Top 10 Hardest House Plants to Kill

Hardest House Plants 

These are low maintenance. Hard-to-kill houseplants, however, will thrive in your space, even if you don't have a green thumb. Some of us may not have green thumbs, but don't let that stop you from enjoying all the benefits of houseplants. Low-maintenance houseplants not only grow in abundance, but houseplants add living beauty to your space and help purify the air, giving you a boost in both body and spirit. (Keep in mind that some houseplants are toxic to pets or children, so check aspca.org or children's health websites before adding houseplants to your home.) These hardy houseplants thrive on early and very oblivious care. Gardeners.

1. Philodendron

Add burgundy or golden yellow to your living space with the broad, waxy leaves of philodendron. Try McCauley's Finale or Prince of Orange varieties for colorful philodendrons. This houseplant can grow quickly, however, so keep it well maintained by trimming back, placing upright varieties or twisting the foliage around itself.

2. Geranium

A reliable and eager bloomer, even in winter, geraniums come in every shade of the rainbow, and then some. If you just want to add color to your living space, explore the world of scented leaf geraniums, which come in scents like pine, peppermint and nutmeg.

3. Hens and Chicks

Whether it's a single flowering sempervivum or a full container of these rosette-shaped succulents, they make an impressive presentation. These tough little guys need bright light to survive, and just one of these plants will easily propagate many more. The only weakness with this succulent is mealybugs, which can spread to other plants in your home if you're not careful.

4. Cactus

Want the look of an agave plant on a smaller scale? Try the family-friendly Cactus. These funny-looking succulents thrive in south-facing windows where they can get plenty of bright light, but east- and west-facing windows also work well. Cacti love company – group a few different varieties together in one container for a unique look.

5. ZZ plant

With no flowers and a slow growth rate when grown indoors, the ZZ plant is not very ornamental. But what it lacks in pop is glamour, with its glossy green leaves and upright, palm-like stems. Take the plunge and buy a mature ZZ plant early to give this slender statement plant the best chance to thrive in the indirect light of an east- or west-facing window.

6. Norfolk Island Pine

Create a lush forest in miniature with a few Norfolk Island pines. Soft, feathery needles make this live tree friendlier than most. It will eventually become a small tree, but keeping it tightly potted slows down the growth process a bit. Grow it in bright light and keep the soil moist.

7. Thanksgiving Cactus

Few plants evoke warm, fuzzy feelings of holiday nostalgia like the Thanksgiving cactus. This cactus blooms beautifully in mid-winter, and its plump flowers come in many colors. For best performance, don't fuss and fret beyond watering the thank you cactus when the soil is dry.

8. Haworthia

It's easy to guess why Haworthia is sometimes referred to as the zebra plant—the white, striped bumps on its leaves make it stand out from the crowd. Not only is this houseplant eye-catching, but it can withstand any abuse thrown at it, as it doesn't require much watering and does well in most light conditions, although a south-facing window is best practice.

9. Carex

There are thousands of species of Caracs, and they come in all shapes and sizes, but you can't go wrong with any of them. You'll enjoy the elegant bursts of sweeping grass-like blades. If you're planting a larger variety like Ice Ballet (C. morrowii), you'll eventually need a heavier container, but always start with a pot one size larger than what you're currently growing in to prevent root rot.

10. Medinilla

Place a medinilla in a room, and its broad green leaves and pink-then-purple flowers will grab your attention. Give this showstopper houseplant the spotlight with a heavy container and a south-facing windows, then watch it slowly grow to the size of a small citrus tree (depending on the variety).