Maggie LuckadooFeatures EditorAlison HarmanDeputy Deatures Editor

The bare, white walls and standard furniture of a residence hall room or apartment may not feel like home at first, but with a potted plant, residents can add color to their rooms and develop a hobby while doing so.

Becca Hora, a freshman in architecture, has been growing a Cordyline fruticosa plant in her room since she moved in last week.

“I think it makes it homier,” she said. “I’m from out of state and it reminds me of my mom.”

Hora said she keeps the plant on her bookshelf where it receives “plenty of light.” In addition to lighting, room temperature, watering schedules and humidity are important elements to consider when growing a plant indoors.

Temperature:

Room temperature is fine for most houseplants — however, too much fluctuation in temperatures may damage the plant. Plant owners should try to keep a constant temperature that is neither too hot nor too cold.

Any greenhouse tropical plants — such as succulents, ferns, cacti or palm trees — will do well in a room, said Daisey Fish, a Home Depot gardener.

Source: http://www.letsgogardening.co.uk/information/houseplants.htm

Humidity:

Plants do well in high humidity areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, but in a residence hall room, there are not always options. Students can increase humidity by syringing — spraying with clean water — the plants. However, be careful to avoid syringing at night, because it could damage the leaves to have them wet for an extended period of time.

Source: http://www.letsgogardening.co.uk/information/houseplants.htm

Light:

According to Donna Wright, a teaching technician for the plant biology teaching program, students should consider the direction their windows face when purchasing a plant.

Wright said plants that are adapted to very hot, dry conditions do well next to a south or westerly facing window. For a north facing window, purchase a plant that does not need a lot of light. For windows facing east, Wright said green foliage-type plants do best. She recommends keeping plants in window sills.

However, not all plants will be able to grow on a windowsill.

“You could grow flowers right next to the window, but they’re outside plants and they prefer to be outside,” Fish said. “If you open up the window to let some air in, that would help.”

Fish recommended greenhouse tropical plants, which can be kept inside near a window and require little water or care.

“We have some nice palms in [the greenhouse] also — they’re about five feet tall — and they give you a nice area plant,” Fish said.

Water:

Even on a busy schedule, it is important to remember to water plants regularly. Though the watering process is detailed at first purchase, once the plant has been prepared students will need to water it once a week.

“When you first get a plant — regardless of the size of the pot — water it well so it’s totally saturated,” Wright said. “Set it in a sink or a bucket of water until it is no longer bubbling [meaning the air pockets are gone.]”

Then, according to Wright, let the plant drain for an hour. When it starts to feel dry or light, water it again. However, she said unless the plant is an underwater plant, it is accustomed to intermittent watering.

After this process, Fish said, test whether the plant needs water by sticking a finger about an inch into the dirt — if it feels dry, it needs to be watered. Students can also purchase a water regulator, which will change colors when the dirt is too dry.

Retailers sell grown plants with pre-made potting mixture, which is fitted to the plant’s food and water needs. However, she said plant spikes, such as the ones Miracle-Gro sells, nourish the plant. The number of spikes the plants use vary with each season — for example, during winter months plants require one spike every three months.

Gently nudge roots to let them know they’re out of their container — they’ll grow out from there.

Source: Daisey Fish, Home Depot Gardener

Houseplant prices:

Athyrium Burgundy Lace: $15

Alcea Old Barnyard Mix: $5

Alstroemeria Sweet Laura: $10

Athyrium Ursula’s Red: $13