We’ve all seen it: perfect Pinterest rooms full of plants, an aesthetic that always seems just out of reach— especially for busy college students. If you’ve never successfully kept a plant alive before, chances are you’ve given up on the idea entirely.
Plant care can seem really overwhelming, especially for on the go students who may often forget about them. Having time for a strict watering schedule might not fit so easily with your course load. Luckily, livening up your space with greenery may not be as hard as it seems.
The truth is there are actually many types of plants that LOVE to be ignored. Cheap, low maintenance plants are the perfect fit for college students looking to brighten up their space. With these adorable additions to your room, you can easily fake a green thumb.
- ZZ PLANT
This plant is my top pick if you need something you can buy and forget about. I haven’t watered mine in 5 months, and she’s as healthy as when I got her. They’re also perfect if you live in a dorm and have very limited sources of light. The ZZ plant is ideal for students who want a plant without added stress— you can’t kill it.
- SNAKE PLANT
You’ve likely seen this plant in offices and hospitals. Here’s why: they need next to no care and don’t require much light. You should still water them once they completely dry out like the ZZ plant, but there’s no reason to stress over these guys. I once forgot about a cutting I had of my snake plant and left it out of soil and water for 2 months. When I found the cutting, it was in perfect condition. Even more surprisingly, it easily rooted into the soil once I put it back in a pot again. They also filter air, so pop one in your bedroom and they’ll take care of you too.
- POTHOS
Though not as resilient as the snake plant and the ZZ, they can definitely withstand a lot. Let the soil of the plant completely dry out before watering, and make sure there’s a drainage hole in your pot to prevent root rot. These plants will let you know right away if they need watering. Their leaves will droop, but don’t panic-they’re just dramatic. Water them and they should be back to normal the next day! Don’t worry too much about your lighting— while they thrive in well lit areas, they’ll love you just the same in their new low light home. The pothos comes in many different variations, and can be found in nearly every plant store. The golden pothos is a yellow variation, the neon pothos is a bright lime green, and the marble queen is a white variation. Those are some of my favorites, but there’s plenty more to explore.
- AIR PLANTS
If you’re worried about having dirt in your home, this is the best option for you. They require no soil— just sit them out in indirect light and let them relax! Once a week, place the plant in lukewarm water and give it a good soak for 20 minutes before removing. Other than that, they can be left alone.
- MONSTERA
You’re likely most familiar with this trendy plant. They can get pretty big over time, leading many people to assume you have to be a plant expert to care for them. Their unique look doesn’t encourage beginners either. In reality, they are actually one of the easiest plants to care for. Like the pothos, they will let you know by their leaves if they need to be watered. Cuttings of this plant— similar to the pothos as well— can even live in water! Just be sure to give it fresh water every week. They thrive in areas with lots of light, but can easily survive in low light areas. With an increase in popularity, there’s a good chance you’ll find them in your local greenhouse.