17 Houseplants That Can Thrive for Decades, From Snake to Philodendron

These houseplants will bring beauty to your home for years to come.

Watching your houseplants grow from newly planted babies into beautiful, living décor is a rewarding experience few gardeners grow tired of. And for some plants, the growing process can even last for decades. When proper care is provided, it's not uncommon for popular houseplants, like monstera and philodendron, to survive for anywhere from five to 50 years. Next time you're looking for a plant to add to your collection, consider one of these options, which plant experts say have very long lifespans.

Related: 14 Easy Houseplants Anyone Can Grow

Meet Our Expert

• Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University

• Justin Hancock, horticulturist at Costa Farms

• Chuck Pavlich, new product development director for Terra Nova Nurseries

Snake Plant

This low-maintenance houseplant has a reputation for being difficult to kill. "Stiff, sword-like leaves and a narrow profile make this easy-growing plant a winner among plant enthusiasts, professional designers, and newbies alike," says Justin Hancock, horticulturist at Costa Farms. "Depending on variety, the dark green leaves may be streaked with silver or white and may be edged in silver or yellow." With proper care, snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) can live for decades.

• Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 36 inches wide

• Growing conditions: Low to bright light; well-drained soil

Related: How to Care for a Snake Plant, a Variety That's Perfect for Beginners

Dwarf Umbrella Tree

A small evergreen tree or shrub that can be grown as a houseplant, dwarf umbrella tree (Schefflera arboricola) has upright stems with glossy, evergreen leaves. Though it rarely flowers indoors, it can produce tiny red flowers in compound panicles, followed by orange round drupes that turn black when mature. This plant can live for 25 years or longer, says Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University.

• Size: 3 to 6 feet tall x 4 feet wide

• Growing conditions: Bright, indirect light; well-drained soil

Rubber Tree

Considered a broadleaved evergreen shrub or tree, rubber tree plants (Ficus elastica) can grow up to 100 feet tall in the wild. It is an upright plant known for its thick, leathery, glossy, dark green leaves, says Langelo. "Indoors, it will live for 25 years as a houseplant," she says. Keep in mind, though, that the milky sap from this plant is toxic to pets.

• Size: 6 feet tall x 6 feet wide

• Growing conditions: Bright to medium light; all-purpose soil

Monstera

One of the most popular houseplants, monstera (Monstera deliciosa) has large, dramatic foliage and a climbing growth habit. “We love Monstera because of its easy care and no-fuss traits. It is tolerant of both low light and relatively bright light, making it a fun choice as a houseplant," says Chuck Pavlich, new product development director for global plant breeding company Terra Nova Nurseries. "The unfurling of each leaf is an exciting event, with ever-evolving fenestrations and variegation patterns." Monstera can survive for up to 50 years with proper care.

• Size: 15 feet tall x 6 feet wide

• Growing conditions: Medium light; well-draining soil

Jade Plant

Jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a tropical succulent evergreen shrub with oblong, fleshy leaves that are yellow-green to dark green. Unlike some succulents, jade plant prefers soil that is always lightly moist. "If the jade loses leaves, it may need more water," says Langelo. "If the leaves are yellow, it might be a sign of overwatering." This succulent can live between 50 to 70 years.

• Size: 3 to 6 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide

• Growing conditions: Bright to medium light; soil mix for succulents
  

Christmas Cactus

Although it's often kept for the holiday season and discarded, Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) can live up to 100 years. The plant produces beautiful cerise flowers that appear from areoles at the joints and tips of the stems. "The plants need 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during spring and summer," says Langelo.

• Size: 12 inches tall x 24 inches wide

• Growing conditions: Bright light; well-draining soil

Ponytail Palm

Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is a slow-growing tree native to Mexico that has a thick trunk topped by a cluster of grassy leaves, says Hancock. It can grow up to 20 feet or more in its natural habitat, but it tends to stay much smaller indoors. "It’s delightfully long-lived, able to grow for a decade or more if given good conditions," he says. Even better? Its thick trunk stores water, so it'll forgive you if you forget to water it for a week or two.

• Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wide

• Growing conditions: Medium to bright light; high-quality soil

Sago Palm

Keep a small palm tree in your home by growing the beautiful sago palm (Cycas revoluta), which has large fronds and a thick base. Sago palm is a slow grower that only needs water about once a month or if the soil is dry to the touch. "They like higher humidity, so use a tray filled with gravel and water as a humidity tray under the pot or mist them regularly," says Langelo, adding that the fronds and seeds are toxic to pets and humans.

• Size: 3 to 8 feet tall x 2 to 12 feet wide

• Growing conditions: Bright, indirect light; well-draining soil

Scindapsus

Closely related to pothos and philodendron, Scindapsus can be grown as a climbing vine on a moss pole or as a trailing plant in a hanging basket, says Pavlich. The easy-to-care-for plant typically lives for five to 15 years.

• Size: 6 to 8 inches tall x 18 inches wide

• Growing conditions: Low to medium light; average, organic-based soil

Spider Plant

This beloved houseplant produces baby plantlets that dangle from long stems and can be propagated to make more plants. An herbaceous perennial, spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) can produce small white, star-shaped flowers in summer. Spider plants are extremely adaptable and can live for up to 20 years as a houseplant, says Langelo.

• Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide

• Growing conditions: Low to bright indirect light; well-drained houseplant soil mix

Related: How to Grow and Care for a Spider Plant (Our Favorite Low-Maintenance, Hard-to-Kill Houseplant)

Wax Plant

Wax plant (Hoya carnosa) is a charming herbaceous vine that has a trailing growth habit and fleshy, glossy ovate leaves. "It has pink-and-white flowers that have a scent that changes depending on the species of hoya and the age of the hoya," says Langelo. "It prefers lower light conditions, which allow it to flower reliably." This plant can live for up to 30 years.

• Size: 4 to 12 feet tall x 2 to 6 feet wide

• Growing conditions: Low light; well-drained soil

Cast Iron

An evergreen perennial that is a slow-growing member of the lily family, cast iron (Aspidistra elatior) has long, stiff-pointed green leaves. "These plants prefer drier soil. If the soil is moist, do not water," says Langelo, adding that cast iron plants are susceptible to root rot. Brown or yellow leaves may be an indicator of overwatering.

• Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide

• Growing conditions: Low to bright indirect light; well-draining soil

Philodendron

Philodendron make up a very diverse plant family with numerous new varieties and foliage colors that are available now, says Pavlich. The low-maintenance plant can live for 25 years or longer. Philodendron can handle periods of drought, but if you see yellowing leaves, more water is likely needed.

• Size: 15 feet tall x 6 feet wide

• Growing conditions: Medium light; well-draining soil

Chinese Evergreen

Chinese evergreens (Aglaonema) boast medium-sized foliage with broad leaves that are usually strap-shaped—all characteristics houseplant enthusiasts tend to enjoy, says Pavlich. “Aglaonema are a breeze to grow with low to moderate light," he says. Chinese evergreen can live for 10 years or longer.

• Size: 15 feet tall x 6 feet wide

• Growing conditions: Medium light; well-draining soil

Mistletoe Cactus

This unique houseplant has thin, tubular stems that act as leaves to collect light. Mistletoe cactus (Rhipsalis) is a genus of cacti that can be quite graceful in containers or as a hanging basket, says Pavlich. It can live for decades when well cared for.

• Size: Varies

• Growing conditions: Medium to bright light; well-draining soil

Begonia

Fill your home with color by growing begonias indoors as a houseplant. “Begonias have plain green to flamboyantly colored leaves in myriad shapes and patterns," says Pavlich. "Some varieties are grown only for flowers and others just for foliage, some for both." Begonias can survive for more than 10 years.

• Size: Varies

• Growing conditions: Low to medium light; average soil

Raven ZZ

A relative newcomer to the houseplant world, raven ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven') has rich, purple-black leaves that contrast beautifully against other houseplants. "The new growth emerges lime green, adding extra interest, and it slowly darkens as it matures," says Hancock. The leaves store water, and the potato-like tubers also give it moisture reserves, meaning this plant can survive a month without water. Generally, ZZ plants can live for up to 30 years.

• Size: 12 inches tall x 8 inches wide

• Growing Conditions: Low light; well-draining soil

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