Best Plants for Dorm Rooms | Photo by Jessica Fugett | The Wright State Guardian
Adding plants to a bedroom is an easy way to decorate and freshen the air. However, students might have a difficult time keeping their houseplants alive if they are always busy.
Here are the six easiest plants to keep alive in dorms and bedrooms, no matter how busy or distracted students are.
Jade Plant
Sunlight
Jade plants need full, bright sun, so placing them on a windowsill or in front of a window is the best option.
Water
Because jade plants are succulents, allow their soil to drain properly and water when soil becomes slightly dry to the touch. During the winter in lower temperatures, this plant needs watering less.
Interesting fact
The jade plant represents financial luck and is often a housewarming gift in Asia because of the positive energy.
Kalanchoe
Sunlight
Kalanchoe plants need bright, indirect sunlight. The best place to keep this plant is on a desk or shelf near a natural light source. Do not place kalanchoe plants directly in or near windows as the direct heat can be damaging.
Water
Because this plant is a succulent, it does not need to be constantly watered. Water when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch.
Interesting fact
Kalanchoe plants are part of the succulent family yet they bloom flowers.
Peace Lily
Sunlight
Peace lilies like partial shade and can actually tolerate fluorescent light which makes them perfect for dim dorm rooms. The best place for this plant is on a desk or dresser away from a bright light source.
Watering
Peace lilies sag slightly when they are dehydrated, letting you know exactly when they need to be watered. In the summer they can be misted in between waterings. Water less in the winter.
Interesting fact
This plant can reach three feet tall so they make good floor plants once fully grown.
Snake Plant
Sunlight
Snake plants can handle almost any type of light that they are placed in. However, the best lighting is indirect as harsh direct lighting can be harmful. As long as a room gets decent natural lighting throughout the day, snake plants can be placed anywhere.
Watering
This plant is from the desert, so over-watering can easily lead to rotting. The best way to water snake plants is by allowing the soil to dry completely before watering.
Interesting fact
Snake plants help purify the air and make the overall air quality in the room better.
Spider Plant
Sunlight
Spider plants do best in bright lighting, so keeping them on a windowsill or hanging next to a window is best. Be sure to check on the leaves often though, as they can burn if the sun is shining too brightly on them.
Water
Allow spider plants to drain well in between watering. A good rule of thumb is to wait to water until the soil is dry to the touch. Younger spider plants need watering less than older, bigger ones.
Interesting Fact
Spider plants are one of the easiest plants to propagate, meaning it’s easy to take the original plant and grow more spider plants from it.
Air Plants
Sunlight
Air plants prefer bright yet indirect light. Do not place air plants in windows as the direct heat can cause them to dry out too quickly. Air plants can also survive with lighting from lamps and other artificial sources, but this requires at least twelve hours of light a day.
Water
To water, let the plant’s roots soak in room temperature water for about fifteen minutes then place in bright lighting so they dry completely. Always ensure that the plant has dried completely, this should take around three hours. Repeat this process once every one to two weeks.
Interesting Fact
Air plants do not need soil to survive, making their decoration options limitless.
