House Plants That Are Hard to Kill

Christmas cactus plants are very hard to kill.christmas cactus image by Bradlee Mauer from Fotolia.com

Indoor plants brighten up a home, add oxygen and even filter the air, according to the Huffington Post. If you don't have a green thumb, you can still experience the benefits of house plants. There are many house plants that can withstand adverse conditions such as a lack of light, drought, neglect, and abuse from pets or young children. These plants are so resilient that they are simply hard to kill.

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)

The Chinese evergreen is easy to care for and makes a great house plant, according to the University of Oklahoma. These plants feature wide, glossy green leaves that produce 3-inch spathes. Chinese evergreens grow well in low light and will grow rapidly if given proper care. They can tolerate dry soil and cool temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Christmas cactus needs sunlight in order to bloom, but it only needs to be watered once a week, according to the Huffington Post. The pink or red flowers tend to bloom right around Christmastime, giving the plant its common name.

Jade plants have distinctive round and thick leaves that store water. This means you don't have to water them until the soil is completely dry--perfect for the indoor home gardener who has a difficult time remembering to water plants regularly. If you can remember to fertilize your jade plant, it will reward you with blooms all winter long.

Pothos is a plant that will grow in almost any environment, according to Capital District Community Gardens. The large, variegated leaves are showy and attractive, and the plant filters toxins such as formaldehyde out of the air. Pothos should be watered once a week. This plant is mildly poisonous, so keep it out of reach of children and pets.

The wandering Jew is a good choice if you want a hanging plant. It can tolerate most light levels save extremely bright or dark. The plant is also showy, with striped leaves, and can range in color from light green to dark purple. Like Pothos, this plant is poisonous and should be kept out of the reach of children.