When talking about plant life, “forever” may be a strong word, but there are plants that can live a surprisingly long time. They won’t only brighten up your home or garden for a season but will persist for many years–decades, in some cases! In this article, we will look at indoor and outdoor plant varieties that thrive for years on end.
Indoor Plants That Live Forever
Technically any plant could be a houseplant for a determined enough gardener. However, these indoor plants are some that tend to thrive for the longest, typical lifespans among conditions that make people happy, too.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are often recommended for beginner plant enthusiasts because they look nice and aren’t too hard to take care of. They’re also especially good at filtering the air.
With a little attention, your spider plant could live for decades. Their most finicky request? Water them with distilled water rather than water from the tap.
Snake Plant
Snake plants, like spider plants, have a fearsome namesake but are stylish, easy plants that can live a very long time. They are toxic to pets though, so they might not be the best choice for dog or cat owners.
Aloe Vera
Any succulent, including aloe vera, will live for years without requiring much maintenance at all. As an added bonus, the gel inside the leaves can soothe your skin. Make sure no one (human or animal) tries to eat it, as it’s toxic.
Jade Plant
Another long-lasting (but toxic-to-pets) succulent is the jade plant. They don’t need much water, and their slow growth means you’re unlikely to ever need to re-pot your jade plant.
Long-Lived Outdoor Perennials
One could argue that perennials “don’t count” as truly long-living, considering their dormancy over the colder months. But it doesn’t seem fair to discriminate when some of these plants can return year after year for 40 years or more.
The Hardiest of the Hardiest Perennials
Wisteria, coneflowers, peonies, and geraniums can live for a whopping 40-50+ years. They can become family heirlooms for later generations of gardeners to enjoy. As you might expect, these species are hardy and don’t require much care to thrive.
For example, peonies hardly need any fertilizer, but their stems might need structural “help.” This task is a small price to pay for decades of flowers!
Irises and hostas are also very long-living perennials, though more commonly living slightly shorter lives of 20-30 years. Irises repel deer, while leafy hostas are a favorite among them.
New England asters and Hellebore still live remarkably long lives of over a decade. They are both known to be late bloomers (blooming in fall and winter, respectively).
Hardy Perennials
These perennials are tough plants that will return for years, though they’re less likely to outlive you, perhaps.
Astilbe
Astilbe, for one, look like ferns-turned-flowers and will happily live in shade. Their bright magenta color and unusual flower shape make them stand out year after year.
Baptisia
Even more tolerant is Baptisia (or False Indigo), which can handle most conditions as a native North American wildflower. Given this origin, it makes sense that False Indigo has an insect-repelling property and doesn’t need to be readied for winter. It’s a tough plant on its home turf.
Euphorbia
Euphorbia is another genus deserving recognition for its hardiness. Over 2,000 plants are considered euphorbia, so generalizations are tricky, but most are succulents and prefer hot and dry environments. Sedum, another genus of succulents, likewise loves dry heat and can live for several years.
Wrap up
There’s no shortage of choices when it comes to plants that live “forever.” Whether you’re looking for showy flowers or leaves, indoor or outdoor plants, chances are you can find something not only perfect but also persistent. The most important thing to remember is the lives of these plants is dependent on the constant care you provide.