Not everyone was born with a green thumb, but that does not mean you can not have thriving and lush plants in your house. Whether you are a beginner, a working professional, and life gets in the way and you forget to water your plants, this list of 15 nearly indestructible indoor plants is just for you!

Each of these plants is ranked from least to most resistant, willing to put up with neglect, minimal light exposure, and neglected watering schedules while still offering beauty to your space. Let’s get started!

Plant List (Ranked from Least to Most Resilient):

Choosing the right indoor plant can be a challenge sometimes, especially if you are a beginning indoor plant caretaker or just someone who might forget to take up the watering can from time to time. To hopefully make the choice easier, we have provided a list of 15 nearly indestructible indoor plants ranked from the least indestructible to the most indestructible. So, let’s check them out in detail:

15. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

Though not a fashionable plant, the fiddle-leaf fig is one of the most commonly used indoor plants in a contemporary or modern style house because of its widespread, vibrant, glossy, violin-shaped leaves.

• Reason for Ranking: This plant can handle almost all types of environments, but is very picky about changes in light, temperature, and water conditions.
• Care: Provide it with indirect light rather than direct light. Only water when the top inch of soil is dry.

Important: Rotate your plant every few weeks to promote even growth.

14. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)

This plant has beautiful, dark green leaves and delightfully elegant white blooms. It is also a great air cleaner for the space around you.

• Reason for Ranking: This is a tough plant that can tolerate lower light conditions, but it will also wilt extravagantly if you forget to water it.
• Care: Give Indirect light/yellowish-white light only. It is sensitive to overwatering, so keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Pet Warning: Toxic for cats and dogs.

13. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

This plant has thick, waxy leaves that are typically dark green or burgundy.

• Reason for Ranking: Has a lot of flexibility in care and environment, however, it prefers slightly drier soil, does not like cold drafts, and if grown outside will not tolerate over watering.
• Care:  Bright indirect light, and let the topsoil dry out before watering again.

Bonus: It works as a free air cleaner in homes.

12. Calathea (Calathea spp.)

Beautiful leaves with patterns that actually move due to the light (also known as “prayer plants”).

• Reason for Ranking: Likes humidity and consistent moisture, but is sensitive to tap water.
• Care: Keep it in medium to bright indirect light and avoid overwatering.

11. Monstera (Monstera deliciosa)

Monstera is frequently chosen for home/office decor for its large split leaves giving it a tropical appeal.

• Reason for Ranking: Grows quickly but requires some pruning in between.
• Care: Provide bright indirect light & water when dry 2 inches deep, kept moist.

10. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Beautiful heart-shaped foliage is attainable in many colors including golden, marble and neon.

• Reason for Ranking: Pothos loves low light, can live for a very long time in drought, and will even grow in fluorescent light.
• Care: It grows steadily in low or bright indirect light. Let the soil dry completely between watering and avoid overwatering.

Pet Warning: Toxic if ingested.

9. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)

It grows fastly and has beautiful glossy leaves that have a heart shape on trailing vines.

• Reason for Ranking: Adaptable plant, but it can grow faster in humid conditions.
• Care: Give low to bright indirect light and water only when the top 1 inch of soil is dry.

Bonus: Can easily propagate in water too.

8. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The ZZ plant has bright, shiny, dark green leaves and attractive thick stems with an upright growth pattern.

• Reason for Ranking: Survives months without water and grows in low light conditions.
• Care: Give low to bright indirect light and water every 3-4 weeks (almost impossible to kill).

Note: Toxic to pets.

7. Aloe Vera

It is a succulent plant with fleshy gel-filled leaves that is used in beauty products as well.

• Reason for Ranking: Holds onto water; it can basically thrive if you neglect it.
• Care: Give bright, direct light and water deeply but infrequently (2-3 weeks).

Bonus: Can soothe minor burns/cuts.

6. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

Cast iron plants have rugged, broad, dark green leaves and slow growth habits.

• Reason for Ranking: Survives low light, gets dusty, and can live through inconsistent watering.
• Care: Give low to medium indirect light and let the soil dry out between waterings.

5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

It has arching green-and-white striped leaves with baby plantlets.

• Reason for Ranking: Thrives almost anywhere, and it’s easy to propagate.
• Care: Give bright to medium indirect light and keep it soil slightly moist all the time.

Bonus: Perfectly safe for pets.

4. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema spp.)

It has colorful, patterned leaves, and its possible color variations are pink, red, green, or silver.

• Reason for Ranking: Resilient in low light and dry air.
• Care: Give low to medium indirect light and wait until the topsoil is dry before watering.

Warning: Toxic to pets.

3. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

It has long curly leaves and a swollen trunk that stores water. It is extremely tolerant to drought and tough conditions.

• Reason for Ranking: Only needs water once a month (minimal care needed).
• Care: Give bright light (can tolerate some direct sun) and water sparingly.

Fun Fact: Not a palm, a succulent!

2. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

Flakey, shiny leaves that grow into a half-height tree trunk mean it is a great addition to the home decor.

• Reason for Ranking: It can withstand neglect and needs the least amount of water of all the plants.
• Care: Put it in bright and direct light. Always allow soil to dry out completely before watering.

Interesting fact: It represents good luck in many countries and cultures.

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Tall, straight sword-shaped leaves with yellow, or green, variegation make the snake plant an ideal indoor plant for busy people.

• Reason for Ranking: Most indestructible plant; low light, drought and poor soil will not kill it.
• Care: It can survive in any light, from dark corners to bright sun. You can water it every 4-6 weeks (more or less; kind of unkillable).

Bonus: Cleans air by removing toxins.

Conclusion:

Having beautiful indoor plants is not difficult! Whether you are just starting out, busy, or just a person with a chronic inability to remember to water a plant, here are 15 nearly indestructible indoor plants that are very resilient and will thrive in your space. Select the ones that appeal to you, and start your indoor garden adventure today!