As a student with a painfully empty windowsill, cute houseplants were always my go-to room decor. However, if you’re anything like me, these plants probably didn’t survive long enough to grow another inch. The cycle was as follows: buy plant, water plant, kill plant. And so, the process continued. About fifty dollars later, I finally found some plant species that require minimal maintenance to keep alive. Ferns, Aloe Vera and Jade plants are three of the few houseplants that will actually survive until the end of the semester.
You know the plants that survive apocalypses and grow after years of radiation damage in dystopian movies? Those are ferns. My Boston Fern has survived since September, which is saying a lot for me, especially since I didn’t water it during the three weeks that I was home for winter break. Ferns like a lot of indirect light and a moderate amount of water. They can either be sprayed with mist from a spray bottle a couple times per week, or watered the old-fashioned way twice a week. If the Fern’s soil is damp to the touch, you’ve got the hang of it.
If you forget to water an Aloe Vera plant one week, it will thank you. Aloe Vera plants are classified as succulents; a type of plant that retains water in its leaves. Aloe plants will use the stored water to survive in dry climates and in the rooms of absent-minded plant parents. Aloe Vera plants only require water every two to three weeks, which allows the top portion of the soil to dry out in between waterings. Place an Aloe Vera in an area with indirect sunlight, and it will be happy with minimal attention. Not only are Aloe Vera plants ideal dorm room decorations, but they also provide natural pain relief. The gel found inside Aloe Vera leaves soothes sunburns and minor scratches when applied topically. Aloes really are the plants that keep on giving.
Jade plants are another succulent species that take more effort to kill than to keep alive. Jade plants are also known as money trees, since they symbolize good luck. Jade plants should only be watered on an as-needed basis. This plant is so low maintenance that it doesn’t even require a weekly watering schedule. If you stick your fingertip into the top layer of the soil and it feels dry, it’s time to water your plant. Jade plants will even go as far as notifying you when they need water. If spots start to develop on the leaves, it is in desperate need of attention. These plants prefer direct sunlight, so they will be just fine if you never move them from the bright windowsill they were placed in when you bought them. Even if you aren’t sold on the minimal care required to keep a Jade plant alive, buy one just for the extra ounce of luck it will bring!
Ferns, Aloe Vera and Jade plants are some of the least fussy houseplants out there. They are willing to put up with the inevitable lack of attention students will pay to their plants, at some point during the school year. As someone who has spent time and money trying to revive their half-dead plants, investing in the right species is worth it!
References:
“Aloe Vera.” Almanac.com, Yankee Publishing Inc., https://www.almanac.com/plant/aloe-vera.
Roades, Heather. “Growing Jade Houseplant: Tips for the Care and Maintenance of Jade Plants” Gardening Know How, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/jade-plant/jade-plant-care.htm
Roades, Heather. “Care Tips for a Boston Fern” Gardening Know How, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/boston-fern/boston-fern-care.htm