College bans indoor plants in effort to stave off mold

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — 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.