Drought directory
Drought-Tolerant Houseplants for Forgetful Waterers
These species store water in succulent leaves, rhizomes, or tubers, so a missed watering is normal rather than fatal. Many actively prefer drying out fully between waterings.
5 cited care guides match this filter.
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- Direct sun for part of the day
- Bright, indirect light
- Low light or shade
Hoya
- Bright indirect (NC State)
- Let soil dry between waterings
- Non-toxic (ASPCA, 3 species)
Jade plant
Crassula ovata- Bright, 4+ hrs sun
- Dry between
- Toxic (ASPCA)
Snake plant
Dracaena trifasciata- Low to bright indirect
- Sparingly — let dry
- Toxic (ASPCA)
Spider plant
Chlorophytum comosum- Bright indirect
- Dry slightly between
- Non-toxic (ASPCA)
ZZ plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia- Part to full shade
- Dry between
- Toxic (NC State)
How this list is built
Each species below appears because its care guide already cites primary sources (NC State Extension, Missouri Botanical Garden, ASPCA, UC IPM, Kew, or Iowa State Extension) for the trait this filter selects on. Toxicity classifications come from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants directory, or from NC State Extension or another named source where the ASPCA has no entry. No species is added to a filter without a citation on its guide page. See full source list
Maintained by Thomas Joseph.