The houseplant that’s actually impossible to kill and costs as cheap as $4

IF you’re someone who dreams of lush greenery in your home but struggles to keep anything alive, not all hope is lost.

There’s even one low-maintenance houseplant that’s nearly impossible to kill — and will even TELL you when it needs some TLC.

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Garden expert Petar Ivanov of Fantastic Services has crowned the paddle plant as the ultimate indoor greenery for beginners or serial killers.

Scientifically known as kalanchoe thyrsiflora, it is a species of flowering plant native to Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa and Eswatini.

It gets its nickname from its paddle-shaped leaves.

Fortunately, paddle plants don’t just survive neglect; they thrive on it.

They have thick, fleshy leaves that are designed to store water for long periods of time.

You can go without watering for weeks and they will still look beautiful.

The biggest danger is actually giving it too much love, as too much water is the most common cause of paddle plant death.

The leaves begin to wrinkle slightly and soften when the plant is thirsty, letting you know it’s time for a drink.

Paddle plants are also not a favorite snack for most insects.

The waxy and thick paddle-like leaves act as a natural barrier to pests, making it harder for creepy crawlies to set up camp.

The slow-growing nature of paddy plants means you don’t need to repot them often, and they aren’t fussy about specific soils, as long as it drains well.

A general cactus or succulent mix works fine.

You can also combine them with similar low-maintenance plants if you have a garden.

Petar explains: “Companion planting is an efficient way of gardening, because it involves planting greenery that goes well together and helps each other grow optimally.

Garden work in October

Veronica Lorraine, garden editor for The Sun, has shared the jobs you need to tackle this October.

“It’s a good time to prune deciduous hedges – such as boxwood, yew, hawthorn, hornbeam and beech – and hedge trimmers are a great upper body workout!

Make a leaf shape: Collect all fallen leaves and fill garbage bags or plastic carrier bags. Seal the top, poke a few small holes in the bag and store for a year or more. Free compost!

You’re unlikely to get any more red tomatoes, so harvest one more time and throw the plants into the compost. See if you can ripen the green ones by putting a drawer in them (some say with a banana). Save the seeds from a few too – and plant them again next year if they have gone well.

Finish bringing in your spring bulbs. Ideally you would have planted daffodils and alliums, but tulips are better in the open ground when the soil temperature gets a bit colder.

It is good to leave some plant waste in the ground; this adds nutrients as it rots, providing shelter and food for insects. But remove the dingy brown bits that are collapsing all over the lawn/winter structure.

Mulch – it not only suppresses weeds, but also keeps the soil warm, improves water retention and adds a little winter comfort to your outdoor space.

October is a good month for carrots, peas, asparagus, broad beans and rhubarb.”

“Certain combinations can make other plants more productive because they have complementary nutritional needs and growth patterns.

“It can also improve plant and soil health and repel pests.”

You can buy a paddle plant for just €4 at an online houseplant store, Between two thorns.

One leaf reads: “The Kalanchoe thyrsiflora ‘Flapjack’ has large, fleshy green leaves that are paddle-shaped and can change color to a pink blush in the sun.

“The leaves have a green-gray color in the shape of a rosette and are about ten to ten centimeters long, but can grow up to 12 to 18 centimeters.

“This plant is native to South Africa and grows in moderately dry areas.”