TOP 10 VIRTUALLY INDESTRUCTIBLE PLANTS

1 ALOE While these succulents need bright light, they can put up with drying out between waterings. They also grow slowly, so you won’t have to keep repotting them.

2 CAST-IRON PLANT These have tough leaves that don’t mind draughts, changes in temperature and darker locations. They’ll also cope with drying out between waterings.

3 SPIDER PLANT As long as you give these reasonable levels of light, you can then pretty much forget about them.

4 ECHEVERIA As with aloes, these succulents require bright light, but it’s not a problem if they dry out between

waterings. They’re also slow growers, so there’s no need to repot often.

5 JAPANESE ARALIA These tough-leaved plants can withstand children and large pets brushing by them roughly, as well as changes in temperature and draughts. Although they don’t mind drying out a little between waterings, they do need a decent amount of light.

6 RUBBER PLANT This is much better at dealing with reduced light than its cousins.

7 KENTIA PALM Another tough-leaved plant that can withstand being around children and large pets. It can also tolerate reduced light levels.

8 MOTHER-IN-LAW’S TONGUE These robust plants can survive in darker spots around the house, don’t mind drying out between waterings and remain upright and compact, so are ideal for hallways.

9 WANDERING JEW This trailing variety can cope with a certain amount of neglect as long as it’s in a reasonably light spot. They look good growing wild and unchecked but can also be pruned quite hard if you prefer a tidier appearance.

10 FERN ARUM A compact easygoing evergreen that’s happy to dry out and can survive in a dark location.