10 Indoor Plants You (Probably) Can’t Kill

Rachel BroughamUpdated: Nov. 14, 2022

Can't keep house plants alive for long? Even the anti-green thumb can handle one of these 10 easy-to-grow indoor plants.

1 / 10

kolotuschenko/Shutterstock

Snake Plant

The snake plant needs little water and doesn’t require an abundance of sunlight, so it makes a great winter indoor plant. Snake plants can even be left alone for a couple of weeks if you decide to escape to a warmer locale for a winter getaway.

2 / 10

ATTAKAN JAMPAJAN/Shutterstock

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is great for those summer sunburns! Aloe vera doesn’t need direct light, but it does need a warmer room. Try keeping it in a south- or west-facing part of your home. Water it just once a week as it prefers dry soil.

3 / 10

K.Decor/Shutterstock

Succulents

Succulents can thrive with little water so they make the perfect plant for the forgetful. Try planting succulents in a DIY terrarium.

4 / 10

pornpawit/Shutterstock

Jasmine

Jasmine plants produce white flowers that you can easily train to grow around a hoop. They enjoy cooler temperatures at night and some daytime sunlight, making them a good option for winter growing.

5 / 10

Sokolenko/Shutterstock

Staghorn Fern

You can keep a staghorn fern thriving with medium light and moderate moisture. These ferns do well in baskets hung from the ceiling.

6 / 10

Yoye Jantapoon/Shutterstock

Zebra Plant

With its striped leaves, a zebra plant will add some personality to your space. Zebra pants do well in high humidity, so add one to your bathroom for a fresh look.

7 / 10

Bozhena Melnyk/Shutterstock

Spider Plant

Spider plants are a popular indoor plant choice as they help improve the air quality of your home. This plant requires light so make sure it’s near a south- or west-facing window, but keep it out of direct light as the leaves can scorch. Water occasionally.

8 / 10

Galina Grebenyuk/Shutterstock

Cyclamen

If conditions are right for the cyclamen, the flowers can last a long time. Various colors are available, including red, purple, white and pink. A Christmastime favorite, cyclamens do well with filtered light and a temperature of no more than 65 degrees F. The soil should be kept moist.

9 / 10

John C Evans/Shutterstock

Peace Lily

The peace lily likes medium to low sunlight and it only needs water when the soil is dry. The peace lily is another popular choice for winter growing as it helps improve air quality.

10 / 10

Gulsina/Shutterstock

Streptocarpus

Streptocarpus, a.k.a. Cape Primrose, is a popular choice for indoor growing because the orchid-like flowers have a long bloom period. They thrive in indirect light and can come back to life if neglected for long periods of time.

Originally Published: April 01, 2019

Rachel Brougham

Rachel Brougham lived through a major home renovation in 2019, knows the ups and downs of home improvement, and loves sharing tips with readers. A veteran journalist of both print and television, she’s won several awards for her writing and has covered everything from the environment and education to health care, politics and food. She’s written for several publications beyond newspapers including Bob Vila, Taste of Home and Minnesota Parent, and she currently writes a weekly syndicated newspaper column. Her memoir, Widowland, about the sudden loss of her husband, was published in 2022. She specializes in everything from home decor and design to lawn and garden, product reviews and pet care. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her tending to her garden (both vegetables and native plants), playing with her dog, watching sports with her family or getting some exercise. A native of Michigan, she currently lives in Minneapolis. An avid user of Instagram, you can follow her @RachBrougham.