13 Long-Lived Houseplants You’ll Enjoy for Years

Looking for low-maintenance plants that will thrive for years? Some houseplants are known for their impressive longevity, surviving for decades with minimal care. Whether you’re new to plant care or an experienced gardener, these resilient plants can brighten up your space while providing years of enjoyment. With the right conditions, they can endure and even flourish over time, making them perfect additions to any home.

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Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

The Spider Plant is a hardy and easy-to-care-for plant known for its long life expectancy. It produces long green leaves with white or yellow stripes, and it can live for decades with proper care. Its ability to adapt to a variety of lighting conditions, from bright light to indirect sunlight, makes it a favorite in many households. Spider Plants are also known for their air-purifying properties, helping to clean the air in your home while thriving over time.

With minimal water requirements and a preference for slightly dry soil, the Spider Plant is perfect for those with a busy lifestyle. It can thrive in a variety of indoor environments, needing only occasional trimming to remove dead leaves or offshoots. This plant’s resilience makes it an ideal option for beginners, as it is forgiving and can tolerate neglect.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Snake Plants, or Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, are among the longest-living houseplants, with some specimens surviving for decades. These plants are extremely resilient and can adapt to a variety of environments. Snake Plants can tolerate low light, which makes them ideal for rooms with minimal natural sunlight. Their upright, sword-like leaves come in striking shades of green with patterns that vary from solid to striped.

In terms of care, Snake Plants are remarkably easy to maintain. They do not need frequent watering, and in fact, overwatering can harm them. They thrive on neglect, requiring only occasional watering and being able to tolerate a range of temperatures. This makes the Snake Plant a great addition to any home or office, where it can live for years with little effort.

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The ZZ Plant is known for its toughness and long lifespan, often living for 10 years or more in the right conditions. With its glossy, dark green leaves, it makes an attractive and low-maintenance addition to any indoor space. ZZ Plants thrive in low to moderate light, making them perfect for rooms with limited natural sunlight. This ability to adapt to varying light conditions contributes to their impressive longevity.

Caring for the ZZ Plant is simple, as it only needs occasional watering when the soil becomes dry. It can tolerate periods of drought, as it stores water in its rhizomes. ZZ Plants are also resistant to pests, adding to their ease of care. With minimal attention, they can live for many years, making them ideal for those who want a long-lasting plant with little maintenance.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Pothos is an incredibly versatile and long-living houseplant that can grow for many years when cared for properly. Known for its cascading vines and heart-shaped leaves, Pothos can thrive in a range of lighting conditions, from low light to bright, indirect sunlight. It is a common choice for homes and offices due to its tolerance for various environmental conditions and its attractive, trailing vines.

Pothos is also a forgiving plant, perfect for beginners. It can handle neglect in terms of watering, and it does not require frequent attention. A Pothos plant can live for several years with minimal care, and it only requires occasional pruning to maintain its shape. Its ability to adapt to different environments and conditions makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a long-lasting, low-maintenance plant.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

The Peace Lily is a popular houseplant that can live for many years with proper care. Its glossy, dark green leaves and beautiful white blooms make it an elegant addition to any room. Peace Lilies are known for their air-purifying qualities, which can help to reduce toxins in the air, contributing to a healthier indoor environment. They thrive in moderate to low light, making them well-suited for indoor spaces that lack direct sunlight.

Although they need consistent moisture, Peace Lilies are relatively easy to care for. They only need to be watered when the soil is dry, and they prefer slightly humid conditions. With proper care, a Peace Lily can live for many years, providing both beauty and air purification throughout its long life. Their ability to adapt to indoor environments and their ease of maintenance make them a reliable and enduring plant choice.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)

Aloe Vera is a low-maintenance plant that can live for decades with minimal attention. Known for its succulent, thick, and fleshy leaves that contain a soothing gel, Aloe Vera is valued for both its longevity and its medicinal properties. It thrives in bright, indirect light and is drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for those who might forget to water their plants regularly.

Aloe Vera is also a very forgiving plant, capable of surviving in a variety of conditions. It does best in well-draining soil, and overwatering can lead to root rot. However, when left to dry out between waterings, it continues to thrive and can live for many years, making it a great option for anyone seeking a long-lived, low-maintenance houseplant.

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

Rubber Plants are hardy, attractive houseplants that can live for many years with the proper care. With its large, glossy leaves, the Rubber Plant makes a statement in any room. It thrives in bright, indirect light, though it can also tolerate lower light conditions, making it adaptable to a variety of indoor environments. Rubber Plants can live for several decades when kept in the right conditions, making them a great investment for long-term greenery.

Caring for a Rubber Plant involves keeping the soil moist, but not soggy, and providing it with occasional fertilizing during the growing season. Regular pruning helps maintain its shape and promotes new growth. This resilient plant’s ability to thrive in varying conditions, coupled with its longevity, makes it a perfect choice for those seeking a plant that can live for many years.

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

The Chinese Evergreen is a low-maintenance plant that is well-known for its longevity and attractive foliage. This plant can live for many years, even decades, in the right conditions. It can tolerate a range of light conditions, from low to bright, indirect light, though it prefers moderate light. Its variegated leaves add a pop of color to any room, making it both functional and decorative.

Chinese Evergreens are particularly suited for indoor environments because they are tolerant of fluctuating temperatures and humidity. They are easy to care for, needing only moderate watering and occasional fertilization. With minimal care, a Chinese Evergreen can live for many years, thriving in homes and offices alike.

Dracaena (Dracaena spp.)

Dracaena is a long-living houseplant that can survive for many years when given proper care. Known for its spiky, strappy leaves that come in a variety of colors and patterns, Dracaena can be an eye-catching addition to any home. It thrives in moderate light, though it can adapt to lower light conditions, making it versatile for a range of indoor spaces. Dracaena is also relatively resistant to pests and diseases, contributing to its long life.

This plant is easy to care for and requires minimal watering, just when the soil feels dry. It is also relatively drought-tolerant, so occasional neglect is not a problem. With its attractive appearance and low-maintenance needs, a Dracaena plant can last for many years with proper attention.

Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

The Fiddle Leaf Fig is a striking houseplant known for its large, violin-shaped leaves and its impressive lifespan. With proper care, it can live for several decades. Fiddle Leaf Figs prefer bright, indirect light and can tolerate a bit of direct sunlight, though too much sun can scorch their leaves. Their dramatic, glossy leaves make them a statement piece in any room, and their ability to thrive for many years makes them a worthy investment.

Caring for a Fiddle Leaf Fig involves maintaining consistent moisture in the soil, but avoiding overwatering. It requires occasional pruning to remove dead or damaged leaves, helping it maintain a healthy shape. When given the right care, this plant can thrive for years, making it a beloved addition to any space.

Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Lavender is a fragrant, long-living herb that can thrive for many years with the right care. Known for its beautiful purple flowers and calming aroma, Lavender is not only a beautiful plant but also a versatile one. It requires plenty of sunlight to grow, making it ideal for windowsills or sunny spots in the home. Lavender can live for several years when grown in well-draining soil and watered properly.

Lavender’s longevity is also due to its drought-tolerant nature. It prefers to dry out between waterings, so it is well-suited for people who may forget to water occasionally. With minimal care, Lavender can live for many years, providing both fragrance and beauty to your home.

Cast-Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

The Cast-Iron Plant is famous for its ability to thrive under less-than-ideal conditions, making it an excellent choice for longevity. Known for its deep green, leathery leaves, the Cast-Iron Plant can survive in low light and with minimal care, making it perfect for rooms that lack sunlight. It can live for many years, even decades, when placed in the right conditions.

This plant is remarkably low-maintenance and can tolerate temperature fluctuations and dry air. It only needs occasional watering when the soil becomes dry, and it is resistant to pests and diseases. Its ability to survive in challenging conditions makes the Cast-Iron Plant a reliable, long-lasting option for those looking for a hardy houseplant.

Pilea (Pilea peperomioides)

Pilea, often referred to as the Chinese Money Plant, is a trendy houseplant known for its round, coin-shaped leaves and impressive longevity. It is highly adaptable, thriving in bright, indirect light, but it can also tolerate lower light conditions. With proper care, a Pilea plant can live for several years, making it a great addition to your home decor.

Pilea is easy to maintain, requiring only regular watering and occasional repotting to allow for its growth. It also benefits from being kept in well-draining soil to prevent root rot. Over time, this plant can grow into a beautiful, full specimen that lives for many years with minimal attention.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.