The list
Grade A. Start here.
Hard to kill on purpose. Every plant here forgives a month of nothing, a bad habit, or both. If you’ve never kept one alive, pick from this page and stop reading.
Snake Plant$25
The one for a room with no window. Water it monthly and forget it exists.
ZZ Plant$32
Same idea, glossier. Also fine with no window.
The vine everyone recognises. Tells you when it’s thirsty by drooping, then forgives you.
Pothos’s quieter cousin. Happy across the room from a window.
Spider Plant$16
Makes babies. Cats can chew it.
The pretty one. Needs an actual window — the white leaves don’t do any work.
Cast Iron PlantNot on a PILF shelf
Named for a reason. Slow, dark green, indestructible. Any plant shop has one.
Ponytail PalmNot on a PILF shelf
Stores water in its trunk. Wants a bright window and a monthly drink.
Grades and light numbers follow the PILF Scale. “Not on a PILF shelf” means any plant shop has it — buy it there, and use the scale to know what you’re getting into.