Okay, even the toughest plant is not indestructible, but with a few expert tips, you can beat the odds. That includes giving a potted friend too much sun — or too much H2O. "The roots can't handle the absorption and start to rot," she adds. Your best bet: Setting plants in gravel-filled saucers so they're not sitting in extra drainage water and built-up salt.

"My fake plants died because I did not pretend to water them."

-Mitch Hedberg

First obstacle: Why would you even want houseplants? For starters, they add style to your home. The following low-maintenance houseplants bring a welcome pop of green to your décor and with spiky or trailing leaves, or a bit of oomph near the windows.

Houseplants clean the air — always a bonus — and who knows? It could be like couples who get a dog before they have a baby — try out a few houseplants this year and you’ll move up to containers on the patio next spring, and a vegetable garden in the backyard the summer after that.

Before you bring any of these easy-to-care-for plants home, take stock of your domicile and then note the best placement for houseplants. Good light is crucial — choose a location that gets either morning (eastern) or afternoon (western) sun.

Afternoon sun can be intense, so be prepared to experiment once you bring your plants home by placing the pots varying distances from the window.

To avoid over-watering, coordinate with other members of your household and decide who shall be the Keeper of the Plants responsible for watering.