Plants are great. They’re beautiful, comforting, and research shows that having plants in your home or work space can reduce stress and promote feelings of well-being. It makes perfect sense to include them in your dorm decor.
As far as hospitality towards flora is concerned, dorm rooms are a bit lacking. Picking hardy types of plants, like succulents and cacti, increase your chances of keeping your “pets” alive in the long run.
This probably goes without saying, but plants thrive on natural light – desk lamps aren’t gonna do the trick. Keep your plants near a window, or better yet, on the window sill. (Just remember that they’re there when lowering your blinds!)
If there’s no way in Hell that your plants will ever see the sun, there are a few artificial options. This article elaborates on the types of light bulbs that will keep your plants happy and healthy.
There are some extraordinarily lifelike plastic plants on the market today, so if the live variety isn’t working out, you may want to give them a chance. One benefit is that you can have flowers that would wither and die indoors, and in addition, you won’t face a packing dilemma come summer break.
For foliage without the mess, try growing air plants (yes. There really is such a thing). The little tykes are cheap and available in bulk from Amazon and Air Plant Supply Co., which also has a great article about how to care for them. They require little more than light and an occasional soak.
If you’re feeling uninspired by Terra cotta pots or the dreadful plastic containers that small plants are sold in, there are a variety of things that make good flowerpots. Empty jars are great – just make sure to clean out the grape jam remnants first – as are teacups, candle holders, or any other thrift-shop finds. This also means you can choose something that matches the rest of your dorm room decor. The only challenge is that you can’t over-water plants in containers without drainage, or else they may drown from your good intentions.
If potted plants just aren’t enough to satisfy your urge to bring the outdoors in, fear not – apparently you aren’t alone. Decorate your dorm with plant-themed bedding, wall art, lights, or anything else you can think of.
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