The 5 Most Pest Resistant Indoor Plants
Do pest resistant indoor plants really exist?
I am not fully convinced of it. This is why the title of my article is “The 5 Most Pest Resistant Indoor Plants”.
All plants, whether indoor or outdoor are susceptible to pests; insects or bugs.Â
Some plants are hardier than others and don’t suffer much damage, other plants easily succumb to whatever pest attacks them.
The most common bugs, (mites, scale, gnats, mealy bugs and thrips), tend to stay away from certain plants because their leaves are naturally toxic to them. Unfortunately that means, these plants can also be toxic to cats, dogs and crawling toddlers if ingested.
It is ultimately our responsibility, as plant parents, to learn to recognize signs and symptoms of pest’s infestation and to take action to protect our plants.
Having said that, I admit that half the battle is choosing plants that are more resistant than others to pests. The more I researched pest resistant plants and experienced caring for them on my own, the more I realized, these plants also happen to be among the lowest maintenance indoor plants to grow. How convenient!
So let’s take a look at these 5 most pest resistant indoor plants!
1. Snake Plant (dracaena Trifasciata)
The Snake Plant is native to the tropical regions of West Africa.
It’s not only one of the most pest resistant indoor plants, the Snake Plant is one of the easiest indoor plants too grow and it has many benefits;
- It is also an excellent choice for dark spaces. (It’s no coincidence that this is one of the most popular plants for malls and offices).Â
- They are extremely easy to care for, requiring very little maintenance and water.
- It tolerates low light conditions.
- it is an excellent air purifier, helping remove benzene, formaldehyde, xylene and trichloroethylene from the air.
- It comes in many different species, Â variegations and sizes making it an excellent plant to decorate interior spaces with; whether it’s on a table top, on a shelf, on a plant stand or even on the floor in a nice container.
Its tough skin make it very hard for any insects or bugs to attack it.
If ingested, this plant can be toxic to pets, babies and toddlers.
Water it approximately once every two weeks.
My big Silver Queen Snake Plant. I keep it in our bedroom to help clean the air while we sleep.
My much smaller table top Sansevieria Cilindrica keeps me company on my desk.
2. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Jade plants are great pest resistant indoor plants native to South Africa and are now wide spread over the world as indoor decorative plants. They sure are easy indoor succulents!
They became popular houseplants not only for their ease of maintenance, but because they are believed to bring good luck to the person who owns them, (that’s why they are also called Money Plant).
Like many other succulents, Jade Plants need a lot of bright light and even direct sunlight to thrive. Low light conditions will induce Jade Plants to grow leggy.
These plants should not be watered on a schedule. The best way to determine whether or not water is needed is to touch the plant’s top soil. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water! Do not allow the soil to dry out completely!
Jade Plants are extremely easy to propagate. Simply pinch the stems off when the plant is growing leggy or too big and plant those stems directly into a pot of soil.
These plants can grow quite old and big, if cared for properly and in the right environmental conditions.
Like the Snake Plant, Jade Plants can be toxic to pets and toddlers if ingested. Insects and bugs truly dislike their poisonous sap!
Jade Plants are also considered great air purifying plants.
If you want to learn more about Jade Plants, their care and meaning, read my article on Jade Plants.
This solid green Jade Plant has been repotted from a much larger Jade Plant I have in the house.
My variegated Jade Plant.
3. Cast Iron Palm (aspidistra elatior)
The Cast Iron Plant is native to Japan and Taiwan.Â
Not only it’s among the most pest resistant indoor plants; It’s another impossible to kill plant = ideal for Black Thumbs.Â
It is similar to the Peace Lily in appearance but less glamorous and even hardier. It is slow to grow but can withstand neglect like no other plant. It really likes hot and dry conditions and does not well in colder environments.
Even though this plant can endure the most extreme conditions, it still needs to be watered well once every two to three weeks.
This is the go to plant when you’ve killed all your other plants! Next step, plastic plants!
Another advantage of this plant is that is not toxic to pets and children!
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4. madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
The Dragon Tree or Dracaena is native to Africa.
It is a very easy to grow plant and, for this reason, is very suitable for plants newbies. The fact it’s one of the most pest resistant indoor plants, it makes it even more attractive to people that are just getting started with plants.
This plant enjoys moderate to low light conditions. Full sun will burn its leaves.Â
The Dracaena is drought tolerant, so you don’t have to water them very often. Overwatering is one of the main causes of death for the plant. Depending on how much light this plant receives, it can be watered up to every three weeks! Keep in mind Dracaenas are sensitive to fluoride so it is always best to water them with distilled water if your tap water has high fluoride levels.
This plant is an excellent air purifier and it helps remove formaldehyde, xylene and trichloroethylene from the air.
Dracaena’s leathery leaves are toxic to pets and children.
5. chinese evergreen (aglaonema)
The Chinese Evergreen plant is native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asia and New Guinea.
It is highly tolerant to poor light conditions, dry environments and drought.
Like the Cast Iron Plant, it does not like cooler temperatures and needs to be away from drafts.
Water this plant approximately once every two weeks and allow to dry through before the next watering.
The Chinese Evergreen is another air purifying plant that helps remove xylene and formaldehyde from the air.
This plant’s leaves, like the majority of the pest resistant indoor plants, are toxic to pets and children, if ingested.
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I’m trying to learn how to grow succulents. But the Pests got nearly all of them. I just bought 2 Hydrangis plants only to find one already has a black mold or fungus all over it. They were in a Walmart compacted together covered with long plastic bags and the stems and mold was not visable. Now I think I need to get it out of the house. I did treat it with a systemic insecticide. I still don’t feel safe with it.