Methuselah, a Great Basin bristlecone pine in California’s White Mountains, has been aged at 4,854 years old based on ring counts. While houseplant owners can’t expect their green buddies to reach such epic ages, some indoor plants do stick around for a surprisingly long time.
So, how long do houseplants live? Well, it varies by plant type, growing conditions, and care. The oldest verified houseplant is an Eastern Cape giant cycad at Kew Gardens, going strong at 240 years young! If you’re dreaming of a Guinness World Record for the oldest houseplant, check out these 8 top long-lasting indoor plants.
Top 8 Houseplants That Live the Longest
1. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
These slow-growing succulents, native to Mozambique and South Africa, are easy to care for and symbolize good luck—earning them nicknames like fortune plant, lucky plant, or money tree. With proper care, they can live up to 100 years. Give them plenty of light, go easy on watering, and pinch them back if they get leggy. Your jade plant will bring good vibes (and maybe prosperity) for decades.
2. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
With their striking upright leaves, snake plants are tough to kill, making them perfect for beginners. Keep them in bright, indirect light and water only when the soil is completely dry. Most live around 10 years, but with great care, they can survive up to 25 years.
3. Christmas Cactus
These festive cacti can live a century—sometimes getting passed down through generations! They thrive in medium to bright indirect light and are easy to propagate. Let the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil dry before watering, and fertilize during the growing season. Getting them to bloom takes some effort, but when they do, you’ll enjoy six to eight weeks of vibrant flowers around the holidays.
4. Lithops
Discovered in 1811, these quirky succulents look more like tiny stones than plants. With over 37 known species (and more still being found), lithops thrive in low humidity and need minimal watering. They can live 40–50 years, often staying in the same pot for 10–20 years.
5. Schefflera (Umbrella Plant)
Grown for their lush, umbrella-like foliage, scheffleras can reach 10 feet (3 m) tall (though pruning keeps them manageable). They prefer medium to bright light and consistent temps (65–75°F / 18–24°C). Let the top half-inch (1 cm) of soil dry before watering, and avoid drafts. With good care, they can live 25+ years.
6. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
True to its name, this plant is nearly indestructible—thriving in low light, poor air quality, and varying temps. A slow grower, it produces just a few paddle-shaped leaves per year and rarely needs repotting. Some reports say it can live 50+ years.
7. Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica)
In the wild (Southeast Asia), rubber trees can survive over 100 years, but indoors, they usually last about a decade. They love bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, with large, glossy leaves adding tropical flair. Keep them away from drafts and maintain temps between 60–75°F (16–24°C). Water weekly and wipe leaves or use a humidifier to mimic their natural humidity.
8. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)
This quirky plant has palm-like leaves sprouting from a bulb-like base. In Mexico, they can grow 30 feet (9 m) tall, but indoors, they’re slow growers (under a foot/31 cm per year). They can live for decades—even a century! They tolerate low light and humidity, but overwatering is their biggest threat. Let the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil dry completely before watering—they can go weeks without water.
Final Thoughts
Most houseplants live 5–10 years, but some can reach 20+ years with the right care. Longevity depends partly on the plant type, but mostly on how well you meet its needs—light, water, soil, temperature, and humidity. Want your plants to thrive for years? Learn what each one loves and stick to it!