If you’ve ever walked into Mr. Campbell’s classroom, you’ve probably noticed the jungle. It’s impossible to miss, the plants line the windowsills. Most teachers decorate with posters and student art, but Mr. Campbell also decorates with chlorophyll.

He’s got a whole regime for his plants. I don’t know all the details, but I’ve heard rumors of scheduled watering days, careful sunlight rotation, honestly even a spreadsheet wouldn’t surprise me. His plants don’t just survive, they thrive. Walking into his room feels like stepping into a rain forest that somehow also smells like febreeze and wall inserts.

Then there’s Ms. Brown. Her classroom has plants too, but they tell a different story. They’re more like the kind of plants you root for out of pity. She waters them when a student accidentally leaves a quarter-full water bottle behind, kind of a spontaneous act of kindness… rather than a routine. Somehow, they keep hanging on, like they know they’re loved in their own way.

If I’m being honest, I’m definitely more of a Ms. Brown type. I like the idea of having plants. I like how they look in my spaces, fresh, alive, and aesthetic. But when it comes to actually keeping them alive? Let’s just say I’ve done more plant funerals than I’d like to admit. It’s not that I don’t care. I just tend to forget. I water them one day, then suddenly it’s three weeks later and I’m googling “my plant is brown and mushy, can it be saved?”

I think that’s part of what makes the whole green thumb thing interesting, though. Some people, like Mr. Campbell, treat plants like an extension of themselves, they’re something to nurture, organize, and perfect. Others, like Ms. Brown, and myself, treat them more like guests who are welcome to stay as long as they can handle our chaotic energy and forgetful minds.

Either way, there’s something comforting about seeing plants in classrooms. They make the space feel more alive, like we’re all growing together. Maybe that’s why Mr. Campbell’s jungle and Ms. Brown’s resilient little survivors both work in their own way.

In the end, being a “plant person” might not really be about how often you water, or how green your thumb is. It might just be about wanting to bring a little life into the spaces we spend our days in, even if that life needs a bit more attention than we planned.

So, whether you’re team “plant food and scheduled watering days” or team “oops it’s been 3 weeks”, just remember that little green goes a long way.