Growing plants indoors has been an important part of our lives for centuries, but if you choose the wrong varieties, it can be a frustrating experience. When you have a difficult location for a plant, or your schedule means you won't be able to check plants regularly, there are some easy plants you might want to try that are almost indestructible. While we won't go so far as to say you can't kill these tough plants, you might have to be trying! Success starts with making the right plant choice and being aware of the conditions in which the plant will thrive.   Keep in mind that indoors is not the natural habitat for any plant. You may even want to take a few minutes and look at just how great the new silk plants look.

What makes a plant easy to grow? When a plant is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, it has a lot better chance of surviving. There are a few plants that seem to be very forgiving, making astounding recoveries when you find them near death.

Where do I start in deciding what plant to buy? Before you can choose a plant, you have to look realistically at your situation. Be honest with your evaluation. Look at the worst case scenario.

What factors do I need to take into consideration? The two factors that will have the biggest impact on your plant are the available light and water. If you have unusual temperatures, humidity or drafts, they will need to be taken into consideration, too.

What can I expect from a plant growing under "less than ideal conditions?" When plants don't receive what they need, they have to make adjustments. They won't grow much, and what growth there is will probably be atypical for that plant (thinner, smaller leaves or taller, lanky plants).

Are there any "all-around-indestructible" plants for any conditions? Next to artificial, probably the toughest plants to kill are cast iron plants, philodendrons, and Sansevierias. They can take low light, little water and a range of heat or cool.

I've got the sunny exposure, but I don't have time to water very often. What plants would do well? Cacti, succulents, euphorbias, bromeliads, aloe and agave are all plants that need lots of light, but not much else. This is a wide group of plants from which to choose, including all sorts of cacti, crown-of-thorns, jade, String of-pearls, Haworthia, panda plant, burro's tail and Kalanchoe.

What would grow with very little light and occasional watering? Chinese evergreens, cast iron plant and Pothos all tolerate low light and not much water. Just look in any indoor mall to see how often these plants are used successfully!

 What plants would do well with average light, but almost no attention? There are quite a few plants that will do well under these circumstances including spider plants, dracaena, Sanseveria, Philodendron, Pothos and Nephthytis.

Are there any blooming plants that are very low maintenance? While there aren't very many plants that will bloom with low light, there are a few that will tolerate infrequent watering such as geraniums, begonias and Kalanchoe. If you don't have good strong light, avoid choosing blooming plants. 

Are there some easy, inexpensive ways I can help my plants survive in difficult circumstances? Here are several tips that will enable you to spend less time caring for your plants. The more of these tips you can follow, the better your chances of success.

Light: Even if you don't have a sunny window, try to give your plants at least 10-12 hours of light. While stronger light would be better, it can even be the same lights you would use to read by in that room. The less intense the light, the longer you should keep it available. Pale surfaces will also reflect additional light to your plants.

Soil: Your choice of potting soil will have a huge impact on caring for the plant. The best potting soils are either soil-less (made primarily of peat moss and vermiculite) or a high quality soil-based mixture (usually made of equal parts of peat, compost, sand and garden soil). While a soilless mix is lighter and retains more moisture and air, soil-based mixes such as Exceloam provide a healthier balance of microbial activity, making your plants more resistant to diseases. Avoid inexpensive, low quality soils. They are often too heavy and have poor drainage, aeration and moisture retention. In fact, their only virtue is cost.

Watering: When you do have time to water, be sure you thoroughly soak the root ball of the plant and, if possible, mist the foliage. Even though letting a plant stand in a saucer of water isn't usually a good idea, it won't hurt if it happens for a day or two every now and then. If you have a chance when you are potting or repotting, consider using polymer crystals. Mixed into the soil, these crystals will hold a considerable amount of water, releasing it as it is needed. The crystals expand and contract as water is available, which also helps with aeration. Rain, well or distilled water is healthier for the plant.

Fertilizing: Unless a plant is looking unnaturally pale, don't fertilize. Fertilizing just asks the plant to grow, and growth requires lots more light and water. If you do fertilize, use a water-soluble food at half the recommended strength.

Containers: When you know you aren't going to have much time to care for a plant, put it in a container slightly larger than is recommended under average conditions. Plastic pots will retain moisture better than clay or wood.

Drafts: Most plants can tolerate a wide range of temperatures if they are not in a draft. In addition to windows, heat/air ducts and cold air returns often create problems for your plants. Drafts will also cause your plant to dry out more quickly.

Additional Bachman's Information
Indoor Plants for Varying Light Easy Indoor Foliage Plants
General Care of Indoor Plants                  
Watering Basics for Indoor Plants
Indoor Plants for Different Temperatures

Bachman's 2008