I’ll be honest, keeping plants alive hasn’t always been my strong suit.
But over the years, I’ve discovered some tough cookies in the gardening world that don’t even flinch at a little neglect.
These hardy guys have become my go-to gardening buddies.
1. Mother of Thousands
This drought-tolerant badass is what I like to call a “set it and forget it” kind of plant.
I’ve totally spaced on watering this guy for weeks at a time, only to come back and find it thriving like nobody’s business.
Doesn’t matter if I’ve got it in a humid room or dry as a desert – the mother of thousands just keeps on keeping on.
2. Snake Plant
Raise your hand if you’ve killed one too many plants by over-watering.
raises hand That’s where the snake plant comes in clutch.
This elegant lady with her striped leaves is basically saying
“Oh, you forgot about me again? No biggie.”
Neglect is pretty much her love language at this point.
3. ZZ Plant
Let me just say, this plant is a lifesaver for those of us who regularly space on watering day.
Those thick, glossy leaves? They’re basically water reservoirs.
As long as I remember to give it a drink every…oh, I dunno, month or so, the ZZ remains unbothered.
Just don’t put it in a dark corner and ignore it completely.
It may be low-maintenance but it’s not a miracle worker.
4. Golden Pothos
I’m just going to come out and say it – the golden pothos might be my favorite plant child.
This versatile vine doesn’t even blink at extreme conditions.
I’ve left it in too much sun, not enough sun, overwatered, underwatered…you name it.
And you know what?
It just keeps on growing like a champ. Rookie gardeners, this one’s for you.
5. Air Plants
Forgetful gardeners, unite!
Air plants are honestly the greatest gift to folks like us.
No soil? No problem!
These babies just sit there looking exceptionally cool and photogenic while subsisting on air and the occasional spritz.
I’ve left mine alone for months and they don’t even hold a grudge.
6. Sago Palms
Remember that time you went on vacation for three weeks and came home to the saddest, most neglected apartment?
The sago palm wouldn’t have even noticed.
This tropical-vibed marvel doesn’t bat an eye at a little dehydration and benign neglect.
It’s perfect for folks looking to add a beachy feel without much effort.
7. Jade Plant
Okay, so traditionally the jade plant is considered a good luck charm for wealth.
But let me tell you, it’s also a charm for negligent plant parents.
This succulent gem somehow manages to just vibe through my lapses in care.
Forgets to water it for a month? No sweat off its thick leaves.
Overcompensates with too much H2O? It’ll get over it.
The jade plant is a true pardner for us forgetful gardeners.
8. Cacti and Succulents
If you’re anything like me, you’ve absolutely demolished a few succulents in your day by forgetting they’re alive.
That’s what makes these little guys so great – they basically THRIVE on neglect and drought conditions.
Just be sure to not over-water (I’ve been there, it ain’t pretty) and give them plenty of sunshine.
Then you’re free to, you know, periodically forget about them.
9. Aloe Vera
Let’s be real…the only reason any of us actually own an aloe plant is for the occasional sunburn relief.
But even those of us who acquire one for its medicinal purposes can still pretty much ignore it into resilience.
Those plump leaves essentially become tiny water reservoirs, allowing you to be “forgetful plant parent” levels of negligent.
10. Yucca
You know how some plants get a little dramatic and start dropping leaves or flowers when they’re thirsty?
Not the yucca.
This is the plant equivalent of stone-cold calm.
You could leave this bad boy alone for months without so much as a wrinkled leaf to show for it.
Lack of care is pretty much its preferred love language.
11. Cast Iron Plant
As if the name doesn’t give it away, this plant has skin tougher than…well, you know.
I’ve unintentionally put my cast iron to the ultimate test – forgetting to water it, keeping it in low light, letting its soil completely dry out.
And you know what?
It survives every single time without so much as a brown, crunchy leaf.
It’s basically the terminator of indoor plants.
12. Chinese Evergreen
Last but not least, we have the Chinese evergreen.
This easygoing plant doesn’t even flinch when I go a little overboard on the unintentional neglect.
It’s been stuck in a shady corner, avoided water for a solid month, the whole nine yards.
And still, its striped leaves remain lustrous and perky.
It’s a true “I’ll survive” sort of specimen.