Low maintenance plants for people who kill plants

Everyone knows one. They water on a whim, they put a fern in a dark corner, and they have genuinely apologised to a plant. The plants below survive all of that, and giving one is a small vote of confidence rather than a set-up for failure.

We don't sell plants - we make cards, pin badges and prints in house, printed in the UK. So this is a straight guide to the plant, and the card to send with it.

Almost impossible to kill

• ZZ plant. Survives a dark corner, a month without water and a cold hallway. If they kill this, stop giving plants.
• Snake plant. Wants to be ignored. Overwatering is the only real danger, so tell them to water it monthly.
• Cast iron plant. Named for exactly this reason, and happy in the gloomiest room in the house.
• Pothos. Droops dramatically when thirsty, then recovers within hours of a drink - the perfect warning system.
• Spider plant. Shrugs off missed waterings and rewards them with babies to give away.

Easy, with one small rule

• Aloe vera - bright light, water every three weeks, never let it sit in a saucer of water.
• Jade plant - as above, and it turns into a small tree if they stick with it.
• Monstera - water when the top inch is dry and it grows fast enough to feel rewarding.
• Philodendron - forgiving of both light and water, and it trails nicely off a shelf.
• Peace lily - it wilts theatrically when thirsty and stands back up after a drink.

Don't give these to a plant killer

• Ferns - they need humidity nobody in a UK flat provides.
• Fiddle leaf figs - beautiful, expensive, and they sulk if you move them a metre.
• Calatheas - they want filtered water and constant moisture, and they will die publicly.
• Orchids - they look easy, and then they never flower again.
• Bonsai - it's a hobby disguised as a present.

Card lines for a serial plant killer

• This one survives neglect. You've met your match.
• Water it once a month. That's the entire relationship.
• I've chosen something that can outlast your attention span. Happy birthday.
• If this dies, we'll agree never to speak of it.
• Hard to kill, like you on a Monday morning.

Shop cards

Pin badges that survive anything

Enamel pin badges, for when the plant doesn't make it.

How to write it so it lands

• Write the watering interval on the card. Vague advice is what kills plants.
• Give them a pot with a drainage hole - the single most common cause of death is a pot that holds water.
• Choose a plant that shows when it's thirsty, like a pothos or peace lily.
• Say out loud that you don't mind if it dies. Plant guilt is real and it stops people trying again.

Where to shop next

• Plant gifts UK
• What plant to give for each occasion
• How to wrap a plant as a gift
• Plants as a housewarming gift
• Plant meanings and symbolism
• Sympathy and memorial plants
• Pet safe plants for gifting
• Plants as seasonal gifts
• How to keep a gifted plant alive
• Gift wrapping ideas
• All guides
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Pin badges

Frequently asked questions

What is the hardest houseplant to kill?

The ZZ plant. It tolerates low light, dry soil and cold rooms better than anything else commonly sold in the UK, followed closely by the snake plant and cast iron plant.

What kills most houseplants?

Overwatering, by a wide margin. Most plant gifts die from kindness, not neglect, so tell the recipient how little water it actually needs.

What plant is best for a dark room?

A ZZ plant, cast iron plant or snake plant. All three cope with a north-facing room or a hallway with no direct light.

Which plants should I avoid giving as gifts?

Ferns, calatheas, fiddle leaf figs and orchids all need specific conditions. They're lovely for enthusiasts and a slow disappointment for everyone else.