Well, you can, but only by using imaginary numbers:

\[\left[ x + \sqrt{-5} \right] \left[ x - \sqrt{-5} \right] = x^2 - \left(\sqrt{-5}\right)^2 = x^2 - (-5) = x^2 + 5.\]

The simplest way to show it can't factor over the reals is to note that it's a quadratic, so any nontrivial factor has to be linear; and zeros of polynomials correspond to linear factors and vice versa. A zero of a polynomial is a value $x$ such that $P(x) = 0.$

But $x^2 + 5$ is always greater than or equal to 5, hence strictly greater than 0. Thus it has no zeros and does not factor.

Good Hunting!
RD