With the fall season coming to an end and the trees beginning to look bare on Drury University’s campus, it’s right on time to spruce up campus apartments and dorms!

There are varying options for types of plants to thrive in a college atmosphere. Three Drury peers, with remarkable green thumbs, have advice and plant recommendations for their classmates.

Senior Biochemistry and French major, Alix Chronister, and her roommate, Senior Biology major Ester George have a lively, green-filled apartment. The two have plants such as hibiscus flowers, mint, English Ivy, cacti, Aloe Vera, and multiple types of succulents.

George, when asked about types of plants to thrive in a college setting stated, “I think plants that don’t need very much sun or water like ivies and certain succulents are the best for a college dorm because dorm rooms and apartments don’t always get direct sunlight, and college students often forget to water them.”

Chronister’s favorite plant is the English Ivy, for similar reasons to George’s easy to maintain strategy. Chronister said, “It doesn’t need a lot. It needs water every other week at most because it prefers very dry soil. The succulents are good for the same reason though!”

Although George and Chronister may have many beautiful plants in their apartment, they do have competition for the best green thumb against sophomore Intercultural Studies major, Danny Behlman. Behlman has a succulent called Fairy Washboard, a chameleon plant, common coleus, a sweet potato plant, and multiple classic spider plants. When asked about his favorite plants, Behlman replied, “My favorite of all of these is my pot full of spiderworts and Purple Hearts. Not only are they easy to care for and bring unique colors into my apartment, but they were also a gift from my girlfriend’s parents. Who doesn’t love free plants?”

Each of these individuals works extremely hard to ensure their plants thrive throughout the school year, and each of them has their strategies to achieve success. Behlman’s advice includes, “When growing your plants, there are four main requirements to keep in mind- sunlight, temperature, water and space.”

Behlman also gives fantastic advice when considering the upcoming winter temperature. “Having your plant too close to a window will chill it. This isn’t a problem in the summer, but windows tend to be a heat vacuum, making plants paler and less receptive to sunlight.” Chronister and George both encourage research on different plants and how to care for them, even before purchasing.

From an expert perspective, Dr. Ioana Popescu from Drury University also echoes Behlman’s main requirements to focus on while caring for plants. She also includes the recommendation of keeping the watering and caring on a particular schedule. Popescu normally waters her plants whilst drinking her morning coffee or tea, to make a particular routine.

When asked about which particular plant would thrive in a college apartment or dorm, Popescu has multiple suggestions, which are included in the list below, but she harps on the beauty and easy care of the orchid flower. She states, “orchids, given the right location: bright but not south window exposure, only given ice 2-3 times a week, orchids can be easy to care for plants.” Orchids are not only known as easy plants to care for, they are also incredibly gorgeous and a fantastic pop of color for a college home.

For those who feel as if they are not ones with green thumbs, Popescu has advice, “If you believe you will forget about it, find a list of plants that will live without any care for weeks…Otherwise remember that they only need: water, light and warmth – most indoor ornamentals are tropical weeds, most commonly shade-loving plants.” She also reminds us to not be too upset if you do forget about tending your plants, although it is key for, “In general indoor plants are thoroughly studied to improve our wellbeing and cheerfulness.”

With all of these tips and tricks in mind from some of Drury University’s finest plant keepers, any apartment or dorm is sure to succeed. Below is a list of types of plants recommended by Popescu, Behlman, Chronister and George, along with a couple of add-ins that are also known to thrive within a college setting.

1. Aloe Vera
2. Spider Plants: Spiderworts and Purple Hearts
3. Succulents
4. Ferns
5. Mint
6. Common Coleus
7. Bamboo
8. English Ivy
9. Basil
10. Cactus
11. Hibiscus Flowers
12. Chameleon plant
13. A sweet potato plant
14. Prayer peppers
15. Juniper Bonsai
16. Mini Money tree
17. Anthurium
18. Dendrobium
19. Ficus
20. Schefflera
21. Peperomia
22. Plumeria

Article by Gabriella Wuller