Maintaining Snake Plants’ Livelihood

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Forever feels like an incredibly long time, and you wonder if the lifespan of your houseplant is within your reach. Maybe not forever, but for at least at least the next several years. What is the lifespan of your houseplant? You might be surprised by the answer.

The fact is that houseplants can live for centuries, but that is certainly possible! We discovered a cycad houseplant in the Eastern Cape that was potted in 1775, and it is still alive today. That makes it more than 242 years old!

Here’s what you need to know about the lifespan of your houseplants, including how you can increase that longevity. We’ll also provide you a list of some hardy plant varieties you can grow today that will survive a long time.

What is the life expectancy of snake plants?

When it comes to human longevity, we know what to expect. We also know our dogs can live up to 10 years and our cats could live close to 20. But what about houseplants? Do they have a predetermined length of life?

Not quite. While houseplants can make their own food and provide their own energy, they still require our care to survive. We must provide them with nutrients, adequate sunlight, and water to stay alive.

It may take hundreds of years for a houseplant to live if you do that. The Kew Gardens conservatory in the United Kingdom holds a large Eastern Cape cycad found in Southern Africa.

This does not mean that houseplants are invincible. Any houseplant, no matter the species, can die someday. A living thing, a houseplant is destined to die someday. The question is when.

That is all up to you. Not to put too much pressure on you, but your care can determine whether your houseplant survives one week or decades. It’s not uncommon for people to write their houseplants into their will to make sure they get a good home when they are no longer able to care for them themselves.

In fact, the Agweek story we linked in the intro mentions a woman living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania whose houseplant was more than 40 years old. She did, in her will, mention that she wanted the plant to be looked after.

These Are the Longest-Lived Houseplants

Since you now know that plants last forever, or at least for a long time, you want to grow your own plant to see if it can beat any kind of record. Despite the fact that a houseplant’s lifespan does not necessarily depend on the species, there are some plants that are particularly durable that can survive for a very long time.

Many of these houseplants and many of the names on this list are familiar names discussed in our previous posts. Let’s discuss the houseplants that live the longest.

Please note that a long, healthy, happy life for your plant is not guaranteed. Only with your continued attention will it last as long as possible.

Succulents

Nowadays succulents seem to be everywhere, these easy-care houseplants are becoming more popular with outdoor gardeners as well as indoor gardeners. Since succulents are accustomed to growing in arid environments, they can survive for weeks without water, as we’ve written about on this blog.

Succulents, from spiral aloe to burro’s tail to aloe vera, add an undeniable appeal to your home or workplace. While succulents can live anywhere from six to multiple decades, some live longer.

Cycads

Despite its apparent similarity to palm trees, the cycad often has stiffer leaves and a thicker trunk. You can grow this houseplant indoors or outdoors. In the cooler weather, you can trim its leaves and water it twice a week otherwise.

A cycad, specifically an Eastern Cape cycad, is one of the longest-living indoor plants known to science. This should be no surprise, considering the trees typically live for an average of 1,000 years when grown outside.

Cacti

There are over 1,750 species of cacti among the thousands of different succulents in the Cactaceae family. They grow best in moist soil with a lot of light and water every two weeks.

Growing the cactus outside will extend the plant’s life compared to some other plants on this list. It can survive for up to 200 years growing there. That shouldn’t mean you should stop growing cacti, however. Use the Christmas cactus instead, which lives for about 20 to 30 years no matter where you place it.

Table Palms

Although it would be nice to grow a full-sized palm in your home, it’s impractical. The table palm is a great compromise. Now, it’s possible for you to have the tropical feel in your home, office, or apartment, without trees growing everywhere. This evergreen indoor plant can grow in either full or partial shade, making it a great plant for beginners.

We didn’t find out how long the table palm lives specifically, but it could live up to 100 years since it is a part of the Arecaceae family. Palm trees, however, are not as durable as most houseplants, with some dying around 80 years of age and others keeping alive for 20 years more than that.

ZZ Plant

A few gardeners claim the Zanzibar gem plant is not killable. That is simply not true. Any houseplant, including the ZZ plant, can die. It’s just hard to get it to that point.

A plant like this one can survive for quite a long time without water, maybe upwards of four months. Moreover, the ZZ plant can handle low lighting at home or in the workplace without any ill effects since the petiole and leaf have 95 percent water and 91 percent water, respectively.

Spider Plant

Are you currently growing a spider plant or Chlorophytum comosum in your hanging basket? Those who have this plant should take special care of it. They don’t like soggy soil, which indicates that you are becoming too close to overwatering the plant. It does well in indirect light, and in soil that drains quickly.

Root rot is one of the biggest killers of spider plants. Then you’ll know when it’s time to water the houseplant by touching the soil with your fingertips. A good hanging plant will survive for decades and decades if you put in the effort.

Hoya

On this blog, we have already discussed the second day before. In case you missed it, the hoya is one of the milkweeds, which include upwards of 300 tropical plant species. The hoya is native to Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, China, India, and other Asian countries. It’s distinguished for its rubbery-looking leaves and small rosettes.

Another one of those plants whose life expectancy is unknown, but which may be quite long, is the Hoya. A sign that the plant is healthy is if it has flowers. The beautiful purple, pink, or white blossoms that can sprout from the hoya are a sign of a healthy plant.

Aspidistra Cast Iron Plant

We haven’t introduced you to the Aspidistra cast iron plant before. Its scientific name is Aspidistra elatior. Its name in Japan is baran. Its common name somewhere else in the world is bar-room plant.

A native of Taiwan and Japan, the Aspidistra cast iron plant has long, tall, shiny leaves looking almost like the philodendron, but with a cleaner, neater appeal. It will handle neglect without going to seed, making it suitable for a remarkably long life.

Bird of Paradise

You might be surprised to find the bird of paradise plant on this list. It comes from South Africa, where it happens to be a member of the Strelitziaceae family. Bird of paradise is not extremely recognizable because of its looks. It is rather famous for its striking flowers with long, pointed orange petals and hints of bright colors.

Bird of paradise plants will blossom some 20 years after planting! You will have to have patience, as it takes a long time for them to sprout the lovely flowers.

Monstera

The Swiss cheese plant or Monstera deliciosa has been on our minds for a while, so let’s review. It is found in southern Mexico, the Ascension Island, the Society Islands, Seychelles, and some parts of Hawaii. The rounded leaflets of monstera almost resemble those of a philodendron, but the monstera’s leaves are more rounded.

Do not be fooled by the five years on average you hear about your monstera. It’s some confusion going around. Like many other tropical houseplants, monstera can live up to 40 years when properly cared for. It’s all about how well it’s cared for, such as receiving bright light.

Philodendron

There may be as many as 490 species of philodendron in the Araceae, according to 2015 World Checklist of Selected Plant Families data, but there are probably more species. There is a distinct difference between the leaves of the monstera and those of the philodendron; philodendron leaves are teardrop-shaped or heart-shaped. Philodendrons give you many options for filling your indoor garden.

As we said, that Pennsylvania woman kept her philodendron for four decades, long enough to bury it in her will. We’re sure that houseplants can live even longer. Try one yourself and see.

English Ivy

There is no set lifespan with English ivy, which will live for decades if you take good care of it. That should give you enough time to enjoy its incredible growth, and most English ivy is around 50 feet long at its fullest.

You can keep English Ivy alive longer by using a spray bottle filled with soft water and misting the plant every week. You should also keep relative humidity in your home at all times for the Ivy even in the winter.

Weeping Fig

Ficus benjamina or weeping fig is known for its elegance and prefers rich, drained soil. It will grow upwards of six feet tall, so make sure you dedicate some space in your home or apartment for it.

The weeping fig isn’t like other plants listed here; it requires mostly indirect light mixed with some direct light, preferably morning sun. It requires regular watering and moisture management. When you do, it’ll last for years to come.

Snake Plant

Snake plants, usually found in Asparagaceae family, are another species in this list. Their light requirements are a bit ambiguous (indirect light is best, but low light won’t hurt it, neither will sunlight), so please be careful not to overwater them.

The snake plant’s average lifespan is between five and ten years, but a lot of indoor gardeners have kept their snake plants for much longer, up to 25 years. That’s why good care is so vital.

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