Best Plants for Your Dorm Room

If you want to liven up your dorm room but lack a green thumb, don’t fret. Here are a few hardy plants that can survive and thrive in a range of environments.

Pothos

Pothos are a fast-growing, durable, vining plant with heart-shaped leaves. There are over 10 varieties of pothos, and just about any garden center is guaranteed to carry some of these beautiful and sturdy plants. Some varieties include the Marble Queen and the Pearls and Jade Pothos which sport gorgeous green and white variegations. Pothos are ideal for your dorm room because they can thrive in both bright and indirect light and actually prefer to dry out between watering sessions. Try planting your pothos in a hanging basket or placing it on a shelf to watch it is gorgeous vines grow.

ZZ Plant

The ZZ plant’s unique growth pattern is sure to catch your eye. These tropical plants are praised by houseplant enthusiasts and new plant owners alike due to their ability to survive and thrive even after long periods of neglect. ZZ pants do best in indirect sunlight, which means you do not need a bright windowsill to keep them alive. In fact, too much bright, direct light can damage their glossy leaves. This is also an ideal plant if you tend to forget to water because they have large stems that store water below the soil. This means you should wait until the soil is completely dry, and then a little while longer, before you water. It is important to keep in mind that the ZZ plant is poisonous when ingested, so be sure to keep them away from your plant-curious pets. You may also want to wash your hands after handling the leaves to avoid possible irritation.

Snake Plant

If you have ever purchased a cute succulent with the promise of easy care, only to have a dead plant on your hands, you may want to consider buying a snake plant. These succulents are unique and sure to stand out in your plant collection. They also require very little care. Snake plants need indirect light, so place them in a location that receives low light, ideally several feet from the nearest window. Like the above-mentioned plants, be sure to only water your snake plant if the soil is completely dry.

Tips and Tricks

• Check the soil moisture of your plants regularly. Their water needs can vary based on the season and amount of light they receive.

• Choose pots with drainage holes. This will prevent water from pooling at the bottom of your pot which can lead to root rot and other issues that may harm your plant.

• One of the easiest ways to kill your plant is to overwater … so do not be a helicopter plant parent.

• Be sure to water your plant fully, until the water drains from the bottom of the pot and the soil is fully saturated.

• The dryer the soil is, the more time it will take to fully saturate.

• Occasionally rotate your plants. This will allow more light to reach all parts of the plant, thus encouraging new growth.