Houseplants are a beautiful addition to any home, filling spaces with greenery and even cheerful flowers, depending on the variety. But if you haven’t had much luck growing your own houseplants or are too busy to keep up with care, consider varieties with low water needs. While all plants need water in order to survive, some can go a month or longer without being given a drink.
Of course, even the plants that can thrive with minimal water do best with some moisture in the soil. The best way to test if your houseplants need water is to feel the soil—if the top 25 to 50 percent feels dry, give your plants a drink. But if you’re a plant parent who frequently forgets to check in with your houseplants, certain varieties are much more forgiving than others. Ahead, we’re sharing houseplants that experts say can thrive with minimal water.
- Justin Hancock, horticulturist for Costa Farms, a grower of more than 1,500 plant varieties
- Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, founder of the Houseplant Guru and author of Houseplants
Snake Plant
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Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) is known for being able to thrive in low water and low light conditions, making it an extremely easy plant. Its thick, sword-like leaves make it drought-tolerant. You can let the potting soil almost completely dry out between waterings. That said, if you want to water it more often, give it a drink once the top 25 to 50 percent of potting mix feels dry, says Justin Hancock, horticulturist for Costa Farms.
- Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 36 inches wide
- Care requirements: Bright to low light; well-drained potting mix
The more light a snake plant gets, the more water it uses. This means your plant will likely need more water if you have it next to a south-facing glass patio door than if it’s on the far side of a room with only a small window, says Hancock.
Raven ZZ
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Raven ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’) is equipped to survive dry conditions, which it sometimes experiences in its native habitat of Africa, says Hancock. The thick leaves store water, as do the rhizomes located under the soil. “This is another plant you can water as infrequently as once a month or so,” says Hancock. He adds that you can water raven ZZ more often (once the top 25 to 50 percent of potting mix is dry) to keep the plant happier.
- Size: 12 inches tall x 8 inches wide
- Care requirements: Bright to low light; well-drained potting mix
Ponytail Palm
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Native to the deserts of Mexico and Central America, ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) has evolved to thrive in drought conditions by storing water in its trunk. “It can survive almost completely drying out,” says Hancock, adding that it does best when regularly watered. “For optimal growth, water as the top 25 to 50 percent of the potting mix dries, but don’t stress if you forget from time to time,” he says.
- Size: 6 to 8 feet tall x 3 to 5 feet wide
- Care requirements: Bright, indirect light; well-drained potting mix
Chinese Evergreen
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Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) is an exceptionally resilient houseplant that can survive almost completely drying out. “As with all the plants on this list, take care to avoid overwatering—Chinese evergreen would much rather be too dry than too wet,” Hancock says. This plant boasts green leaves variegated in a variety of colors, from white and silver to red, pink, and orange.
- Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
- Care requirements: Bright to low light; well-draining potting mix
Spider Plant
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Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is one of the most popular houseplants among gardening experts, and it’s easy to see why. “Spider plant has thick, fleshy roots that store water, allowing it to survive drought,” says Hancock. “It can go a couple of weeks without water, particularly in lower-light conditions.” If it gets too dry, it will tell you by displaying soft, droopy leaves, followed by brown leaf tips and edges.
- Size: Up to 18 inches tall by 2 feet wide
- Care requirements: Bright to low light; well-draining potting mix
Yucca
Like ponytail palm, yucca (Yucca gigantea) is native to Mexico and Central America and has a thick, woody trunk. “As is the case with many desert plants, it doesn’t like staying wet, so allow the top 50 to 75 percent of the potting mix to dry between waterings,” says Hancock. It can grow quite tall inside but keeps a narrow profile, making it a great indoor tree for small areas that get lots of light.
- Size: 6 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide (grows larger outdoors)
- Care requirements: Bright light; well-draining potting mix
Jade Plant
As a succulent, jade plant (Crassula ovata) is popular for its low water needs and ability to go a few weeks without water. “The way I usually recommend watering cacti and succulents is to put a wood toothpick in the bottom drainage hole of the pot. Leave it there for a minute or so, and then pull it out. If the toothpick comes out clean with next to no potting mix on it, then it’s dry and probably could use some water,” says Hancock. “But if there’s enough moisture for some potting mix to adhere to the wood, then you don’t need to water at that time.”
- Size: 5 feet tall x 5 feet wide
- Care requirements: Bright light; well-draining potting mix
Rex Begonia
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The key to growing rex begonias (Begonia rex) successfully is growing them like a succulent. “Many have fleshy stems and petioles, which store some water. Therefore, they do not like to be kept too wet,” says Lisa Eldred Steinkopf, founder of the Houseplant Guru and author of Houseplants. “Let them dry down before watering again.”
- Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 9 to 12 inches wide
- Care requirements: Bright to low light; well-draining potting mix
Goldfish Plant
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The goldfish plant (Nematanthus gregarious) is related to African violets, another popular houseplant. “It has glossy, thick leaves, and if in the right amount of light, it will bloom almost continuously. It has orange goldfish-shaped flowers,” says Steinkopf, adding that it’s commonly grown in a hanging basket. For best success growing this plant, let the soil dry out mostly before watering it again.
- Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
- Care requirements: Bright light; well-draining potting mix
Bromeliads
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Any of the tank bromeliads such as gazania, aechmea, vriesia, and neoregelia need minimal watering, as they have a tank or cup near their central rosette that can be filled with water. “These bromeliads have leaves that form vases or cups that hold water. In the jungle, they would collect rainwater in their centers,” says Steinkopf. “In your home, keep them in an area with bright light and simply keep the tanks full of water, changing it often to keep it fresh.”
- Size: Depends on variety
- Care requirements: Bright, indirect light; well-draining potting mix
