16 Long-Lasting Heirloom Houseplants That Live For Decades – Some Up To 100 Years!

Read this guide if you want plants that last for a long time, often decades, and some up to a century! Unlike the trendy hothouse flowers that come and go with each season’s Instagram posts, these long-lasting, heirloom houseplants are the steady, reliable companions that grow more precious and charming with age. They’re the houseplant equivalent of a vintage wine collection or a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet.

Sound intriguing?

Then let’s explore 16 long-lasting heirloom plants that can live for decades, generations, or even centuries!

16 Best Heirloom Houseplants That Can Last Decades, A Century, Or More

Here are the top 16 long-lasting heirloom houseplants that will reward your care with decades or even a century of natural beauty.

Important Safety Note: Several heirloom houseplants in this guide (including Sago Palm, ZZ Plant, and some Hoyas) contain compounds that are toxic to children and pets if ingested. Always research plant toxicity and place potentially harmful plants out of reach of children and animals.

1. Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) – The Ancient Survivor

With a potential indoor lifespan of up to 50 to 100 years indoors, the Sago Palm isn’t technically a palm at all. It’s a cycad – making it a living fossil that has remained (shockingly) essentially unchanged for millions of years. What makes it truly special for homesteaders is its incredible resilience. It can tolerate neglect, low light, and infrequent watering. Please remember that all parts are toxic to pets and people! So proper placement is crucial.

• Lifespan: Can survive up to 50 to 100 years indoors with proper care.
• Plant Size: Grows very slowly. It can easily reach 2 to 4 feet tall indoors, with a trunk diameter of 6 to 12 inches.
• Foliage: Glossy, dark green, feathery fronds that emerge in symmetrical whorls from the central trunk.
• Sunlight Needs: Tolerates low to medium light. Prefers bright, indirect light. But avoid direct sun.

This slow-growing beauty also has an intricate design. It develops a thick, textured trunk crowned with glossy, feathery fronds that emerge in perfect symmetry.

2. Cast-Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) – The Indestructible Victorian

There’s a reason this plant earned its “cast-iron” moniker during the Victorian era. It thrives in conditions that would make other houseplants wither and die. This unassuming beauty boasts broad, lance-shaped leaves that can withstand deep shade, temperature fluctuations, and sporadic watering. For busy homesteaders or those still learning their green thumb, the Aspidistra is forgiving and a superb, long-lasting choice.

• Lifespan: Can live 50 to 100+ years with minimal care requirements.
• Plant Size: Often grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. It forms dense clumps over time.
• Foliage: Broad, lance-shaped, dark green leaves that arch gracefully from the base.
• Sunlight Needs: Extremely adaptable. Thrives in deep shade to medium light, avoiding direct sun.

Cast-iron plants are the perfect starter heirloom for anyone wanting to begin a plant legacy without the pressure of perfectionist care.

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3. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) – The Living Lucky Charm

Often called the “money tree” or “friendship plant,” the Jade Plant can survive for over a century! It develops a thick, tree-like trunk and glossy, oval leaves that store water like little green gems. They’re also shockingly easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. So you can create an entire family of jade plants as gifts for friends and loved ones. As they age, they develop character-filled, gnarled branches that give them an almost bonsai-like appearance.

• Lifespan: Can live 50+ years, with some exceptional specimens reaching 100 years.
• Plant Size: Can grow 3 to 6 feet tall indoors, developing a thick trunk over decades.
• Foliage: Thick, glossy, oval-shaped succulent leaves in jade green, sometimes with red edges.
• Sunlight Needs: Prefers bright, indirect light. Can handle some direct morning sun.

Plus, with proper care, jade plants reward you with delicate star-shaped flowers.

4. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) – The Whimsical Water-Saver

The Ponytail Palm resembles something out of a fairy tale or a Dr. Seuss book. That’s primarily because of its epic bulbous trunk base with cascading fountain of narrow leaves. That swollen base isn’t just for show. It’s a water storage system that makes this plant incredibly drought-tolerant, ideal for those with forgetful watering habits or those living off the grid. Native to Mexico, it can live several decades to around 100 years indoors, slowly developing more character as its trunk expands and its “ponytail” of leaves grows fuller.

• Lifespan: Several decades to around 100 years indoors with proper care.
• Plant Size: Grows 3 to 6 feet tall indoors.
• Foliage: Long, narrow, strap-like leaves. They cascade from the trunk top like a ponytail.
• Sunlight Needs: Prefers bright, indirect light but adapts to medium light conditions.

Ponytail Palms are excellent conversation starters! They also add a touch of intrigue to any room while requiring minimal care.

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5. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera spp.) – The Holiday Heirloom

Few plants capture the holiday spirit like the Christmas Cactus! These magnificent specimens bloom faithfully every holiday season for up to 50 years or more. These aren’t your typical desert cacti. They’re tropical epiphytes with flat, segmented stems. The real magic happens when they burst into vibrant blooms of pink, red, white, or purple flowers.

• Lifespan: Can live up to 50 years, blooming annually with proper care.
• Plant Size: Grows 1 to 2 feet tall and wide, with cascading segmented stems.
• Foliage: Flat, segmented, leaf-like stems that are bright green and slightly serrated.
• Sunlight Needs: Prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct afternoon sun.

They’re another easily propagated houseplant, simply by breaking off segments. They’re perfect for sharing the holiday spirit. Literally!

6. Snake Plant (Sansevieria) – The Air-Purifying Sentinel

Snake Plants stand tall like green soldiers! They can also live 25 years or more, thanks to their sword-like leaves and incredible resilience. NASA named them one of the top air-purifying plants. Snake plants suck toxins like benzene and formaldehyde from your home’s air while you sleep. For homesteaders focused on creating healthy living spaces, this dual function of beauty and air purification is invaluable.

• Lifespan: Known to live for 25 years or more with minimal care.
• Plant Size: Varies by variety, but most indoor types grow to 2 to 4 feet tall.
• Foliage: Has stiff, upright, sword-like leaves that are dark green with horizontal bands of lighter green or yellow edges.
• Sunlight Needs: Very adaptable. Can tolerate low light. But, snake plants prefer medium to bright, indirect light.

Additionally, snake plants propagate readily and produce new shoots that can be divided and shared.

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7. Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica) – The Stately Giant

The Rubber Tree starts as a modest houseplant but can grow into a stunning indoor tree over several decades. This dazzling plant boasts glossy, oval leaves that can reach dinner-plate size. In their native habitat, these giants can live over 100 years and grow to massive proportions. However, indoors, they maintain a more manageable size. Even when contained in a pot, they still provide a dramatic, architectural presence.

• Lifespan: Often decades indoors, 100+ years in native habitat with proper care.
• Plant Size: Can reach 6 to 10 feet tall indoors, potentially larger with a higher ceiling.
• Foliage: Large, glossy, oval-shaped leaves that can grow 8 to 12 inches long, with a deep green color.
• Sunlight Needs: Adaptable to medium to bright, indirect light. Tolerates some direct morning sun.

As rubber trees mature, they develop a beautiful branching structure that makes them living sculptures in your home.

8. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) – The Instagram-Famous Beauty

Fiddle leaf figs are notoriously challenging and may not be ideal for beginners seeking low-maintenance heirloom plants. They require consistent care and are sensitive to changes in watering, light, and location. However, when you meet their needs, they can survive for several decades indoors and develop into stunning statement plants with massive, violin-shaped leaves.

• Lifespan: Several decades indoors with consistent, proper care.
• Plant Size: Can grow 6 to 10 feet tall indoors, developing a tree-like structure over time.
• Foliage: Large, violin-shaped leaves that can reach 12 to 18 inches long, with prominent veining.
• Sunlight Needs: Prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch leaves.

Their broad leaves make excellent natural art pieces, and mature plants develop a wonderful branching habit.

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9. Monstera (Monstera deliciosa) – The Swiss Cheese Climber

The Monstera is another stunning specimen. It has distinctive split and perforated leaves, which develop as the plant matures, a process that can take several decades indoors. These natural “windows” in the leaves are beautiful and also an adaptation that helps the plant withstand robust winds in its native habitat. As climbing plants, they can be trained up moss poles or allowed to trail, eventually developing aerial roots that add to their wild, jungle-like appearance.

• Lifespan: Decades indoors, if kept healthy, potentially exceeding 40 years.
• Plant Size: Can grow 6 to 8 feet tall and wide indoors, with larger dimensions when supported by structures.
• Foliage: Large, heart-shaped leaves that develop splits and holes as they mature, with a deep green color.
• Sunlight Needs: They prefer medium to bright, indirect light. But tolerates lower light conditions.

Monstera are easy to care for and propagate readily from cuttings. They’re perfect for sharing with fellow plant enthusiasts.

10. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) – The Generous Producer

While individual Spider Plants may not live as long as some others on this list, their incredible ability to produce “babies” or plantlets means your original plant can essentially live forever through its offspring. These cheerful plants with their arching, striped leaves are incredibly forgiving and adaptable to various light conditions. Their true superpower is how easily they share their abundance. The dangling plantlets can be rooted in water and potted up for friends, neighbors, or family members.

• Lifespan: Individual plants live 10 to 20 years, but propagate easily for continuous lineage.
• Plant Size: Grows 12 to 24 inches tall and wide, with long, arching leaves.
• Foliage: Narrow, arching leaves with green and cream stripes, producing cascading plantlets.
• Sunlight Needs: Very adaptable. Thrives in medium to bright, indirect light.

Many Spider Plant lineages can be traced back through families for generations, making them true living heirlooms, despite their relatively short lifespan.

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11. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) – The Victorian Favorite

Popular since the Victorian era, Parlor Palms have graced homes for over a century and can live for many decades indoors. These elegant palms bring a touch of tropical greenery to any space with their delicate, arching fronds and compact growth habit. They’re perfect for cozy interiors or homes with limited natural light.

• Lifespan: Can live for decades indoors, sometimes 50+ years with proper care.
• Plant Size: Grows 2 to 6 feet tall indoors, maintaining a compact, bushy appearance.
• Foliage: Delicate, feathery fronds with narrow leaflets that arch gracefully from multiple stems.
• Sunlight Needs: Thrives in low to medium, indirect light. Perfect for dimmer corners.

Their enduring popularity since Victorian times speaks to their reliability as long-term houseplant companions.

12. Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) – The Living Christmas Tree

Norfolk Island Pine trees are living ‘mini trees’ that can survive for multiple decades with proper care. Native to Norfolk Island in the Pacific, these conifers bring the majesty of the forest indoors while maintaining a manageable size. For families who love the idea of having their own indoor Christmas tree that grows more beautiful each year, the Norfolk Island Pine is unmatched.

• Lifespan: Can live 50 years or more indoors with consistent care.
• Plant Size: Grows slowly to 6 to 8 feet indoors while maintaining its classic evergreen shape.
• Foliage: Soft, needle-like leaves arranged in symmetrical, tiered whorls around the branches.
• Sunlight Needs: Prefers bright, indirect light. It can tolerate medium light but grows more slowly.

The Norfolk Island Pine is the ultimate living decoration, growing more majestic with each passing holiday season.

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13. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) – The Indestructible Modern Classic

The ZZ Plant is nearly indestructible! However, all parts are mildly toxic to pets and humans if ingested. This African native can survive in almost any light condition, tolerates drought like a champion, and bounces back from neglect. They’re also capable of lasting decades with minimal intervention. But these plants are very slow-growing. And it may be less romantic than some traditional heirloom plants. However, its glossy, architectural leaves and extreme resilience have made it a modern classic.

• Lifespan: Can live for decades with minimal care, exhibiting extreme resilience.
• Plant Size: Grows 2 to 4 feet tall, forming attractive clumps of upright stems.
• Foliage: Glossy, dark green, oval leaflets arranged along thick, succulent-like stems.
• Sunlight Needs: Extremely adaptable. Thrives in low to bright, indirect light.

Though less fancy than some traditional houseplant choices, the ZZ plant’s bulletproof nature makes it an ideal starter heirloom for the modern world.

14. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) – The Healing Legacy

Individual aloe vera rosettes may not live centuries. Still, like spider plants, they create pups endlessly, keeping a family lineage alive indefinitely while providing practical benefits that have made them treasured for thousands of years. Beyond their longevity through reproduction, these succulent healing plants offer a unique advantage. They are both beautiful and functional. Their gel-filled leaves provide a natural remedy for burns, cuts, and skin irritation.

• Lifespan: Individual plants live 5 to 25 years, but propagate readily for an infinite lineage.
• Plant Size: Grows 1 to 2 feet tall and wide, forming rosettes of thick, fleshy leaves.
• Foliage: Thick, succulent leaves with serrated edges, filled with healing gel.
• Sunlight Needs: Prefers bright, indirect light. Can handle some direct morning sun.

Having an aloe plant means having access to natural first aid that can be shared with every generation.

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15. Clivia (Clivia miniata) – The Patient Bloomer

Known for their remarkable longevity, Clivia plants are often passed down in families for generations, with some specimens continuing to bloom faithfully for 50+ years or more. These South African natives are renowned for their patience. They can take several years to reach blooming maturity. But once they do, they reward their caretakers with stunning clusters of orange, red, or yellow trumpet-shaped flowers that appear with clockwork precision each year.

• Lifespan: Often passed down through generations, individuals can thrive for 50 years or more with care and support.
• Plant Size: Grows 1 to 2 feet tall and wide, forming clumps of arching leaves.
• Foliage: Dark green, strap-shaped leaves that arch gracefully from the base.
• Sunlight Needs: Clivia wants medium to bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun.

They flower beautifully, too, making them both long-lived and rewarding for patient gardeners.

16. Hoyas (Hoya carnosa and others) – The Wax Plant Survivors

Wax plants can live for decades. These vining succulents are beloved for their thick, waxy leaves and incredibly fragrant, star-shaped flower clusters that look almost too perfect to be real. Hoyas are climbers by nature, so they can be trained to climb trellises, allowed to trail from hanging baskets, or even shaped into living sculptures over time.

• Lifespan: Can live for many decades. Many specimens from the 1940s and 1950s continue to thrive today.
• Plant Size: Vining habit, can grow 6+ feet long with support or trail gracefully.
• Foliage: Thick, waxy, heart-shaped or oval leaves, often with variegated patterns.
• Sunlight Needs: Prefers bright, indirect light. Needs good light for flowering.

Many collectors treasure their vintage Hoyas as living connections to previous generations of plant lovers.

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Conclusion

Imagine gifting a cutting from your 50-year-old Christmas Cactus to a grandchild, or watching your Jade Plant develop the character and presence of an actual tree over the years. These plants become witnesses to our lives, growing alongside our families and creating living memories that can be shared for generations to come!

What about you?

• Will you grow an heirloom houseplant?
• Which long-lasting houseplant will you grow?
• Do you know of any other long-lasting heirloom plants that can live for a long time?

Thanks for reading.

Have a great day!

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