Houseplants

Looking for the perfect houseplant to add to your hall way this semester ? There are many low maintenance industrial plant that are perfect for tyro , even in small spaces . In this article , gardening expert and houseplant enthusiast Madison Moulton looks at her favorite dorm - friendly houseplants to grow this upcoming semester !

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A small green money plant sits on a table in a wicker pot. Sunlight streams through the nearby window onto the leaves.

discover houseplant for a college dorm room is no simple undertaking . You must repugn with minor space , lack of sparkle , and easy access to care , all while take how much time you ’ll have to care for your plants throughout the year .

Despite the challenge , houseplants are worth it . I made my first - ever solo garden purchase when I was in college . I matte the deficiency of greenery negatively impacted my modality and overall well - being . Plants not only make a space look well , but they make you find better too . If you ’re struggling to concentrate , indoor plants boost productivity .

If you ’re look for theperfect industrial plant for your college dorm way , this leaning cover a range of options for different conditions . But be deliberate … once you buy one , you ’ll probably want them all !

Close-up of a Snake Plant, scientifically known as Sansevieria, in a white pot against a gray wall. The plant has long, thin, upright leaves with a smooth, leathery texture. The leaves are a bright shade of green with variegated patterns and yellow edges.

Snake Plant

Snake plantsare notable for many thing , from sharp and variegated leave to comical coarse names like mother - in - law ’s tongue . They survive almost anywhere and under anyone ’s tending , so much so that they ’re out of the question to kill .

you could set a snake plant almost anywhere , and it will quickly adapt to its new environment . Theyprefer mostly bright collateral luminosity with a few hours of morning sunlight , but they can even live gloomy - luminosity arena for relatively foresighted periods . The leaves will likely unfold a scrap , and the plant may not acquire as well as expected , but they wo n’t drop dead within a week or two like some fussier houseplant .

Cast Iron Plant

The common name forAspidistra elatiorsays all you need to know about difficultness in care . This species isfamous for its indestructible nature , requiring minimum concern to fly high for yr and years . As evidence of this easygoing nature , we ’ve had a cast branding iron flora in our family for almost 20 years , with no major peculiar attention other than watering every two weeks or so .

In consummate contrast to the structural shape of Hydra plant life , cast iron plants have large soft leaves that look pretty similar to peace lily . They also raise quite big in the right skunk , add a lot of verdure to your residence hall room .

Spider Plant

No need to worry about the usual name of this plant – they are n’t related to spiders ( and do n’t attract them).Chlorophytum comosumearns its name because of the resemblance of the tiny plantlet cascade down over the leaves to midget spider . fortunately , they are completely harmless ( even to your pets ) .

Spider works are ideal for dormitory rooms with only a minuscule paries or shelf space because they make great hanging plants . If you have space to pay heed just one plant in your dorm , the spider plant is your answer . The cascading leaves look full and riotous in baskets , and in the right lighting , you may even spot a few of their adorable flowers .

ZZ Plant

Another entry on the perdurable houseplant list is theZZ plant . abbreviate from its botanic name , Zamioculcas zamiifolia , some call it theZanzibar gemafter its African native origin . This works has rows and rows of small leaves packed onto long arching stems . Not only is it easy to manage for , but it isone of the most unequalled - looking houseplants you could line up .

ZZ plants grow comparatively slowly . So , if you ’re short on space in your residence hall elbow room , depend for a young plant life that wo n’t outgrow its mint too apace .

Although they acquire well in bright indirect light , sometimes even tolerating a scrap of lineal sun in the cool division of the twenty-four hour period , they can survive well in low - Inner Light areas . They also need very trivial watering , thanks to their thick rhizomes . In other word , do n’t worry if you leave a tearing session or two .

Close-up of a Cast Iron Plant in a large black pot outside. The plant forms thick, shiny, lanceolate, growing in clustered rosettes. The leaves are dark green in color with a shiny and slightly textured surface. They have a leathery texture.

Pothos

Famous for its ease of care , golden pothos is one of the most popular houseplant worldwide . The track vines cascade down the sides of the container , making themideal for baskets or shelve to add a ton of greenery to a drear dorm room with little infinite . These plant life survive low light condition better than most and stomach less watering , too , preferring neglect over extravagant forethought .

As an bestow bonus , there are also manydifferent pothos cultivarsto choose from , each with interesting colors and diversification radiation pattern . ‘ gilded ’ golden pothos is the classical option , with shiny flecks of yellow , but if you favour more muted tones , you’re able to try ‘ Marble Queen . ’

Both the ‘ Jade ’ pothos and ‘ Neon ’ pothos miss the variegation , with solid mystifying green or lime green leaves , severally . select the complete option to fit your college student residence room plan , or gather a few for an easy - care houseplant aggregation .

Close-up of a Spider Plant in a white pot on a wooden table, next to a light window. The plant forms thin and elongated leaves that grow in a fountain. They are bright green in color and striped or mottled with white or cream markings. the plant produces plantlets or “spiderettes” at the ends of long wiry stems.

Heartleaf Philodendron

This philodendron specie causes confusion because it looks so similar to the pothos . They come from completely different genus and have slenderly different maturation habits , but they also partake in many feature that make this plant perfect for any college dorm elbow room .

The trailing or climbing vine of the heart-leaf philodendron produce incredibly speedily . Inthe correct light level and with a mite of fertilizer , you may mature an entireliving wallwith heartleaf philodendron vines and a trellis . Use this lush paries to divide your space or just inject some much - needed nature into your elbow room .

Heartleaf philodendronsare not needy plant and are able to grow in low light and with little attention . They necessitate body of water more often than pothos plants to forestall the leaves from wilting but are otherwise carefree .

Close-up of ZZ Plant, scientifically known as Zamioculcas zamiifolia, in a large decorative golden pot, on a wooden coffee table, indoors, against a white wall. The plant has thick, waxy and shiny leaves. They consist of several leaflets, with each leaflet having a smooth and elliptical shape. The leaflets grow alternately along the stems, creating a symmetrical and clustered arrangement.

Peace Lily

public security liliesare common give plants around the world . In fact , they ’re a democratic gift for college - attach students who need to grace their dorm rooms ! Luckily , they are perfectly suitable for raise there .

Peace lily arethe ultimate houseplant , suffer low light and boom in containers . They favor more water than some other houseplants , but if you water regularly , you should n’t have any trouble .

The other caveat to keep a peace treaty lily in your college student residence room is that it credibly wo n’t flower in low-toned - light areas . They need a full daylight of promising indirect sunlight to bring forth their stark white change leave and spadix flush . However , the calendered and cascade foliage looks great on its own too .

A close-up of a Pothos plant, scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum, in a decorative wicker planter on a round coffee table, against a backdrop of many different tropical houseplants. The leaves of Pothos are heart-shaped and have a glossy texture that gives them a shiny appearance. They grow alternately along the vines. The leaves are green with variegated yellow patterns.

Chinese Evergreen

For foliage lover , you wo n’t take anything more in your dorm way than Chinese evergreen plant plants . There are manyvarieties ofAglaonemawith unparalleled vividness and leaf pattern .

These full flora packed with leaf are unmistakably well-heeled to develop and thrive with little attention . Part of theAraceaeplant phratry , they are intimately related to several rough-cut tropic houseplants , including the peace lily .

Althoughease of care is one of the main reason multitude choose to maturate these industrial plant , there is also unbelievable diverseness in color and pattern between mintage . Some have different shades of green in a mottled approach pattern , while others have a stripe of silver gray . And if you love color , there are also options with splash of red , pink , or orange to choose from .

Close-up of a Heartleaf Philodendron, scientifically known as Philodendron hederaceum, in a black hanging pot, against a wooden wall. The plant has climbing vines covered with lush foliage. The leaves are dark green, glossy, and have a smooth texture. Each leaf has an adorable heart shape with a pointed tip and a slightly lobed appearance. Leaves grow alternately along long creeping stems.

Dracaena

Dracaenais a genus of unfearing trees and shrubs that grow to telling heights outside in their native habitats . But , thanks to their erotic love of tropical conditions , they are often engraft in prominent mickle and maintain indoors as houseplants .

Most Dracaena species have an interesting geomorphological look with pointed leaves , much like the snake in the grass plant . In fact , the ophidian plant life has recently been reclassify under the Dracaena genus , explaining this connecter .

As shrubs or trees with much thicker stems than herbaceous plants , dracaenas store more water than common , able to survive long periods without a top - up . If you ’re too focused on college work to remember to water your plants , this is the perfect option for you .

Close-up of a blooming Peace Lily, scientifically known as Spathiphyllum, in a large decorative ceramic pot against a white wall. the plant has glossy, dark green leaves of an elegant lanceolate shape. They grow in the form of a rosette, creating a lush and full look. Emerging from tall stalks called spathes, the flowers are creamy white and have a distinctive spoon-like shape. The spathes enclose a spadix, which contains the actual tiny flowers.

Rubber Plant

You may have heard of one of the most beloved houseplants of the late houseplant windfall – the violin foliage fig . Unfortunately , they also have a reputation for being tricky to wish for . That ’s where therubber plantcomes in .

This tree diagram is also a appendage of theFicusgenus , like the fiddle leaf fig , scientifically known asFicus elastica . However , it is much easier to handle for than the fussy violin leaf and more tolerant of different environments .

It also features magniloquent branch and gravid leaves to fill any empty corners in your elbow room , but it is much less potential to throw those foliage than other ficus multifariousness .

Close-up of Chinese Evergreen, scientifically known as Aglaonema, in a large sulfur pot indoors, near a window with wooden shutters. The plant has large, leathery leaves with a glossy texture. They include different shades of green, cream and pink. The leaves are oval with pointed tips.

Although regular golosh plants are sensational with their showy green leaves , this specie unfeignedly struggle in the variegated versions . Look for margins of burnished white variegation or striking red / pink cultivars for a pop of color .

Jade Plant

If you opt the look and feel of succulent plant over leafy tropical plants , Crassula ovatais an idealistic choice for college dorm rooms . This integrated ravisher can be hold open compact in a smaller container or allow to produce larger than life-time when given the space to flourish . They can even be shaped into bonsai trees for a unique look without the high maintenance .

Succulent industrial plant are typically not big options for most college dorm rooms because of their high light demands . fortunately , slut plant are glad to live in much humble light than common , displaying few signboard of struggle . A spot with moderate to bright collateral lightis enough for these plants to grow , albeit slower than usual .

The primary welfare of growing jade plant is theirwaterwise nature . The thickset naughty leave and big stems store enough water to help them live on catamenia of drought . In fact , they are far more probable to be damaged by overwatering than underwatering .

Close-up of a Dracaena plant in a black pot against a bluish wall. The plant forms a strong vertical branched stem with leaves gathered in groups at the tops. The leaves are long, narrow, sword-shaped, with pointed tips. They are dark green in color with reddish edges.

String of Pearls

Another excellent option for hanging baskets isstring of off-white . Part of the pop drawstring succulents group , string of off-white is the original deary that sparked sake from collector .

The delicate vines feature adorable spheric leaves mob with moisture , adding to their waterwise capacity . They are also happy to last in down in the mouth - light area .

However , theyprefer brighter spots with a bit of direct morning sun to aid in ontogeny and wet evaporation , prevent root rot . If you have a sunny windowsill in your dorm room or demand a companion on your desk , you could n’t ask for a better study buddy .

Close-up of a Rubber Plant, scientifically known as Ficus elastic, in a white pot on a light windowsill. The plant has large glossy leaves. The leaves are oval in shape and have a thick, leathery texture. They are dark green in color. The leaves of the rubber plant are shiny and smooth, giving them a polished appearance. The leaves are arranged alternately along the stems, creating dense and lush foliage. There is also a decorative candle on the windowsill.

Because they are so ticklish , keeping these works out of high - dealings spots is important . The vines can let out off well if they are manhandled too often .

English Ivy

Also known as common English ivy , the look ofHedera helixvinesis immediately recognizable . They are most well - known for their invasive nature , smother any plants in their itinerary and spread out incredibly quickly . The leavesare also toxic to petsand humans , irritating the cutis if touched .

But , if you ’re keeping your English English ivy contained in a pot in your dorm room and out of grasp , it will probably become one of your favorite possessions . They add a wonderful gossamer looking at to interiors that pair well with diffused furnishings and woods article of furniture .

Thanks to their rapid development and ability to survive almost anywhere , they also expand on negligence , mean you could forget about them for a few days with few side effects .

Close-up of Crassula ovata, commonly known as Jade Plant in a white decorative pot, against a white and blue wall. It is a succulent plant with small, plump, bright green, fleshy, oval-shaped leaves. They are smooth and shiny. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stems.

Areca Palm

If your dorm room trend is a ‘ tropical holiday resort ’ rather than an ‘ English bungalow , ’ look for one or two areca palms to fill your space . These classic houseplants are the first palm gardener turn over for , not only for their arresting arching fronds that develop unusually tall for the small pots they are grown in but also for their ease of caution .

Looking at anareca palm , you would assume it needs hatful of attention to grow well . Although strong in height , the leaves do look delicate . But luckily , the opposite is unfeigned .

Areca medallion arerelatively leisurely when give the right amount of light . Ensure you keep them away from harsh direct sun to avoid scorch the leaves , and they should look as good as the day you bought them for months .

Close-up of a String of Pearls in a black ceramic pot on a white table. String of Pearls, scientifically known as Senecio rowleyanus, is a unique succulent plant that has distinctive leaves resembling small, round pearls or beads. The leaves are small and spherical, and are bright green in color. The leaves are attached to long thin stems that cascade and trail. They have a smooth and glossy texture which gives them a polished look.

Air Plant

A more out - of - the - box seat dormitory room option that can tolerate a wide range of conditions andneeds minimum fear is the air plant . Or , more specifically , air plants , as this is the uncouth name turn over to a enceinte group of epiphytes typically from theTillandsiagenus .

Rather than growing in ground , these interesting species are attached to piece of woodwind instrument ( or other natural materials ) to root , absorbing wet from the gentle wind . The pointed leaf of these plants are unique and look great when mounted on wall or hang in front of a cheery window out of the track of direct sun .

You may even fleck flowers with the ripe charge , although they need near - perfect weather condition to produce blooms . Simply dunk them in a bucket of water around once a week or fog them frequently , and you ’ll have no worry maintain your air plants happy .

Close-up of an English Ivy in a black ceramic pot on a wooden table against a gray wall. Hedera helix is an evergreen vine that is widely cultivated for its attractive and distinctive foliage. The leaves of English ivy are small, lobed, dark green in color. The leaves are arranged alternately along the vine and have a pointed or heart-shaped structure. The foliage is variegated, dark green with creamy yellow edges.

Chinese Money Plant

Pilea peperomioidesis a heavyset plant that jam a big biff . Known for its fascinating round leaf and overall spherical shape , it is also called the flapjack industrial plant or UFO industrial plant . But most often , you ’ll see it named Chinese money plant for the leaves ’ resemblance to coins .

If you do n’t have much infinite in your college dormitory way , Chinese money plants aregreat space - savers that grow well in minuscule pots . When purchase untested , they wo n’t produce tall very rapidly , score them an ideal desk top hat . They are also gentle to fit into any room design , with a structural yet cushion look thanks to the rounded leave .

As long as you do n’t forget to water these plants , you wo n’t experience many problem grow them . In the correct conditions , they will also originate small-scale plantlets around the root that you may use to propagate .

Close-up of Areca Palm in a terracotta pot on a laminate floor against a white wall and white radiator. The plant has long feathery leaves resembling large feathers. The leaves are pinnate, which means they are arranged in feathers along a central stem or axis. The leaflets are slender and lanceolate in shape, with a vibrant green color.

Wax Plant

penis of the Hoya genus are known as wax plants for their waxy leaves and blush in a stove of interesting frame and colors . There are several species to take from , with different outgrowth habits and look , but all are debate easy to turn .

My first Hoya survived for years after several move , keep back give out even with many missed waterings , and endure through anintense mealybug infestation . If they can go that , they can definitely survive a college dorm room .

If you do n’t have the right light , you probably wo n’t see your wax plant bloom . But you could still delight the waxy foliage , often featuring interesting blueprint and colors . Theydon’t necessitate body of water very oftenand can easy survive in moderate to bright indirect light .

Close-up of an Air plant, scientifically known as Tillandsia, in a hanging metal, triangular, pyramid-shaped rack holder, against a green garden. The plant has thin, elongated leaves with pointed tips that form a lush rosette. They are bright green.

Money Tree

This year , one cut houseplant is take over from previous darling like violin leaf fig and ceriman . That plant isPachira aquatica , commonly known as the money Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .

This interesting mintage often come with plait stanch underneath narrow , glossy leave , which look directly recognizable . They do n’t take up much space in their small containersbut still look larger than life .

Money Tree are name so because of the impression thatthe industrial plant brings its owners financial prosperity(certainly a welfare for college - goers ) . However , if that does n’t work for you , you may still enjoy this plant ’s unique looking at and ease of care .

Close-up of a Chinese Money Plant in a white pot against a white wall. The foliage of the Chinese money plant forms an attractive rosette with leaves radiating outwards from the central stem. The leaves are dark green, glossy, round in shape, evenly spaced. Each leaf has individual veins.

String of Hearts

Another extremity of the popular string succulent radical , string of hearts , is one of the most unique of all . This industrial plant features endearing affection - shape leaves with mottled pattern , wee them incredibly pop around Valentine ’s Day .

The vines also develop interesting tubers that can be used to grow even more plants – ideal for quickly fill your college dorm way with greenery without a gamey cost . You have several options when choosing how best to display your string of hearts .

The vine look heavy when cascade down down the sides of containers , either on the border of a shelf or from a hang up basket . Or , if you ’re feeling adventurous , you could train the vines up any wire anatomical structure ( mine is shaped like a mettle ) to keep the growth more compact .

Close-up of a flowering Hoya, also known as the Wax Plant, in a large terracotta pot, indoors. The plant has thick, fleshy leaves with a glossy, waxy texture. They are elongated, oval in shape, with pointed tips. The flowers grow in globular clusters and are white with red centers. The flowers are intricately shaped and have a fascinating structure, with star-shaped petals.

Final Thoughts

houseplant add a merriment and homelike accent to college dorm room . Whether you ’re mob up for your Modern place or gifting a college - bound family member , these low - upkeep plant are a perfect summation to the hall necessity checklist !

Close-up of a Money Tree plant in a pot in a decorative beige knitted planter. The plant is characterized by a strong trunk and shiny palmate leaves. The leaves are large and shiny, with many lobes that resemble the shape of a hand or fingers. They have a rich green color and a smooth texture. A potted plant stands on a wooden coffee table in the living room next to a gray armchair and a bright window.

Close-up of a String of Hearts plant in a beautiful decorative blue ceramic pot with a black pattern. String of Hearts is a plant with elongated thin vines adorned with small heart-shaped leaves. These leaves have a charming variegated pattern with shades of green, silver and purple.