Watching a newly planted houseplant grow into a beautiful, vibrant ornament is a rewarding experience for most gardening enthusiasts. For some plants, the growing process can continue for decades. With proper care, it's not uncommon for popular houseplants like Monstera and Philodendron to live anywhere from 5 to 50 years. The next time you're looking for a plant to add to your collection, consider one of these plants, which plant experts say have a very long lifespan.
Sansevieria
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This low-maintenance houseplant is known for being resistant to wilting. “Its stiff, sword-like leaves and slender shape make this easy-to-grow plant popular with plant enthusiasts, professional designers, and beginners alike,” says Justin Hancock, horticulturist at Costa Farms. “Depending on the variety, the dark green leaves may be striped with silver or white and/or have silvery or yellow edges.” With proper care, Sansevieria (Dracaena trifasciata) can live for decades.
Size: 12-36 inches tall x 6-36 inches wide Growing conditions: Low to bright light, well-drained soil
Dwarf Umbrella Tree
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A small evergreen tree or shrub grown as a houseplant, the dwarf umbrella tree (Schefflera arboricola) has upright stems and glossy evergreen leaves. It rarely flowers indoors, but produces small red flowers in compound panicles followed by round orange drupes that turn black as they mature. According to Linda Langello, a horticulture specialist at Colorado State University, the plant can live for more than 25 years.
Size: 3-6 ft. tall x 4 ft. wide Growing conditions: Bright indirect light, well-drained soil
Rubber tree
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A broadleaf evergreen shrub or tree, the rubber plant (Ficus elastica) can grow up to 100 feet tall in the wild. According to L'Angelo, the plant is known for its upright, thick, leathery, shiny, dark green leaves. “Indoors, it can live up to 25 years as a houseplant,” she says. But keep in mind that the milky sap that comes from this plant is toxic to pets.
Size: 6' tall x 6' wide Growing conditions: Bright to medium light, all-purpose soil
Monstera
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One of the most popular houseplants, the Monstera (Monstera deliciosa) has large, impressive leaves and a climbing growth habit. “We love Monsteras because they're easy to care for and low-maintenance, and they tolerate low to moderate light, making them a fun choice as a houseplant,” says Chuck Pavlich, director of new product development at global plant breeding company Terra Nova Nurseries. “Watching each leaf unfold is such a joyous event, and the window and variegation patterns are always evolving.” With proper care, Monsteras can live up to 50 years.
Size: 15' tall x 6' wide Growing conditions: Medium light, well-drained soil
Sedum
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Jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a tropical, fleshy evergreen shrub with yellow-green to dark green, oblong, fleshy leaves. Unlike other succulents, jade plants prefer soil that is slightly moist at all times. “If your jade plant's leaves fall off, it may need more water,” says L'Angelo. “If the leaves turn yellow, it may be overwatered.” This succulent can live 50 to 70 years.
Size: 3-6 feet tall x 2-3 feet wide Growing conditions: Bright to medium light, succulent soil mix
Christmas Cactus
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Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii), often left and discarded at Christmas time, can live up to 100 years. This plant produces beautiful cherry-colored flowers that bloom from the receptacles at the nodes and ends of the stem. “This plant needs 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the spring and summer,” says L'Angelo.
Size: 12″ tall x 24″ wide Growing conditions: Bright light, well-drained soil
Ponytail Palm
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The ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is native to Mexico and is a slow-growing tree with a thick trunk and dense grass-like leaves, Hancock says. In its natural habitat, it can grow to over 20 feet tall, but indoors it tends to be much smaller. “This tree has amazing longevity and can grow for over 10 years in the right conditions,” he says. An added bonus is that the thick trunk stores water, so you can forgive yourself for forgetting to water it for a week or two.
Size: 2-3 feet tall x 2-4 feet wide Growing conditions: Medium to bright light, good soil
Sago palm
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Grow a beautiful sago palm (Cycas revoluta) with large leaves and a thick base to create a little palm tree for your home. Sago palms are slow-growing and only need to be watered about once a month or when the soil is dry. “Sago palms like humid conditions, so place a tray of gravel and water under the pot as a humidity tray or mist them regularly,” says L'Angelo, adding that the leaves and seeds are toxic to pets and humans.
Size: 3-8 feet tall x 2-12 feet wide Growing conditions: Bright indirect light, well-drained soil
Scindapsus
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A close relative of the pothos and philodendron, Scindapsus can be grown as a climbing plant on a moss stick or as a drooping plant in a hanging basket, says Pavlich. This easy-care plant typically lives for five to 15 years.
Size: 6-8″ tall x 18″ wide Growing conditions: Low to medium light, average organic soil
Spider Web Plant
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This beloved houseplant produces small plants that hang down from long stems and can be propagated to create even more plants. A perennial herb, spider web plant (Chlorophytum comosum) produces small, white, star-shaped flowers in the summer. Spider web plants are highly adaptable and can live up to 20 years as a houseplant, says L'Angelo.
Size: 1-2 feet tall x 1-3 feet wide Growing Requirements: Low to bright indirect light, well-drained houseplant soil mix
Wax Plant
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The wax plant (Hoya carnosa) is an attractive vine with a creeping growth habit and thick, glossy, oval leaves. “It produces pink and white flowers, the scent of which varies depending on the species and age of the hoya,” says L'Angelo. “It prefers low light conditions and blooms reliably.” The plant can live up to 30 years.
Size: 4-12 feet tall x 2-6 feet wide Growing conditions: Low light, well-drained soil
cast iron
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A slow-growing, evergreen perennial in the lily family, goldfinch (Aspidistra elatior) has long, stiff, pointed green leaves. “This plant likes dry soil. If the soil is wet, don't water it,” says L'Angelo, adding that goldfinch is prone to root rot. If the leaves are turning brown or yellow, you may be watering it too much.
Size: 2-3 feet tall x 1-2 feet wide Growing Requirements: Low to bright indirect light, well-drained soil
Philodendron
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“Philodendrons make up a very diverse group of plants, with many new varieties and leaf colors now available,” says Pavlić. The easy-to-care-for plants can live for more than 25 years. Philodendrons can tolerate drought, but if you notice yellowing leaves, it may need more water.
Size: 15' tall x 6' wide Growing conditions: Medium light, well-drained soil
Chinese evergreen
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Chinese evergreens (aglaonemas) have all the characteristics houseplant lovers love, Pavlich says, with medium-sized leaves and broad leaves that are usually strap-shaped. “Aglaonemas are easy to grow in low to medium light,” he says. Chinese evergreens can live for more than 10 years.
Size: 15' tall x 6' wide Growing conditions: Medium light, well-drained soil
Mistletoe Cactus
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This unique houseplant has thin, tubular stems that act as leaves and collect light. Mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis) is a type of cactus that blooms beautifully in a pot or hanging basket, says Pavlić. If properly cared for, it can live for decades.
Size: Varies Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light, well-drained soil
Begonia
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Fill your home with color by growing begonias indoors as houseplants. “Begonia leaves come in a variety of shapes and patterns, from plain green to flashy colors,” says Pavlich. “Some varieties can be grown just for the flowers, some just for the leaves, and some for both.” Begonias can live for more than 10 years.
Size: Varies Growing Conditions: Low to medium light, average soil
Raven ZZ
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A relative newcomer to the houseplant world, Raven ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven') has deep purple-black leaves that contrast beautifully with other houseplants. “The new shoots are lime green, which makes them even more attractive, and as they grow, they gradually darken in color,” says Hancock. The leaves store water, and so do the potato-like tubers, allowing this plant to survive for a month without water. In general, ZZ plants can live up to 30 years.
Size: 12″ tall x 8″ wide Growing conditions: Low light, well-drained soil
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