Dive into the lush world of houseplants as we explore selecting the ideal green companions that will flourish with you and your space.
Houseplants can have a great impact on our mental and emotional state. Their calming influence can lower stress levels, elevate mood, and enhance overall happiness.
Whether it’s the act of caring for them or simply basking in their greenery, plants can be rejuvenating. But with the hectic schedule of a graduate student at the Institute, finding the time to figure out what plants best suit you can be challenging.
This post will walk you through some house plant options for whatever level of care you can provide, so you can reap the benefits of having houseplants. You should be able to find most of the plants listed at places like the farmers market or a gardening store, making them an easy option to get started with.
Sun Light Level
There are many houseplants that enjoy full sun all day every day. Others prefer barely any light at all. Ultimately, determining what level of sunlight you can provide a plant will depend on your living space.
If you have a room with lots of natural light and sunny spots to place plants in, these high-sun plants will work for you.
- Jade
- Pilea
- String of Pearls
- Aloe Vera
- Echeveria
- Money Tree
- Croton
Pictured here is a Pilea that I keep on my window sill, where it gets tons of sunlight.
Additionally, if your room is too bright, using foliage to filter out some light can be extremely helpful.
If you have a darker room with only artificial light, sticking to low-light plants will be best. Low-light plants still need some light, but indirect light will be enough to keep them happy. Some options for low-light plants are:
- Pothos
- Peperomia Green
- Maidenhair Fern
- Fittonia
- Philodendron
- Calathea
- Monstera
Watering Level
Another essential factor to consider when caring for a plant is how often it will need water. The plants I previously mentioned are listed here with their approximate watering needs. This can change depending on the level of light they are receiving. Ultimately, if you go to water your plants and the soil is still damp, it’s best to wait a bit before watering it.
High Sun
- Water every 2-3 weeks
- Jade
- String of Pearls
- Aloe Vera
- Water weekly
- Pilea
- Echeveria
- Money Tree
- Croton
Low Sun
- Water weekly
- Pothos
- Peperomia Green
- Philodendron
- Calathea
- Monstera
- Water every other day
- Maidenhair Fern
- Fittonia
This factor of plant care can be harder to juggle with our busy schedule at the Institute. If you find yourself without the time or mental space to keep up with a watering schedule, you can grow plants in water.
Propagation can be done using various plants, but the best candidates are Aroid plants (Pothos, Philodendrons, Monsteras, etc.). To propagate your plants, all you need is a cutting of the desired plant and a bottle, jar, or any vessel full of water. It is best to get a 4 to 6-inch piece for the cutting and ensure it includes a root node (circled in the picture below) because that is where the new roots will grow.
You can get cuttings from houseplants you already have; this is a great way to make one plant go a long way in your space. From there, you can leave your cutting in the water and watch it grow. As you see the water getting low or murky, make sure to refresh it.
Houseplants are a valuable addition to any home; you can easily find ones that work with you and your schedule.
As things get busier at the Institute with classes and practicum, it will be nice to have a calming influence. Depending on what level of light or watering you can offer a plant, use this post to find one to suit you best and improve your living space. Good luck growing!
Columnist: Andrea Saravitz