When I started this new academic year I promised myself that I would attempt to develop a green thumb, despite having previously killed cacti – something I thought was supposed to be unkillable.
My rooms have been in desperate need of something to brighten them, enshrined in the inevitable darkness that comes with winter and living in tiny rooms. However, I need this newly inspired hobby to be cheap and low maintenance.
The first thing I did was pop to a big Tescos and get myself a basil plant, so I could grow myself an endless supply of basil for cheap. You can pick up a herb plant from many of the major supermarkets for under a fiver.
Once you have a plant, one of the most important things for you to do is separate it into other pots as supermarkets put too many of the plants in one meaning that none of the plants get enough nutrients to survive.
You can get pots and soil for reasonably cheap – Poundstretcher sells pots for around a pound, and The Watered Garden in Sneinton Market sells soil for under a tenner.
Once you have separated your plants, I recommend putting them on some kind of platform that is raised from the windowsill to prevent any mould. I use old plastic egg cartons and Greek yoghurt pots, which catch any leaking water, and you could also use a plate.
From there, the herbs need semi-regular watering. You should be able to feel if the soil is still damp or if it requires watering from the holes in your pots.
If you want a truly unlimited supply of herbs, you can cut off a head of a stem, place it in water and wait for roots to grow in before replanting. For additional information, I found both TikTok and YouTube helpful. I’m sure uni has a ton of very scientific explanations about the growing of plants but I don’t think I would be able to understand them.
If you’re not interested in growing herbs, or it feels like too much effort, there are more low-maintenance plants that you can grow or buy already basically grown.
There is the obvious cactus, which requires minimal light and watering and is often already planted in a suitable pot.
They can be brought for cheap in retailers all across the city, including Urban Outfitters, IKEA and independent plant shops. You can get all different shapes, sizes, and colours.
Another low-maintenance houseplant is the spider plant (otherwise known as Chlorophytum comosum).
They require a bit of neglect, so you can go back home for the reading week without having to worry about them dying off. While these plants thrive in bright environments, you should avoid keeping them in direct sunlight.
Another option is the Chinese evergreen plant. They should be kept warm and away from dampness (might need to be careful with this in winter).
If you have a garden, you could try out an outdoor plant.
Outdoor plants can include more pretty plants as they are more likely to have flowers. These plants can include sunflowers, marigolds and pansies. They will need to be potted, placed in the correct corner of your garden and watered (frequency depending on the type of plant).
These plants can be brought both as partially grown or as seeds. Seeds are incredibly cheap, and growing them from scratch would be a great way to engage with your newly acquired green thumb.
Outside plants are also more seasonally dependent, such as sunflowers, which grow mainly in the sun. This can mean that may only actually end up gardening during certain months.
There are many ways to get involved in some low-level easy gardening to brighten up a dull uni room or garden, and I hope this guide helped you.
Featured image credits – Jan Haerer from Pixabay