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The New York Times' Top 15 Kill-Proof Houseplants

By Robin Mansur

With the aid of America's top botanical experts, Michael Tortorello of the New York Times has compiled a wonderful list of 15 hard-to-kill houseplants for the green thumb inept.

Man sitting among indoor plants.

Pictured above: One of Tortorello's experts, Mark Hoover, keeper of 878 houseplants.

Below, Tortorello's full list of the recommended varieties.Click through for details regarding the care of each species + more handy trade secrets.

1. WAX PLANT (HOYA CARNOSA VARIEGATA)

Hoya plant with green and cream-colored leaves.

2. RABBIT'S FOOT FERN (DAVALLIA FEJEENSIS)

A person holding a potted fern.

3. BIRD'S NEST FERN (ASPLENIUM NIDUS)

Close-up of lush green tropical plant leaves.

4. CROTON (CODIAEUM VARIEGATUM)

Vibrant, multicolored leaves of a croton plant.

5. CAST-IRON PLANT (ASPIDISTRA ELATIOR)

Potted green plant with lush foliage.

6. MOTH ORCHID (PHALAENOPSIS)

Orchid plant in a red pot.

7. PEACE LILY (SPATHIPHYLLUM)

Green leaf with a blurred background.

8. PONYTAIL PALM (BEAUCARNEA RECURVATA)

Potted plant with long, arching leaves.

9. MALAYSIAN DRACAENA (PLEOMELE REFLEXA)

Decorative potted plant on a wooden balcony.

10. SAGO PALM (CYCAS REVOLUTA)

Sago palm in a black pot on a concrete surface.

11. PANDAN (PANDANUS AMARYLLIFOLIUS)

Potted plant on a white pedestal against a black background.

12. LONG-LEAF FIG (FICUS MACLELLANDII)

Potted houseplant with long green leaves against a black background.

13. ANTHURIUM (ANTHURIUM ANDRAEANUM)

Pink anthurium flower with green leaves on a dark background.

14. JUNGLE DRUM (ASPLUNDIA JUNGLE DRUM)

Potted green houseplant with broad leaves.

15. STRAWBERRY BEGONIA (SAXIFRAGA STOLONIFERA)

Close-up of green plant leaves with textured surfaces.

Image credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Previously, The Secret Trick to Self-Watering Plants.

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