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Hardy houseplants that need little care

Miss a watering and these plants forgive you. The most patient go two to three weeks between waterings in summer, and much longer through winter. The thirstiest on this list still want water about weekly. Each links to a full care guide.

8 curated plants

Two traits make a houseplant hard to kill: tolerating low light, so no bright window is needed, and storing water in roots, rhizomes, or thick leaves. Every plant below tolerates low light. The ones that also store water are the ones you can leave longest. Each card shows its own summer watering interval.

Watering (summer)

ZZ plantZamioculcas zamiifoliaevery 17 to 25 daysToxic to pets Cast-iron plantAspidistra elatiorevery 14 to 22 daysPet-safe Snake plantSansevieria trifasciataevery 11 to 17 daysToxic to pets Golden pothosEpipremnum aureumevery 6 to 8 daysToxic to pets Peace lilySpathiphyllum wallisiievery 6 to 8 daysToxic to pets Parlor palmChamaedorea elegansevery 6 to 8 daysPet-safe Lucky bambooDracaena sanderianaevery 6 to 8 daysToxic to pets Chinese evergreenAglaonema commutatumevery 6 to 8 daysToxic to pets

Care know-how

Common questions

What is the most neglect-tolerant houseplant?

The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas) and the snake plant (Sansevieria) are the standout choices. The ZZ plant stores water in thick rhizomes and the snake plant in its thick leaves. Both cope with low light and can go two to three weeks between waterings in summer. Both are on this list.

How long can these plants go without water?

Use the watering interval on each card as the starting point. ZZ plant and Snake plant wait the longest. Pothos, Peace lily, Parlor palm, Lucky bamboo, and Chinese evergreen still need checking about weekly in summer.

Can I leave these plants alone when I go on vacation?

For a trip longer than about a week, arrange for someone to check the plants. ZZ plant and Snake plant can usually wait longer than the others, but heat, light, and pot size change how quickly the mix dries.

Last reviewed: 2026-08-26