5 Beginner-Friendly Houseplants That Are Hard to Kill

Getting started with houseplants shouldn’t be stressful.
If you’re new to plant care, the biggest hurdles are usually picking the right plant and learning how not to kill it with love (aka: too much water).

This guide highlights five beginner-friendly indoor plants that are tough, forgiving, and built to survive even the busiest lifestyle.

Snake Plant

Also known as Sansevieria or “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue,” the Snake Plant is practically indestructible. Its bold, upright leaves make a sculptural statement, and it thrives in spots most plants hate—think low-light corners or neglected shelves.

This plant doesn’t just survive neglect—it prefers it. It’s content with minimal watering, and because it helps filter indoor air, it earns its place as both a design piece and a wellness boost.

Light: Low to bright, indirect
Water: Every 2–3 weeks
Why it’s great: Requires almost no attention, looks stunning, and cleans your air.

Golden Pothos

Pothos is often called the “gateway plant” for good reason. Its heart-shaped leaves trail elegantly from shelves or hanging baskets, and it’s one of the most forgiving plants you can own.

Forget to water it? No problem — it’ll bounce back. Need more plants? Just snip and root a cutting in water. This plant is fast-growing, easy to propagate, and thrives in almost any lighting setup, making it perfect for beginners or busy plant lovers.

Light: Low to medium
Water: When the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry
Why it’s great: Grows fast, easy to multiply, and hard to kill.

ZZ Plant

This plant is the definition of “set it and forget it.”
With shiny leaves that look polished right out of the box, the ZZ Plant stores water in its underground rhizomes — making it ideal if you’re forgetful or travel often.

Light: Low to medium (it even survives office corners)
Water: Every 2–4 weeks
Why it’s great: Unkillable, unfussy, and clean-looking — a must-have starter plant.

Peace Lily

The Peace Lily is more than just a pretty face. With its graceful white blooms and lush green leaves, it brings instant elegance to any room — but its real charm is how communicative it is.

When it’s thirsty, it dramatically droops to let you know. A drink of water later, it perks right back up. It also improves indoor air quality and can bloom several times a year with the right care.

Light: Medium to low
Water: Weekly or when soil feels dry
Why it’s great: Visually stunning, easy to read, and blooms indoors with minimal effort.

Spider Plant

Playful and wildly forgiving, the Spider Plant is a go-to for beginners and busy plant parents alike. Its long, arching leaves and trailing baby “spiderettes” give it a lively, cascading look that brightens up shelves and hanging planters.

It thrives in a variety of light conditions and bounces back easily from neglect — all while helping purify the air in your home.

Light: Bright, indirect (but tolerates low light)
Water: Once a week or when soil dries out
Why it’s great: Hardy, fast-growing, and fun to propagate — perfect for any space.