Which 6 Indoor Plants are Toughest to Kill?

Our Indoor Plants Score System

Maintenance
How tough is looking after your new friend?

Special Features
Some plants have superpowers such as repelling insects or purifying the air.

Affordability
Price is important, too – we rate the most affordable.

Best Indoor Plants

These are a favourite with people – here’s why. Aloe Vera plants need very little care, look fantastic and have many added benefits.

Maintenance
You need to water into the roots once every three weeks during spring and summer, while once a month will suffice in colder months. Aim to place this plant in indirect or artificial light.

Special Features 
It has myriad uses, from treating cuts and burns thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties to eliminating carbon monoxide, benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and more. It’s completely non-toxic, too!

Affordability 
You can find a small Aloe Vera Plant at Bunnings for just $10.50. I’m going to see how it goes before investing in a larger species.

The Snake Plant is often seen in people’s bedrooms because it can help you sleep better. It only needs minimal light to survive and can bring a pop of colour into your home.

Maintenance
Even if you haven’t tended to it for weeks, this plant will appear looked after. That’s a win! This tough little plant will endure low light, drought and pests.

Special Features
Your air will be cleaner as the snake plant works to convert carbon monoxide into oxygen, improving your sleep.

Affordability
It’s a touch more expensive at around $30 for a 19cm plant from Ikea. This one is also known as mother-in-law’s tongue and has a few different species, so look into what suits you best before buying.

Place the Zanzibar in a low light area for maximum effect. You will need to mist its leaves daily, ensuring that you don’t water the soil too often. The tropical leaves will look fantastic in your living spaces and it needs minimal maintenance.

Maintenance
Watering once a month is enough, as this plant can store water. Keep it out of direct sunlight and give it standard potting mix.

Special Features
Firstly, these plants can be toxic so keep out of reach of pets and children. Make sure you wash your hands after handling. It has some great qualities, including resistance to pests and the ability to remove many toxins from your indoor air.

Affordability
The price varies from around $20 for a 25cm plant (size of pot not included in measurement) to $100-$120 for a 70cm plant.

This plant gets its name because of its long, green leaves and tendrils, which cascade down to create a spider-like appearance. Spider plants will produce small flowers first and are quite easy to grow.

Maintenance
A good choice for beginners, Spider Plants thrive in bright yet indirect light and require watering once a week. Keep it in a cooler part of the house and try to use distilled or rainwater to stop leaves from turning brown.

Special Features
It will target indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene, helping to absorb mould and allergens.

Affordability
The pricing is great at around $5-$10.

The Swiss Cheese Plant is native to the tropical forests of southern Mexico and is having a comeback in modern loungerooms. It needs a little more love than the others but the benefits are worth it.

Maintenance
Place your plant in a warm environment and water it only when soil is dry. The plants can be prone to pests so you’ll need to clean the leaves on a regular basis.

Special Features
I love this one because it humidifies the rooms where the air-conditioner is regularly working hard. It does need a bit of space to grow. Keep your children and pets away as the leaves can be poisonous if consumed.

Affordability
I found a 24cm plant online at Ikea for $50. Gumtree has some mature plants for sale also, if you want someone else to have done the hard work for you already!

Look-wise, these are my favourite. They make me feel like I’m on holidays but sadly, are the most difficult to maintain and most expensive. Still worth being part of this list, though!

Toughness
Time to flex that green thumb. It may be a bit of trial and error to get the water ratio right. I recommend buying a self-watering plot. A standard one can be purchased for around $15-$30 from most nurseries.

Superpowers
Like our other favourites, the Areca Palm will absorb air pollutants, specifically toluene and acetone.

Pricing
Expect to pay between $20-$50. If you look after your plant, it will last up to 10 years.

Remember: These plants’ availability is seasonal. I’ve based this information on my own experiences and a little research. Chat to an expert if you need more information.