17 Drought-Tolerant Plants that Don’t Need Water Very Often

Skip the guilt of forgetting to water by growing these drought-resistant indoor plants that don’t need water very frequently. These easy-care houseplants tolerate a little neglect (and many even prefer to be kept on the dry side). So go ahead and enjoy their green good looks without the stress of keeping them watered.

Drought-Tolerant Houseplants You Can't Kill — BHG / Madelyn Goodnight

01 of 17

Snake Plant

Houseplants on floor stools shelf hanging — Jacob Fox

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

02 of 17

Ponytail Palm

Thanks to its thick, trunk-like stem, ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) can store moisture long-term, so it easily survives a missed watering or two. It gets its name from the long, narrow leaves that grow from the end of its single stem, making it look like a peppy, cascading ponytail. This drought-tolerant indoor plant may need a drink every couple of weeks during the warmer months, but during the winter, you can stretch it to only watering 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 smaller pot).

03 of 17

Aloe

A spiky succulent with plump, toothed leaves, aloe (Aloe vera) is famous for its ability to soothe burns. These are easy-care indoor plants that don’t need water often, so you can let the soil dry out between waterings. Aloe grows slowly, like most succulents, but it will reach three feet tall and wide with patience. Keep it in bright light, but don’t place it in direct sunlight, or your plant could end up with a sunburn.

04 of 17

Burro’s Tail

With one look at burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum), you can see how this gray-green succulent got its name. A member of the sedum genus, burro’s tail has lush, almost jelly bean-shaped leaves that overlap on trailing stems. The tiny leaves easily drop off; pot them up to start new plants if you want. Water this houseplant like any other succulent (let the soil dry before giving it more water), and keep it in bright light. With the proper care, burro’s tail may eventually reach a couple of feet long.

05 of 17

Sago Palm

Slow-growing sago palm (Cycas revoluta) is one of the popular, durable houseplants that don't need water often and are easy to care for. They add a touch of the tropics to any room. The leathery, dark green fronds on a mature plant will stretch up to three feet long. Sago palms like well-drained soil, so while forgetting to water this plant won't kill it, overwatering will. Give your palm a drink when it's just on the verge of drying out, and keep it in medium to bright light—eventually, it can grow up to five feet tall.

06 of 17

Pothos

A popular choice for households and offices, pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a tough, drought-resistant houseplant with attractive, glossy foliage. Its vines spread up to eight feet or more, and you can find varieties with variegated (look for 'Marble Queen') and bright green leaves (like 'Neon'). Pothos earned its popularity by being one of the most durable plants that don't need water daily—it tolerates low to bright light and drying out between waterings. It's also super easy to start new plants from cuttings.

07 of 17

Haworthia

Commonly known as zebra plant because of its white-striped foliage, Haworthia fasciata is excellent for dressing up a windowsill. One of the easiest indoor plants that don’t need water, it thrives on minimal care. It tends to stay less than a foot tall and wide, and it’s usually even more compact than that. Like most succulents, zebra plant does best in bright light, and it prefers when the soil in its pot dries out a bit between waterings. Because of its unique spikes and striped coloring, it’s a favorite for modern decor.

08 of 17

Cast Iron Plant

aspidistra elatior cast iron houseplant — Marty Baldwin

As you might guess from its common name, cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) is practically indestructible. If you’ve struggled to keep plants alive, this hearty houseplant tolerates low light, low humidity, and infrequent watering. It has broad, dark green leaves, and some varieties have variegated foliage. Cast iron plants are also popular in outdoor gardens with temperatures above freezing. They tend to grow about two feet tall and wide.

09 of 17

Ox Tongue

The rough-textured, gray-green leaves of ox tongue (Gasteria bicolor) make a unique addition to your collection of indoor plants. These drought-tolerant plants that don’t need water very often do need bright light to thrive, and when they get enough of it, ox tongue produces spikes of pinkish-red flowers in the spring. In the winter, this durable plant can go for weeks without water. It tends to stay on the small side but may reach three feet tall in the right conditions.

10 of 17

ZZ Plant

The leathery leaves of ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) almost look plastic because they're so stiff and shiny. ZZ plants only need a little more care than their faux counterparts—these are plants that don’t need water more than once in a while. This drought-resistant houseplant is happiest in bright light, but it’ll also tolerate low-light areas of your home. All ZZ plant varieties are slow growers, but they eventually grow three feet tall and wide.

11 of 17

Jade Plant

The thick stems and plump leaves of jade plant (Crassula ovata) grow to look like a small tree over time. However, it’s a drought-resistant succulent that doesn’t mind a bit if you let the soil in its pot almost completely dry out before you water it again. If you move it outside during the summer, the extra sun and warmer temperatures trigger a growth spurt, which can help your plant get closer to its maximum six-foot height.

12 of 17

Bunny Ear Cactus

True to its name, bunny ear cactus (Opuntia microdasys) grows long, flat pads that resemble a rabbit’s ears. This cute, drought-resistant cactus doesn’t have any sharp spines, but its pads are dotted with hairy barbs that can irritate your skin if you brush up against them. When given plenty of bright light, bunny ear cactus produces lemon-yellow flowers in the spring and may grow up to two feet tall.

13 of 17

Bishop’s Cap Cactus

Besides being nearly spineless, bishop's cap cactus (Astrophytum myriostigma) distinguishes itself with its interesting star shape and blue-green color. Set it in a south-facing window, and it might even produce tiny yellow flowers in the spring. Like most cacti, bishop's caps are indoor drought-tolerant plants that don't need water more than occasionally whenever the soil in their pots feels completely dry. It will stay small, especially in a little container, but this cactus can grow up to four feet tall.

14 of 17

Panda Plant

Aside from being fun to look at, panda plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa) is fun to touch, too. Its silvery leaves have a soft, furry texture, almost like felt. Make sure this hearty houseplant gets plenty of bright light, and let the soil dry between waterings. Over time, panda plants grow up to three feet tall.

15 of 17

Living Stones

Not only are living stones (Lithops spp.) plants that don't need water very often, but they are among the most unique succulents you can grow indoors. They look almost like pebbles and need about as much attention as actual rocks. Keep them in bright light, give them a drink every few weeks during late spring into summer, and stop watering them thoroughly during their dormancy in the winter. Living stones won't grow more than an inch or two tall, but it's still best to keep them in a pot with plenty of space because they have extensive root systems.

16 of 17

Corn Plant

Three varieties of dracaena in pots sitting in room near window — Jacob Fox

Though commonly known as corn plant, Dracaena fragrans is not related to the food crop it’s named after, though its strap-like green leaves do bear a resemblance to corn. You can find varieties with silver and chartreuse variegation, too. This easy-care houseplant tolerates a little neglect in terms of how much you water, bouncing back quickly if it does happen to dry out too much. It will reach three feet tall if grown in bright light (though it’ll tolerate low light).

17 of 17

Golden Barrel Cactus

If you live in an area that stays warm all year, you may see the popular golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) included in outdoor gardens. But luckily, those who have to deal with snow and ice every year can also grow it as a houseplant. This drought-tolerant plant distinguishes itself from other cacti with long, golden-yellow spines. It’s a slow grower, but eventually, it will stretch up to one foot tall as long as it gets plenty of bright light.