The Coe Writing Center isn’t just a hub for brainstorming, revising, and fine-tuning papers—it’s also home to a thriving collection of plants that add warmth, fresh air, and a touch of green to our space. These leafy companions do more than decorate; they contribute to a welcoming and calming environment that makes writing (and thinking) just a little easier. Let’s take a look at the Writing Center’s resident plants and how they mirror the work we do here.
The Writing Center’s Green Companions;
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum), shown on the image to the right and on the second to last image on the right.
Climate: Prefers indirect light and thrives in a range of temperatures.
Propagation Ease: Very easy! Produces baby “spiderettes” that can be repotted.
Benefits: Improves air quality, is resilient to neglect, and helps create a stress-free environment—just like the Writing Center helps ease writing anxieties!
Spider plants are more than just low-maintenance greenery—they’re therapeutic. According to "Interior Plants May Improve Worker Productivity and Reduce Stress in a Windowless Environment", spider plants can help reduce stress, anxiety, and even anger by purifying indoor air. They filter out toxins like formaldehyde and xylene while improving oxygen flow—clearing the mental clutter much like a productive writing session.
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller), shown on the image to the right.
Climate: Prefers bright, indirect light and drier soil.
Propagation Ease: Moderate; grows from offsets that can be separated and repotted.
Benefits: Purifies air and has medicinal properties (soothing burns and cuts—perfect for paper cuts!).
Aloe vera is the plant equivalent of a good writing session—it heals, refreshes, and helps things grow. Beyond its soothing gel that treats burns and scrapes, it actively removes pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde from the air as "NASA Compiles List of Best Plants to Clean Indoor Air" explains. Making the Writing Center a fresher place to think. Just as a well-placed writing tip can soothe frustration, aloe vera quietly improves the atmosphere and promotes well-being.
Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), shown below on the left.
Climate: Thrives in low light and varying temperatures.
Propagation Ease: Very easy! Just cut a stem and place it in water.
Benefits: Known for its air-purifying properties and fast-growing vines that make any space feel more alive.
Golden Pothos is the ultimate low-maintenance but high-reward plant—much like a well-structured thesis. It winds and adapts, growing steadily, just like ideas do when given space to develop. As highlighted in "House Plants That Literally Clean the Air", golden pothos is especially effective at removing airborne toxins like carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde. It’s a reminder that even in challenging writing sessions, steady growth happens when given the right conditions.
Moss in the Cradle (Callisia repens), The purple one in the middle.
Climate: Prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil.
Propagation Ease: Easy; spreads quickly from cuttings.
Benefits: Creates a soft, lush aesthetic and is excellent at retaining moisture in the air.
Much like a brainstorming session, this plant thrives in a rich and collaborative environment. It spreads naturally, similar to how ideas take root and flourish through conversation with a writing consultant. According to "The Benefits of Indoor Plants for Improving Air Quality and Reducing Stress", plants such as the Moss in the Cradle that increase humidity can help reduce fatigue and improve focus—something every writer appreciates during long sessions in the Writing Center.
Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus), shown on the image to the right.
Climate: Prefers bright, indirect light but is tolerant of shade.
Propagation Ease: Very easy; grows from stem cuttings in water or soil.
Benefits: Freshens indoor air and adds a vibrant, cascading greenery.
As "Plants and Indoor Air Quality" states, Swedish ivy is a social plant—growing best when it has space to spread and drape. It mirrors the way collaboration fuels the Writing Center, where bouncing ideas off someone else often leads to stronger writing. This plant is also known for its ability to reduce indoor air pollutants, making the Writing Center a more comfortable and refreshing place to work. Just as writing benefits from structure and support, Swedish ivy flourishes when given the right care and space to grow.
Wandering Guy (Tradescantia zebrina), Not pictured here but mirrors Swedish ivy's appearance except for the bright purple underside of leaves.
Climate: Thrives in bright, indirect light but is forgiving of low light.
Propagation Ease: Extremely easy; cuttings root quickly in water.
Benefits: Adds striking color with its variegated leaves and purifies air.
True to its name, this plant is always on the move, much like a draft evolving through different stages of revision. It reminds us that writing is a process, and sometimes, ideas need to wander before they find their best form. Beyond its striking purple and green hues, Wandering Guy is excellent at removing toxins like toluene and xylene from the air, making it not just visually appealing but also a silent supporter of a healthier work environment, and is further explained in"The Impacts of Plants on Mental Health and Productivity".
Why Greenery and Writing Go Hand-in-Hand
Studies show that indoor plants can reduce stress, boost productivity, and improve air quality—all things that benefit both writing and learning environments. The Writing Center is already a space designed for growth, where writers refine their ideas and push past roadblocks. The presence of these plants reinforces that mission, making the space feel alive, welcoming, and adaptable.
So next time you visit the Coe Writing Center, take a moment to appreciate not just the consultants, but also the quiet, leafy supporters that make the space even better. Writing, like plants, takes patience, care, and the right environment to thrive.
Sources:
"House Plants That Literally Clean the Air." Perrywood, www.perrywood.co.uk/gardening-tips/house-
plants-that-literally-clean-the-air/.
"The Benefits of Indoor Plants for Improving Air Quality and Reducing Stress." Nobles Greenhouse,
2024, www.noblesgreenhouse.com/2024/12/the-benefits-of-indoor-plants-for-improving-air-quality-
and-reducing-stress/.
Park, Seung-Jung, et al. "Interior Plants May Improve Worker Productivity and Reduce Stress in a
Windowless Environment." ResearchGate, 2012,
www.researchgate.net/publication/237441131_Interior_Plants_May_Improve_Worker_
Productivity_and_Reduce_Stress_in_a_Windowless_Environment.
"The Impacts of Plants on Mental Health and Productivity." Greater Boston Behavioral Health,
www.greaterbostonbehavioralhealth.com/rehab-blog/impact-of-plants-on-mental-health-and-
productivity/.
"NASA Compiles List of Best Plants to Clean Indoor Air." CO2Meter,
www.co2meter.com/blogs/news/nasa-compiles-list-of-best-plants-to-clean-indoor-air?
srsltid=AfmBOoqmhPpyv84CxpiYOCYqFJkhiQ6pgMdLOijs5J62TuqEgPI2HEng.
Li, Dong, et al. "The Effect of Indoor Plants on Human Health and Well-Being: A Review." PubMed
Central, 2022, www.pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10346441/.
"Plants and Indoor Air Quality." International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI),
www.nachi.org/plants-indoor-air-quality.htm.
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