18 Beautiful Houseplants That Can Live For Decades

Snake plant, often called the “unkillable” plant, is practically a legend when it comes to long-lived houseplants. It thrives in harsh conditions, even neglect, and can live for over 25 years.

As a decorative plant, its upright, sword-like leaves add structure and style to any room. Snake plants prefer indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions just fine, and they only need watering when the soil is dry. Try not to overwater, as that’s one of the few and quickest ways to kill it.

The ZZ plant’s glossy green leaves and low-maintenance nature make it the perfect houseplant for beginners. ZZ plants typically last for 10+ years, and when properly cared for, they can live well over 20 years.

It thrives in low light and dry air, making it ideal for office corners and back shelves. It’s slow-growing, but that also means less pruning and less worry. Just water occasionally and wipe the leaves to keep them shiny.

Jade plants are succulents with fleshy, coin-shaped leaves and a sturdy trunk. Many people grow jade plants as good-luck charms, and they often get passed down between generations.

These beauties can live 50 to 70 years, sometimes 100 years if they’re not overwatered. Give them plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil, and don’t be afraid to let the soil dry out between waterings; they store water in their leaves and stems.

Rubber plants can grow into small indoor trees and live for 15+ years with proper care. They like bright, indirect light and slightly moist soil. You’ll want to rotate the plant every few weeks to help it grow evenly, and wipe down the leaves to keep them dust-free and looking their best. Rubber plants are toxic to pets, so you might want to keep that in mind.

Peace lilies are one of the few flowering indoor houseplants in existence. They bloom indoors with creamy white flowers that last for weeks.

They’re more than just pretty, though; they’re also air-purifying, low-maintenance, and long-living. These plants can live for 20 years or more. They prefer low to medium light and only need watering once the soil feels dry.

Boston ferns have a lush, feathery look and are perfect for hanging baskets or pedestal stands. With proper humidity and consistent watering, they can live over 20 years. They like filtered light and appreciate a misting or humidifier, especially in dry climates.

Spider plants are one of the most common houseplants. They’re known for their long, arching leaves and baby spiderettes that dangle from runners. These plants can live well over 20 years. They like bright, indirect light and do best when you allow the top of the soil to dry out between waterings. They’re also great for air purification.

The Chinese evergreen is a household favorite for its patterned leaves and forgiving nature. It can live up to 25 years, especially in moderate indoor conditions. It handles low light well and only needs watering when the top inch of soil is dry. Just avoid cold drafts, as they hate those.

This elegant little palm has been a popular houseplant for over a century, and it does look like something out of an old movie. Parlor palms are slow growers but long-lived, with many living for as long as 30 to 40 years indoors. They prefer low to medium light and like their soil slightly moist.

Pothos, also called Devil’s Ivy, is known for its trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves. It can live over 10 years with very little effort. It tolerates a wide range of lighting conditions and can be grown in soil or even water. Occasional pruning will keep it bushy instead of leggy and help extend its lifespan.

The Fiddle Leaf Fig requires a lot of attention and is definitely not the right first houseplant for beginners; it won’t even make it to its first decade with the slightest neglect. But if you give them the right conditions to grow, fiddle leaf figs are long-lasting. These striking plants can live up to 50 years.

They need bright, indirect light, consistent watering (without soggy soil), and occasional dusting. Once settled, they really don’t like being moved around.

This plant lives up to its name and is indeed very durable, like cast iron. The cast iron plant tolerates low light, drought, and remains healthy even with a fair amount of neglect. It can live over 50 years in the right conditions. It prefers shade or filtered light and well-drained soil, and only needs water when the soil is dry to the touch.

The umbrella plant is known for its glossy, hand-shaped leaves, and can live 20 to 30 years indoors. It enjoys bright, indirect light and humidity. However, Schefflera doesn’t like soggy soil, so let it dry out a bit between waterings. You can spray the leaves occasionally with water to keep them hydrated. Prune occasionally to keep its shape and encourage bushier growth.

Aloe vera isn’t just useful for sunburns, it’s a long-living houseplant too. The average aloe plant lives 10 to 15 years (some even longer) and continues producing baby plants along the way. To keep your aloe vera plant happy, give it bright light and let the soil dry out between waterings. Overwatering is the only thing that really puts it at risk.

Dragon trees are slow growers that can live 20 to 25 years. They add a dramatic vertical flair to indoor spaces with their narrow, spiky leaves and slim trunks. Dragon trees like medium to bright indirect light and should only be watered when the top few inches of soil are dry.

Despite the name, the Norfolk Island Pine isn’t a true pine tree. However, it can live up to 50 years indoors. Norfolk Island pines like bright, indirect light and need consistently moist soil. They’re a festive favorite around the holidays but are lovely to have all year-round as well.

This leafy tropical plant can last 20+ years with the right care. Dumb cane does best in bright, indirect light and needs regular watering (do not let the roots sit in water).

It gets its interesting name from the fact that when the sap is ingested, it makes the person’s tongue swell, rendering them dumb. Just a note of caution, the toxic sap may also lead to death, so keep it away from pets and small children.

Hoya, also known as the wax plant, can live for decades. Some have been known to survive 30 to 50 years. It’s another flowering indoor houseplant. It has thick, waxy leaves and produces clusters of star-shaped, sweet-smelling flowers.

Hoyas love bright, indirect light and like to dry out before the next watering. Once established, they’re very low maintenance and look stunning trailing from a hanging pot.

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Sandra Enuma is a writer who's as comfortable with a trowel as she is with a keyboard. She’s passionate about sharing simple, down-to-earth tips to help you start and manage your own home garden, no matter your experience.