Jan. 4--In my line of work, I've heard confessions of murder from dozens of otherwise decent folks. They've come clean about killing cactuses and lamented about offing orchids. The culprits typically accept their guilt and self-flagellate for awhile before ultimately swearing off houseplants forever. But the truth is no plant was created to live indoors. Houseplants are really tropical plants that we've decided to domesticate, oftentimes many horticultural zones away from their homes. It's no wonder, then, that so many are massacred by good-intentioned homeowners who, through no fault of their own, lack sufficient sunlight or areas away from drafty windows or radiators. Here, then, are eight low-maintenance houseplants that practically take care of themselves. No green thumb required.

1 ZZ PLANT (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

ZZs command attention with glossy foliage and an upright habit. They thrive in lowlight conditions and don't require a lot of water. Go on, let them go dry. You just can't kill them. Though they can reach 3 feet in height, ZZs are slow growers. Keep them well drained, away from bright light and don't overwater. You can almost forget about them once you've brought them home.

Life span: several years

2 FLAMINGO FLOWER (Anthurium Pacora)

A real eye-catcher sporting big red flowers (bracts, really) with white spadices, Pacora doesn't need any sunlight and blooms fairly easily with just a little fertilizer.

Life span: 5-plus years

3 CHINESE EVERGREEN (Aglaonema)

With its smooth, glossy, sometimes variegated or mottled leaves, Aglaonema tolerates low light like a champ. Keep soil lightly moist at all times and fertilize monthly (every 6 weeks during winter.)

Life span: 10-plus years

4 POTHOS (Epipremnum aureum)

Long vining stems with glossy heart-shaped leaves trail over the side of the pot and can grow up to eight feet long. Trim them as you see fit. Because pothos thrives without much sunlight, it's the perfect choice for artificially lit settings, like your office. Allow to dry out between waterings and fertilize twice a month (once a month in winter.)

Life span: 10-plus years

5 SNAKE PLANT (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Virtually indestructible, this low-maintenance plant also is called mother-in-law's tongue, presumably because of its sharp, sword-shaped leaves and because you can't get rid of it. Tolerates low light and neglect. Water sparingly -- only once or twice over the winter -- to avoid rot. Variegated varieties aren't as low-maintenance. Doesn't really need much fertilizer but will do best with monthly half-strength feedings in summer and fall.