Not everyone is a consistent waterer. Luckily, some indoor plants can survive irregular watering. The best plants for these water-challenged situations are not just simply “hardy.” They possess physical adaptations like thick leaves, fleshy stems, or specialized structures that enable them to store moisture—many deserve the distinction of being ‘drought-tolerant.’

Here are some of the best less water plants for homes and offices, along with what makes each one different.

1. Snake Plant

For people who forget to water, the snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) is an excellent choice. Its tall, thick leaves are great at retaining moisture and thus can handle periods of time between waterings.

The snake plant will tolerate a good bit of neglect when it comes to sunlight; however, to promote its healthy growth, it should be placed in a location with bright light. The key is to let the soil completely dry before watering. Due to its slow growth in darker rooms, it will need watering even less.

Best For: Bedrooms, offices, hallways, and other low-traffic spots.

2. ZZ Plant

ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) has access to water stored in its rhizome underground, which explains its tolerance to drought. Extension resources at colleges recommended a drying soil policy over a consistently moist soil policy.

A critical detail that is often overlooked is that the light levels do not equal water policy. In lower light conditions, the growth and water use slow, thus causing root and rhizome rot if the ZZ plant is overwatered.

Best For: Individuals with a forgetful nature.

3. Pothos

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a quick-growing trailing plant that can tolerate less watering than other tropical houseplants. It can tolerate lower light levels, but it will grow even more if it is moved to brighter indirect light.

Unlike ZZ plants and snake plants, Pothos does not rely on large water storage. This means it should not be treated like a drought plant. Waiting for entire root balls to completely dry is not necessary. Waiting for the soil to dry more in the top will work just fine.

Best for: Offices, shelves, or hanging.

4. Peperomia

Peperomia is a wonderful and under-utilized indoor plant that does not require a ton of water. The thick leaves of peperomia can store plenty of water, allowing it to be more tolerant of drought. Iowa State Extension says the soil should be allowed to dry out in between waterings, but be careful, as too much moisture can lead to root rot.

Best for: Small apartments, windowsills, and bright indirect light.

5. Cast-Iron Plant

Cast iron plants (Aspidistra elatior) can handle several indoor environmental stresses. They fall on the low end of indoor lighting needs, and they can tolerate inconsistency of indoor environments. These plants can be grown in dark offices and corners of rooms since they don’t need constantly moist soil.

How Often Should Less-Water Plants Be Watered?

A general rule of not watering after a specific number of days doesn’t apply. Light levels, temperature, pot size, soil type, and season all play a role in how long it takes to deplete the moisture in a pot.

Don't rely on your date book to schedule watering. Instead, take a look at the soil. Water only if the soil has fully dried out. It's also a good idea to use pots with drain holes, so the soil doesn't stay too wet and begin to rot the roots of your drought-resistant plants.

Quick Tip

If you have trouble maintaining consistent watering, opt for a ZZ plant or a snake plant. If you water too often, it's not so much about the plant you choose as it is the soil you choose. The better choice in this case is changing the soil to something well-draining to help prevent overwatering.

The best plants for people with a bad memory are not those that require no water, but those that can go extended periods without watering.