Top 5 Plants to Have in Your Dorm Room
Aloe Vera
Lucky Bamboo
Peace Lily
Ponytail Palm
ZZ Plant
(Also Succulents)
Aloe Vera
Temperature Moderate/Warm - Prefers 65-75°F daytimes and 60-70°F at night.
Light Bright indirect light is preferred but it can be maintained for many weeks in lower light.
Watering Moderately moist soil is preferred. Water thoroughly when just the soil surface is dry to the touch. Provide good drainage & do not allow to stand in water. (Keep drier during the fall & winter.)
Comments The Aloe is a very tolerant plant as long as it has good drainage. The thick sap of the Aloe Vera hastens healing when applied to cuts and burns
Lucky Bamboo
Lucky Bamboo grows in water like cut flowers, but lasts for years. It can be potted in soil, but it will need to be kept constantly moist. It will not tolerate fluoride, high salt or chlorine levels. For best results, use filtered water. You can also fill a jug with tap water and leave the cap off for 24 hours. This will cause the chlorine, fluoride and other harmful elements to dissipate. Be sure to leave the water at room temperature.
Place your lucky bamboo in 1/2" - 2" fresh or filtered shallow water . [One source recommends no more than 1" of water]. For best results, change the water every other week. Keep an eye on the water. Lucky bamboo can dehydrate if kept out of water for too long. It is not necessary to feed the lucky bamboo. ; it adapts to a new environment easily. Low light to bright indirect sunlight is best. It prefers temperatures ranging from 60° - 90° F.
Ponytail Palm
Temperature Can tolerate temperatures down to 50°F, but prefers 60°F or up to 90°F.
Light Bright-indirect sunlight, will tolerate full sun
Watering Allow to thoroughly dry out before watering. Likes a dry environment. Overwatering is the best way to kill a ponytail palm.
Fertilizer Apply half the recommended strength, in Spring and Summer.
Comments Do not replant until it is root bound (3-4 years.)
Peace Lily
Resembling calla lily, peace lily has long arching leaves and produces a spike of tiny yellow blossoms surrounded by a white spathe (flower).
Light Expose to medium (bright, indirect) light. Do not place in full sun. Tolerates low light, but normally needs brighter light to bloom.
Water Keep soil evenly moist at all times. If soil dries out, the tips of leaves turn brown. Mist often; the higher the humidity, the better.
Temperature Maintain temperatures in the 80°’s curing the day for best growth. Plant tolerates average temperatures.
Comments Pot up each spring. If roots pop to soil surface, cover with sphagnum moss. From February through July, feed every 14 days with dilute solution. Remove yellow leaves. Propagate by seed anytime, or by dividing and potting the young shoots at the base of the plant in spring.
ZZ Plant aka (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is commonly called the "ZZ plant" in the trade. Interior plantscapers are finding the ZZ to be an exceptional performer in any light. Especially the low light levels where few plants perform well.
This plant has very dark green, shiny foliage. In fact you would think that the plant has been shined. The ZZ carries a unique look which allows it to be used as a stand alone specimen but can also be used in mass plantings as well.
At Butler's we grow ZZ in 6",8",10", AND 14" containers. Just like all the other plants we grow our ZZ's are planted in our special soil which is well drained and helps produce the best root system possible... and the plants are ready for interior use.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is different in a few ways than most foliage plants. It has an underground tuber like potato that stores water. This allows the plant the ability to go for months with no water at all. The thick leaves hold water as well as the fleshy stems. Light to moderate watering every 7-14 days will keep this plant at peak health. Do not allow a ZZ to sit in water or rot may occur. Pest ae basically a non-issue with a ZZ.
It all boils down to another great indoor performer from Butler's Foliage.