The longest-lived plants in this list are mostly trees that survive for centuries or millennia in particular outdoor habitats—not plants suited to an ordinary home or garden. A jade plant is the practical houseplant choice, with a reported potential lifespan of up to 100 years. The figures below refer to different kinds of evidence, so they are examples of exceptional longevity, not a precise ranking.
How to compare plant lifespans
An age record for one tree is different from a species’ potential lifespan. Both differ from the persistence of a clonal colony, in which connected growth can continue as a shared genetic system across generations. The National Park Service describes bristlecones as individual trees whose living sections can persist as other sections die; that is not the same as treating a colony as one ancient individual. [National Park Service: Bristlecone Pine]
Records also depend on how age is established. Ring counts and estimates for trees exposed to harsh conditions may not match, and sources cite different specimens. Use the figures as source-specific records or lifespan claims, not as a settled contest for the oldest plant.
Six plants known for exceptional longevity
| Plant | Reported longevity | Growing context |
|---|---|---|
| Great Basin bristlecone pine | Methuselah: 4,765 years old, according to Bryce Canyon National Park’s 2024 profile. A separate Great Basin National Park account reports 4,862 counted rings and an estimated 4,900 years for the felled Prometheus tree. | Exposed, dry, rocky, high-elevation habitat; not an indoor plant. |
| Alerce | Yosemite National Park lists a 3,639-year age record in Chile; the page’s publication date is not stated. | Species-specific cultivation guidance is not established here. |
| Giant sequoia | Yosemite National Park names a 3,266-year specimen; UC Agriculture and Natural Resources reports individual trees up to 3,200 years. | Large outdoor tree with demanding moisture, soil, and light needs. |
| Monkey puzzle tree | UC Berkeley Botanical Garden says it can live for over 1,000 years. | Large outdoor tree associated with temperate and Mediterranean South American climates. |
| Western juniper | Yosemite National Park says it can live more than 1,000 years; publication date is not stated. | Large tree; check local suitability and care guidance. |
| Douglas-fir | Yosemite National Park says it can live more than 1,000 years; publication date is not stated. | Large landscape or forest tree; check regional suitability. |
1. Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva)
These pines grow on exposed, dry, rocky slopes and ridges at elevations of 6,500 to 11,000 feet, according to Bryce Canyon National Park. The park’s 2024 species profile gives Methuselah’s age as 4,765 years. Great Basin National Park’s account of Prometheus, a felled tree, reports 4,862 counted growth rings and an estimated age of 4,900 years; it notes that harsh conditions can mean some years leave no ring. Those are different trees and source-reported figures, not a single current record. [Bryce Canyon National Park] [Great Basin National Park]
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Slow growth in harsh conditions and the death of some sections while others remain alive help explain the species’ contorted appearance. Its habitat is highly specialized. Treat it as an outdoor tree for a suitable high-elevation climate, not a houseplant; consult local forestry or extension guidance before planting. The park profile is not a home-growing manual, so it does not establish a general watering or pruning schedule.
2. Alerce
Yosemite National Park lists an alerce age record of 3,639 years in Chile. The cited page does not provide planting instructions, so it is not enough to recommend this tree for an ordinary garden. Anyone considering it should first seek regional botanical or forestry advice. [Yosemite National Park: Trees]
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3. Giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum)
Yosemite National Park reports a 3,266-year specimen and says giant sequoias can exceed 3,000 years; UC Agriculture and Natural Resources gives individual trees a lifespan of up to 3,200 years. The natural range is a narrow set of groves on the western slope of California’s Sierra Nevada, and the two sources’ figures should be read as source-reported ages rather than a definitive ranking. [Yosemite National Park] [UC Agriculture and Natural Resources]
UCANR says giant sequoias need open sun and year-round soil moisture, and grow best in deep, well-drained sandy loam. Trees planted outside their natural range can be more susceptible to insects and disease. Their scale and regional needs make them a poor default choice for a small or unsuitable site.
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4. Monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana)
UC Berkeley Botanical Garden reports that monkey puzzle trees can live for over 1,000 years, grow to approximately 30 meters, and take up to 20 years to produce seeds. The garden’s example grove was raised from seed collected in Chile’s Nahuelbuta National Park. This is a large outdoor tree associated with temperate and Mediterranean parts of South America, including coastal Chile—not a small indoor plant. The garden feature does not establish exact soil, watering, or pruning instructions. [UC Berkeley Botanical Garden]
5. Western juniper
Yosemite National Park says western juniper can live more than 1,000 years. That is a lifespan claim, not a promise for a planted specimen. The cited source does not give species-specific planting instructions, so check local extension guidance for climate suitability and care. [Yosemite National Park]
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6. Douglas-fir
Yosemite National Park also says Douglas-fir can live more than 1,000 years. It is a large landscape or forest tree, not a compact choice for every property. The source does not provide a home-growing guide; consult regional forestry or extension guidance before choosing a site. [Yosemite National Park]
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A practical long-lived houseplant: jade
Jade (Crassula ovata) offers a more achievable form of longevity for a home gardener. Penn State Extension says it can live up to 100 years in its natural growth form—impressive for a houseplant, but far short of the tree records above. [Penn State Extension]
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Jade plant care
- Light: Give it a bright, sunny exposure. If moving it from subdued light, increase exposure gradually to reduce the risk of sunburn.
- Potting mix and container: Use very well-draining succulent mix. University of Connecticut notes that suitable mixes may include sand, grit, rock chips, organic matter, or perlite. A clay or ceramic pot can help support a top-heavy plant.
- Water: During active growth, water when the top inch or so of soil feels dry, then let excess water drain. Water less during cooler, shorter days; overwatering is a major risk.
- Repotting: The University of Connecticut suggests repotting about every two to three years. [University of Connecticut Extension]
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