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Hi there! Laura here, former teacher and current plant shop owner. If you are familiar with GROW, you know that we are all about education. That was no happy accident while finding our footing in the crowded world of plant shops.
No, that was an intentional decision by me because education runs deep in my veins.
I was an elementary teacher for 15 years prior to owning GROW. It is something I loved and am immensely proud of. Because of that, I wanted GROW to become an educational hub for Midwest plant care.
Every August GROW starts our back-to-school push as many other shops do but in my mind, the GROW message needs to be a little different. I feel that plants don’t fall into the “wants” list, they really fall into the “needs” list.
Plants may be more important to an educational journey than you realize.
Your educational environment needs plants. Classrooms, offices, dorm rooms, study nooks, homework areas, libraries, just to name a few, are the perfect places to add a few plants this school year to absorb the many benefits they have to offer.
There are countless reasons that plants are needed in your educational environment but I’ll give you just a few of my favorites.
Cozy Atmosphere - While this may not sound like the most important reason, I put it first for a reason. Quality learning is exponentially easier in an environment that is comfortable for the learner. Whether that is a young student off to their first day at school, a college student moving away from home for the first time or a teacher looking to start the year off right with a new group of students, that first impression and feeling of “at home” is so important. It allows the mind to relax and can make the learners more comfortable in their new environment.
Productivity - Honestly, we all want to be more productive. Life has so many complicated layers right now so being productive and efficient is even more important. Plants help with productivity in so many ways:
Improved Air Quality: Houseplants can purify the air by absorbing toxins, increasing oxygen levels, and reducing carbon dioxide. Cleaner air leads to better cognitive function and overall health, which can enhance productivity.
Stress Reduction: The presence of plants has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Lower stress can improve focus and efficiency, leading to better work performance.
Increased Attention Span: Studies suggest that being around plants can improve concentration and attention span. This can be particularly beneficial in educational environments where sustained focus is needed.
Better Mood: Plants can boost mood and overall well-being. A positive mood can lead to more motivation and energy to tackle tasks.
Reduced Noise Levels: Plants can help absorb background noise, creating a quieter and more pleasant workspace. This can reduce distractions and improve concentration.
Sense of Ownership - Taking responsibility for an educational plant collection is a powerful way to take ownership of your learning space. Whether it be a “watering Wednesday” for your littles or progress pics in the dorm rooms, taking the steps to keep the plants in your space happy and healthy is just another way to create a comfortable and familiar environment.
Not all plants are created equal.
I don’t think all plants are appropriate plants for educational environments. When we talk about learning spaces such as classrooms, dorm rooms and libraries, we need to talk about lack of control. Chances are, you won’t have full control over the room temperature, humidity levels and 24 hour access. Because of this, we need to make sure our plants for these areas are tolerant and forgiving. You need plants that can handle going a few extra days without watering if you happen to forget before you leave for the weekend. You need plants that can tolerate a dry environment and cooler temperatures if your district controls the air and heat in your classroom.
I have chosen my favorite “Back-to-School” plants because they check the essential boxes: tolerant, classic, and beginner friendly.
The GROW Collection includes:
The Sansevieria Family
The ZZ Family
Philodendron Cordatum
Philodendron Brasil
Plants that almost made the list and why they didn’t:
Pothos family - Wonderful staple in any plant collection but due to the time it takes them to “bounce back” after a missed watering, I don’t want a stressed looking plant in a calm environment.
Scindapsus - While it is one of my absolute favorite families and incredibly tolerant, the consistency in quality isn’t there. I would fill the shop with them every week if I could. However, they often come in small or not fully rooted so I am very choosy about when I bring them in. While I can guarantee the quality at GROW, I can’t at other locations you may shop so they don’t make the list.
Monstera and Upright Philodendrons - It’s a space and maintenance issue. They are both amazingly fast growers but do require a fair amount of upkeep because of this. Your Monstera may actually outgrow the space before the end of the school year!
Two finally ideas to help you kick off the school year with your new plants:
College students: take a picture with your Philodendron Cordatum or Brasil 3 times this year. Move in day, Winter Break and the last day of the Spring Semester. Notice the amount of growth both you and your plant have shown!
Younger Learners: Use your new plants as a calming educational activity. Clean the leaves once a week to tidy up your space. Sketch your plant and notice new changes. Choose a cool pot that reflects your personal style!
I’d love to hear how your plants elevate your productive spaces and feel free to ask questions! Talk to me in the comments below!
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