Categories: Dorm Life

Easy Plants To Care For In A Dorm

There’s nothing like the greenery of a plant to add a bit of nature and brighten up your dorm room. Plants are a great way to decorate a room, but most worry about not having a green thumb to keep their little green friend healthy and alive. Here is a list of easy plants to care for and maintain in your dorm room.

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera thrives in bright light so it is best kept by a window and watering it can simply be described as making sure its soil is decently moist. Aloe Vera may live for a long time in a variety of conditions, so this plant isn’t one you’ll have to worry about dying on you in the middle of the school year.

Aside from the exotic-looking long narrow leaves lined with small teeth, the interior gel (separated from the outside of the leaf) of the Aloe Vera can be used to treat and moisten skin that has suffered from the sun or other mild burns.

2. Cacti and Succulents

Available in a variety of different shapes and sizes, cacti and succulents are some of the most popular plant options for any college student. These plants can thrive for long periods of time without water, and love the light so keeping them near a window is the best option. With their low maintenance needs and an array of colors and appearances, these plants have become little stars in the dorm décor world and can be found in many student living spaces.

Get creative by placing two or more succulent plants in a whimsical planter to bring you smiles on a stressful day.

3. Air Plants

Air Plants are some of the best plants for any busy college student, especially for ones who worry about having a black thumb or know they won’t be too reliable to remember to water. Air Plants are considered easy maintenance since they absorb water not through roots in the soil, but through their leaves. In fact, these plants don’t even need to be planted in a pot and can be displayed in a variety of different ways in your room.

In order to take proper care of an air plant simply keep them at a decently warm temperature and away from harsh sunlight as the plant isn’t like other succulents that prefer to soak up as many rays as possible. To water and air plant simply give its leaves a light spritz with a water bottle every week or so, and ta-da, your plant friend is as happy as can be! You don’t have to worry about any complicated care instructions for air plants.

4. Bamboo

Bamboo is another popular choice amongst plant owners, though it is admittedly slightly higher maintenance than the other options on the list. Bamboo is a stylish plant and will go well with almost any dorm décor adding an elegant and classy vibe to any room. Bamboo should not be kept in direct sunlight as it will cause the leaves to brown and the watering recommendation is to use filtered tap water. Chlorine and other chemicals may harm the Bamboo plant.

Bamboos enjoy being kept moist and should be watered every few days. If you worry about forgetting, then considering growing it in a water-filled pot or vase.

5. Snake Plant

Snake Plants, also known as Sansevieria, are tall indoor house plants that prefer medium to low light and being watered about once a week or so making them perfect for a busy college student on the go. Though a Snake Plants leaves are known to be tall, they can be bought when they are smaller in size and usually won’t grow too big unless you repot them.

Snake plants also prefer to be well-drained after watering and dry soil between watering, so don’t worry if you forget a watering session. Snake plants can go for 10-14 days without being watered before it starts to bother them.