With back-to-school season nearing, it’s time to refresh the spaces where we’ll spend much of the year. Whether it’s a dorm room, classroom, or home office, adding tropical plants can brighten your surroundings, boost your mood, and create a more inspiring environment for work or study. Tanya Olsen, third-generation owner of Royal City Nursery and a Professor in the Horticulture Apprenticeship program at Humber College, shares her top tropical plant picks to help you make the most of the 2024 back-to-school season.
When it comes to dorm life, space and time are often limited, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice greenery. Introducing a few low-maintenance, resilient houseplants can bring life to your room, improve concentration and all without adding stress to your busy schedule. Here are some top picks that are perfect for dorm living:
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a dorm room superstar. This plant is not only easy to care for, it thrives in low to bright light, making it ideal for spaces with limited natural light. Its trailing branches can be draped over shelves or hung from the ceiling to create a lush, green environment. Pothos is also a fantastic air purifier, helping to keep your dorm room feeling fresh and clean.
Snake Plants (Sansevieria trifasciata), often called “mother-in-law’s tongue,” are practically indestructible. They tolerate low light and infrequent watering, making them perfect for students who are new to plant care or have unpredictable schedules. Snake plants also release oxygen at night, making them a great addition to your sleep space.
ZZ Plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) are another dorm-friendly option, known for their glossy, dark green leaves and extreme drought tolerance. These plants thrive on neglect, so even if you forget to water them for a while, they’ll still look great. ZZ plants are also compact, fitting easily into small spaces like desks or window sills, and they can handle low-light conditions with ease.
Chinese Evergreens (Aglaonema spp.) are perfect for adding a touch of color to your dorm. With their striking, variegated leaves in shades of green, silver, and even red, they bring visual interest to any room. Chinese Evergreens are also known for their air-purifying properties and can thrive in low-light environments, making them a low-maintenance yet attractive addition to your space.
Transform your classroom into an engaging, green oasis with plants that are not only visually appealing but also easy to care for and educational. Introducing plants into a learning environment can spark curiosity, promote a calming atmosphere, and even improve air quality. Here are some top classroom-friendly plants that will thrive in your educational space:
Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea muscipula) is a fascinating plant that captures the attention of students of all ages. With its unique ability to trap and digest insects, the Venus Fly Trap offers a hands-on lesson in biology and plant adaptations. It’s a great way to spark conversations about the natural world, and with a little care—such as keeping the soil moist and providing plenty of light—it will thrive in the classroom.
Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides) is not only adorable with its round, coin-shaped leaves but also symbolizes good luck and prosperity. This plant is perfect for a classroom windowsill, where it can catch plenty of indirect light. The Chinese Money Plant is easy to propagate, offering students the opportunity to learn about plant reproduction and share new plants with classmates.
Boston Ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) are a classic choice for adding lush greenery to your classroom. Known for their feathery fronds and air-purifying properties, Boston Ferns create a soothing environment that can help students focus and relax. They thrive in indirect light and appreciate regular watering, making them a great plant for teaching responsibility and routine.
Cowboy Cactus (Euphorbia acrurensis), with its rugged, tall structure, brings a bit of the wild west into your classroom. Often associated with the iconic “Toy Story” movies, this cactus can be a fun and imaginative addition to your space, sparking creativity and storytelling among students. Despite its appearance, the Cowboy Cactus is low-maintenance and only needs occasional watering, making it a perfect fit for a busy classroom.
Succulents like Aloe, Haworthia, and Echeveria are ideal for classrooms due to their compact size and variety of shapes and colors. These little plants are hardy and require minimal care, thriving in bright light and dry conditions. Succulents are great for teaching kids about plant resilience and the different ways plants adapt to their environments. Plus, Aloe has the added bonus of being useful for soothing minor skin irritations, making it a functional addition to your classroom.
Designing a home office that’s both motivating and pet-safe is simpler than you might expect. By incorporating pet-friendly plants, you can bring a touch of nature to your workspace and desk while ensuring your furry companions can safely explore their environment. Here are some top picks for pet-safe plants that will thrive in your home office:
Ferns, such as the Boston Fern or the Maidenhair Fern, are perfect for adding a lush, tropical feel to your office. These plants are known for their delicate, feathery fronds and their ability to thrive in indirect light. Ferns are also natural humidifiers, helping to improve air quality and create a more comfortable work environment. Plus, they’re completely nonZ-toxic to pets, making them a worry-free addition to your space.
Pilea (Pilea peperomioides), also known as the Chinese Money Plant, is a charming and compact plant that’s perfect for brightening up your desk or windowsill. With its unique, round leaves and easy-going nature, Pilea is a great choice for both beginner plant parents and experienced gardeners. This plant is not only pet-friendly but also easy to care for, thriving in indirect light and requiring minimal watering.
Peperomia is a diverse group of small, easy-to-care-for plants that come in a variety of leaf shapes and colors, making them a versatile choice for your home office. Peperomias are known for their thick, waxy leaves that store water, so they can tolerate occasional neglect—perfect for busy professionals. They’re also safe for pets, allowing you to enjoy their vibrant foliage without worrying about your cat or dog.
Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are not only resilient and easy to care for but also produce charming “baby” plants on their long, arching stems, which can be propagated easily. This makes them a fun and interactive plant for your home office. Spider plants are known for their air-purifying qualities, helping to remove toxins from the air, and they’re completely non-toxic to pets, so you can keep them anywhere your pets might roam.
Calatheas are a bit more of a challenge, making them perfect for experienced plant parents who are looking to add a touch of drama to their home office. Known for their striking, patterned leaves that come in shades of green, purple, and pink, Calatheas are true statement plants. They require a bit more attention in terms of humidity and light, but they’re also safe for pets, making them a rewarding choice for those who want a pet-friendly plant that stands out.
Watch our latest video on YouTube to learn more.
Thumbnail image with link to ‘Safe & Stylish Pet Friendly Tropicals’ video on our YouTube channel.
Whether you’re looking to create a pet-friendly home office, a vibrant classroom, or simply want to add some greenery to your living space, the right plants can make all the difference. Our experts are here to help—visit us in-store, and we can advise you on the best plants to suit your space, ensuring they thrive in your environment while keeping your pets and family safe.
About Tanya Olsen:
Tanya is a third-generation garden centre owner and landscape designer.
Teaches Horticulture Apprenticeship at Humber College in Ontario, Canada.
Has a weekly segment on CTV news.
Has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture.
YWCA Woman of Distinction.
About Royal City Nursery:
Guelph, Ontario’s only third-generation, full-service garden centre! We specialize in creating custom outdoor living spaces and unique solutions for all your garden, landscape, and seasonal decorating needs! At our new greenhouse, located between Guelph and Cambridge, we are the garden centre of choice for discerning homeowners, landscapers, and designers.
