5 Houseplants I’ve (Mostly) Not Killed – and Some I Definitely Have
yes i spelt Brisbane wrong... i can't be bothered to change it. sorry editing folks
I’ve always been drawn to the idea of a house filled with lush, thriving plants, but reality doesn’t always match that dream. Living in Ipswich, Queensland, means I’m dealing with a mix of humidity and dryness, depending on the season, and temperatures that range from a cozy 22–24°C inside (usually) to whatever chaos summer decides to throw at us. this could be 9 - 49 degrees. Summer here in Queensland is rough, lol. Currently we are all flooded. as in the bridges are under, yet again. then it will dry out and we will get bushfires!!!
The houseplants I keep are at the mercy of these fluctuations and, frankly, my not-so-consistent green thumbs.
Some plants thrive despite me, others struggle valiantly, and a few… well, let’s just say they’ve gone to a better place. The "dead" pot graveyard in the shed is high!! lol. Here’s my list, ranked from “surprisingly alive” to “why do I even try?”
Above are "Surprisingly Alive"
Above are "Why did i even try"
1. Calathea Makoyana (Peacock Plant)
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Time Owned: Never killed one. These are my pride and joy. I suggest trying THESE ones
Care Routine: A few brown edges sometimes, but otherwise thriving.
These beauties are my showstoppers. The leaves are stunning, and they’re surprisingly forgiving compared to other calatheas.
Care Tips:
Light: Bright, indirect light keeps them happy. Direct sun can scorch their delicate leaves. so i keep them in light rooms but away from the sun. Also away from the front door as 2 hours a day we get blistering heat in there.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Brown Edges: This usually means low humidity or inconsistent watering. A quick fix: mist more often or try placing a shallow water dish nearby to increase humidity.nomrally i just have a water spray bottle around the house and spray them. they get dusty too so they need a wipe occasionally.
THESE REALLY ARE MY FAVOURITE ONE!!!
2. Chamaedorea (Parlor Palm)
Time Owned: 5 months (still alive!)
Care Routine: I water it about once every two weeks and occasionally mist it when its dry. The soil is fairly loose, and despite my cat treating it as a snack, it’s growing well and looks beautiful.
This plant has become a standout survivor in my home. The bright green fronds are thriving, even with my sporadic care. It doesn’t seem fussy and handles the occasional neglect well.
these are really growing on me and i think i might even buy some more!!! ???
Care Tips:
Watering: google tells me to water every other week or so and Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering. Overwatering is more dangerous than under-watering. Given my mild neglect... this is good
Light: These prefer bright, indirect light but will tolerate lower light, making them a great fit for most rooms. They are in my hallway we have big eaves in Queensland to deal with the sun. so this is good.
Humidity: Mist it occasionally to mimic its tropical roots, especially when humidity drops to 20%. this IS necessary in the dryer months but not at the moment.
Side Note: Check out the pots I spray-painted! I used a "rock spray" on plain plastic pots, giving them a textured granite look. It’s an easy, satisfying DIY that really elevates the aesthetic. ok... real ones would be better but meh... not bad.
So these are SURPRISINGLY ALIVE - DUE TO CAT EATING AND ME NOT KILLING IT EITHER
3. Peperomia (Emerald Ripple)
Time Owned: Some survive, some don’t. had on and off for 2 years.
Care Routine: 50/50 survival rate. I’ve noticed they seem happier in brighter spots, but I’m not sure if that’s just a coincidence.
These little plants are a toss-up for me. When they thrive, they’re lush and compact. When they don’t, well, they get added to my “maybe not again” list. but yet... i keep buying them...
Care Tips:
Light: Medium to bright, indirect light works best. Too little light and they’ll start to sulk. pretty sure this is why some of mine die. they are in the dark parts of the house.
Watering: They like to dry out a bit between waterings. Be cautious of soggy soil.again, the pots are small so overwatering is easy. i'm sure some of the dead ones got root rot.
Humidity: They don’t demand high humidity, so i guess they are better in fluctuating levels.
these are quite cute and not toooo big. so good for a smaller area i suppose. although personally di prefer the parlour palms and the next ones.
These are a BIT "MEH" as i SOMETIMES KILL and SOMETIMES DONT KILL
4. Zanzibar Gem (ZZ Plant)
Time Owned: Doing well, but I’ve killed one before (overwatering).
Care Routine: It’s currently in a dark corner, and I don’t water it much.
This plant is the ultimate survivor, thriving on neglect. I’ve learned the hard way that less is more with watering. i forget for a whole month sometimes :-) Even the label says "DONT WATER ME"
no - not going to kill another one with kindness!!
Care Tips:
Light: They tolerate low light but will grow faster in moderate to bright, indirect light. my corner is dark and might slow growth, but there are new leaves so who knows.
Watering: Only water when the soil is completely dry. Overwatering is their kryptonite. No idea why - just don't water often at all.
5. Maidenhair Fern
Time Owned: None. They all died.
Care Routine: I thought they’d love the humidity, but they proved me wrong.
I had such high hopes for maidenhair ferns. Their delicate, feathery fronds are beautiful, but I just can’t seem to keep them alive. Despite loving humidity, they seem to demand constant attention, which I can’t give.
we had them as kids. mum kept them in the bathroom for years and years. me - they lasted 3 weeks???
What I Learned:
They like high humidity, moist (but not soggy) soil, and zero tolerance for neglect. Not the plant for me, sadly!
The Mystery Plant
Time Owned: Gifted to me after helping someone in need.
Care Routine: It’s labeled as a calathea, but I’m suspicious.
This plant is a bit of a wildcard. It’s doing well so far, but I can’t be certain of its care needs without a proper ID. For now, I treat it like a calathea: moderate watering, indirect light, and an occasional misting.
I'm only adding this in as it IS a house plant and i have NOT killed it. AND the story is neat.
I was at the plant store when an employee collapsed dramatically next to me and was unconsious. i helped sort out the situation, helping till the paramedics arrived. (Im a nurse so it is in my field of care)
Are These Plants Toxic to Pets and Kids?
better add this in as this WAS on my hit list with kids and a cat... rolls eyes. the cat eats plants. grrrr
Chamaedorea: Non-toxic to cats and dogs—good news for my snacking kitty!
Peperomia: Safe for pets and kids.
Calathea Makoyana: Non-toxic and pet-friendly.
Zanzibar Gem: Toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so keep it out of reach.
Maidenhair Fern: Non-toxic but pointless in my house since they’re all dead.
Air Quality Benefits
Chamaedorea and Zanzibar Gem are known for being excellent air purifiers. Again this is why i bought them in the first place :-)
Peperomia and Calathea contribute slightly to air quality but aren’t as effective as the first two.
Conclusion
i feel like i need a conclusion here. so ignore if you don't need to read. ha ah.I'm getting bored of writing by this point.
Houseplants can be a joy—or a challenge, depending on the day. While some of these thrive under my care (and occasional neglect), others keep me humble. the dead pot pile in the garden shows me i kill lots of things. I’m learning as I go, and every plant teaches me something new. If you’re a fellow plant enthusiast who doesn’t always get it right, take heart: even the green-thumb-challenged among us can find a few survivors to brighten our homes.
Which plants have survived your care—or not? Let me know in the comments!