I'm surprised at this list. Dorm room often means little light and sporadic watering at best, sometimes no watering over long breaks, and forget about fertilizing. My dorm room vote would be for a pothos. In fact, my husbands college-era pothos is still going strong 20 years later.

This is a weird list. Yes, these are all "cool" plants, but most need full sun and a green thumb. Cactuses often die due to overwatering (which is easier to do than you think). The lemon tree will require daily misting. Somehow I don't seen that happening.

I moved into a very airy and light filled condo last year, I really wanted a meyer lemon tree, but before I purchased one I called my favorite nursery and asked the plant guru (who i trust) about it. She told me that it would prob never bloom and never bear fruit, it would look just like a ficus. Was she wrong? or do people just keep perpetuating the myth that you can grow citrus indoors?

@ Amandarh -

My neighbor has two orange trees inside that make tons of fruit. We got one as a wedding gift 9 months ago which hasn't done anything yet, but it's still pretty small, and I still feel cheery optimism when I think of future fruits...

@amandarh - I have a dwarf meyer lemon tree that I keep inside during the winter and it has been very happy and gave me 6 lemons last year. It's only about 18" tall (and maybe 24" wide.) This year, I didn't even place it in a south facing window while inside - actually went with a north window that is textured. I do put it outside once it warms up and it loves it. I also periodically give it some 5-1-1 fish fertilizer, but I'm not super knowledgeable about plants and only feed it periodically. I water once a week and don't spritz the leaves when I have it inside (didn't know it would want that.) It seems to like a lot of water when it goes outside for the summer though.

So, if I can keep a lemon tree alive (in NY) I would say your nursery plant guru doesn't actually know what she's talking about. My parents also had one when I was growing up - even with heavy pruning it got to be over 6-feet tall - and that was in Minnesota! One thing I heard (for all plants, actually) is to not change its location inside - pick one spot and leave it there. And if you want lemons but it flowers while inside, you'll have to pollinate it by hand using a paint brush.

BUT, I still don't think this would be a proper plant for a dorm room at all.

I should also mention that i live in south texas and my central air runs about 350 days out of the year, so my inside air is very dry. I'm not sure if that would have any bearing on it. perhaps i will give it a try.

yeah this is a terrible list. I would suggest lucky bamboo, or any type of dracaena. Air plants would also be a good suggestion.

Every Meyer lemon tree I've had has died, despite fairly good conditions and a fairly green thumb. This is a great list to teach college students about disappointment, unrealistic expectations, cause and effect, responsibility, and the inevitability of death, sure.

I have a dwarf Meyer lemon, and it's loaded with fruit right now. I live in northern WI. I keep all my plants (2 citrus, several orchids, herbs, and flowers) under lights in the winter and outside in the summer. I am careful about overwatering the citrus, and to use a heavy N fertilizer and you have to be careful of pests like scales. They like acid soils. I agree that this is not a good choice for a dorm.

I don't think the list is that bad, depends on the space though. The mint, along with other herbs and grasses are fun in window sills and easily maintained. Trial and error is usually the best to see what works for you. Everyone's conditions are different so the best solution is to research each plant before digging in(pun intended).

One vote for Aloe Vera! I've had mine for years (since college), and a few plants have even moved between states - more than once! - and lived indoors, outdoors, and in the car for a few weeks. They're almost impossible to kill, they have so many uses, and they're super easy to cultivate - to give as gifts, maybe to new college students?

Peace Lily was recommended to me as easy and good in low light. It's lovely and easy.

Okay, I live in a basement room with very little sunlight but would love to have something growing - would be overjoyed by something flowering, colorful, or visually interesting. Any suggestions - or am I out of luck?

@Ruthie--do you have a window? If you can put a plant on the windowsill, there would probably be enough light.

Try a bamboo plant, or a peace lily or a philodendron.