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14 Plants That Thrive Despite Complete Neglect

Taking care of plants can feel like a big commitment, especially if you don’t have a lot of time or a green thumb. Luckily, there are several types of plants that don’t need constant attention and still manage to grow well.

You can enjoy the beauty of greenery even if you’re not able to water or care for them regularly. These tough plants are great for busy lifestyles or those who tend to forget their plants now and then.

Cast Iron Plant

Houseplant with broad green leaves in a black pot, placed on stone or concrete surface, with a blue checkbox icon in the upper right corner
Image Credit: Endah Kurnia P/Shutterstock.

The Cast Iron Plant is perfect if you often forget to water your plants. It handles low light and dry spells with ease, so you don’t need to worry about daily care.

Its broad, dark green leaves bring a calm, natural feel to any room. Just keep it out of direct sunlight to avoid leaf damage.

You’ll appreciate how tough this plant is, making it a great choice for beginners or busy lifestyles.

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

ZZ plant in a ceramic pot with green leaves placed on a wooden table, modern indoor decor, low-maintenance houseplant
Image Credit: Mid Photographer/Shutterstock.

The ZZ Plant is a great choice if you want a low-maintenance green friend. It tolerates low light and rarely needs watering, making it perfect for neglectful plant owners like you.

Its thick, waxy leaves store water, helping it survive dry spells. Just avoid direct sunlight, which can damage the leaves.

There are also smaller varieties, like the Zamicro ZZ, that work well in compact spaces. You’ll appreciate how easy it is to keep this plant happy without much effort.

Snake Plant

Snake plant in gray ceramic pot, green leaves with yellow edges, indoor setting, blurred background
Image Credit: Adobe Stock.

The snake plant is perfect if you often forget to water your plants. It can go weeks without water and still look great.

Its tall, sword-shaped leaves add a stylish touch to any room. It does well in low light but also enjoys bright, indirect sunlight.

Because it comes from semi-desert areas, it prefers dry soil, so avoid overwatering. This plant is a reliable choice for anyone new to indoor gardening.

Rubber Plant

A rubber tree plant with glossy, dark green leaves, potted in a green plastic pot, placed on a wooden surface with a rustic background
Image Credit: Single Action Photo/Shutterstock.

The rubber plant is a great choice if you want greenery that can handle forgetful watering. Its large, glossy leaves bring a bold tropical vibe to your space.

You don’t need to fuss over it much. It can survive months without attention and does well in indirect light.

If you want a low-maintenance plant that still makes a statement, the rubber plant fits right in your home.

Hoya Plant

Hoya plant with waxy green leaves and clusters of small pink star-shaped flowers hanging from climbing vines indoors
Image Credit: Adobe Stock.

The Hoya plant is perfect if you tend to forget watering. Its thick, waxy leaves store water, so it can go weeks without being watered.

You’ll find it thrives in bright, indirect light but it can tolerate lower light too. This plant also produces lovely, star-shaped flowers if cared for occasionally, but it doesn’t demand much attention.

Spirea

Spirea shrub in full bloom with dense clusters of small white flowers covering green foliage in natural garden setting
Image Credit: Jonathan Billinger – CC BY-SA 2.0/Wiki Commons.

Spirea is a great choice if you want a low-maintenance shrub. It grows quickly and can fill spaces in your garden fast.

You’ll find many varieties with different colors and sizes, from pink blooms to golden foliage. Most spireas do well in full sun and need only moderate watering.

If you leave them alone, they still thrive, making them perfect for gardeners who prefer easy care plants.

Baby’s Tears

Baby's tears plant with tiny round green leaves cascading from decorative red glass bowl on light wooden surface
Image Credit: GreenThumbShots/Shutterstock.

Baby’s Tears have tiny, delicate leaves that bring a gentle touch to any space. You can place them in indirect light, and they tolerate low light, making them flexible for many spots.

They grow well in containers, spilling attractively over edges. If you forget to water sometimes, Baby’s Tears usually bounce back, so they’re great if you’re not always on top of care.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera plant with thick, spiky green leaves radiating from center, against blurred light green background
Image Credit: Adobe Stock.

Aloe vera is a great plant for beginners or anyone with a busy schedule. It stores water in its thick leaves, so you don’t have to worry about frequent watering.

Place it in bright, indirect sunlight and use well-drained soil to keep it happy. It doesn’t need fertilizer to thrive, making it ideal if you forget to feed your plants.

Pothos

A lush pothos plant with heart-shaped green leaves featuring yellow variegation, extending from a pot against a plain white background
Image Credit: Sibilla Ferroni – CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

You’ll find pothos is incredibly forgiving. It can handle low light and irregular watering, making it perfect if you often forget your plants.

Its trailing vines bring life to any space, and varieties like Marble Pothos or Neon Pothos add unique colors without extra effort.

Just let the soil dry between waterings, and don’t worry if the roots develop slowly. Pothos adapts and thrives despite neglect.

Jade Plant

Succulent jade plant with thick green leaves and clusters of small white star-shaped flowers blooming on tall stems
Image Credit: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova – CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

You’ll find the jade plant easy to care for, even if you forget to water it sometimes. Its thick, fleshy leaves store water, so it can handle dry indoor air.

Place it in bright light and let the soil dry out between waterings. It grows slowly but can live many years with minimal attention.

Spider Plant

A spider plant with long, arching green and white variegated leaves growing in a hanging pot. The plant has thin, striped foliage cascading downward, displayed against a blurred background with hints of red
Image Credit: ellinnur bakarudin/Shutterstock.

The spider plant is a great choice if you often forget to water your plants. Its long, arching leaves add a lively touch to any room.

It can handle a range of light conditions, from bright indirect light to some shade. This makes it flexible for many indoor spots.

Spider plants are also known for their ability to produce small plantlets, which you can easily propagate. They’re low-maintenance and forgiving, perfect for beginners.

Peace Lily

White peace lily (Spathiphyllum) with elegant white spathes and lush green leaves, placed indoors near a window, symbolizing peace and purification
Image Credit: Adobe Stock.

The Peace Lily is a great choice if you want a plant that handles some forgetfulness. It can survive low light and irregular watering, making it ideal for busy or beginner plant owners.

You’ll notice its glossy green leaves and occasional white flowers brighten up any room. Just remember, it prefers indirect light and a bit of water when the soil feels dry.

Philodendron

Philodendron plant with variegated green and white leaves in rope-wrapped pot on wooden floor in modern living room
Image Credit: Adobe Stock.

Philodendrons are great if you tend to forget about your plants sometimes. Their heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines add a lively touch wherever you place them.

They can handle low light and don’t need frequent watering, making them perfect for busy spaces. If you leave cuttings in water by accident, they often still grow roots well.

This adaptability makes philodendrons easy to care for, even if your plant care routine isn’t perfect.

Dracaena

A living room corner featuring a large houseplant with broad green leaves, positioned next to a wooden railing or banister. A white planter and small side table are visible on a hardwood floor near a window
Image Credit: Adobe Stock.

If you often forget to water your plants, Dracaena is a great choice for you. It prefers well-draining soil and only needs watering when the top inch feels dry.

This plant can tolerate some neglect and low light, making it perfect for busy or beginner plant owners. Its upright, fountain-like leaves add a nice touch to your space without much effort.

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