These 12 Plants Actually Don’t Care If You Forget to Water Them

Houseplants don’t have to be a full-time job. Some actually prefer being left alone, even when you forget to water them. No guilt, no stress, no phone reminders. These plants won’t punish you for missing a day or two. They can sit through skipped waterings and still look great in your space. If regular watering feels like a lot, start with these. They’ll keep looking fresh without constant attention or reminders.

Snake Plant

Snake plants don’t ask for much. Water them once every few weeks, and they’ll continue to stand tall. They’ve got thick, upright leaves that hold onto moisture, so they’re fine with being ignored. Low light? That’s fine. Bright light? Also fine. They’re flexible like that. Just don’t let them sit in soggy soil. Let the pot dry completely before watering again. That’s it. So if you forget sometimes, no big deal. Snake plants keep doing their thing.

Ponytail Palm

The ponytail palm holds onto water in its thick base, so you don’t need to hover with a watering can. Every two to three weeks is usually enough. In winter, you can wait even longer. Allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. It likes bright light but doesn’t mind lower spots either. The leaves spill out like a fountain, which makes it a fun one to look at. It’s easygoing and low effort.

Burro’s Tail

Burro’s tail has thick, trailing stems covered in plump, bead-like leaves. It stores water in those leaves, so you don’t need to water it often. Just let the soil dry out first. Every couple of weeks usually works, although it may be less frequent in cooler months. It loves bright light, especially near a sunny window. The leaves can fall off if you bump them, but you can pot those up and grow more.

Sago Palm

Sago palms look fancy, but they’re super low effort. They grow slowly and don’t ask for much. Just let the top few inches of soil dry out before watering again. That’s usually every couple of weeks, depending on how warm it is. They do best in medium to bright light, so a sunny room works well. The fronds grow thick and glossy, reaching up to a few feet long. Make sure the pot drains well so the roots stay happy.

Haworthia

Haworthia stays small and neat, so it’s great for desks, shelves, or windowsills. It has thick leaves with white stripes, kind of like a tiny aloe. Water it every couple of weeks, but only after the soil dries out. It doesn’t like soggy roots. Bright, indirect light keeps it looking good, though it can handle lower spots too. It grows slowly, doesn’t need much space, and just sits there looking sharp.

Ox Tongue

Ox tongue has thick, bumpy leaves that grow in a tidy clump, kind of like a mini aloe. It holds water well, so you don’t need to water it often. Just wait until the soil feels dry before giving it a drink. It likes bright light and may even bloom with pinkish-red flowers if it gets enough sun. It grows slow and stays compact, which makes it easy to tuck onto a shelf or windowsill.

ZZ Plant

ZZ plants don’t ask for much. Water every two to three weeks, and only when the soil feels dry. That’s really it. The thick, glossy leaves retain moisture, allowing it to last longer between drinks. It performs well in bright spots but also handles low-light conditions effectively. It grows slowly, which means less pruning and fuss. Just give it a pot that drains well and a spot where it can chill.

Bunny Ear Cactus

Bunny ear cactus grows flat, round pads that really do look like rabbit ears. It doesn’t need much water at all. Just wait until the soil is completely dry before watering, which could mean every few weeks. It loves bright light, so keep it near a sunny window. The tiny barbs on the pads can stick to your skin, so handle them carefully. With enough sun, it might surprise you with yellow blooms in the spring

Living Stones

Living stones look like little pebbles sitting in the pot. They stay tiny, but their roots run deep, so give them a wide container. They don’t need much water at all. Just a light drink every few weeks during spring and summer. Hold off during winter since they go dormant. Bright light helps them stay compact and healthy. They’re easy to forget about, which honestly works in their favor.

Golden Barrel Cactus

The golden barrel cactus resembles a round, spiky ball with bold, yellow spines. It’s slow-growing, so it stays compact for a while. Just give it bright light and let the soil dry out completely before watering. That could mean once every few weeks, depending on the season. It handles dry indoor air without a problem. Use a pot with good drainage and skip the misting.

Begonia

Begonias bring color and texture with their bold, patterned leaves. They don’t mind drying out a bit between waterings. Just wait until the leaves start to droop, then give them a drink. That’s usually every week or two, depending on the temperature. They like bright, indirect light but can also handle medium light. Make sure the pot drains well so the roots don’t sit in water.

Dracaena

Dracaenas have tall, upright leaves that give a nice pop of green without needing much effort. Just let the soil dry out before watering again. That usually means every couple of weeks, maybe longer in cooler months. They’re fine with low to medium light, so you don’t have to rearrange your whole space. Additionally, they are not bothered by dry indoor air. If you forget about it for a bit, it won’t complain.

Let Your Plants Do the Work for You

Skip the watering schedule and opt for plants that can thrive with minimal care. Just choose a few from this list, give them a bright spot, and let them handle the rest. No fancy tools or daily check-ins needed. You’ll still get that fresh, leafy look without the usual upkeep. So if you tend to forget the watering can, these plants are ready to work around you.