Houseplants That Won’t Die: Drought-Tolerant Plants for Forgetful People

By Plant Liker •  Updated: 08/13/20 •  7 min read

What kind of hardy plant flourishes with a lot of good intentions and a little bit of benign neglect? There are several plant varieties that could work quite well.

I’m not saying you meant to kill that thoughtful housewarming plant, but the fact is that a month ago you had a flourishing orchid specimen… and today you have a floundering patch of brown welcoming some new flies to the coffee table.

mugshot from youtube.com

There are several contenders for Best Drought-Resistant Houseplant, and the plant you want will depend not only on its qualities, i.e. how much water and sunlight the plant needs, but also on the capabilities of the person (supposedly) caring for said plant. Let’s dive in.

1. First Choice: A Succulent, Of Course!

If you are looking for a low-maintenance and easy-to-care-for plant to give your home a splash of colour and a breath of fresh air, there are few options better than a desert-loving cactus or burn-soothing aloe vera plant.

Why? Well, think about what characteristics define a cactus, a prime example of a succulent:

Great for those who don’t like to remember to water regularly.

Try Some Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum):

Low-Maintenance Love with Low-Light Succulents

Things to Consider:

2. How About A Snake (Plant)?

Or maybe you forget to water your green friends once or twice a week, or you’re away on work trips or you have some other excuse for neglecting your relatively low-maintenance flora: this plant is for you.

Sansevieria (commonly known as the snake plant or “mother-in-law’s tongue”) is a very tolerant plant that is hard to kill; excellent. It can survive low light levels, drought, and generally doesn’t mind being ignored. Sounds like an ideal partner for the frequent traveller.

3. Plant Spiders You Want in Your House Over the Winter

The Variegatum variety of spider plant, with
darker green leaves than the Vittatum variety,
showing off its baby shoots aka spider babies.

Vittatum is the most popular, lighter green, perennial spider plant variety. This ornamental (look but don’t eat) plant has the recognizable creamy and broad vertical stripes punctuating their slightly curved, hangy-down, medium green leaves. This variety can expand 1-2 feet in length and width, and does well indoors in a hanging basket. You can root and share your spider babies — the spiderettes, the extensions of new growth which cascade down from the container.

4. Desert-Loving Herb Plants For the Win?

What plants are great for those who travel often or have busy schedules (or simply forget to water their plants), but still want the benefits of a plant-filled home? Fill your windowsills and patios with herbs! This way, you can eat the plants before embarking on a long trip — sustenance and convenience. Plus they are cute and little.

Bonus: Oregano and Rosemary are drought-resistant herbs you can grow indoors. They tolerate a little neglect and like their environment hot and humid, and soil dry. The downside is they love the sun, so your home or room needs a window offering lots of sunshine. Otherwise, leave ’em and enjoy their delicious accents and aromas.

Oregano

Rosemary

How not to kill your rosemary when growing indoors.

5. Something Different: Grow a Lemon Tree Indoors

A lemon tree?! You might think it impossible to have a lemon tree in the great white north, but in reality, we can all have thriving lemon trees in our homes. If you can accommodate this tree growing 3-5 feet tall, why not give it a try? Lemon citrus is useful in all sorts of situations: slice in a hot tea with some of your own home-grown ginger, squeeze into your cold glass of water for daily drinking, slice on your cedar plank salmon, extract the citrus essential oil and freshen up the place… do it just to prove that it can be done….

Just Pick a Plant You Like

It may take you (or your friend…) a while to cultivate your skills for growing and nurturing plants, but let each day that nothing dies, a day to encourage you.

Houseplants brighten up any room, filter the air in your home, and uplift your mood without really trying. So when it comes to creating your own indoor garden, don’t let a few broken plants keep you down; soon you’ll be boasting a living indoor garden or a single live plant that persists despite your best efforts! Or your lack of trying, anyway.

Plant Liker