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Looking for plant ideas for my toddler classroom

4 years ago

Hello! I am very new to caring for plants, but I am hoping to add more plants to my toddler classroom so that the children have a living thing to learn to respect and care for. It is a lovely opportunity to learn living vs. nonliving, being gentle, respecting elements of the environment/nature, etc.

My hope is to get some suggestions/connections for plants that are non-toxic if ingested and don't mind a little extra water every now and then, types of herbs are ideal!

I can have indoor or outdoor plants (we have a small garden), but inside suggestions are ideal!

Thank you so much for ideas.

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Comments (3)

TXSkeeter
4 years ago
This is much too late to answer your question but ideas might include most mints (there are several common ones), basil (again, several types), thyme, and so on. I believe the herb idea is close to perfect because herbs on the whole are easy to grow, requiring only sunlight or very bright light for at least six hours per day or thereabouts, warm temps, a bit of water now and again, have varied fragrances even within the same general species, and are edible. Additionally, small planter's/growers pots of herbs are available at almost any decent nursery and many can be grown quite easily from seed. Also, nearly all herbs can be grown inside or outside.

Much better idea for you to try with your munchkins other than the standard green bean in a pot exercise.
Anna Mike
3 years ago
I don't know whether my suggestion is going to help you now or not as I'm a bit late to it, but still contributing it here with a hope.

I would like to suggest you to have allotted one plant to care for each student. You have to let them know how to take care of their plants and help them do it on a regular basis. Obviously, after a few days, they will get used to the idea and will be ready to do it on their own.

The intention behind allowing each kid with a plant is to bring them with more responsibility and enthusiasm towards what they are doing.

I'm a maids trainer and now working with a housekeeping company in Dubai known as HousekeepingCo. Whenever I conduct basic gardening training sessions for the housemaids and nannies, I often instruct them to create this kind of habit among the kids they are taking care of.

Please let me know if you need anything more from my side.

Regards,

Anna M
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The recommendations so far are probably the best plants for the job, but, if you're wanting other ideas: I see no problems: Chlorophytum comosum (spider plant) (educational bonus: can give kids offsets to take home) Dracaena sanderiana Dracaena sanderiana 'Lucky Bamboo' (educational bonus: visible root system if grown in water) Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii' Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig' (especially the "compacta" variety) Dracaena fragrans (corn plant) Sansevieria trifasciata 'Futura' (snake plant) slight problems: Aechmea fasciata (urn plant) (would prefer bright light) Aglaonema spp. (is toxic if chewed) Araucaria heterophylla (Norfolk Island pine) (would prefer bright light, cool temperatures) Aspidistra elatior (cast-iron plant) (goes dormant in winter) Beaucarnea recurvata (ponytail palm) (would prefer bright light) Chamaedorea elegans (parlor palm) (humidity might be an issue) Chamaedorea metallica (small fishtail palm) (humidity and light might be issues) Davallia trichomanoides (rabbit's-foot fern) (they're a little fussy; also go dormant in winter) Dieffenbachia spp. (is toxic if chewed) Dracaena marginata (would prefer bright light) Epipremnum aureum (pothos) (is toxic if chewed) Ficus benjamina (ficus tree) (can be difficult) Ficus binnendijkii (long-leaf fig) (said to be difficult, though that's not been my experience) Ficus elastica (rubber plant) (can be difficult) Ficus lyrata (fiddle-leaf fig) (can be difficult) Monstera deliciosa (split-leaf philodendron) (is toxic if chewed) Philodendron spp. (is toxic if chewed) Spathiphyllum spp. (peace lily) (is toxic if chewed) Tillandsia ionantha (air plant) (would prefer bright light) Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ plant) (is toxic if chewed)
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HU-352499387
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try any of these

Argyroderma testiculare. ...

Baby Rubber Plant. ...

Bunny Ear Cactus. ...

Century Plant. ..

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