The stereotypical college student uses strands of rope lights and neon-infused beer signs to brighten up a room. But for the style-savvy ISU student who doesn’t relish the extra utility costs, the answer lies in a few inches of wet dirt on a windowsill, tabletop or bookcase.

Houseplants are great decorating ideas for dorms, apartments and balcony gardens, said Rose Rollenhagen, lecturer and lab instructor for Horticulture 332, “Greenhouse Operation and Management” and Horticulture 435, “Greenhouse Crop Production II.” Students in both courses have spent the semester nurturing several varieties of plants in preparation for the Spring Plant Sale, a new student-run event designed to not only show off the students’ green thumbs, but to reimburse a portion of the teaching costs for the horticulture department.

Students judge each others’ plants according to national standards set by the Pi Alpha Xi horticulture honor society, which has specifications also adhered to by many floral retailers throughout the United States.

“These are good plants at reasonable prices. The students have cared for them well,” Rollenhagen said.

She encourages students, faculty and others to buy houseplants not only for themselves, but also as gifts for several occasions, such as Mother’s Day, which is May 7.

Students actively select what plants are grown in the courses, however, certain standard flowers, such as impatiens, are grown every year. Students in Horticulture 435 have the most freedom of plant choice, but Horticulture 332 students select their plants from a few different options.

“We are usually allowed to choose crops we are interested in growing,” said Jessica Kluver, senior in horticulture.

Kluver, student in Horticulture 435, has not only been learning about plant care in class, but has been helping to plan the sale throughout the semester. Since different species of plants have a variety of light, temperature and maintenance requirements, Kluver and the other students will be present throughout the sale to help customers find the perfect plants. She said some students have difficulty growing plants in poorly lit dorm rooms and apartments, but can have more success if they try different species.

Elizabeth Soldwish, freshman in animal ecology, said she would possibly attend the sale.

“I have an interest in gardening,” Soldwish said. She also agreed that a plant might make a thoughtful gift, as did Benjamin Weiss, freshman in animal ecology.

“I might stop by to see what there is,” Weiss said.

Several varieties of plants have been prepared this semester, such as geraniums, pansies, lilies, Boston ferns and many other species of annuals and perennials. Plant prices range from $1 to $12 and are available in pots of various sizes.