MrBlubs, the ZZ would be my best suggestion.

Ficus Ginseng - one of the bonsai ones. Will survive the direct light and you will look like a hero caring for what looks like a tricky plant, but is actually a doddle.

Yes after about three months the plant comes back with me.

I've never really liked ZZ plants, but I bet they would do wonderfully there. Maybe if I could find one of the dwarf varieties.

I've always wanted a Red aglaonema, but I've never been able to find one. I've rarely seen any of the other aglaonemas but I'll keep my eye out.

I don't think I have any space for a monstera or a bigger philodendron. But I would like to have one ;)

Aspidistra is a maybe....will have to look into them.

I like the fiscus ginseng idea but I've never been able to find one under 60 bucks!

Bring a venus flytrap so it can eat all the bugs in the room.

I would be wary, though, of bringing home a plant after it's been in that room. This is where I would say, it's going outside. Then you will not risk your nice plants- fungus gnats can travel a long way and you do not want them in your home.

I've never had much luck with Venus fly traps. I've tried them twice and I manged to kill both of them.

Oh don't worry I'm definitely gonna isolate it outside when I bring it back! The other day a picked up a cyclamen in the room and a ton of flies flew up and hit me in the face *shudders*

Mr. Blubs, I killed a flytrap, too. They are pretty fussy.

Mentha's suggestion of aspidistra is good. These are really tough plants, but because they grow very slowly, are only for the patient gardener. They can also be a little pricey because they are more expensive to cultivate.

Aglaonemas, also suggested by others, are interesting, and so many varieties to choose from. Does the room get cold overnight, though, or is it drafty? Some varieties of ags have a lower temperature tolerance than others.

http://www.aroid.org/genera/aglaonema/aglaonema_success/aglaonema_success.pdf

I'm not sure if the room gets cold at night. It doesn't appear to be drafty, think they close the blinds.... The other plants don't seem to show cold damage, just other damage :P

I'll definitely look out for some type of aglaonema, but for whatever reason they are really hard to find here!

I'm on the fence with the Aspidistra... I like it but I don't. I don't mind slow growers, but it seems kinda bland. I've got alot of solid green plants.

Will have to go out and see what I can find. Might have to succumb to a peace lily or something! I have the worst luck with finding plants!

Thanks for the suggestions

Where are you? In my area, every HD I've been in recently has a whole table of red Aglaonema.

I find red ags much more fussy than their green cousins. I would stick with a red one at home and a green one to stay.

How about Coleus for the one that stays in the class?! I find coleus to be very rewarding in that it grows very quickly. It loves lots of sunlight and lots of water.

Mr. Blubs, I wasn't sure whether you were able to view the attachment, but it is a handy guide to the many ag varieties. It may give you some ideas if that's the direction you think you might go. The writers include a lot of detail about light requirements and growing habits of each variety, because like all plants, not all ags are the same.

I'd buy a rubber tree. Agleonemas prefer shade as far as i know. Rubber trees are very durable.

I'm in Alberta Canada. The selection of plants has really gone down hill here lately. I don't even look at Home depot anymore unless I'm there for another reason. The last time I Saw red aglaonemas was before Christmas at Walmart.

Yeah if I find a red one it will definitely becoming home with me after!

Do they sell coleus as houseplants? I've only ever seen them sold as annuals in the spring and summer. Though, they would be fun to try.

Yes, thank you very much for the link! I was able to find 4 that seemed like they could maybe work out. I really liked some of the larger varieties in there but I dont think I have the space. So the ones I chose were mostly the small/medium sized ones. I put them on my list so hopefully I find them!

I was thinking about fiscus elastica, but I think i'd rather have something else. I'll definitely get one down the road but I'm running out of room so I have to chose wisely!

There are many plants and obstructions by the window. At most it will be getting filtered light unless I move it right against the window. There's also a huge shelf about 5 feet away that I could put them on.

I'll let you guys know which ones I find as I'll probably go out this weekend. Hopefully I have a good selection of Aglaonema, coleus, fiscus, and dwarf ZZs!

Have you considered a Cactus? zzackey's ficus elastica recommendation is also a great choice...buy a small one.

Ugh! Fungus gnats lay their eggs in the soil. When you bring your plant home, leave outdoors, use sticky traps, and treat with a systemic, like Bonide Houseplant Insect Control. Otherwise, you will have a never-ending cycle of these insidious monsters infesting your other houseplants.

All the very best to you. Let us know how things work out!! I want to see your plant at the end of the class.

I'm not a big fan of cacti....I prefer succulents but I have way too many of those!

Yeah, I hate fungus gnats. But I'd take them over Mites or scale any day!

Thank you! I hope that the plant will make it through. I don't see why it wouldn't but it might come out with a few bumps and brushes!

Is it possible to have one of those fancy chalk board or copper plant markers like conservatories have with plant information and watering instructions? Like "Calathea roseopicta, Water when leaves begin to droop" or something similar? Also you could add a 3 in one granular systemic to the soil before bringing it in to prevent infestation.

Pothos is pretty tough! ZZ plants do not do well for me, but maybe neglect is what they thrive on. Pineapple, LOL (sorry inside joke; Mr Bulbs knows the joke)

I would buy some common or inexpensive plant for the class room where everyone has access to it, and a better specimen for home where you can take care of it.

If you want to see it start from the beginning, then get a bulb kit or seed package.

You can also use this chance as a class project to try the venus fly traps again, but those should be the ones you have at home. A community of caretakers will possibly harm many plants that are not as picky, not to mention a VFT.

Thanks for the idea Mentha! It wouldn't hurt to try, so I guess I'll try it!

Haha Sans, I bet if I brought a pineapple in there as the plant to stay, a year later I'd come back and find that it grew into a giant healthy plant. It would probably do that just to get at me. Bagh darn things!

Yes the plant that has to stay is gonna be one of the generic tough ones. Probably a pothos or spider. I was thinking it would be neat to try an amaryllis and start it from a bulb but they only come around Christmas.

I haven't seen fly traps here in a while. When I got mine I actually got them at a grocery store! No plant places seem to sell them which seems odd to me.

Pony tail palms thrive on neglect. Over watering would be pretty big no no tho. What a fun project.

Pelargoniums are tough as old boots and flower profusely. Also Impatiens tho they like water

Snake plant ? Have you informed your teacher about poor conditions for plants.?

oh snake plant is good too.