Houseplants that are hard to kill
For beginners, busy people and forgetful waterers. These plants shrug off missed waterings, grey Irish winters and dim corners — and still look good doing it.
Low fuss
Eight plants that forgive almost anything
Every plant here is in stock and chosen for one reason: it keeps going when life gets busy. Pet-safe picks are marked.
Meet the nine toughest houseplants we sell
What makes each one so forgiving — and where it will be happiest in an Irish home.
ZZ plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia — stores water in thick underground rhizomes, so a missed watering (or three) barely registers. Copes with dim hallways and offices.
Snake plant
Dracaena trifasciata — upright, architectural and commonly lives for decades. A safe pick when you don't know how much light a room gets.
Kentia palm
Howea forsteriana — a favourite of Victorian drawing rooms, and one of the few palms that copes with cool rooms and short Irish winter days.
Parlour palm
Chamaedorea elegans — compact and forgiving, and one of the best palms for a dim Irish flat or office. An easy first palm.
Ponytail palm
Beaucarnea recurvata — its swollen base stores water, so it needs a drink only every 2–4 weeks. Almost impossible to kill by neglect.
Cast iron plant
Aspidistra elatior — the famously indestructible Victorian favourite. Thrives in cold, dark hallways where little else survives. View the cast iron plant.
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum — one of the most tolerant trailing plants for shelves and dim corners, and it grows quickly enough to reward you early.
Dracaena
Dracaena — tall and structural, and tolerates the dry air of centrally heated homes better than most. Water when the top half of the compost is dry.
Yucca
Yucca elephantipes — bold, drought-tolerant and very low maintenance. Give it the brightest window in the house and let it dry out between drinks.
Pick the right plant for your space
Easy care starts with the right spot. Want the full range? Explore indoor plants by room and need.
Low light & north-facing rooms
ZZ plant, snake plant, cast iron plant, parlour palm and Kentia palm all cope with the modest light of a north-facing Irish room.
Shop low-light plants →Bright rooms & sunny windows
Ponytail palm and yucca want the brightest spot you have — including some direct sun. Dracaena is happy a little further back.
Shop bright-light plants →Homes with cats & dogs
Kentia palm, parlour palm, ponytail palm and cast iron plant are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA.
Shop pet-safe plants →Offices & desks
ZZ plant, snake plant and parlour palm shrug off weekends, holidays and fluorescent light. Pothos trails nicely from a shelf.
Shop office plants →
Easy care in an Irish home comes down to three things
These plants forgive a lot. What they don't forgive is kindness in the wrong form.
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Water less than you think
Overwatering kills far more houseplants than neglect. Push a finger into the compost and water only when it feels dry — then water thoroughly and never leave the pot sitting in water.
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Move closer to the light in winter
From October to March, Irish daylight is short and weak. Shift plants nearer a window, wipe dust off the leaves, and water even less while growth slows.
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Keep clear of radiators and draughts
Central heating dries the air and bakes the roots. Keep plants a good arm's length from radiators, and away from cold draughts by the front door.
Easy-care plants at a glance
| Plant | Latin | Light | Watering | Pet-safe | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZZ plant | Zamioculcas zamiifolia | Low to bright indirect | Every 2–3 weeks | No — keep from pets that chew | Busy people, dim offices |
| Snake plant | Dracaena trifasciata | Low to bright | Every 2–4 weeks; less in winter | No — keep from pets that chew | Any room, unknown light |
| Kentia palm | Howea forsteriana | Bright indirect to fairly low | When top 3–4cm is dry | Yes (ASPCA non-toxic) | Cool living rooms |
| Parlour palm | Chamaedorea elegans | Low to medium indirect | When top few cm are dry | Yes (ASPCA non-toxic) | Dim flats, desks |
| Ponytail palm | Beaucarnea recurvata | Bright, some direct sun | Every 2–4 weeks | Yes (ASPCA non-toxic) | Sunny windowsills |
| Cast iron plant | Aspidistra elatior | Low — tolerates deep shade | Sparingly | Yes (ASPCA non-toxic) | Cold, dark hallways |
| Pothos | Epipremnum aureum | Low to bright indirect | When top layer dries | No — keep from pets that chew | Shelves, dim corners |
| Dracaena | Dracaena spp. | Medium to bright indirect | When top half is dry | No — keep from pets that chew | Centrally heated rooms |
| Yucca | Yucca elephantipes | Bright, some direct sun | Sparingly; dry out between | No — keep from pets that chew | The brightest window |
Pet safety is based on the ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plant lists. Watering intervals are a guide for indoor plants in spring and summer — water less in winter.
Easy-care questions, answered
What is the easiest indoor plant to keep alive?
Which easy-care plants are safe for cats and dogs?
What is the best easy plant for a dark or north-facing room?
How often should I water an easy-care plant?
I travel a lot. Which plant will survive while I'm away?
Are easy-care plants a good gift for a first-time plant owner?
How is delivery handled, and what if a plant arrives damaged?
Start with a plant that forgives you
Free tracked delivery to Ireland and 24 more EU countries, with a healthy-arrival guarantee.