I think it’s a safe assumption that plants improve our quality of life. I mean, we couldn’t live without them (the whole photosynthesis and producing oxygen thing, you know). They also are visually appealing. Most plants have a main color that is green, but lots of plants have different colors and even different shades. There’s green, white, red; the list goes on. Many of these colors are often seen in the same plant.
Typically, there are many plants in people’s yards and all around their house, but a lot of people also keep their plants inside (known as houseplants). When we moved here, we probably left our cherished plants at home, but I brought mine.
Houseplants can be shockingly- easy to take care of in a dorm room. When you’re in your dorm, they are always in the same room, so you can keep an eye on them. Dorm rooms only have a few windows, but they provide a lot of light and keep plants happy. Plants also need water and some tell you they need more water by drooping their leaves. With others, you can look at the soil and see if it’s dry. Plants have a way of easily communicating what they need; you just have to listen!
Besides providing decor for your room and having a positive air quality in your room, plants have other benefits they provide. They have been shown to reduce stress levels, which is particularly helpful in college when stress can be at an overwhelming all-time high. Plants can improve your attentiveness and ability to concentrate when you study at home. Plants also can boost your productivity and overall feelings towards work.
Don’t believe me? Here are some thoughts from your other peers in the freshman class:
“They brighten up the entire space and give me something to take care of other than myself.” – Chelsea Liebenthal ‘27
“Goated” – Brinnan Smith ‘27
“I have a lot of respect for people who can keep real plants alive, especially in a tiny dorm room. Couldn’t be me. But I’m jealous of your aesthetic.” – Maria Balhara ‘27
Overall, plants have a lot of positive impacts on your health and outlook on life, which can be particularly crucial when we’re in college. They are also low-commitment, requiring little effort to keep them alive.
After reading this, I hope you might be considering going to get a plant. Be careful, though; once you get one you usually want more. You might want to get more than one since plants can actually talk to one another! (But that’s a story for another article) …Chat with you rats later!