9 Houseplants That Live So Long They Eventually Become Family Heirlooms

A variety of potted houseplants including Monstera and others in a sunlit indoor setting.

Houseplants have transformed from decorative elements to symbols of wellness, sustainability, and sometimes nostalgia.

 These quiet, green companions elevate your home’s aesthetic, purify the air, improve mental health, and bring a sense of calm to your space.

But imagine owning

 plants that don’t just beautify your home for a few years but thrive long enough to be passed down to the next generation. Enter the world of heirloom houseplants—long-living houseplants that hold emotional significance and can become cherished family treasures.

In this post, we explore the characteristics of heirloom houseplants, share nine exceptional varieties that can last decades (or longer), and offer tips on caring for these timeless treasures.  

What Makes a Plant an Heirloom Houseplant?  

Not every plant is heirloom material. Heirloom houseplants share a combination of longevity, beauty, and sentimentality that makes them unique. Here’s what to look for in these lasting green companions:

1. Longevity and Resilience

Heirloom houseplants are strong survivors. Many are naturally hardy and capable of adapting to changing indoor conditions over the years.

2. Low-Maintenance Care

One key appeal is the manageable care they require. These plants won’t demand a full-time gardener but thrive with moderate and consistent care.

3. Sentimental Value

Houseplants that are passed down within families often hold special memories. Whether they were a gift from a loved one or the result of years of care, their value grows through emotional connections.  

The Top 9 Heirloom Houseplants  

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria) 

A person potting a snake plant with soil and tools on a burlap mat.

 

  • Care Tips: Snake Plants are famous for low maintenance and can grow happily in bright and low-light areas. Water only when the soil is arid.
  • Why It Can Be an Heirloom: With a lifespan of decades, the Snake Plant is nearly indestructible and thrives on neglect. Its timeless sculptural leaves make it a minimalist favorite that grows more beautiful with age.

2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)  Pothos plant Money Plant

  • Growth Patterns: Also known as “Devil’s Ivy,” this trailing plant can grow to impressive lengths in pots or through water propagation.
  • Sentimental Value: Pothos plants are often shared among family members through cuttings, symbolizing connection and care. And with the proper maintenance, a single plant can easily survive for generations.

3. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)  

A close-up of a woman watering a Fiddle Leaf Fig in a woven pot with a brass watering can.

  • Popularity and Appeal: The Fiddle Leaf Fig’s bold, glossy leaves make it the centerpiece of any room. With proper care, it can grow into a magnificent indoor tree.
  • Ownership Stories: Passed down for decades, Fiddle Leaf Figs often carry with them stories of family milestones and memories.

 

4. Peace Lily peace lilies, ornamental plants, cusps, sheath leaf, spathiphyllum, exotic, spathiphyllum, spathiphyllum, spathiphyllum, spathiphyllum, spathiphyllum

                                                                                                                                       

  • Air Purification: Known for its ability to filter toxins from the air, the Peace Lily enhances both style and health in your home.
  • Symbolism: A plant often associated with peace and unity is gifted during significant life events, making it perfect for creating lasting connections.

 

5. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)  aglaonema, chinese evergreen, plant, nature, aglaonema, aglaonema, aglaonema, aglaonema, aglaonema, chinese evergreen, chinese evergreen, chinese evergreen, chinese evergreen

  • Varieties and Care: Chinese Evergreens come in a wide range of colors. They thrive in low light and require infrequent watering, making them almost foolproof.
  • Cultural Relevance: Considered to bring good luck and positivity in many cultures, the Chinese Evergreen often carries a warm sentimental legacy.

 

6. Spider Plant Vibrant spider plant with lush green leaves in an indoor setting, perfect for home decor.  

  • Propagation and Legacy: Spider Plants are known for producing “pups”—baby plants that can be easily propagated.
  • Why It’s Heirloom-Worthy: Families have shared Spider Plant cuttings for generations, ensuring its legacy continues to thrive.

 

7. Bonsai Tree  bonsai, tree, plant, nature, green, environment, eco, grow, small, japanese, growth, japan, leaves, miniature, garden, botany, ecology, zen, minimalist, pot, leaf, earth, hand, bonsai, bonsai, bonsai, bonsai, bonsai

  • Artistic Cultivation: Cultivating Bonsai is more than growing a plant; it’s an age-old art form that requires dedication and care.
  • Symbol of Tradition: With proper attention, Bonsai trees can live for centuries, representing patience, perseverance, and familial ties.

 

8. Rubber Plant Asian woman caring for houseplants, engaged in indoor gardening activities in a cozy room.

  • Resilience: Few houseplants are as resilient as the Rubber Plant. They thrive under neglect, making them a trusted choice for beginner growers.
  • Family Legacy: Rubber plants often feature in multigenerational homes, thanks to their ability to endure and grow with families over decades.

 

9. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia )  A woman holds a thriving green plant in a yellow pot, sitting on a red chair indoors.

  • Low Maintenance: The ZZ Plant thrives on minimal care, making it perfect for even the busiest households.
  • Generational Gem: With its glossy, carefree leaves and tenacity, the ZZ plant can bring life to family homes for generations.

 

How to Care for Heirloom Houseplants  

Even the most resilient plants need consistent care to thrive over decades. Follow these tips to keep your heirloom plants healthy for the long haul:

1. Consistency is Key

Stick to a regular watering and fertilizing schedule. Use well-draining soil and avoid overwatering, the most common cause of plant failure.

2. Provide Proper Lighting

Research your plants’ specific light requirements. Some thrive in indirect light, while others prefer bright, direct light to stay healthy.

3. Propagate to Sustain

Many heirloom plants can be propagated to ensure their legacy continues. Sharing cuttings with family members creates a lasting memory and expands the plant’s lifespan.

4. Report occasionally

Repotting your plant every few years will ensure it doesn’t become root-bound. Use a pot that allows the plant to grow but isn’t too large, which may lead to overwatering.

5. Protect from Pests

Look for pests like mealybugs and spider mites. Regularly clean plant leaves and use natural treatments when necessary to keep your greenery pest-free.  

Nurture Generations of Green Legacy  

Bringing heirloom houseplants into your home offers a unique opportunity to build a legacy of care, connection, and sustainability. Passed down from one hand to another, these time-honored plants embody beauty and the stories and bonds of the people who nurtured them.

If you’re ready to begin cultivating plants that may one day be part of your family’s history, build your collection of long-living houseplants. From the hardy Snake Plant to the artistic Bonsai, choose plants that inspire you and can grow alongside your family for years.  

Happy planting!