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Inexpensive Plants to Brighten the Autumn and Winter

Pleasant early autumn quickly gives way to cold, wet, and dreary when November arrives. The weather almost seems to turn on a penny. But the cold and dark mornings and evenings need not be so miserable. There are inexpensive ways of brightening up your student accommodation. Plants and flowers are just one of them. But at this time of the year, the choice is limited. What sort of plants can make your student home brighter?

 

Japanese Peace Lily

Peace lilies are common features of the modern home because they are resilient, hardy, and attractive. Don’t expect a flower at this time of year. For that you’ll need plenty of sunlight. You most likely won’t see flowers until spring. Until then, they do provide a nice centrepiece to any room with big and bold leaves. They are forgiving and will survive if you forget to water them for a few days. Try to keep them in damp rooms such as the bathroom as they like the mist. You should probably take this with you when you vacate for the Christmas break.

 

Fir or Spruce

November is the ideal time of the year to buy a juvenile fir or spruce. Essentially, these are Christmas trees and you’ll find them in most hardware stores that sell plants. They’re popular because they’re evergreen and don’t drop leaves although some will drop pine needles in the winter. If you buy a rooted one, it will survive quite happily inside or outside. Keep it in a small pot to stunt its growth and you have a pleasant miniature tree and a great Christmas tree in a few weeks. Put it outside during the Christmas break.

 

Succulents (Any!)

You can’t go far wrong with succulents at any time of the year, but in autumn and winter they will survive almost anything. These plants don’t need a lot of water; indeed, over-watering is more problematic than forgetting to water them. Most need just a splash of water around once a week, sometimes less frequently than that. They are cheap, small, and will brighten up any room. Aloes are popular; as are miniature cacti. Succulents can be left during the Christmas break and will survive.

 

African Violets

These hardy plants originate in East Africa but are commonly sold at this time of the year by most supermarkets. They are hardy and flower most of the year round. They come in vibrant purples which will brighten up any room. As the nights draw in towards the winter solstices, flowers are less likely as the plant likes lots of sunlight. But by that time, you’re likely to have the Christmas decorations up anyway or you won’t be in the accommodation. Come the new year, the days are getting longer.