Skip to main content

Drought-tolerant plants that don't need frequent watering

Plants that don't need frequent watering



Avoid the guilt of forgetting to water by growing these drought-resistant indoor plants that don't require frequent watering. These easy-care houseplants can tolerate a little neglect (and many prefer to keep them on the dry side). So, enjoy their green beauty without the stress of watering them.


1. Snake plant



The sword-like, dark green leaves of snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) provide a bold look often enhanced by silver, cream, white, or yellow variations. Even better, these plants that don't need water can go weeks without a drizzle of moisture, making them perfect for forgetful gardeners. Snake plants tolerate low to bright light and grow up to four feet tall.


2. Ponytail Palm



Thanks to its thick, stem-like stem, the ponytail palm (Beaucornia recurvata) can store moisture for long periods, so it can easily survive a missed watering or two. It gets its name from the long, narrow leaves that grow from the tip of its single stem, which looks like a peppy, layered ponytail. This drought-tolerant indoor plant may need a drink every two weeks during the warmer months, but in the winter, you can only water every three or four weeks. Ponytail palms tolerate low to bright light and can eventually reach 10 feet tall (but you can limit their growth by keeping them in a small pot).


3. Aloe



A spiky succulent with puffy, toothed leaves, Aloe (Caucasian) is famous for its ability to heal burns. These easy-care indoor plants don't require frequent watering, so you can let the soil dry out between waterings. The cactus grows slowly, like most succulents, but it can patiently reach three feet tall and wide. Place it in bright light, but don't place it in direct sunlight, or your plant will end up with its own sunburn.


4. Burro’s Tail



One look at Burrow's Tail (Sedum morganianum) and you can see how this grey-green succulent got its name. A member of the Sedum genus, Burrow's Tail has evergreen, almost jelly bean-shaped leaves that overlap on trailing stems. Small leaves fall off easily; Pot them up to start new plants if you like. Water this houseplant like any other succulent (let the soil dry out before overwatering), and place it in bright light. With proper care, a burro's tail can eventually reach two feet in length.


5. Sago palm



The slow-growing sago palm (Cycas revoluta) is a popular, durable houseplant that is easy to maintain and adds a touch of the tropics to any room. On a mature plant, the leathery, dark green leaves can stretch up to three feet in length. Sago palms like well-drained soil, so if you forget to water this plant, it won't kill and overwater it. Give your palm a drink when it's about to dry out, and keep it in medium to bright light—eventually, it will grow up to five feet tall.


6. Pothos



A popular choice for homes and offices, Pothos (Ephipremnum aureum) is a hardy, drought-resistant houseplant with attractive, glossy foliage. Its vines can spread eight feet or more, and you'll find varieties with variegated (look at 'Marble Queen') and bright green leaves (like 'Neon'). Pothos owes its fame to being practically indestructible - it tolerates low bright light and drying out between waterings. Starting new plants from cuttings is very easy.


7. Hawardia



Commonly known as the zebra plant because of its white-striped foliage, Haworthia fasciata is excellent for decorating a window. One of the easiest houseplants that doesn't require much water, it grows with minimal maintenance. It's less than a foot tall and wide, and it's usually much more compact than that. Like most succulents, the zebra plant does best in bright light and prefers its potted soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Due to its unique spikes and striped color, it is a favorite for modern decor.

Labels:
Location: United States

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Great Designs for Container Groupings

Once your single containers are ready to merge It's hard to fail with a group of containers. Any size group, from a simple couple to large multiples, can enhance any outdoor space. Open patios and decks become softer and more intimate when you place pots around them. A straight and simple outdoor path lined with containers can become a wave of sorts—a formal one with some plants or an informal path with others. You never know what you'll come up with by placing one pot next to another or a particular plant with others. Once you start experimenting, you'll notice many places where a container is grouped. 1. Combine bright colors This collection of colorful pots introduces the viewer to the vivid color scheme in the beds behind it, mainly blue flowers. However, to maintain exclusivity, pots get exclusive rights to colors like magenta, pink and chartreuse. 2. Formal lateralization A combination of papyrus and vases always looks elegant, but when placed side by sid...
Post a Comment
Read more

Strategies for improving a small garden space

Prioritize functionality when every inch is precious When I started designing gardens 20 years ago, I was surprised to find that small spaces were more challenging to plan than large ones. In those early years, a small number of clients would come to me with detailed lists of items they must have, and I would struggle to fit everything in. Identifying specific features and details was a major breakthrough. A garden should be the final step in the process, not the first. Since then, every consultation I have with a new client begins with three questions I've nicknamed the "three W's." These prompts help my clients imagine interacting with their redesigned spaces, and while they're useful in remodeling gardens of all sizes, they're especially helpful when space is at a premium. When my husband and I recently moved into a new house with a small backyard, we had the opportunity to use the process for ourselves. Here's what we found. Three question...
Post a Comment
Read more

Top 10 Early Spring Flowering Shrubs

Early Spring Flowering Shrubs Spring-blooming shrubs and bushes add color to backyards early in the season, attract pollinators and more. 1. Carnelian cherry dogwood Cornus mas, zones 4 to 8 Size: Up to 20 feet tall and wide Welcome spring with bright yellow flowers that appear earlier than those of forsythia. These spring-blooming shrubs prefer full sun or partial shade and prefer rich, moist, well-drained soil. Leaves turn purplish red in fall, and scaly bark adds winter interest. Why we love it: Red fruits are edible, but they're also made into preserves, jellies and slices. Or leave them for the birds to enjoy. 2. Dwarf Russian Almond Prunus tenella, zones 2 to 6 Size: 2 to 5 feet tall and wide This moderate-sized shrub records the growing season with showy rose-red flowers and yellow-orange fall color. It prefers full sun, tolerates a variety of soil types and is very drought tolerant. Ruth's 100 produces lots of flowers on a small plant. Why we love it: Flo...
Post a Comment
Read more