When I first moved to university, two things symbolised the independence of finally living alone: framed pictures and houseplants. But, after three years of wilting spider plants and crispy ferns, I was despondent. This was until I hit upon the golden rule of maintaining the right humidity. My pokey ensuite, walls moulded and flaking, became the best friend to various plants I’d acquired over the years.

“My pokey ensuite, walls moulded and flaking, became the best friend to my plants”

Ferns in particular thrive off of the steam of a shower and should be sat on a north or east-facing windowsill. Though not a very beginner-friendly plant, they can be kept with the right know-how. I water my bird’s-nest fern every few days, making sure to drain it well in my sink before returning it to its pot: root-rot is a huge killer of houseplants. Named Esmerelda, its round of frilly fronds now sits handsomely by my sink. Maintaining the leaf shape and spread is achieved by regular rotation of the plant, ensuring fair access to sunlight. I won’t claim to have mastered the fern just yet, but am learning to placate their fickle needs. Eventually, I hope to try rearing the maidenhair fern, an elegant variant that I kept—though unfortunately killed—in first year.

Beyond the bathroom, where the air in my main room is dried out by the radiator, I’ve employed a humidifier. Enjoying this, Hoffman—my gorgeous pothos—drapes elegantly across my bookshelf, vines stretched across the walls on picture hooks. Trailing plants like pothos and ivy are easy to keep, and look very impressive against the drab white walls which are typical of university accommodation. Misting can be used to increase humidity, though be careful of water running down the leaves and sitting in the roots; over-misting can cause rot if not properly drained off.

But, if you’re still struggling… embrace the hydroponic! A must-have for the forgetful, cuttings grown in water need much less care, and certain species even prefer such an environment. There’s a whole world of greenery out there for those of us not disciplined enough for daily waterings and careful trimming. I’ll preach again about the pothos (I’ve many baby Hoffmans growing in empty coffee cups), as well as lucky bamboo and spider plants. In areas with hard water, such as Cambridge, it’s best to filter the water before placing in the cuttings, making sure to change it every few weeks.

“Don’t be afraid to talk to your greenery or play it music”

Similar to my point about humidity, plants enjoy consistency, so keep their containers somewhere with a stable temperature. To ensure root growth, take cuttings from above the nodes on the stems of your chosen plant, otherwise the cutting won’t establish itself properly. You won’t see a lot of growth from these plants, but planting them in soil gets you a whole new plant for free—a great gift to give if you’re short of cash this year.

Finally, a quick note on feeding. I use Baby Bio, a cheap yet effective food used diluted in water. The temptation is usually to feed heavily and often, but most plants prefer a gentler hand. Considering that a lot of houseplants have dormant periods—often in the winter—I feed only during active growth months, adding food into the watering can every fortnight or so. With all that said, go forth and grow! Remember that your plants are alive and require love and attention; don’t be afraid to talk to your greenery, play it music: afford it love and it will reciprocate.