Tucked inside Haworth Hall, the University of Kansas greenhouse offers more than a place to grow plants. It’s a living classroom, a research site, and a relaxing, one-of-a-kind study spot that’s open to students year-round.

Walk into the Haworth Hall Greenhouse, and it’s easy to forget you’re in the middle of campus. The air is warm and humid, filled with the scent of soil and greenery. Sunlight filters through an incredible array of vines and blooms. A few students might be working quietly at small desks or tending to plants, surrounded by the sounds of leaves rustling and fans humming. 

For many Jayhawks, it’s an unexpected oasis right in the middle of campus.

According to Greenhouse Manager Dan Ruffing, the greenhouse is a true hidden gem. He’s helping the space evolve into both a teaching resource and a restorative retreat for the KU community.

A cozy new study space in the greenhouse welcomes students each day. “Students can come in and hang out,” Ruffing says. “It’s just a really nice green space to get away.”

A space that’s always growing

Ruffing has ushered in a new greenhouse era that appeals to a variety of students, helping the space evolve beyond its original use as a research and teaching site for biology and botany courses. Though it’s part of the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, the greenhouse is open to any student who wants to experience it.

Today, the greenhouse serves multiple purposes. Three rooms are home to research projects, including faculty work and hands-on class projects that both graduate and undergraduate students can join. The fourth room is focused on teaching and showing plants in action.

That fourth room is also where KU students find a one-of-a-kind environment for studying and relaxing, complete with small desks, chairs, outlets, Wi-Fi, and even a hammock.

“This space is used for biology and botany courses. When it’s not being used for class, it’s just pretty. You can come in, study, or just take a break. It’s about 80 degrees and humid, so especially in the winter it feels great,” Ruffing shares.

A KU campus oasis

Ruffing has made the greenhouse more inviting in a variety of ways. “It was sparse and a little clinical before, more of a storage space. I’ve tried to make it more jungle-like,” says Ruffing.

The transformation is striking. “We’ve added a lot of vertical structure and a canopy overhead of vining plants,” Ruffing shares. “When you’re in there and laying in the hammock, you look around and there’s just a wall of green all around you. There’s a fog machine going, so there’s a little mist overhead. It feels like a nice, secluded place now.”

The space isn’t just about aesthetics, though. Ruffing has seen firsthand how being among the plants helps students decompress.

“People talk about how good it feels to get into natural light and fresh air instead of being in a study room under LEDs. Even if they’re not studying, they just sit, scroll on their phones, and unwind. It’s a chance to unplug and feel like you’re outdoors without leaving campus.” 

— Dan Ruffing, KU Greenhouse Manager

He even encourages students to take a piece of that green home. “If there’s a plant someone loves, I’ll offer them a cutting if I can. Maybe they want to brighten up their dorm, or maybe they want to bring something home for their parents. I have to prune plants anyway, so I love sharing.”

Students who keep things blooming

The greenhouse relies on student help to keep things running smoothly. “I have four student employees,” Ruffing says. In addition to paid positions, the greenhouse can host student clubs. “If folks want to spend time in there and interact with the plants, Botany Club is the way to go.”

Ruffing says members of KU’s Botany Club are a daily presence. “They’ll have a couple people with them and come through to do propagations for their plant sale or just separate plants and repot.”

According to Avery Johnsmeyer, the president of Botany Club, the greenhouse serves students in a variety of ways. 

“It's a really great place to just connect with people. You can meet new people and have conversations, plant-related or not. It's a great environment to promote connection and conversation across majors and disciplines,” Johnsmeyer shared. 

“It's also an excellent study space, especially when it's wintertime, when it's cold and depressing outside,” said Johnsmeyer. “And Dan is always giving cuttings away!”

The greenhouse also collaborates with other KU groups, including the Hygge Club, whose focus on cozy, welcoming environments fits perfectly with the greenhouse’s lush atmosphere.

“They partnered with Botany Club recently for an event, and I think they’ll probably do more in the future,” Ruffing says. He’s excited to partner with more clubs and is eager to connect with campus organizations, especially groups outside the biology department or those not focused on botany.

A place for curiosity and creativity

For Ruffing, one of the most rewarding parts of managing the greenhouse is watching students from all backgrounds find inspiration there. 

“There are students who know more about houseplants than I do — and they’re psychology majors,” he laughs. “This space lets people learn and explore outside their major. It encourages curiosity, and that’s what KU is all about.

The greenhouse is also a gathering place for special moments. Last August, the rare corpse flower bloomed, drawing hundreds of visitors to Haworth Hall. “It was unbelievable,” Ruffing says. “The flower only blooms for one day every seven or eight years. It was my first year here, so getting to open it up to the community was incredible.”

The greenhouse occasionally hosts public events like open houses and plant sales, inviting the Lawrence community to share in KU’s living collection. But most days, Ruffing keeps it student-focused, ensuring that the greenhouse remains a welcoming, low-pressure environment for Jayhawks to explore.

How to visit Haworth Greenhouse

Ruffing understands that finding the space can be a challenge, especially for first-year students. “The entrance doesn’t look like a greenhouse,” he admits. “It looks more like a closet. People open the door, see stacks of pots, and close it again. I always say, ‘Wait, come back in!’”

Once they do, he gives a quick tour and points out his favorite plants. “I just want to make sure people know where everything is and feel comfortable,” he says. “Some students came in shy at first, and now they’re here regularly. They show me pictures of their plants in their dorms, and they’re so excited about it.”

Johnsmeyer agreed that the space is welcoming to everyone. “The greenhouse is for everybody. It's open to all majors. You don't have to be science or biology major to enjoy it. It's a study space or just as a place for learning. It's a really awesome community that we've built,” said Johnsmeyer.

The Haworth Hall greenhouse is open to KU students, faculty, and staff from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and study hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The entrance is tucked into the third floor of Haworth Hall in room 3014 — look for the sign that says “Greenhouse.”

Ruffing’s message to Jayhawks is simple. “If you’re new on campus or just not sure where to start, come by,” he says. “It’s quiet, it’s green, and you’ll always be welcome.”