Caring for a plant in college sounds like added exhaustion and stress to an already busy routine.  But managing plants during your university life can actually be quite beneficial and relaxing.  Elaborate landscapes can take hours to maintain but by choosing the right plants and the right amount for the time and space your college life affords you, pet plants can be smooth sailing.  

In Bonnie L. Grant’s article, “Dorm Room Plant Ideas: Choosing Plants For Dorm Rooms,” she states that fresh circulated air and décor are only a few of the added benefits plants provide.  

All plants freshen up rooms, but depending on what kind of plant one has, plants fall into either great dorm plants or not-so-great dorm plants.  Whether in a dorm or off campus, space is one thing to consider.  But don’t let that deter you from making a plant purchase.  There are many plants that are small, convenient and low maintenance with all the benefits.  

Herbs can be a great starting point for any new pet plant owner.  However, depending on the kind of herb, it can become more or less difficult to keep them living.  UW-La Crosse sophomore Emily Pinter had just recently bought a rosemary herb plant and it happened to come from on campus.  

“All I had to do was get a cup of dirt and bury the seed, and make sure there were holes on the bottom for water,” Emily stated, “I did try growing rosemary last semester but rosemary is very particular on the amount of water it gets and I over watered it.”

A friend of hers, though purchased a basil herb plant, and while rosemary may be more tedious to take care of, basil is lesser so and requires a less watchful eye.  

If the goal is to acquire a “prettier” plant, then lucky bamboo is great.  It stays small, requires little light and water.  Other plants such as the Jade plant or Ponytail plant also require minimum water and offer a bold presence in any setting.  The Jade plant in fact has longevity and can live through out a person’s college career.  The space required for the plant may be better suited for a house instead of a dorm.  

A personal favorite of many, including UW-L sophomore Amolia Schumacher, is the cactus or numerous versions of the succulent.  These plants work perfectly with little water.  Stick next to the window and let the sun do its job.  

Plants pay for themselves.  Yes, sometimes they may need some tender, love and care, but plants give back in just as many ways.  To find the right plant for your college lifestyle, do some research to see which one is suitable.  Each person is looking for a plant just a little bit different from another.