Warmer weather may bring leaves back to the trees, but plants already brighten many indoor living quarters and offices on campus.

“It’s a great addition to any room and it’s cheaper than furniture,” said Chris Baker, NIU greenhouse co-manager.

NIU offices like the Counseling and Student Development Center are livened by plants such as ivy, shamrocks, ferns, geraniums and lilies.

“I like watching them grow, and it looks pretty,” said Ann Nelson, a secretary for the center. “They were going to throw this shamrock away, but I saved it, and now it’s growing.”

The University Programming and Activities office also is home to many plants, including purple passion, spider plants, philodendrons and aloe.

“They are healthy, and it adds to the atmosphere,” said Diane Nece, receptionist for the office. “We don’t have any windows, so it makes the office look less stuffy.”

Backyard gardens aren’t an option for students living in residence halls or apartments, but there are ways to bring the garden inside. Indoor plants require only adequate light and potting soil. Regular soil doesn’t offer enough drainage for plants to grow, Baker said.

Plants differ in the amount of water they need, but generally they should be watered thoroughly and the soil should be almost completely dry before it is watered again. Baker suggests allowing water to stand overnight to allow chlorine and fluoride to evaporate.

Fertilizer, which comes in both time-released and water soluble types, also helps plants to grow.

Plants that need bright light, such as succulents, aloe or haworthia, should be placed near a southern exposure.

“They are good for a beginner,” Baker said. “But you have to water them like a cactus, which is like once a week.”

Other good office plants are crotons & colorful, bright-light plants & and schefflera, which has leaves in the shape of fingers, Baker said.

Plants that require moderate light should be placed near an eastern or western exposure. Pothos, a vine plant popular for hanging baskets, is a good moderate light plant for beginners, Baker said.

Low-light plants, like the Chinese evergreen, should be placed near a northern exposure where there isn’t as much sunlight. The evergreen thrives in offices and other areas with limited light.

Staff at the NIU greenhouse, located at Montgomery Hall across from the East Lagoon, will help people choose a plant. To make an appointment or for more information, call 753-7832.