13 Houseplants You Should Water Very Rarely

Different types of plants need different amounts of moisture. Overwatering some of them can lead to a disaster! Houseplant enthusiast Melissa Strauss has an important list of houseplants to water sparingly so you can avoid a bad case of root rot.

A woman in a yellow sweater waters a cactus in a white pot from a white watering can, a houseplant that is watered rarely.

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If you’ve ever killed a plant with kindness, you likely know the perils of overwatering. The most common killer of houseplants is root rot, caused by overwatering and poor drainage. While some plants like their soil to remain moist, there are many that need to dry out between waterings. 

Overwatering can happen to anyone, and it can be difficult to diagnose. Often, the symptoms of overwatering appear the same as not giving enough moisture. Leaves may become droopy and wilted, which prompts more watering and makes the issue worse. I might be the only person I know who’s ever killed a snake plant, and if you’ve got one, you probably know that I didn’t do it by letting it dry out too much.

There are three factors to making sure you don’t run into this issue. Know your plants, pot them correctly, and let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Potting correctly means making sure that the soil and the container drain properly. When it comes to letting the soil dry, poke your finger about an inch into the soil. If it’s not damp, it’s ok to water. 

Here is a list of some of the more common houseplants that need infrequent attention when it comes to water. Some of them are probably obvious, but others may come as a surprise!

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Snake Plant

Upright, sword-like green leaves with dark horizontal stripes grow from a compact base in a pot.
It thrives in low light and needs little attention.
botanical-name botanical name Dracaena trifasciata
sun-requirements sun requirements Bright indirect light
height height 1’-4’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10-12

This is a great one for beginners, so there’s a good chance you’ve already got one. Snake plants have large, semi-succulent leaves that hold quite a bit of moisture in them. They are sturdy and wonderfully low-maintenance. Tolerant of lower lighting conditions, they make good additions to the office with limited windows.

Their moisture storage ability means that they don’t need attention often. In fact, their soil can dry completely and remain that way for a while without causing any damage. They also have fine roots, which can quickly fall victim to fungus, which thrives in wet potting material. Every two to three weeks should be enough during the growing season. In winter, you can reduce it to once per month. 

Jade Tree

Thick, glossy green leaves with a smooth texture grow in a branching pattern on a short, woody stem in a white pot.
It enjoys dry conditions and doesn’t need frequent watering.
botanical-name botanical name Crassula ovata
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 2’-9’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10-12

A true succulent, jade tree can handle some dry conditions. Not only do they hold moisture in their fleshy leaves, but they also have fine and somewhat vulnerable roots. These slow-growing beauties do not like wet feet at all. 

The amount of light your jade tree gets, and the temperature in your home will dictate how quickly the soil dries out. Unless your home is very dry, aim to water this one every two to three weeks in its growing season. Reduce it to once monthly in the winter while it is dormant and does not take in a lot of resources. 

ZZ Plant

Shiny, dark green leaves with a waxy finish grow from sturdy stems, forming a bushy appearance.
It is a resilient plant that thrives on minimal care and light.
botanical-name botanical name Zamioculcas zamiifolia
sun-requirements sun requirements Bright indirect light
height height 2’-3’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 9-10

ZZ is a great beginner plant because it handles a wide range of conditions and doesn’t require a great deal of attention or care. It’s slow-growing and stores moisture in its leaves and underground rhizomatic roots. This is another great addition to spaces with limited natural light. 

Allow the soil to dry between waterings, and aim for every two to three weeks. Again, this depends on the indoor climate. If the humidity is low or your ZZ is getting more sun exposure, it will dry out faster. Watch for drooping leaves, as this is a sign of dehydration. Yellowing leaves are a sign of root rot. 

Aloe Vera

Long, thick, fleshy green leaves with spiky edges grow from a rosette at the base of the plant in a white pot on the windowsill.
It stores moisture, so it needs little care indoors.
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 1’-2’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10-12

Aloe vera is native to Sub-Saharan Africa, where it is accustomed to storing up moisture for later use. The plump, fleshy leaves tell the tale when you slice them open and see that they are full of a gelatinous liquid. This applies to all types of aloe, not just the most common one. 

Outdoors, I water my aloe about once per week, more in the summer. Indoors, they need far less attention. Though they do need ample exposure, watering every two weeks during the growth season should suffice. In winter, reduce to once monthly. Make sure they have well-draining soil and a container with drainage holes. 

Living Stones

Round, smooth, grayish-green, purple and pink leaves with distinctive cracks that resemble stones grow in clumps in a white ceramic pot.
Let them rest during summer and winter dormancy periods.
botanical-name botanical name Lithops spp.
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 1”-2”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10-11

I will never look at these succulents without thinking about the stone people from the movie Frozen. If you know, you know. They look like they could just pop up and say hello! These little plants are highly efficient when it comes to water and nutrients and rarely need attention from their caretakers. 

Living stones, or lithiops, have two dormant periods: summer and winter. They start to grow in spring, which is when you should water every two to three weeks. In mid-summer, they rest, so you should reduce to once per month. Resume watering as usual in late summer and through the fall before stopping completely for the winter dormancy. 

Cast Iron

Long, broad, dark green leaves with a waxy texture grow from thick, upright stems in a decorative pot against a white wall.
Ideal for indoors, it loves moderate light and warmth.
botanical-name botanical name Aspidistra elatior
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 1’-3’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 7-11

The name says it all here: cast iron is tough and adapts easily to difficult conditions. It’s not worried about humidity and can handle moderately low light. They are happiest between 60 and 80°F (16-27°C), so they are ideal for inside the house. 

When it comes to water, cast iron prefers lightly moist soil. However, as with other environmental factors, it’s quite adaptable. Cast iron will be fine until the soil is about 75% dry. Just try not to let it dry out entirely. 

Ponytail Palm

Long, thin, arching leaves emerge from a single thick trunk, creating a fountain-like shape in a decorative pot.
It prefers bright light and handles lower humidity gracefully.
botanical-name botanical name Beaucarnea recurvata
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 6’-8’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10-11

Ponytail palms, and palms in general, are efficient with moisture. They store it in their large trunks so they are able to tolerate periods of drought. They’re also not bothered by lower humidity, which is a refreshing change from many tropical houseplants.

Make sure to keep your ponytail palm near a brightly lit window. They like a lot of light. Avoid wet soil by watering every two weeks during the growth phase, and reduce it to once per month in the winter. 

String of Pearls

Tiny, bead-like green leaves grow along trailing, string-like stems, creating a cascading effect in a decorative gray pot on a stylish black stand.
It thrives with infrequent watering and indirect sunlight conditions.
botanical-name botanical name Curio rowleyanus
sun-requirements sun requirements Bright indirect light
height height 1’-2’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 9-12

String of pearls is a succulent with round, fleshy leaves that store moisture. Their roots are sensitive to root rot, so overwatering can prove fatal to this sweet little plant. Keep your string of pearls out of direct sun, which can burn the foliage. 

Test the top inch of the soil to determine how often to water in your home environment. It should be dry about an inch down. This should work out to be about once every two to three weeks from spring through fall and once per month in the winter. 

Echeveria

Rosette of thick, fleshy, pale green to blue-green leaves with smooth edges and a waxy coating, tinged with a subtle pinkish hue at the tips.
Exposing it to the sun adds a beautiful, light stress response.
botanical-name botanical name Echeveria spp.
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 4”-6”
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 9-12

Echeveria is another common succulent that many people love as a houseplant. There are many varieties, and most of them blush lightly when exposed to direct sun and cool weather. This is a stress response, but not all stress is negative. A small amount can be beautiful in this case. 

 Like other succulents, echeveria stores moisture in its fleshy leaves. The rule for this plant is to water deeply but infrequently. Make sure your pot has good drainage, and give it a good soaking once every two to three weeks. Then, allow the soil to almost completely dry out. 

Burro’s Tail

Long, narrow, fleshy leaves with a bluish-green hue cascade from trailing stems in a hanging pot against a blurred green background.
Avoid overwatering to protect its delicate roots from rot.
botanical-name botanical name Sedum morganianum
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 1’-4’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10-11

Burro’s tail, also called donkey’s tail, is a trailing succulent with small, fleshy leaves that grow in a tight rosette on long draping stems. They are gorgeous but a bit delicate, as touching them too much can knock the foliage off. 

Fortunately, they don’t require much attention, so there is little reason to do much touching. Their fine roots are susceptible to root rot, so they won’t tolerate wet feet. Use the same method as with echeveria, soak and dry. Water it deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry between. 

Haworthia

Short, thick, dark green leaves with white-stripped markings form rosettes, growing in a compact arrangement in a white decorative pot.
A well-draining container is key to a healthy plant.
botanical-name botanical name Haworthia and Haworthiopsis spp.
sun-requirements sun requirements Bright indirect light
height height 4”-1’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 9-11

You could easily mistake haworthia for a type of aloe. They have a similar form with a tight rosette of long, fleshy, succulent leaves. Naturally, these leaves store moisture for your haworthia, so it doesn’t need you to worry about it often. 

Soak and dry is best for haworthias. When you do water, soak the soil thoroughly, then allow it to drain completely. A container with ample drainage is imperative for most succulents. Repeat when the top inch of the potting medium is dry, and reduce to once monthly in the winter while it is dormant. 

Corn Plant

Long, sword-like green leaves with variegated patterns grow from tall, upright central stems in a white pot against a display counter with various decorative flower pots.
Less frequent watering in winter keeps this plant happy.
botanical-name botanical name Dracaena fragrans
sun-requirements sun requirements Bright indirect light
height height Up to 15’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10-11

Corn plants have a palm-like appearance, growing tall trunks with a burst of strap-like leaves at the top. They are wonderful for beginners and lower-light situations. They’re adaptable to different conditions, though they do prefer a slightly humid environment.

These plants store water in their trunk, so they are efficient when it comes to moisture. As it gets larger, your plant may need watering more frequently in the warmer months. Every 10 days should be sufficient in most cases. In the winter, reduce to every three to four weeks. 

Cacti

A variety of different potted cacti in white ceramic pots stand on a table.
Keep soil dry between waterings for thriving, happy plants.
botanical-name botanical name Cactaceae
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height Varies widely
hardiness-zones hardiness zones Varies by genus

This one ought to be obvious, but it bears mentioning. All types of cacti are sensitive to overwatering. While some, like Christmas cactus, prefer a bit more moisture, it’s typically more concerned with humidity. Other types of cacti need dry weather and dry soil to remain healthy. 

For the majority of cacti, water sparingly even during their active growth periods. Every three to four weeks should be plenty. In the winter, reduce to almost no watering at all. Once every six weeks is plenty. Make sure that the soil dries between waterings. 

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