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6 Houseplants You Can't Kill

6 Houseplants You Can't Kill. No green thumb? No problem!

Plants contribute a lot to your household: Beauty, serenity, even oxygen as they go about their daily growth and flowering.

Can you keep them healthy and vigorous even if you can barely spare a minute to care for them?

Yes - if you follow a few simple rules.

First, keep only those plant that you truly enjoy, and that do well in your surroundings.

If your house is dark and shady, for example, stay away from all cacti and other sun lovers - in low light they're grow spindly and misshapen.

If you're often out of town, avoid plants that need frequent watering, such as ferns - they will die of thirst. The tag in a new plant's potting soil can help guide you as to how much light and water the plant needs.

Here are six botanical best bets that can survive some neglect.

1. Asparagus fern. (Asparagus setaceus).

Even if its soil is bone dry, this vigorous relative of the edible stalk won't go into a permanent swoon.

2. Cast-iron plant. (Aspidistra elatior).

Vacation plans? Don't fret. This plant will be healthy upon your return - even if it's neglected for weeks.

3. Chinese evergreen. (Aglaonema modestum).

It actually prefers the soil to dry between waterings and needs little light to thrive in your home.

4. Grape ivy. (Cissus species).

A handsome vine with tendrils resembling those of grapes, this plant adapts easily to limited light and soil that's a bit on the dry side.

5. 'Janet Craig' dracaena. (Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig'.

This shrub-like plant with broad leaves adapts to low light and favors moderately dry soil.

6. Ponytail. (Beaucarnea species).

This succulent requires little grooming and does best when not kept too wet - just give it lots of sun and let the soil dry between waterings.

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About the Author

Tara Aronson is a native Californian. Having grown up in San Diego, she studied journalism and Spanish to pursue a career in newspaper writing. Tara, whose three children - Chris, Lyndsay, and Payne - are the light of her life, now lives and writes in Los Angeles. She also regularly appears on television news programs throughout the U.S.

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