said Davis, an Ohio University graduate student studying history and anthropology. I felt so bad about myself.
But after doing some online research, Davis felt confident about giving plants another try. She has a cactus and a ficus - named Phineas - in her apartment off U.S. Route 50. Both plants are doing well, she said.
When Stephane Davis' cactus died from overwatering two years ago, she said she felt terrible.
It was such a cute little cactus said Davis, an Ohio University graduate student studying history and anthropology. I felt so bad about myself.
But after doing some online research, Davis felt confident about giving plants another try. She has a cactus and a ficus - named Phineas - in her apartment off U.S. Route 50. Both plants are doing well, she said.
I love nature and it's nice to have something to take care of in my apartment
Davis said.
Many college students like to grow house plants in their residence halls, apartments or houses, said Harold Blazier, greenhouse and garden manager for the OU plant biology department. But students should be careful when choosing plants.
You get out of it what you put into it
he said. But if you do your homework
it's not very expensive to have several nice house plants.
OU allows plants in the residence halls and only has restrictions on illegal plants such as marijuana, said Judy Piercy, assistant director of Residential Housing, in an e-mail.
Besides their aesthetic qualities, house plants can improve air quality in a room, according to myindoorhouseplants.com.
Having a plant gives people something to nurture, said Emily Roe, a junior studying plant biology.
It's nice to be able to take care of something
she said. It's hard for college students to have a pet
but as long as you give (plants) water and sunlight they are alright.
But even though plants have very basic needs, there are some plants that work better for college students than others, Blazier said.
Lighting is going to be the biggest factor
he said. In dorms or a small apartment you don't have the luxury of placing a plant in the proper light.
Students should try to find house plants that thrive in low-to-moderate light, or buy a fluorescent plant light, Blazier said. Plants that don't get the light they need will die.
Overwatering is also a very common plant killer, Blazier said.
The best way to keep house plants alive and healthy is to learn about the plant before buying it, Blazier said.
Generally it's not the plant's fault if it dies
he said. It's like anything
if you do your research and put the effort in
