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The end of August means back to school, and for college students it’s time to pack their bags and head to the dorm. According to a recent survey, more than 80 percent of students are planning to live away from home this year. A new place to study also happens to be a clean decorating slate.

Among the biggest dorm room trends on Pinterest, nature and greenery settings are high on the list. Pinners are searching 20 times more for “earthy dorm room ideas” and seven times more for “dorm room ideas/plants.” When it comes to arranging plants in a small space, trailing greenery in place of a headboard or around the bed will leave your desk uncluttered.

Here are our best tips for displaying your climbing collection (and caring for it in between classes).

 

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Invest in Low-Maintenance Plants

Philodendron and pothos are your go-tos, as they thrive in pretty much any light conditions, according to Erin Marino, marketing director at the Sill in Manhattan. Plus you only have to water them when the soil is completely dry. See, we’re not adding lines to your to-do list! 

 

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Hang Floating Shelves

Faced with a boring white wall? Make the most of the vertical space and arrange your greenery on floating shelves. The good news is that they’re easy to install and many affordable options are available. And if you’re afraid of putting too many holes in your wall, Ryan Tansey, co-owner of Seattle’s Plant Shop, has the solution: “Take a fast-growing plant like a pothos, plant it in a large pot on the floor or down low, and use hooks or nails to guide it up your wall.”

 

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Think Small

You don’t need to splurge on the tallest trailing plants to set up your dorm room oasis. Laura Beeson of Those Positive Plants recommends “a few smaller plants, including cacti and a hoya kerrii, to finish the look.” And cute planters are a two-for-one purchase: convenient for your plants and good-looking on your shelves. 

Ready to get growing? For back-to-school season, Pinterest and Bustle have teamed up to host a Storm the Dorm sweepstakes. Pinners will have the chance to be one of five winners to receive a $1,000 Visa gift card and start turning their dorm room greenery goals into reality.