15 Plants To Bring Your Dorm To Life
Decorating with houseplants can make your dorm look good, and you feel good. Plants can purify and humidify our air, making our environment more comfortable to live in. Comfort is something every college student needs when being on their own for the first time, so ditch the plastic succulents and enjoy the benefits of nature. Here are 15 low-maintenance and beneficial houseplants to bring your dorm to life.
1. Lavender
This choice of houseplant decor was made for college students. The bright color of a lavender plant will help make your dorm feel more lively, it may also help you feel more lively too. The relaxing lavender scent is known to lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels, making them the perfect plant for college students. Lavender has also been known to alleviate migraines and reduce depression. It can also repel bugs like mosquitoes, fleas, moths, and ticks. The best part is lavender plants are low maintenance, so they’re easy to take care of. Just make sure you sit the plant in indirect sunlight and only water it when the soil feels dry.
2. Aloe Vera
This choice of houseplant decor is multipurpose. The uses for this houseplant are endless. As a topical solution, the gel inside AloeVera leaves can help heal sunburns, mosquito bites, acne, and other skin irritations. Aloe Vera can also moisturize your hair and skin giving them a healthier and softer feel. To get the gel, peel an Aloe Vera leaf then scoop out the clear looking gel. Next, mix the gel in a blender then pour it into a container for later use. This will save you a ton of money on expensive creams and moisturizers. Aloe Vera has antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic properties, so think of it as your Dr. Stone. Aside from being an all natural first aid kit, Aloe Vera is a beautiful succulent that can make any room more inviting. Just make sure you keep it in indirect sunlight and only water it when the soil feels dry.
3. Spider Plant
The Spider Plant is the ideal choice for houseplant decor. Decorating with this houseplant won’t just help your dorm look better, it will help you feel better too. Plants are nature’s natural air purifiers and spider plants are especially good at this. Spider plants clean the air by absorbing chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and carbon monoxide. This is the perfect plant to have in your dorm to keep the air fresh and clean. Spider plants are also natural humidifiers. Plants release water vapor into the air through the openings in their leaves, this is called transpiration. Spider plants release more water vapor than most household plants making them the perfect natural humidifier. Not only will spider plants make your dorm feel more comfortable, it will also make it look nice. The long trailing stems would look beautiful cascading along a shelf.
4. Snake Plant
This choice of houseplant decor is a natural air purifier and humidifier. It can remove toxins from the air, which will help protect you from most airborne allergies. This plant is super low maintenance. It thrives in indirect sunlight and even likes shady corners, just make sure you are watering it only when the soil feels dry. This may just be me, but snake plants feel more professional and mature. Like if business casual could be a plant, it would be a snake plant. If you’re going for a more mature dorm, then I suggest getting a snake plant.
5. English Ivy
This choice of houseplant decor will give your dorm an outdoorsy feel. Like the others, English Ivy is a natural air purifier. These plants grow long, so they would look great hanging from the ceiling or on a shelf. While this plant is beautiful, it can be toxic when ingested, so I don’t recommend this plant if you have pets living in your dorm. Also, be sure to only water it when the soil feels dry. You don’t want your plant to wilt.
6. Chinese Evergreen
This choice of houseplant decor, like the others, is a natural air purifier and humidifier. Chinese Evergreens have large leaves that vary in color from dark green to red. I personally like the ones that are pink and green because they are so bright. Chinese Evergreens grow great in indirect sunlight and only need to be watered once a week. The bright and vibrant color of the Chinese Evergreen is guaranteed to brighten up your dorm.
7. Peace Lily
This choice of houseplant decor works as a natural air purifier by absorbing acetone vapors and removing mold spores from the air along with other toxins. It can also increase the humidity level in your dorm, helping you breathe better. Peace Lilies also have a light floral smell that lingers, so your dorm will always smell good. Since the fragrance is subtle, it will be perfect for those with sensitive noses. Peace Lilies are low maintenance plants perfect for busy students. They grow great in indirect sunlight, just be sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy. This plant can be toxic if ingested, so I don’t recommend decorating with this plant if you have pets.
8. Rosemary
This choice of houseplant decor can help improve your mood. The scent of Rosemary is known to relieve stress in those with chronic anxiety. Rosemary can also promote hair growth and treat dandruff and dry scalp. It also goes great with stew and meat dishes. You can use Rosemary herbs in a variety of dishes. To care for this houseplant give it plenty of sunlight and water it only when the soil feels dry.
9. Gardenia
This choice of houseplant decor can add beauty and fragrance to your dorm. Gardenias give off a sweet peachy smell with floral and green undertones. The flower and essential oil of Gardenias are thought to reduce insulin resistance and help prevent high blood sugar. While this has not been proven, the houseplant is still nice to have around. Gardenias are easy to take care of, just give them plenty of sunlight and keep their soil damp.
10. Jade Plant
This choice of houseplant decor may bring you good luck. The Jade Plant, also known as the Lucky Plant or Money Tree, is a beautiful succulent with pink and white flowers. Like the other houseplants, it is a natural air purifier and humidifier. This succulent thrives in bright light and only needs to be watered when the soil feels dry, making them super easy to take care of.
11. Basil
This houseplant is a culinary herb used in cuisines around the world. The essential oils in Basil are known to fight inflammation in the body. This can help lower the risk of arthritis, heart disease, and bowel issues. Basil also has antidepressant and antianxiety properties similar to antidepressant drugs. To keep your Basil plant happy give it plenty of sunlight and make sure the soil never dries out, but don’t overwater it.
12. Flamingo Lily
This houseplant is one of the best natural air purifiers and humidifiers to decorate with. The bright red hues of the Flamingo Lily can give a nice pop of color to your dorm helping it look less bleak. But be careful, this houseplant plant is toxic when ingested and can cause a painful burning sensation in your mouth along with oral blisters and swelling. Do not decorate with this plant if you have pets. Make sure you keep the soil moist and spray daily. It does well in humid environments, so try using it to decorate your bathroom.
13. Bamboo Palm
This choice of houseplant decor can grow up to eight feet tall, and if planted outside it can grow up to 30 feet tall. It can fill the space of an empty corner and give your room a tropical setting. The Bamboo Palm is non-toxic to animals, so it is the perfect plant for those with pets. For your Bamboo Palm to thrive, place it in indirect sunlight and keep the soil moist.
14. Chamomile
This choice of houseplant decor will fill your dorm with a sweet aroma. Chamomile smells like honey with floral and apple undertones. The leaves and flowers of Chamomile are edible fresh or dried, so you can make your own tea. Chamomile tea has been known to help with insomnia, anxiety, and digestive upsets. This plant doesn’t need much attention, so only water it when the soil dries out and give it plenty of sunlight.
15. Boston Fern
This choice of houseplant decor is another natural air purifier and humidifier. High humidity levels can provide relief for dry skin, dry noses, and sore throats, so it would be a good idea to have a couple of Boston Ferns in your dorm during the winter months. As long as you take care of your plants, you’ll never have to worry about waking up with a sore throat because of dry air. Just make sure to keep the soil moist and give the plant plenty of sunlight.
