Roanoke college bans indoor plants to avoid mold

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The Associated Press
© June 30, 2009

ROANOKE

Houseplants are banned at a Roanoke college, whose officials are taking no chances that they might cause a mold problem.

The Jefferson College of Health Sciences said in a recent newsletter that all plants are banned in the Reid Center.

Carilion Clinic owns the 10-story building that houses classrooms, laboratories and offices as well as dormitory rooms.

College spokesman Mark Lambert says an air-quality inspector recommended the indoor plant ban to decrease the potential for mold and mildew.

He says the Reid Center has no mold or mildew problems now, but has in the past. It was built in 1950.

Stephanie Huckestein of Virginia Tech's Department of Horticulture says plants given too much water can produce mold, but it is rare.

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perhaps

Submitted by This is how I see it on Tue, 06/30/2009 at 1:20 pm.

the plants may have been banned so as to discourage growing marijuana in the dorm :)

Common Sense

Submitted by MikeR on Tue, 06/30/2009 at 1:13 pm.

It seems the ban on common sense is spreading like a virus.

college banning plants

Submitted by Tilly.Tooter on Tue, 06/30/2009 at 12:40 pm.

I've seen more mold on books than my houseplants - maybe they should ban books, too.

Let's ban all plants in and out of buildings

Submitted by VB-NM on Tue, 06/30/2009 at 12:36 pm.

There are so many plants that some have toxic leaves and fruits. Though not likely but it is possible some student might ingest some and get sick. To prevent this slim chance of an event ban all plants in and around campuses - to include grass. While we are at it, lets convert all stairs to ramps. Sometimes people trip going up or down stairs and twist their ankles.

BUT

Submitted by barneyc73913 on Tue, 06/30/2009 at 12:00 pm.

That last sentance blew someones thoughts about using indoor plants as a scapegoat for mold issues right out of the water..Sombody at this collage needs to spend more time on the real issues and causes of molds..Its not the plants.Its heat and humidity(mostly moisture)