I must confess… I genuinely love plants. Even my clothing bears the slogan “Plant Daddy.”
Some people could refer to my love of plants as a pastime, but I’m confident it has grown beyond that. It’s almost to the point of being an obsession with the more than 50 plants I have in my classroom.
There are so many benefits to having plants in the classroom. Our potted companions are a terrific way to get kids interested in science classes and help them develop responsibility. They also provide a touch of nature and look good in a school environment. Not to mention that they clean the air better than your Glade plug-in ever could!
Now, you need to exercise caution when using plants in a school environment since some can be toxic and hazardous to children. People won’t react well to the dungeon-like lighting you probably have. Here are my top five suggestions for indoor plants for classrooms. They are simple to cultivate and will look fantastic all year long.
They are lovely. They are taking over the country. And they are essentially everywhere. But does this make it simpler for them to develop in the classroom? Maybe.
Don’t be intimidated by succulents. Just remember a few guidelines. Pick the GREEN ONES first. Are you paying attention, girl? I am aware of how alluring the purple ones are. I am confident that your classroom theme will look fantastic with the other items’ red tones. Green, though, is the way to go. They perform better indoors. They do. Lush green hues are even excellent.
You will need to make up for any lighting issues in your classroom if you want to use this (or other indoor plants). This entails purchasing an inexpensive grow light from Amazon or switching the regular lightbulbs into a bare lamp for grow bulbs.
Sparingly water these plants. There is a reason why succulent leaves are puffy. Water is being held there for the plant. Remember when you are inclined to soak them thoroughly over the weekend.
The universe of succulents must be enormous. Aloe vera and haworthias (some varieties are called the zebra plant) are my two personal favorite plants to grow. Both thrive on being ignored and would prefer that you ignore them completely. Imagine them as a timid student at the school dance. You can spotlight them, but all they’ll do is uncomfortably flinch and tremble. But if you let them be, they’ll find their place in the world and do better in life.
Ah, the year’s best plant. I swear that these items appear everywhere in home décor publications. A fiddle (Ficus lyrata) plant in the classroom will undoubtedly have an HGTV feel.
Everyone often assumes that these enormous beauties are challenging to care for, yet they are not. Like most houseplants, their roots prefer to dry out a little before receiving another thorough soaking. But don’t overwater.
These plants’ demand for light is their most challenging requirement. These gorgeous plants with broad leaves love bright, and I mean BRIGHT, light. However, this DOES NOT imply full sunlight. They still require indirect, diffused light; they like much of it. Patsy, the name of a fiddle I once had, wasn’t in the best shape. She immediately brightened up when I tried using some grow bulbs on her after that. She wasn’t receiving enough light in my tiny flat, which has a window that faces north.
Here are two additional pointers for raising fiddles. You should also pay attention to the plant’s pot or planter size. Even if the plant may be enormous, a large container is not necessarily the best place for it. The reverse is true. Keep the container smaller since fiddles want to have their roots “hugged.” Before moving it into a bigger pot, you should generally wait four to six months in the container it was initially planted in. While it could appear like there are many regulations involved, there aren’t many. Remember that anything is possible if you have the desire.
These are well-liked among students and require very little maintenance. Since they are so well-known for imparting a serene Zen atmosphere, you can find them in most garden centers and home décor shops.
Most of the time, you must ensure the water in its vessel is constantly filled. These plants should be kept in areas with medium to low light. Boom Badda! You’ll have 12 good bamboo shoots or one healthy bamboo shoot. Plus, this is a terrific plant to have around if you’re teaching about pandas.
I’m really into air plants. When you sprinkle them about the classroom, they can transform it from boring to fabulous. Since they don’t require soil to grow, many people aren’t even aware that they are actual plants. But here’s why they’re lovely.
First, there are many possibilities available. There are air plants that range in size from that of a nickel to that of a dinner plate. Some have arms that grow in different directions, resembling sticks, while others have thick leaves that curve back. Additionally, they come in a variety of hues. Tillandsia Bulbosa is the scientific name of my favorite air plant. I’m reminded of Ursula from The Little Mermaid by the arms.
Air plants’ ease of maintenance is another reason why they’re fantastic. They mainly require a space with good ventilation. Furthermore, it is best if you can illuminate them further. You are welcome to try other placements, although strong lighting is generally the best.
Therefore, how do you water these plants if there is no soil and no roots? You soak them for around 15 minutes before repositioning them. They may be positioned in adorable hanging bulbs or little pots. Searching for “air plant arrangements” on Pinterest can immediately lead you to a wealth of inspiring concepts.
It simply sounds like a cheerful plant that you would like to cultivate. Look for this one by its botanical name, Pilea Peperomioides, also known as the money plant. This plant is a lot of fun; your kids will also love it. They are simple to grow from seed, creating an entirely new plant. They are simple to share with your best buddies because of this.
The friendship plant will begin to produce babies (or pups) at the base of its stem when given the proper care. You may gently cut them free from the mother plant, put them in water, and allow them to begin growing roots of their own, resulting in a fuller plant. When my pileas produce puppies, the students in my courses adore them and are usually thrilled to take home a propagated cutting.
These plants tend to be a little pickier about their surroundings. They like to wait until the soil is arid before watering. Pay attention to the soil. If you push your finger in an inch or deeper and it feels scorched, you generally need to water again.
Here’s a brief, exciting fact. Technically speaking, these plants belong to the succulent family! They thus enjoy the sun, but perhaps not as much as their cousins, the succulents. The key here is bright, INDIRECT light.
