Plant Awareness Disparity
Plants in Carleton’s Campus History
For this project, we documented plants located in buildings across campus through direct observation and field documentation. For more specific information about plant care and distribution, the Carleton greenhouse and online plant resources were helpful references. However, the presence of plants in campus buildings is not new. Materials from the Carleton College Archives show that plants have long been part of interior spaces on campus, serving both decorative and academic purposes.
Plants in Carleton Archives
Photographs from the Carleton College Archives show that plants have been present in campus buildings for many decades. In some cases, plants were used directly for academic purposes, especially in biology and botany courses. In other spaces, plants were placed in interior areas such as lounges or near windows, where they contributed to the atmosphere of campus buildings.
The Role of the Carleton Greenhouse
The Carleton greenhouse has historically played an important role in supplying plants across campus. According to Randall Hagen, who manages the greenhouse, many plants placed in campus buildings are connected to greenhouse operations. Plants are grown and maintained there before being placed in different locations across campus.
However, the presence of plants in buildings has also changed over time. In some cases, building renovations have led to the removal of plants that had been growing for many years. For example, a large rubber plant that had been present for roughly 30 to 40 years was removed during building remodeling.
Plants in Campus Buildings Today
Today, plants provided through the greenhouse can still be found in several campus buildings. Hulings Hall in particular contains a number of plants connected to greenhouse care. According to Randall Hagen, some of the most common plants found in campus interiors include:
- Rubber plants
- Spider plants
- Christmas cactus
These plants are often chosen because they are relatively easy to care for indoors and can survive in a variety of interior conditions.
Plant Giveaways and Student Life
Some plants also appear on campus through plant giveaway events. These events are often organized during occasions such as Earth Day, where students can receive small plants to keep in dorms or other campus spaces. Spider plants in particular are commonly used in these giveaways because they are easy to propagate and grow quickly. As a result, spider plants can now be found in many locations across campus.
Plants in Teaching and Research
The greenhouse also supports academic work at Carleton. Many plants are grown specifically for use in teaching laboratories. In addition, greenhouse staff work on plant propagation in connection with the Arboretum. Some plant species are difficult to germinate, and greenhouse work helps develop methods for successfully growing and maintaining these plants.
Connecting History to This Project
Together, these archival materials, greenhouse practices, and our own observations show that plants have long been part of the everyday environment at Carleton. This project builds on that history by documenting plants currently located inside campus buildings. Through mapping, photography, and 3D scanning, the project records the presence of plants across campus and highlights their role in shaping interior campus spaces.