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Do you love plants having houseplants but forget to water them? If you’re like us, your perfect home would be filled with greenery—lush hanging potted plants and counter and tabletop plants everywhere. But again like us, your forgetfulness probably gets in the way of your plant-filled dream. And, your busyness.
Amazingly, though, some houseplants can survive weeks without water. That means, you can have the green and lush home you want without having to constantly replace dead plants or worry you’re going to kill them. All plants indeed need water and most require it regularly. But, many species thrive on minimal watering and several can live up to a month without a drink.
Here are some gems of houseplants to consider if you’re away from home often, too frenzied to deal with regular plant watering, or just plain prone to forgetfulness.
Rubber Plant
Also known as Ficus elastica, the rubber plant is a fast-growing houseplant that does best in low- to medium-water conditions, meaning you only have to water it moderately every 15 days or so. During fall and winter, rubber plants requires even less water—a good dousing every month or so. Rubber plant loves bright filtered sunlight and can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors, in the right conditions.
Spider Plant
Spider plant needs a bit of attention (regular watering) in its initial growing phase, but if you can get past that, you’ll be good to go with a beautiful plant you only need to water now and then. When fully grown, water your spider plant every seven to 10 days during spring and summer. In wet and humid conditions or cold weather, you can get away with watering it every 20 to 30 days.
Snake Plant
Snake plant is perfect for the forgetful gardener. In most indoor conditions, you only need to water it every 10 to 20 days (depending on where you place the plant). During winter and in wet weather, you can ignore it even longer. This gorgeous and hearty houseplant has striking dark-green sword-like leaves, sometimes with cream, silver, or white variegation. It thrives in low to bright light and grows up to four feet tall.
ZZ Plant
Leave a ZZ plant without water for a month and it’ll be as vibrant as ever when you pay attention to it again, as long as you place it in indirect sunlight. This easy-to-care-for houseplant loves a good soaking and then prefers to be left alone for a few weeks. Too much water causes rhizome rot, which can kill the plant. This slow grower has a stunning leathery look and can get up to three feet tall and wide.
Cast Iron Plant
Cast iron plant is another houseplant that only needs occasional watering. It actually does best in low water conditions, so saturate it and then don’t touch it again until the top level of soil dries out. If cared for properly (which we trust you will), this lively plant will grace your home with beautiful dark green foliage that grows up to two feet tall.
Succulents and Cacti
Succulents and cacti thrive in the desert, so they’re going to love receiving minimal water in your home. They’re tough and do extremely well in dry soil. You’ll only need to water them every month or so because they retain water in their leaves. Just make sure your succulents and cacti get plenty of sunlight and place them in a pot with drainage holes.
Zebra Haworthia
Zebra haworthia, also called zebra cactus or zebra plant, is one of the easiest houseplants to care for. It stores water, so it can thrive for days in dry soil (you’ll only need to water it when the top layer of soil looks dry). Zebra cactus also loves bright, indirect sunlight. It stays small—less than a foot tall and wide—and is an attractive plant that goes well with modern decor.
Sago Palm
The sago palm is a popular slow-growing plant that gives a space a tropical look. It loves dry soil, and once it establishes its root system, you only need to water it every two to three weeks. Sago palms have striking leathery dark-green fronds that can grow up to three feet long and the plant can get up to five feet tall.
Aloe
The aloe plant also carries water in its leaves, so it can thrive for up to four weeks without watering (if you place your aloe in the sun, you may have to water it a little more frequently). This beauty that has spiky, toothed leaves is one of the easiest houseplants to care for. A healthy and happy aloe plant can reach up to three feet in height.
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The post Houseplants That Can Survive Weeks Without Water appeared first on Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life.
