We Asked Experts About the Hardest Houseplants to Kill

Both Sabharwal and Sterling call out overwatering as the most common mistake people make that kills houseplants.

As a guard against overwatering, Sabharwal recommends pots with drainage, especially if you are a new plant parent. “Excess water often gets clogged at the bottom of pots with no drainage, and it can cause the plant roots to rot. With drainage holes, you should water your plants generously each time until the water starts to trickle out the bottom. Let the plant absorb what’s in its flow-through tray, and after a few hours, discard the remainder.”

Sterling touts EasyPlant’s signature self-watering pot system as a natural fix. “Customers don’t have to worry about overwatering.” Besides that, Sterling points to a bad habit folks have of starving plants of light. 

“Many people think that low light means their plant will thrive and continue to grow even if it’s only receiving an hour or two of light a day.” She explains, “In reality, most tropical houseplants can adapt to less-than-ideal natural light conditions, but they still need a consistent light source.”