Our Top Houseplants for Students

It's that time of year again; the weather is getting cooler, and a new term of university begins. Whether you're moving into student halls for the first time or returning to your term time address, it's important to make your room feel comfortable and homey. Houseplants can bring life to any space, and their air-purifying qualities can even help you sleep and study better! They also make the perfect gift for a new student to wish them luck.

We've put together some of our top suggestions for indoor plants that will suit your university space and we've purposely picked easy-care plants so you can focus on your work (and play)! 

Ferns

Ferns are an excellent plant to decorate your desk or bedside table. They are simple to care for (especially if you like to water your plants weekly), and their love for humidity makes them the perfect bathroom plant! They are low-light tolerant and dislike direct light, so keep them away from bright windowsills to let them thrive. Our top choice is the Asparagus Fern - cute, fluffy and hardy.

Sansevieria

More commonly known as the Snake Plant, this plant is both reliable and versatile. Sansevieria often thrive in a sunny environment such as a windowsill, but they are also low-light tolerant. They are incredibly drought tolerant and can be left without water for several weeks! Their leaves are tough and hardy - so they are great if you need to transport them often between term-time accommodations.

Cacti

Does your room have a south-facing window? Cacti are our go-to bright light plants for a sunny and warm windowsill. They are very drought tolerant and don't require much watering, especially in the colder seasons, so they are perfect for a forgetful plant parent! If you travel home in-between terms, you can depend on this plant to stay healthy the weeks you are away. You can start your cacti collection with the classic Echinocactus Grusonii.

Calathea

Another versatile plant, perfect for those who like to water weekly. Native to rainforest floors, Calathea enjoy indirect light and high humidity so they are fab for a shady spot on your desk or in the bathroom. Nicknamed 'prayer plants', their leaves move with the light through the day. They are incredibly decorative and have a wide variety of stunning patterns. You can even pick the Calathea that best suits your room's colour scheme and vibe! Our best seller is the Pinstripe Calathea, popular for their unusual pink stripes.

Philodendron

This plant has lovely heart-shaped leaves that trail and grow quite fast! Perfect for sitting atop your wardrobe or on your bookshelf, this plant can survive in almost all light conditions and only needs watering when half the soil has dried. Philodendron Scandens and Philodendron Brasil are our favourites! With very similar care, Satin Pothos also make a great easy-care trailing plant.

Aspidistra Elatior

The ultimate easy-care plant. Nicknamed the 'Cast Iron Plant' for their resilience, they are drought AND low-light tolerant and are perfectly fine when neglected. Aspidistra's classic look makes them an impressive yet simple statement piece for any room floor or corner.

We hope you find these recommendations helpful. Explore our easy-care category below for even more options from our current stock.

Tips for House Sharing with Plants

Make a Watering Schedule

This helps to share the responsibility of watering and pruning, reminds you to water your plants, and helps to prevent plants from becoming overwatered by too many people watering throughout the week.

Make Plant Care a Hobby

Bond with your housemates by sharing your plant knowledge! Learn together how to care for your plants, how to propagate, and even gift your plant babies to your other housemates or friends. When you are passionate about plants, it becomes easier and more enjoyable to care for them. A shared interest in something will also help in making new friends!

Using Plants as Decoration

Plants are a great way to add your personality to a space without clashing with someone else's style. Many people have different decorative tastes, so adding and moving plants around your house/flat will freshen them up and add a more 'lived-in' look.

We want to help you afford to make your university space both calming and inspiring. So we are introducing a new in-store discount for students!

Enjoy 15% off your in-store purchase when you show valid student ID

Good luck at uni! We look forward to seeing you soon 🌳

Words by Phoebe Ingram