Dear Answer Girl,
I would really like to make an addition to my life, but I can’t decide on a plant or a fish for my room. To top it off, I know nothing about either of them. What would you recommend?
-Botanically ChallengedMany people seem to have a lot of success and enjoyment with fish. I, personally, am not a huge fan of fish. What happens over long weekends and breaks when you can’t be there to feed them? Sounds like a bit of a hassle. So my advice is to find some plants.
Research suggests that plants are even good for your mental health. Yes, that’s right. Glancing at your plant can reduce stress, fatigue, anger, sadness and more. And as long as you stick with “beginner” plants that are difficult to kill, you won’t have any sad death scenes – yet another advantage over more delicate dorm room friends like fish.
Here are a few suggestions for dorm-friendly foliage:
1. Mother-in-law’s Tongue. This plant is commonly referred to as a “snake plant” because of the snakeskin-like pattern on its long, spiky leaves. If you don’t require flowers, this could be the perfect choice because it tolerates just about any light, grows slowly so it won’t need repotting and your average room temperature is sufficient (as long as you aren’t an arctic sleeper).
2. Spider plant. This plant gets its name from its distinctive foliage, which bursts forth like spider legs. It is happy hanging from a basket or sitting in a pot and will even absorb chemicals from the air, rendering your dorm room air even fresher. Spider plants typically have long, arching leaves that feature a green middle and white edges.

They are satisfying to own because of their rapid growth rate, but they’ll have to be watered accordingly. They prefer bright, indirect sunlight, so if you have a free spot near a window, this may be an ideal choice. Best of all, they are unbelievably easy to propagate, so you can share your spider with your hall-mates.
3. African Violet. If you love flowering plants, but are discouraged by how delicate they usually are, the African Violet is just the thing for your room. This plant flowers at multiple times throughout the year, ignoring the seasonal patterns that other plants are bound to.
They are also hardy, thriving in bright, indirect sunlight or even under your florescent ceiling lights. African violets prefer a temperature between 60 and 70 degrees, so keep them away from your heater or your open windows.
4. English Ivy. This plant is especially suited for dorm rooms because of its light tolerance; it will grow quickly and lushly in almost any light, from direct sunlight to shade. This ivy, like the spider plant will thrive in a hanging or a standing pot. Be sure to keep the ivy at a temperature between 50 and 60 degrees for best results.
So now you have a short list of possibilities. Keep a few additional things in mind, though, before you plop your new plant right on your windowsill. Since most dorm rooms on campus boast heating and air conditioner units under the windows, a plant may not be too happy perched on top, blasted with hot or cold air. Try and find another spot near a window – if your plant needs lots of light – that isn’t threatened by drafts. You and your plant will be much happier for it.
For more plant-related info, visit www.yougrowgirl.com.

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