9 Difficult-to-Grow Houseplants That Are Worth The Fuss

Houseplants like aloe and snake plants are perfectly suitable for beginner gardeners, while others, like orchids and Boston ferns, maybe not. Some difficult houseplants need extra attention and give newbie gardeners a run for their money. 

To get these fussy houseplants to thrive, you’ll have to recreate their ideal environments indoors. For some, this is no easy task. 

Fortunately, with the right knowledge and a little patience, you’ll have no problem growing them. Below are nine difficult houseplants that are incredibly satisfying to grow. 

Elephant’s Ear

	botanical name Colocasia spp.
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 3-10’
	hardiness zones 8-12

Elephant ears have a long history of culinary and medicinal uses in Southeast Asia and Oceania. The most famous elephant’s ears grown for food are taro. Polynesians have enjoyed their starchy corms for millennia. Their edible leaves must be cooked to remove the irritating calcium oxalate crystals in their plant tissues and sap.  

These tropical and useful plants thrive outside in warm-climate zones, but they’re a bit trickier to grow as houseplants. The first issue many gardeners encounter is with watering. No matter which variety you choose, you’ll need to water consistently to keep the soil moist, like a tropical wetland. 

Another issue is the irritating sap. After the growing season, you’ll want to prune damaged leaves. When you do, don’t forget to wear protective gloves. Elephant’s ear sap can cause an itchy and painful skin rash that will make you want to quit growing it. However, if you handle them right and stick to a consistent watering schedule, you’ll enjoy full, tropical foliage in your home. 

Moth Orchid

	botanical name Phalaenopsis spp.
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height Up to 2’
	hardiness zones 10-12

Orchids have a reputation for being picky houseplants that only expert gardeners should touch. That may be the case for some species, but anyone with a willingness to learn can grow moth orchids. These varieties come from the genus Phalaenopsis and produce some of the most beautiful orchid flowers. 

To grow healthy moth orchids, you’ll need to start with the right potting mix containing coarse particles and bark to let airflow into the roots. You’ll also need the right pot, a consistent fertilizing and watering schedule, and pay attention to keeping the humidity levels high. 

One of the most common reasons orchids die is from root rot. Most of these tropical plants are epiphytes, meaning they grow on trees and take in moisture from the air, not the soil. To mimic their natural environment, water them once a week, without saturating their potting media. Use an orchid bark rather than a standard potting mix. As long as you follow these guidelines and pay extra attention to their needs, your moth orchids will thrive. 

Tradescantia

	botanical name Tradescantia zebrina
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 6-14”
	hardiness zones 9-11

Tradescantia, also known as inch plants, are popular houseplants native to South America. They thrive in warm, indoor locations with well-draining soil and a little extra care. They have silvery-green to purple foliage that creates a pattern resembling a zebra. 

It’s important to grow these plants in hanging containers. They produce an irritating sap that can cause problems for humans and animals. Other than its mild toxicity, the plant can outgrow other houseplants. It needs a consistent pruning schedule to keep it from growing out of control. 

These tropical plants need bright, indirect light to thrive as houseplants. Besides that, they grow easily. Ironically, that’s what makes them difficult as houseplants. You’ll need to stay on top of pruning their tips, or else they’ll grow out of control. 

Fiddle-Leaf Fig Tree

	botanical name Ficus lyrata
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 10’
	hardiness zones 10-12

If you want broad-leaf tropical plants to turn your room into a lush garden, it’s hard to beat fiddle-leaf fig trees. These small trees make gorgeous indoor ornamentals, but keeping them healthy can take a bit of extra care and attention. 

You’ll need to keep everything in your home just right for them to thrive. We’re talking about humidity, levels, watering amounts, and temperature. Sudden changes can make your precious plants drop their leaves suddenly. 

You’ll also have to keep the sunlight levels just right. If your plants get too much sun, they’ll wither. But if they don’t receive enough light, they’ll fail to grow. What’s even worse is they’re susceptible to all kinds of pests, including mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects. Problems aside, once you get used to their finickiness, you’ll love growing these difficult but elegant houseplants.  

Boston Fern

	botanical name Nephrolepis exaltata
	sun requirements Indirect bright light
	height 1-3”
	hardiness zones 10-13

Boston ferns are very easy to kill if you don’t understand their requirements. They’re tropical ferns that evolved in tropical forests in Central and South America. Because they thrive in the understories of tropical forests, they need filtered light. Many gardeners grow them too close to the window or direct light, which unfortunately kills them. 

Another common mistake with Boston ferns is over or under-watering them. Once you notice the top inch of soil is dry, it’s time to give them a little water. Keep the humidity level high by running a humidifier or placing a pebble tray near them. 

As difficult as they are for newbie gardeners, they’re incredibly beautiful, adding lush greenery to your home. They’re also some of the best natural air purifiers in nature! If you want a wonderful houseplant that cleans your air, Boston ferns are worth all the fuss. 

Bird’s Nest Fern

	botanical name Asplenium nidus
	sun requirements Indirect light
	height 2-5’
	hardiness zones 11-12

Bird’s nest ferns have thick green leaves and lush growth, perfect for transforming your indoor space into a tropical paradise. They’re native to Asia and grow in the understories of dense forests. Although they’re endangered in nature, they’re common houseplants in many parts of the world. 

As popular as they are, they can cause gardeners a little trouble. First, they need very little light. They also require high humidity and a mellow watering schedule. Too much water and they’ll experience root rot. They thrive in extremely well-draining soil or even orchid mixes with lots of perlite and peat moss. 

Another easy thing to mess up is fertilizing your bird’s nest ferns. Only fertilize your plants in spring and summer and be extra careful not to overfeed them. Their leaves will turn brown and yellow and start to look deformed with too many nutrients. 

Gardenia

	botanical name Gardenia jasminoides
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-8’
	hardiness zones 7-11

Gardenias have irresistible floral aromas and lush greenery, making them a favorite houseplant for many gardeners. That said, they can be challenging, especially when it comes to changes in temperature, light, and humidity. 

You’ll have over 200 varieties to choose from, each with its own peculiarities. One of the most important things to think about before growing these houseplants is where you’ll grow them. Keep them in an area with just enough sun to encourage their blooms. 

Another reason they’re a little touch to grow is their pruning needs. Every summer, after they bloom, prune about three inches off the tips of their branches. With consistent pruning and attention to their environment, your gardenias will thrive indoors. 

Zebra Plant

	botanical name Aphelandra squarrosa
	sun requirements Bright indirect light
	height 4-6’
	hardiness zones 10-11

Zebra plants are popular houseplants for their glossy and zebra-patterned leaves. As beautiful as they are, they’re notoriously finicky, especially with watering. 

Give them just the right amount of water to keep them happy during the growing season. In the winter, when active growth slows down, keep the soil only slightly moist. Try using filtered water at room temperature to keep your plants extra happy. 

Besides watering, humidity is important. Zebra plants are from tropical regions of Brazil, where humidity stays high throughout the year. Use a humidifier so your home’s humidity stays upwards of 60% or 70%. Feed your plants with a balanced fertilizer blend and your plants should stay healthy. 

Banana

	botanical name Musa spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4-20’
	hardiness zones 8-11

Banana trees are originally from the jungles of Southeast Asia, where humidity, rainfall, and temperatures stay high throughout the year. To get them to thrive indoors, you’ll have to do your best to replicate their home environment in your home. 

The first issue you’ll probably have is providing enough sunlight for your plant to thrive. You’ll have to give them at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day. If that’s not possible in your home, don’t worry! You can try using grow lights to supplement the lost sunlight. 

Another reason they’re hard to grow indoors is their water schedules. These broad-leafed plants need a lot of water, but not too much. If their soil isn’t well-drained they can succumb to root rot. If you get everything right, bananas will grow vigorously indoors, giving you tropical-looking foliage and possibly fruit.