Almost every indoor nurseryman has that one houseplant that just wo n’t die . You know the one . It ’s believably sitting on a shelf in front of your living elbow room window mighty now , and every time you look at it , it make you wonder , “ Can plants live forever ? ” The reply is , honestly , a bit complicated . Lifespans of plants motley from species to species and are affected byfactors like care and environment . There are some unfeignedly hardy ones , though , that can hold out for year through periods of nonperformance and inconsistent guardianship .
Spider plants
Spider plants are quite perhaps one of the best plants a beginner indoor gardener can have due to their hardy nature ( and , really , that makes them expectant for hoi polloi whose houseplant collection is quite turgid ) . Believe it or not , with right precaution , the lifetime of a wanderer flora is rather … well , indefinite . Many bide active for over 50 years , often outliving their owner and getting passed down through the family .
Spider plants are a with child houseplant for growing in containers or hanging handbasket where their leaves and runners can cascade down down . They can tolerate a second of disuse , be it under - watering or not enough light . But be sure not to overwater , as this can do the theme to get waterlogged and rot .
sparkle needs : Bright , indirect sunlight ( direct light will sear their leaves)Water needs : Moist but not soggy soil ; forefend overwatering
Pothos
Pothos plants are beautiful vine houseplant most often recognized for their immature heart - shaped leaves . Some variety show have xanthous or clean diversification , and all of them can live on around five to ten years on mean . Of course , the lifespan of these plants can be cut depend on the fear it gravel , the environs it ’s in , and any disease or pests that regain their elbow room to it .
Pothos flora are often fast growers ; however , varieties with white variegation will grow more easy than their yellow - light-green and green similitude . They do n’t naturally cling to trellises , but you could train them to raise along bait on a wall or twine them along a support . Like spider plant life , pothos plants are fairly hardy and can treat a bit of under - watering and less - than - ideal lighting condition . But chances are if yours is refuse to die , you ’re doing everything right .
illumination need : shiny , collateral lightingWater motive : Let soil dry out out whole between waterings
Air plants
atmosphere flora have become quite pop in recent years , making their way to northerly parts of the world from places like Central and South America . People looking for their first houseplant love them because they can deal with a minute of under - watering and do n’t ask a pot or soil like regular houseplants . Because they absorb wet through their foliage instead of their roots , melodic phrase plants can be display however you like in the container of your choice .
melodic line circulation , frequent lacrimation , and some sunlight are want for optimum growth . Most varieties of air flora will only live for a couple years on mean , even with the right care . If yours is older than that and still not dying , congratulations ! You ’ve reached a Modern level of houseplant fear ( and will you tell us your secrets ? ) .
Light needs : collateral visible radiation or partial shade for most varietiesWater indigence : dowse in a bowl of water once a calendar week for 30 minutes
Christmas cactus
The Christmas cactus ( also screw as the holiday cactus ) is one aboriginal to tropic rain forest . Like most cacti and succulents , it can fare fine and resile back easily when not give enough water system . Because they wish to have their soil dry out between tearing , they ’re also great houseplants for citizenry who sleep together to travel for a week or two at a time and do n’t want to interest about come in home to a dying plant .
Be prepared , though , because a well - loved Christmas cactus can live for upwards of 30 years . Like many long - living plant , they make great gifts to go down through the syndicate . Their beautiful blooms come in oranges , pinko , purples , and loss , and the more stem it has , the more prime will bloom .
Light needs : fond shade or diffused lightWater motive : Soak and dry method acting ( piddle thoroughly then allow the dirt to dry out between tearing )
Jade plant
Jade plants are perhaps one of the most awful houseplant you could have ( and if you receive yourself in possession of one , plan to give it to your grandkids one day ) . They ’re succulents , so like the Christmas cactus they can suffer some under - watering and periods of nonperformance ; however , most trollop plant end up living for anywhere from 70 to 100 years sure-enough .
Jade works are n’t very demanding , either , but can be susceptible to disease . Be untrusting of overwatering them , as that ’s something they are n’t tolerant to in the slightest . With jade plants ( and with any succulents ) , it ’s always best to have the ground be a bit too dry than too wet . With the proper fear , your jade plant can develop to be six feet tall . They ’re slow - growing , though , so tend to the plant diligently throughout the years .
lighter needs : hopeful , collateral lightWater needs : pawn and ironic method ( water supply thoroughly then allow the grease to dry out between watering )
There are quite a few other hardy houseplant out there , namely varieties of succulents and cacti . The life-time of plant can be undetermined at times , count on how much studying has been done . you may always seem it up if you ’re wondering why the one plant you hate just wo n’t die , or you may chalk it up to being a keen houseplant owner ( and maybe get yourself a novel one in jubilation ) .