Overwatering is the most common cause of houseplant death, particularly for beginners who are trying to do everything right. The instinct to nurture and the instinct to water a plant is the same, but overwatering can cause yellowing leaves and drooping. Once you understand this, keeping houseplants becomes less stressful. Plant educator Emily Bergman identifies three traits that define a genuinely forgiving plant: resilience, adaptability, and low-maintenance care that requires no specialized tools or advanced knowledge. The most underrated plant is low-light Chinese evergreen, which produces white blooms and leaves for little return to reach pets.