There comes a time when you plan on being away from home for longer than a weekend and won't be packing your houseplants into your suitcase and taking them along with you. This means your plant children need to be able to survive on their own for some time without being watered or tended to each day. These plants undoubtedly need to be hardy, fuss-free, and not require a ton of water. Luckily, there are some green candidates out there that can handle periodic neglect and still be alive and kicking when you get back.
What all these plants have in common is that they don't appreciate constant wet soil, which can lead to root rot, but instead like to dry out between waterings—the perfect scenario for your vacation plans. Also, while you're away, they can all withstand a temporary low-light spot that will help slow the evaporation of moisture. Before you leave, remember to give all your houseplants a complete soaking to saturate the soil (a bathtub is the perfect place to do this activity). And when you return, repeat the long soaking process. It's also a good idea to lightly sponge off your plants' leaves with water to remove any accumulated dust, pollutants, and possible bugs.
Whether you're a green thumb or not, here are the top five sturdy, indoor plants that will be self-sufficient while you're away. Bonus: They can also survive those stretches when you are at home but may be forgetful that you actually have houseplants.
