Not everyone remembers to water their plants on schedule. Sometimes life gets busy, you go away for a few days, or a plant simply gets forgotten on the windowsill.
The good news is that plenty of houseplants can handle this kind of care. Some are happy with less water, lower light, or a little time between check-ins. That makes them a great choice for busy households, frequent travelers, beginners, or anyone who has managed to lose a few plants along the way.
Here are 13 houseplants that are pretty forgiving and don’t need constant attention.
Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Snake plants have a reputation for being tough for a reason. They can handle low light, dry indoor air, and missed waterings without much trouble. Their upright leaves also give them a neat look that works in just about any room.
Let the soil dry out between waterings, and don’t worry if you occasionally forget about it for a while.
Related: The Sweetest Houseplants With Naturally Heart-Shaped Leaves
Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides)
Coleus is often grown outdoors, but it can also make a colorful houseplant with enough bright light. Its leaves come in shades and patterns that can add plenty of color to a room.
Keep the soil from staying bone-dry for too long, give it a bright spot, and it can do well without daily attention.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema spp.)
Chinese evergreens are a good pick for rooms that don’t get a ton of natural light. They can also handle the occasional missed watering, which makes them easier to live with than plants that need a strict routine.
The leaves come in several shades and patterns, so you can find varieties that add some interest without asking for much in return.
Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
The Chinese money plant is easy to recognize thanks to its round, coin-shaped leaves. Once it’s settled in, it can handle some time between waterings and doesn’t need constant checking.
Give it bright, indirect light and let the soil dry a bit before watering again. If you tend to forget about your plants for a few days, this one can usually handle it.
Related: These Variegated Houseplants Practically Decorate the Room Themselves
Aloe Vera (Aloe vera)
Aloe vera is a succulent, so it’s used to storing water in its thick leaves. That means it would rather be left alone than watered too often.
Place it somewhere with plenty of bright light and let the soil dry out between waterings. Overwatering is usually more of a concern than forgetting to water it.
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Rubber plants have large, glossy leaves and are fairly comfortable in typical indoor conditions. They don’t need constantly wet soil and actually prefer some drying out between waterings.
A bright spot with indirect light and a little patience can keep a rubber plant looking good for years. Just give it a drink when the soil has dried out instead of sticking to a rigid watering schedule.
Tradescantia (Tradescantia zebrina)
Tradescantia is a fast-growing trailing plant with colorful leaves that look great spilling over a shelf or hanging basket. It can tolerate a bit of neglect and tends to recover well if you occasionally forget about it.
Give it plenty of indirect light and water when the soil starts to dry. If the plant gets a little leggy, trimming it back can also help it fill out again.
Related: 19 Beautiful Houseplants That Add Color Without Feeling Overdone
Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia)
The silver and green stripes on watermelon peperomia leaves make this plant stand out. Despite its delicate-looking leaves, it’s fairly easy to care for.
It does well in bright, indirect light and doesn’t need frequent watering. Let the top portion of the soil dry before watering again, since soggy soil can cause problems.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are a longtime favorite for beginners. They’re comfortable in a range of indoor light conditions and can bounce back from an occasional missed watering.
They also produce little baby plants, called plantlets, that grow from long stems. Once your spider plant gets established, you may end up with plenty of new plants to share with friends or move to another room.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ plant is about as low-maintenance as houseplants get. Its thick stems and underground rhizomes help it store water, so it can go quite a while without being watered.
It can also tolerate lower light, although it will grow better with brighter indirect light. If you tend to forget your watering routine, a ZZ plant is a good one to have around.
Related: 10 Striking Houseplants That Pop With Bright Neon Color
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos is one of those plants that seems to keep going despite a few mistakes. It can handle lower light, missed waterings, and a little general neglect.
Its vines can trail down from shelves, hang from baskets, or climb with support. If the plant gets too long, cuttings can be rooted and used to grow new plants.
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
The cast iron plant has earned its reputation as one of the tougher houseplants. It can deal with low light, inconsistent watering, and the normal temperature changes found inside a home.
It grows slowly, so don’t expect a dramatic change every week. Give it a spot where other plants struggle, water it when the soil has dried out, and let it do its thing.
Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Heartleaf philodendron is another classic choice for anyone who doesn’t want a high-maintenance plant. Its heart-shaped leaves grow along trailing vines, making it a good choice for shelves, hanging baskets, or plant stands.
It does well in average indoor conditions and can handle an occasional missed watering. Give it indirect light and water once the soil has started to dry out.
