Greenville University Students Launch First-Ever “Plant Motel” for Winter Break

Published: December 04, 2025

Author: Liz Dowell

Photo by Dave Bell

When winter break hits campus, students face an age-old dilemma: what can they do with plants left behind in drafty Resident Halls? This year, a group of students decided to craft a solution that is both practical and charming—a fully functioning Plant Motel housed inside the newly revitalized GU greenhouse.

The idea sprang to life through freshman Reece Elam, president of the newly launched GU Campus Gardens Club, which became an official organization just weeks ago. Even as a brand-new club, the team has quickly rooted itself in creativity, care, and community.

“It started because everyone in the gardening club kept asking if they could drop their plants off in the greenhouse,” Elam said. “I was like, sure, we’ll take care of them. And then I looked around Snyder and got worried about how cold it gets in there, so I brought my own in, too.”

That spark turned into something bigger: an invitation for students, staff, and faculty to check their plants into a warm, safe space for the holidays. The spaces are complete with labels, optional feeding instructions, and the reassurance that someone who genuinely loves plants is keeping watch.

From Cold Dorms to a Greenhouse Oasis

Elam, who currently owns 86 plants, has always loved growing things. With nearly 190 plants already thriving in the greenhouse, he knows firsthand how quickly a collection can bloom.

“My grandma taught me how to garden,” he shared. “We’re a big farming family. I started small, killed a few plants, learned more, and now I grow medicinal plants and forage, too.”

The greenhouse, recently rearranged and reorganized by Elam, now includes an entire empty row that is just waiting for incoming “guests.”

“We can hold a lot,” he said. “And if tables fill up, the ground is always an option. Or we can hang plants from the ceiling.”

So far, most arrivals have been succulents, cacti, and a few spider plants.

“Succulents are fine on their own… most of the time,” he said. “But they can be temperamental.”

A Simple Process, A Big Heart

Checking in a plant is intentionally easy.

“Students just fill out the form or email me,” Elam said. “They bring in the plant, we label it, we put it down, they come back after break and pick it up. No crazy restrictions.”

Plants can even be “fed” during their stay.

“If they want us to fertilize it, we will,” he said. “If not, we’ll do the minimum to keep everyone happy.”

So far, four people have signed up, and more are expected as the break approaches. The club already welcomed its first aloe plant.

Rebuilding a GU Tradition—And Growing Something New

The Plant Motel is part of a larger vision: the rebirth of the GU Campus Gardens Club decades after its original version faded.

“There used to be a greenhouse club,” Elam said. “This is the newest reiteration.”

Currently, the club has five members, but Elam sees growth on the horizon.

"We want to teach people how to garden, how to be more self-sufficient," he said.“Some Vietnamese students are growing plants from their home country. We want to connect with the Greenville Gardening Club, bring in speakers, and do Gardening 101 events.

Elam credits GU’s culture for helping this idea take root so quickly.

“It shows there are spaces people don’t know about. If someone has a plant and doesn’t know what to do with it, they know they can bring it to us,” said Elam. “We’re here to help.”

A Small Act with Big Impact

The club’s advisor, Hannah Navickas, who oversees campus landscaping and holds a degree in botany, has also become a key mentor.

“She knows a lot,” Elam said. “We’re hoping she can teach more once meetings get rolling.”

As the club grows, Elam even has plans for identity—and a bit of fun.

“I don’t want to do t-shirts,” he said. “I want to do specialized pins. Like a little secret society.”

Rooted in Care, Growing in Community

What began as one student trying to keep a few plants warm has become a community-driven initiative rooted in hospitality, leadership, and service. This is very much in line with GU’s mission to see, know, and inspire each student.

Elam, a biology major with deep family roots in conservation, hopes the Plant Motel becomes a longstanding GU tradition.

“I love Illinois,” he said. “It’s a wetland, and I want to stay here and be part of conservation.”

And as winter approaches, the greenhouse is the perfect place for that kind of vision to grow.