkest corners of your home. It’s the epitome of a set-it-and-forget-it plant.
The Cast Iron Plant is famed for its ability to tolerate deep shade, dust, and infrequent watering. Its slow-growing nature means it won't demand repotting or pruning for years. It would much rather be too dry than too wet, so only water when the top few inches of soil are completely dry. This is a plant that truly thrives when you pretend it's not there.
Pro-Tip: To keep the large leaves looking their best, wipe them down with a damp cloth every few months to remove dust. This not only makes them shiny but also helps the plant breathe and photosynthesize more efficiently.
6. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Despite its name, the Ponytail Palm is neither a palm nor a tree. It’s actually a member of the succulent family, which gives you a big clue about its care needs. Its most distinctive feature is its swollen, bulbous trunk, which is used to store water.
Think of that trunk as a built-in water reservoir. This allows the Ponytail Palm to go for very long stretches without watering, especially during the winter. It loves bright, direct sunlight (like a true desert plant) and well-draining soil. Your main job is to provide a sunny spot and resist the urge to water it.
Pro-Tip: If the tips of the long, cascading leaves start to turn brown, it's usually a sign of underwatering. While it loves to be dry, it doesn't want to be parched forever. A deep watering once every 3-4 weeks is usually plenty.
7. Aloe Vera
This is the plant that’s both beautiful and useful. The gel inside its fleshy, serrated leaves is famous for soothing sunburns and skin irritations. As a succulent, Aloe Vera is perfectly adapted to dry conditions.
Like other succulents, Aloe’s biggest enemy is root rot from overwatering. It needs a pot with excellent drainage and a cactus/succulent soil mix. Water it deeply, but let the soil dry out completely before watering again. In the winter, you might only water it once a month. It loves bright, indirect light.
Pro-Tip: A healthy, well-watered Aloe will have plump, firm leaves. If the leaves look thin or curled, it's a clear sign that the plant is thirsty.
8. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
A symbol of good luck and prosperity, the Jade Plant is a classic succulent with fleshy, oval-shaped leaves and a thick, woody stem that gives it a tree-like appearance. With the right (neglectful) care, it can live for decades.
Jade Plants store water in their leaves, so they are extremely drought-tolerant. The "soak and dry" method is perfect for them: water thoroughly, then let the soil dry out completely. They need plenty of bright light to thrive; a south-facing or west-facing window is ideal. With enough sun, the edges of the leaves will develop a beautiful red tint.
Pro-Tip: If your Jade Plant starts dropping leaves, the most common culprit is overwatering. Check the soil! If it's damp, let it dry out for an extended period.
9. Haworthia (e.g., Zebra Plant)
Often mistaken for a miniature Aloe, Haworthias are small, tough-as-nails succulents that are perfect for desks, windowsills, and small spaces. The Zebra Plant (Haworthiopsis fasciata) is a popular variety with striking white stripes on its dark green leaves.
Unlike many other succulents that crave direct sun, Haworthias are content with bright, indirect light, making them more versatile for indoor growing. They have fleshy leaves that hold water, so they require very little of it. Water sparingly every 3-4 weeks, or when the leaves feel a little less firm.
Pro-Tip: These plants stay small and compact, making them excellent candidates for decorative containers or mixed succulent arrangements.
10. Hoya (Wax Plant)
Hoyas are a fantastic family of plants, often with thick, waxy leaves that hint at their semi-succulent nature. They are typically trailing or climbing vines and are beloved for their stunning, often fragrant, star-shaped flower clusters.
The secret to a happy Hoya is to neglect it. They like to be snug in their pots (root-bound) and prefer their soil to dry out completely between waterings. In fact, keeping them on the dry side can encourage them to produce their beautiful blooms. They do best in bright, indirect light.
Pro-Tip: Once your Hoya develops a peduncle (the little spur that flowers grow from), never cut it off! The plant will re-bloom from the same spot year after year.
11. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
For a lush, leafy plant that brings a pop of color and can handle low light, look no further than the Chinese Evergreen. Their foliage comes in a dizzying array of patterns, with shades of silver, pink, red, and green.
This plant is incredibly forgiving. While it prefers to dry out between waterings, it can tolerate a bit of over-or-under-watering better than most. It’s also one of the best plants for low-light environments, making it ideal for offices, hallways, or rooms with north-facing windows. Here on the Goh Ling Yong blog, we often recommend this plant for its perfect balance of stunning looks and rugged durability.
Pro-Tip: The varieties with more color, like the 'Siam Aurora' with its bright pink edges, generally need a bit more light to maintain their vibrant hues. The greener varieties are the true low-light champions.
12. Dracaena
The Dracaena family is huge and offers a variety of plant shapes and sizes, most of which are incredibly low-maintenance. Popular choices include the spiky Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata), the corn-like Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans), and the sturdy 'Lisa' Cane (Dracaena 'Lisa').
These plants are known for being drought-tolerant and adaptable to lower light conditions. They prefer their soil to dry out significantly between waterings. A good rule of thumb is to wait until the top half of the soil is dry before giving them a drink. They are slow growers, so you won't be constantly battling them for space.
Pro-Tip: Like Spider Plants, Dracaenas can be sensitive to fluoride in tap water. If you see brown tips, try switching to filtered or rainwater.
13. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Often confused with Pothos, the Heartleaf Philodendron is its equally easy-going cousin. Its key difference is its truly heart-shaped, matte-finish leaves. It’s a fast-growing vining plant that looks incredible cascading from a hanging basket or high shelf.
This plant is another great communicator. It will droop slightly when thirsty, and it bounces back quickly after a good watering. It's not fussy about light and can tolerate medium to low-light spots with grace. Let the top inch or two of soil dry out before watering.
Pro-Tip: To encourage a fuller, bushier plant, simply pinch or trim back some of the longer vines. You can pop these cuttings in water to easily propagate more plants.
14. Peperomia
Peperomias are a wonderfully diverse group of small houseplants with a massive range of leaf shapes, colors, and textures. From the waxy leaves of the Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) to the crinkly foliage of the Ripple Peperomia (Peperomia caperata), there’s a variety for every taste.
Most Peperomias have semi-succulent leaves, which means they store water and don't need frequent drinks. They are highly susceptible to root rot, so letting the soil dry out is crucial. They are generally compact and slow-growing, and they thrive in the bright, indirect light found in most homes.
Pro-Tip: Because of their small root systems, Peperomias are happy to be a bit pot-bound. Don't be in a rush to repot them into a larger container.
15. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Wait, didn't we already list this one? Yes, and it’s so good it deserves a second mention, just in case you scrolled past. Kidding! Let's swap this repeat out for another deserving candidate.
(Correction) 15. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
This unique, eye-catching succulent looks like a living beaded necklace. Its "pearls" are actually modified leaves that store water, making it a perfect fit for a forgetful owner. It's a stunning trailing plant for a hanging basket in a bright spot.
The key to success is remembering that its roots are very shallow. It needs a fast-draining soil mix and a pot that isn't too deep. Water it from the top only when the soil is completely dry and the little "pearls" start to look slightly shriveled or less plump. Overwatering will quickly turn your string of pearls into a string of mush.
Pro-Tip: The little translucent "window" on each pearl is a botanical adaptation that allows light to penetrate the leaf's interior, maximizing photosynthesis. Cool, right?
16. String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
For a more delicate, romantic look, the String of Hearts is a must-have. Its tiny, heart-shaped leaves are patterned with silver and cascade down on thin, wire-like vines. It looks high-maintenance, but it's a surprisingly tough plant.
This plant grows from small tubers that store water, much like a potato. This means it is extremely drought-tolerant. Wait until the soil is fully dry and the leaves closest to the soil feel a bit soft and foldable. It loves bright, indirect light, which will bring out the best coloring in its leaves.
Pro-Tip: This plant is very easy to propagate. You can simply coil a vine onto the top of the soil in the same pot, and it will root at the nodes, creating a fuller plant.
17. Air Plants (Tillandsia)
For those who truly hate dealing with soil and watering cans, Air Plants are the ultimate solution. These fascinating epiphytes don't need any soil at all. They absorb water and nutrients through their leaves from the air.
Care couldn't be simpler. Once every week or two, submerge the entire plant in a bowl of room-temperature water for about 20-30 minutes. After its bath, give it a gentle shake to remove excess water from its base, and let it dry upside down in a spot with good air circulation before returning it to its display. That's it.
Pro-Tip: Display them anywhere! In glass terrariums, mounted on driftwood, or sitting in a small decorative bowl. They just need bright, indirect light and good airflow to be happy.
18. Pencil Cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli)
With its tangle of slender, pencil-like stems, this plant offers a quirky, minimalist, and modern aesthetic. It’s a fast grower that can become a substantial floor plant over time, adding a ton of vertical interest to a room.
The Pencil Cactus is a true sun-loving succulent. Give it the brightest, sunniest spot you have. As for water? It barely needs any. Water it once a month during the growing season and even less in the winter. It wants its soil to be completely dry for a while before getting a drink.
Pro-Tip: Be cautious when handling this plant. Like all Euphorbias, it produces a milky white sap when broken that can be irritating to skin and eyes. It's best to wear gloves if you need to prune it.
19. Gasteria
Closely related to Haworthia and Aloe, Gasterias are another group of super-tough succulents. They get their common name, "Ox Tongue," from their long, thick, and sometimes textured leaves that grow in pairs opposite each other.
These are fantastic low-light succulents, tolerant of the shadier spots in your home where an Echeveria would shrivel. Their care is simple: use well-draining soil and water only when the soil has been dry for some time. They are slow-growing and will happily live in the same pot for years.
Pro-Tip: Gasterias produce interesting, stomach-shaped flowers (which is where their name comes from—gaster is Latin for stomach) on long stalks, a fun surprise for a plant that asks for so little.
20. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
Don't let the "cactus" name fool you; this isn't a desert plant. It's a tropical cactus that grows on trees in the rainforests of Brazil. However, it still hates "wet feet" and prefers to dry out, making it great for the infrequent waterer.
Its segmented, trailing stems make it a lovely hanging plant. The real show is in the winter when it produces a profusion of stunning, brightly colored flowers in shades of pink, red, white, or purple. To encourage blooming, it needs a period of benign neglect in the fall—cooler temperatures and less water.
Pro-Tip: Water when the top inch of the soil is dry. Unlike a desert cactus, don't let it go bone-dry for months, but it's far more tolerant of underwatering than overwatering.
Your Green Thumb is Just a Choice Away
There you have it—20 beautiful, resilient, and forgiving houseplants that won't just tolerate your busy schedule; they'll embrace it. The myth of the "plant killer" is just that: a myth. You don't lack a magical ability; you just needed to be introduced to the right botanical partners.
Start with one or two from this list. A Snake Plant in your bedroom, a Pothos on your bookshelf. Watch as they thrive with minimal intervention. You’ll see that creating a green, vibrant home is less about constant fussing and more about understanding and choosing plants that fit your life. You can do this.
Now we want to hear from you! Which of these "thrive-on-neglect" plants is your favorite? Do you have another indestructible champion that we missed? Share your survivor stories and tips in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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