Who says you can’t have a garden in your dorm room?

As the cold grip of winter and the stress of the fourth week of classes settle in, we could all use a little serotonin boost to help us power through the dreary days. And what’s a better contrast with the deadly winter than a beautifully nurtured house plant! As one of seasonal depression’s many victims, I’ve discovered just how therapeutic caring for plants can be—providing a much-needed distraction from the daily grind and a sense of accomplishment in nurturing something living. So, I’m here to share some plant care tips and recommendations to help you cultivate both a thriving plant collection and a healthier mindset!

There are plenty of spots around campus where you can find a variety of houseplants to brighten up your dorm or apartment. The PlantShed, located on 95th and Amsterdam, has a fantastic selection of succulents and houseplants to choose from. The Urban Garden Center is a wonderful family-owned plant shop that offers not only plants but also soil, pots, and other accessories you’ll need to keep them thriving. Harlem Garden is also another great option that is located right on Broadway. I even noticed some small cacti and succulents at Trader Joes! Just make sure your plant’s pot comes with a drainage hole to keep from overwatering and root rot. 

For a budget-friendly plant project, you can even grow your own plants from compost! Carrot tops are a fun, low-maintenance option—simply place the top of a carrot (with the leafy part) in moistened soil, leaving the top above the surface. It won’t grow a full carrot, but it will produce a lush, fern-like plant. You can also grow green onions by placing the roots in a jar of water or soil. 

Contrary to popular belief, keeping plants alive is really not that much work. Plants actually enjoy being ignored and admired from afar. Some of my most flourishing plants haven’t been watered in weeks. I highly recommend an aloe plant for those of you that will take this advice very seriously. Aloe really only needs water when the soil is completely dry. It also only requires indirect sunlight, which as many of us know, direct light is very hard to come by depending on your window’s direction.

 I also recommend a pilea plant or a spider plant (pictured below). They are easy to keep alive and only require a bit more watering (I do mine once a week). Find the places in your space that get as much light as possible! And make sure to carefully pluck off old or damaged leaves at the root of the plant so that it can use all its energy on producing new growth.

My last dorm specific plant tips are to keep a towel or some other sort of cushion between the window crack and your plants. The dorm windows are NOT airtight and you do not want to let your plants get too chilly or else they will shrivel right up. Also, if you are someone who tends to forget about watering, I recommend poking a tiny hole in the cap of an old plastic water bottle filled with water. Turn the bottle upside down and submerged the bottle cap in the soil. The soil retention will allow the plant to water itself gradually so that your plants stay nice and healthy while their parent is busy with work.  

I hope I inspired at least one of you to start your very own dorm room garden. Remember to do things that will nurture your mental health during this season. I promise it makes a world of a difference to have something rely on you like plants do. Happy gardening Barnumbia!

Images via Author