The Best House Plants for Students: Affordable, Low-Maintenance Greens to Brighten Your Space
As a student, your space needs to be functional, comfortable, and inspiring. Adding house plants to your room can be a game-changer, turning a dull space into a cozy sanctuary. Not only do plants improve air quality, but they can also reduce stress, boost productivity, and make your room feel more inviting. However, as a student, you likely have a busy schedule, limited budget, and a lack of gardening experience. That’s why it’s essential to choose plants that are easy to care for, affordable, and can thrive in student living conditions.
Here’s a list of the best house plants for students, combining beauty, ease of care, and practicality!
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria) – The Ultimate Low-Maintenance Plant
If you’re a busy student, the Snake Plant should be your go-to choice. This hardy plant thrives on neglect, requiring minimal watering (every 2-3 weeks) and low light. Its sleek, upright leaves can add a modern touch to your room, while it also works as an air purifier. Snake plants are perfect for those who are new to plants or often forget to water.
Why It’s Great for Students:
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Requires little water and light
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Air-purifying properties
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Low-maintenance care
2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) – A Great Choice for Beginners
Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is one of the most popular house plants due to its resilience and stunning trailing vines. It’s perfect for student accommodation, as it can thrive in a range of lighting conditions, from low light to bright, indirect sunlight. Pothos only needs to be watered when the soil is dry, making it super easy to care for.
Why It’s Great for Students:
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Grows quickly and can be trained to climb or cascade
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Thrives in various light conditions
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Low maintenance and forgiving
3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) – A Fun and Stylish Plant
With its arching green and white striped leaves, the Spider Plant is a striking addition to any student room. This plant is known for its ability to remove toxins from the air and is incredibly easy to care for. It can tolerate occasional neglect and prefers indirect light, making it perfect for students living in dorms or shared houses. It also produces small “babies” that you can propagate into new plants.
Why It’s Great for Students:
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Air-purifying properties
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Requires only occasional watering
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Grows quickly and can be propagated
4. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) – A Tough and Stylish Option
The ZZ Plant is virtually indestructible, making it an excellent choice for busy students. It can thrive in low light and doesn’t need frequent watering—just water it every couple of weeks when the soil is dry. Its glossy, dark green leaves will add a sophisticated touch to your study space, while it’s also known to be an air purifier.
Why It’s Great for Students:
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Low light and water requirements
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Hard to kill, even for beginners
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Adds a sleek, modern look to any room
5. Aloe Vera – A Practical and Therapeutic Plant
Aloe Vera isn’t just beautiful—it’s also incredibly useful. If you’re ever in need of a natural remedy for burns or skin irritations, you can simply cut a leaf and apply the gel. Aloe Vera loves bright, indirect light and only needs to be watered once every 3 weeks, making it ideal for students who may not be home often.
Why It’s Great for Students:
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Low-maintenance care
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Useful for skin care and minor burns
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Thrives in bright, indirect light
6. Succulents – Small, Stylish, and Easy to Care For
Succulents are incredibly popular among students due to their unique shapes, vibrant colors, and minimal care needs. They thrive in dry conditions, requiring very little watering (once every 2-3 weeks). Succulents prefer bright light but can tolerate indirect sunlight, making them perfect for windowsills or desks.
Why They’re Great for Students:
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Low watering needs
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Available in many shapes and sizes
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Easy to care for and propagate
7. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) – Elegant and Air-Cleansing
If you’re looking for a plant that’s both beautiful and functional, the Peace Lily is an excellent choice. With its elegant white flowers and glossy green leaves, this plant will brighten any space. Peace Lilies are also great air purifiers, removing harmful toxins from the air. They thrive in low to medium light and prefer to be watered when the soil is slightly dry.
Why It’s Great for Students:
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Beautiful and elegant appearance
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Air-purifying properties
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Low-maintenance care
8. English Ivy (Hedera helix) – Perfect for Vertical Space
English Ivy is a versatile plant that can be grown in hanging baskets, on shelves, or as a trailing vine. It’s known for its ability to purify the air and can grow in moderate to low light conditions. As an added bonus, Ivy can help reduce allergens in your living space, making it an ideal choice for students with allergies.
Why It’s Great for Students:
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Can be grown in hanging baskets or pots
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Air-purifying and allergen-reducing properties
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Requires minimal care
Final Thoughts: How to Care for Your Student House Plants
Caring for house plants in your student room doesn’t have to be hard! Here are some quick tips to ensure your green friends thrive:
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Light: Most house plants prefer indirect sunlight. Keep them near windows but not in direct sun.
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Watering: Over-watering is a common mistake. Ensure the soil is dry before watering again.
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Containers: Use pots with drainage holes to avoid waterlogging your plants.
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Cleaning: Dust the leaves regularly to help the plant absorb light and stay healthy.
Whether you’re looking to boost your room’s aesthetic or improve air quality, these easy-to-care-for house plants are perfect for any student on a budget or tight schedule.
Conclusion: Adding house plants to your student accommodation is an affordable and effective way to create a more inviting, healthier living space. These plants are not only low-maintenance and easy to care for, but they also provide various benefits, including better air quality, reduced stress, and increased productivity. Happy planting!
By incorporating these house plants into your student home, you’ll create a more vibrant and soothing environment that can help you feel more relaxed and focused. So, why not add a touch of nature to your space today?
For more student living tips and tricks, don’t forget to check out our other articles on our student property website!
