You can keep your fiddley fig.
If we’ve learned anything from our third lockdown, it’s that owning house plants is the new banana bread. And while it was quite funny to see everyone burn their overripe bananas last year as they attempted to mould them into bread, it definitely cuts a little deeper when our precious, potted pals shrivel up into nothingness before our very eyes.
As much as we adore plants, we can’t deny that some of them are an absolute nightmare to keep alive. It turns out you don’t have to be a horticultural hero to keep a few plants alive, you just have to pick the rights ones. We’ve compiled a list of our favourite sturdy house plants that absolutely refuse to die, and why we adore them for it:
Pothos – Nicknamed the Devil’s Ivy, this trailing vine is known for its ability to thrive in almost pitch black conditions and can withstand over-watering and under-watering. It can withstand the most murderous of green fingers and always seems to bounce back, better the Devil you know and all that jazz.
Chinese Money Plant – This wee gem survives best in a shady spot or a winter windowsill (which is actually just called a windowsill in Ireland). A weekly watering is all it needs to stay alive and while it may not bring you a fortune as the name suggests, it will certainly bring a smug plant mum smile to your face on a daily basis.
Succulents – These are a no-brainer when it comes to adding some low-maintenance greenery to your space. They’re sometimes considered to be ornamental plants, meaning they can literally sit there with minimal to no care and you can’t kill them… the dream.
Spathiphyllum – More commonly known as the Peace Lily, this evergreen plant is the perfect addition to a newby plant home as it needs very little light or water to survive. In fact, it actually will do better if kept in darker areas of your home. When it blooms the Peace Lily produces a white leaf-like flower that symbolises hope and renewal. Sign us up.
Zamioculcas – Commonly known as the ZZ plant, we’re being a bit cheeky here because the ZZ is technically considered to be a succulent, but can you ever have enough succulents? It has its origins in Africa, so it’s very used to desert heat and can survive for long periods of time without water. We can’t guarantee you heat ZZ, but we can promise you we will forget to water you constantly.
Please don’t die.
Spider Plant – Last but certainly not least on our list is the trusty Spider Plant or the Chlorophytum Comosum if you want to be fancy. During the initial growth of these plants, you’re advised to water them occasionally but when they’ve reached full growth after around a year (I know, you’ll have kept a plant alive for a full year) it’s advised that you water them moderately, avoid direct sunlight and never let them go soggy. In other words, don’t completely abandon them, but they’ll do OK without you!
