Adding plants into your home really helps to bring nature indoors. We put together this list of the best plants for skoolies. If you are looking at this, you are probably looking to see what houseplant is best to have in your skoolie. Our goal with this guide is to inspire and help you pick the best skoolie plants for your bus!
Placement
If you are knowing you want to for sure have plants in your skoolie before you build it, it’s a good idea to plan out a spot for your houseplants. Whether it be a hanging basket off of the kitchen cabinets, an extra countertop space right next to a window for plants only, a naturally lit shelf by the couch, or even if you have space in your entryway.
If grown under optimal conditions, plants can grow really fast and quickly outgrow a skoolie. So understanding your placement before bringing plants into your skoolie is essential as well as picking the right plant so it can grow to its fullest potential and it doesn’t overtake your space. Also, make sure the spot has plenty of natural light.
Climate
With school buses being made of steel, they heat up and cool down dramatically depending on what it is like outside. Depending on where you are traveling to or living, you will most likely need to buy different types of plants for the climates you are usually in in order for them to live a healthy life.
Cooler Climates
In cooler climates, you have lower humidity levels from forced, dry heat such as wood stove or diesel heater. So getting a plant that will tolerate low to average humidity is necessary for living in cooler climates. Keep in mind that many plants need average to high humidity so supplementing with a pebble tray underneath the plant’s pot can help with this but be sure to secure everything down and dump the water out of the tray before moving your skoolie to avoid a mess!
Warm Climates
In warmer climates, humidity levels will be around average humidity to high humidity making plants easier to thrive in these types of humidity levels. Another thing to note is the temperature range of your bus and of what the plants temperature range needs to be within. Buses heat up fast in the summertime if there’s no air conditioning. It can even be hotter inside than it is outside. Some plants can’t fall below 60F or their leaves will drop and the plant will slowly die while others can stand a temperature of up to 90F and still be healthy. The sweet spot for houseplants is usually somewhere between 65-85F. Be sure the plant you bring into your home is within the temperature of how cold or warm your bus gets.
Now, let’s dive into some of the best skoolie plants for your bus!
Ric Rac Cactus
The Ric Rac Cactus is an excellent houseplant for a skoolie. Reaching a maximum height of two feet tall, this cactus plant needs bright indirect light with optimal temperatures between 65-85F. As this plant originates from the rainforest, this plant desires high humidity. So if living in colder climates, be sure to have added humidity for this plant to thrive in your bus. This cactus is great for a shelf or on a countertop!
Philodendron Birkin
Many Philodendrons are known for their climbing or crawling nature, but this Philodendron Birkin has neither of these traits and stays compact, it will reach up to 3 feet in height. With Philo Birkin needing an ideal temperature of 65-75F, this plant would be great for skooliers traveling or living in cooler climates, just be sure to give it some added humidity as it requires a lot. You can do so with a pebble tray underneath the pot.
Polka Dot Begonia
If you are looking for a colorful yet unique plant to add to your skoolie, the Begonia Maculata definitely fits the bill. Featuring white polka dots on rich green leaves with a red-orange underside color, this plant may reach up to five feet tall. So if you’re building out your skoolie, make sure you have a spot to put your taller/larger houseplants.
Dischidia Ovata
The Dischidia Ovata or more commonly known as the Watermelon Dischidia is a pet-friendly houseplant so you don’t have to worry about cats or dogs digging into this one. To make this Dischidia thrive in your skoolie, water it frequently but don’t let the soil get soggy, place it in a south-facing window (can be moved every time you the move the skoolie), and provide it with humidity over 70% but be. sure to keep its leaves dry. If you have room for a hanging plant, this one loves to cascade over its pot!
Emerald Ripple Peperomia
Peperomia Caperata, more commonly known as Emerald Ripple Peperomia is a great plant for small spaces whether it be on the kitchen countertop or on a shelf in your bedroom, this plant will only get as tall as 8 inches. This plant can survive with little water and can even bloom in summer and fall if given the correct amount of sunlight, fertilizer, and water.
Cebu Blue Pothos
Cebu Blue Pothos can survive in a variety of environments. Average household humidity, bright lighting, and allowing the soil to dry out before watering is practically all you need to know about this plant. Be sure to keep this plant out of reach of small children, cats, and dogs as it is considered a toxic plant.
Alocasia Azlanii
The dark green to black leaves on this Alocasia Azlanii make this a stand-out plant. Great for a shelf or nook, as this plant reaches a max height of two feet tall but averages around a foot tall. Provide extra humidity for this plant as anything under 60% humidity will stunt this Alocasia’s growth. You can mist this plant’s leaves but you would need to do it about 3-4 times a day to keep its humidity levels up, so placing a pebble tray of water underneath the pot is best for added humidity.
Philodendron Prince of Orange
The striking orange foliage on this Philodendron Prince of Orange is a great plant for beginners and is sure to add some uniqueness to your skoolie. Provide this houseplant with a monthly fertilizer feeding, bright light, and temperatures of 65-78F. If living in cooler climates, during the winter give this plant some extra humidity.
Neon Pothos
This plant features bright green foliage, hence the name “Neon Pothos“. This plant needs high temperatures of between 70-90F with average humidity. This plant will thrive in your skoolie if you are traveling/living somewhere with a warmer climate year-round. Be sure to let the top of the soil dry out before watering to avoid root rot.
Strawberry Begonia
Non-toxic, this Strawberry Begonia will thrive in medium temperatures ranging from 50-75F as it’s sensitive to heat. If you can provide this plant with bright indirect light, average humidity, and enough water, this plant will reward you with incredible growth!
Ficus Retusa
Ficus Retusa is classified as a Bonsai. With a slow growth rate and a max height of two feet, you don’t have to worry about the Ficus Retusa outgrowing space in your skoolie. Be sure it receives adequate lighting, 60-80F in temperature with some added humidity.
Peperomia Piccolo Banda
Peperomia’s are great plants for skoolies as they are so compact in size. The Piccolo Banda will only reach a max height of 12 inches and this plant is non-toxic making it good for skoolie owners with pets or children. This plant can survive a bit of neglect, such as little water, medium lighting, and average humidity levels.
Philodendron Moonlight
Being easy to care for, Philodendron Moonlight is a great plant for beginners. This Philodendron stays compact and will only reach up to a height of two feet tall. In order to give it the best care, keep the soil moist, provide it with indirect yet bright sunlight, and temperatures ranging from 65-78F. Philodendron Moonlight can survive low humidity, average humidity, and high humidity. The higher the humidity, the faster it will grow.
String of Bananas
String of Bananas is a trailing succulent, meaning it can survive in less than favorable conditions which makes it a great plant for skoolies as the temperature fluctuations and humidity levels can shift dramatically from day to day. Provide this plant with a shelf or hanging basket as the stems can trail up to six feet in length. Sensitive to overwatering, be sure to not give this plant too much water. Bright direct sunlight is best for this plant, meaning place somewhere the leaves of the plant will be directly hit by sun rays.
Silver Satin Pothos
Silver Satin Pothos is such a beauty with heart-shaped variegated silver leaves! Pothos are notorious for being hard to kill. These plants will trail and trail up to 10 feet in length although usually reaching a max of 4-5 feet. A shelf with space below it will be the best spot for this pothos in your skoolie. A hanging basket would also work great!
