"I'd love to grow plants, but I'll forget to water them and kill them" — here's the thing: choosing the right plant solves 80% of that.
Plenty of houseplants actually prefer that you forget to water them. Accidentally neglect them for two weeks and they're fine — in fact, fussing over them too much is what kills them. If you're busy or travel a lot, picking one of these easygoing plants is by far the best shortcut.
In this article, we'll introduce 7 species that need very little watering.
1. Snake plant — king of the forgetful
- Watering guide: every 2–3 weeks in spring and summer / once a month or less in winter
- Stores water in its thick, fleshy leaves, so it handles drought beautifully
- Its weakness is overwatering. "Wait, did I forget to water it?" is about the right level of attention
When in doubt, start here. See the complete snake plant care guide and the species guide for more.
2. ZZ plant — reliable even in dim corners
- Watering guide: every 2–3 weeks in spring and summer / once a month in winter
- Stores water in underground rhizomes. Its glossy leaves are gorgeous
- Highly shade tolerant too — it grows even far from a window
The ultimate answer for a room where "the light is bad and I forget to water." See the species guide too.
3. Ginseng ficus — that chunky trunk is a water tank
- Watering guide: every 5–10 days in spring and summer / every 10–14 days in winter
- Stores water in its plump trunk, so a bit of drought doesn't faze it
- It loves sunlight, so a bright windowsill is ideal if you have one
We cover it in detail in the complete ginseng ficus care guide.
4. Money tree — the classic gift plant is secretly low-maintenance
- Watering guide: every 7–10 days in spring and summer / every 14–21 days in winter
- Famous for its braided trunk. Drought tolerant and hard to mess up
- Prone to root rot if overwatered, so it suits the "water only when dry" crowd
See the complete money tree care guide as well.
5. Yucca — the tough guy that takes full sun
- Watering guide: every 7–10 days in spring and summer / every 2–3 weeks in winter
- One of the few houseplants that's happy in direct sunlight
- A great match for south-facing windowsills and balcony-side spots
6. String of pearls — hang it up and forget about it
- Watering guide: every 10–14 days
- Its succulent little beads store water. Looks stunning in a hanging planter
- Dislikes stuffy, humid air — keep it in a well-ventilated spot and on the dry side
7. Hoya — low-frequency watering, with flowers as a bonus
- Watering guide: every 7–10 days, kept on the dry side
- Thick leaves make it drought tolerant, and with good care it rewards you with star-shaped flowers
- Great in a hanging pot. It grows slowly, so be patient
There's only one trick to keeping it "low"
The failure pattern all 7 species share isn't drought — it's "getting worried and watering too much."
- Check the soil first: stick a finger 2–3 cm (about an inch) in to confirm it's dry
- When you do water, water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, and empty the saucer
- Keep a record of when you last watered
If you want to catch overwatering early, bookmark 5 signs you're overwatering for peace of mind.
Solving the "when did I last water?" problem too
The one downside of low-water plants: the intervals are so long you forget them. It's easy to end up wondering, "Did I water it last week? The week before?"
Green Logs is a free watering tracker that automatically calculates each plant's watering cycle and lets you know when it's about time. For life with plants that only need a drink every 2–3 weeks, it makes a perfect companion.