Transforming your space into an Instagram-worthy indoor jungle doesn’t have to be a struggle. I’ve been growing over 200 plants in my home for over a decade now, and I’ve got a pretty good handle on which ones are a pain in the bum and which ones are pretty much indestructible. To help you grow your indoor jungle to insta-worthy levels, I’ve got 15 hard-to-kill indoor plants. They should most definitely be adding to your collection this year. Stay tuned till the end, ‘cuz I’ve also got five that look stunning in the shops that should most definitely be avoided because it’s a TR.

Why Choose Hard-to-Kill Indoor Plants?

Why bother with hard-to-kill indoor plants that thrive despite neglect? It’s simple. They need to be happy in most light setups, be able to handle neglect as well as a heavy-handed waterer, and not have to be pruned or fertilized to carry on living their best lives. Let’s go!

Top 15 Indestructible House Plants

Jade Plant & Gollum Jade

I’m a sucker for a J plant, and you should be too. I’ve been growing this bad boy for years now, and he’s never given me any BFF. But why not mix up your Jade game with this bad boy? This is a Gollum Jade, so cool because of the crooked finger-like leaves he sports. He’ll love bright light but can handle lower light. He’s not that fussy about when he drinks, and you can more or less leave him to do his thing. Looks cool too.

Monstera

If you’ve not got a Monstera in your collection, then what you been doing with your life? The world’s favorite plant also happens to be a dole, which is probably why it’s so popular. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and can handle pretty much anything we throw at them. The only issue you might find is that in the long run, they can get pretty big. Big! But it will take a while to get there, so problem for much further down the road.

Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)

I’m a big fan of climbing plants or hard-to-kill indoor plants. My intention is to lob an extra-long wall shelf above my TV here and have a bunch of them trailing down. I just need to start operation convince Mrs. Sheffield, and I can start that project, which is easier said than done. Anyway, I’ve got the Pothos, Devil’s Ivy, in many guises—from this bushy specimen to this climber flexing his muscles and his moss pile—and they’re happy enough either way. To truly get the best out of him, giving him something to climb on would make him sing. But I’ve had this guy for over a year, and he’s perfectly content too.

Snake Plant (Star Canyon Granite)

We all know that snake plant is dead easy, right? Well, I can’t make this list without including one. But let’s mix it up with this unusual-looking specimen. This is a Star Canyon Granite, apparently, and he’s probably the hardiest plant I’ve ever had. It just doesn’t change. The leaves are like leather, and all he wants to do is live is to sit in the sun. I like him so much that I divided him into little pups a few months ago, and he didn’t bat an eyelid.

Dracaena Marginata

I’ve never really been much of a fan of this next plant, but I bought one recently, and I’m starting to change my mind. I used to have one years ago, but I gave it away to my parents, and that one was just as easy as this new one is proving to be. He’s stupidly easy to care for and comes in so many varieties you can fill a room with all his brothers and sisters and still not get bored. This is a Dracaena Marginata. He sits there looking fab, doesn’t complain when I forget to water him, and even forgives me for the fact I’ve parked him in his dimly lit spot. Bright light, low light—he doesn’t seem to be picky.

Ficus Elastica

This next fella is a classic that brings big glossy vibes to your space without demanding much in return. I’ve got a Ficus Elastica in my living room that I’ve had for over a decade, and let me tell you, he’s a definition of low maintenance. He thrives on occasional watering and a bit of bright indirect light. But you know what I love most? Those thick shiny leaves look like they’ve been polished by the plant gods themselves. If you want him to grow tall and majestic, just give him lots of light and some time.

Peperomia Raindrop

Peperomia Raindrop is like the plant world’s version of a cute low-maintenance pet. Those chubby glossy leaves shaped like raindrops—adorable and pretty—yet she’s not going to throw a tantrum if you forget about her for a bit. This one’s perfect for your desk, shelf, or any little nook that needs a pop of green. She doesn’t ask for much—just medium light and a drink when the soil starts to feel dry. I would say that overwatering is her kryptonite, so if in doubt, just go a little longer in between waterings.

Barrel Cactus

The Barrel Cactus is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it plant. Seriously, if you’re someone who keeps forgetting to water your plants or has hard-to-kill indoor plants, then this spiky little guy is a dream come true. He’s basically a green bowling ball with attitude—chunky, low-maintenance, and full of charm. All he needs is a sunny spot to soak up some rays, and he’s good to go. You could probably go on holiday for a whole month, come back, and he wouldn’t even notice you were gone.

Teddy Bear Vine

All right, let’s talk about the Teddy Bear Vine—probably one of the cutest plants out there. She’s got these soft fuzzy leaves that feel like, uh, well, a teddy bear. Plus, she trails beautifully, so she’s perfect for hanging baskets or letting her cascade off a shelf. She does like bright indirect light, but she won’t throw a tantrum in low light either. Water when the top of the soil feels dry, but don’t let her sit in a puddle.

Blue Moonstone Succulent

This little succulent has thick pastel blue leaves with a subtle pearly sheen that practically glow in bright light. It’s like having a tiny piece of the moon sitting on your windowsill. Now, like any self-respecting succulent, it’s about less is more with the Blue Moonstone. Bright indirect sunlight or even a bit of direct sun is her jam. The only thing to watch is the watering—overwatering is the quickest way to send this beauty to the great plant pot in the sky.

Philodendron Whipple Way

This next one shook me to my very core because when I got him, I feared the worst. It was part of my plant unboxing video I did last year, and I just assumed he’d be just as fussy as the Melan of Crisis. But it turns out he’s really not. So far, the Philodendron Whipple Way has been absolutely fine. I’ve put him on this moss pole, but I reckon he’d be happy enough without one. There’s not much to say about him, really—bright light and easy on the water, and he’ll be a star.

Peperomia Obtusifolia

This succulent’s got thick rounded leaves that are a lush green with light green variegation and have a subtle almost waxy texture. Care for the Peperomia Obtusifolia is a breeze. He likes bright light, but he’s content to sit in the shade. This isn’t a plant that needs constant attention, which is why it’s perfect if you’re prone to the occasional “whoops, I forgot to water” moment. I’ve even got mine straight up in a decorative pot with no drainage hole, so watering couldn’t be easier.

Nepenthes Gaya (Pitcher Plant)

Last year, I made a video about the wonderful world of meat-eating plants, so I bought a bunch of them. I half expected them to go by the wayside—I’ve not got a great history with carnivorous plants, you see. I’ve just not gotten enough sun to make them happy. So, I lost the Venus Fly Trap pretty much straight away, and the pitcher isn’t looking so hot. But one plant that really has surprised me is the Nepenthes Gaya. If I can keep this guy alive in my climate, then anyone can.

Alocasia Dragon Scale

Alocasia shouldn’t be anywhere near an easy-care list, but if I had to pick one that hasn’t been too much trouble for me, then I would choose the Dragon Scale. As with all Alocasias, he needs lots of light in winter to stop him from going dormant. But once you get the care down, he’s actually pretty chill. Stupidly, when I moved into this house, I dropped another plant on top of him, so I did lose a couple of leaves. But he seems to be bouncing back well.

Coleus

We all love a bit of color in our lives, don’t we? So, why not brighten up your home with a Coleus? Normally, these live in the garden, of course, but I think they work just as well as a house plant. And my God, are they rapid growers! Mine might not look like much at the moment, but that’s because I gave him a serious haircut so that I can propagate and have more of them in my home. They need two things to thrive: sun and a ton of water.

How to Avoid Plant Disasters

What about the hard to kill indoor plants to steer clear of? Here’s my naughty list of five that look stunning in shops but should be avoided if you’re a beginner. Don’t get the Calathea—she does look absolutely gorgeous, but it never lasts long. Those leaves start to turn crispy brown in no time. The Philodendron Melan of Crisis (Melanochrysum) is another—new leaves always come out looking a mess, and I can’t figure out why. The Alocasia ‘Moo’ is just so hard to grow more than a single leaf at a time. The Anthurium Clarinervium looks fancy in spring and summer, but as soon as the temps drop, those nice new leaves turn crispy brown. Lastly, the Chinese Money Plant’s natural growth habit is to grow a lanky stem in the middle and lose all its lower leaves in the process. Click Here to learn about Pet-Friendly Plants.