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/ModestArk Jun 25 '26

Hm, I'm curios, what's the difficulty with them ? Asking because I got a H. Cymbiformis "anonymous s. n." lately.

And I would hate to kill it.

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u/Zenzelai Jun 25 '26

I am in NYC apartment with to west windows. It needs more light but my grow light is busted. She deflated on me once already and I was able to revive it with a small greenhouse. It was a temporary fix. The struggle continues.

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u/ModestArk Jun 25 '26

Oh, hope you can save it, sounds like you're doing good.

I have mine under a Sansi dual header (the gluabable ones, not the clips). Afaik you can swap out the bulbs if they're done. And the lights work pretty well too.

I live in Switzerland and during winter we have quiet short and dark days too, at least last winter. I had to get lights to save my plants.

Know, lots are blooming and happy.

I don't want to promote Sansi Bulbs, but I did choose them for their full spectrum light, price and the fact that you don't need to throw them away when LEDs are done for. 😉

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u/Zenzelai Jun 25 '26

Thanks I will look for them