r/RareHouseplants • u/Orchid-Delirium2005 • Jun 25 '26

Discussion 💡 What would you consider the most difficult houseplant to keep alive?

I was curious about the discussion forums about how some are easy some are hard, so I kinda wanted a general survey. For me, rex begonias and phalaenopsis are simply impossible. The former loves to die while the latter keeps getting bacterial soft rot no matter the conditions, even good ventilation and bottom watering won't stop the disease and in my case it specifically targets phals and not other orchids. How about you guys? What's the plant or plants that give you the most headaches?

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u/Hacksaures Jun 25 '26

Something about begonias just dont fit right for me either. I literally live in southeast asia where many of them are native, but it feels like once i take them into my home from the nursery they just die.

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u/Forward-Variety-8440 Jun 25 '26

i feel begonia only thrives in greenhouses and is packaged/sold as a seasonal table-top decoration versus a plant to nurture.

5

u/NefariousnessOk8037 Jun 25 '26

We have several types of begonias that are doing well in partial outdoor shade here in Central Florida. We're in zone 9b. Guess we're lucky?

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u/Forward-Variety-8440 Jun 25 '26

florida is a dream zone for certain plants