---
title: A Peek Inside … Aaliyah Flores’ Office in Plant Sciences
date: 2023-04-10T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/a-peek-inside-aaliyah-flores-office-in-plant-sciences"
section: Articles
---
# A Peek Inside … Aaliyah Flores’ Office in Plant Sciences

*April 10, 2023* — by [Karen Shih ’09](/author/karen-shih)


> ‘More Is More’: Administrative Assistant Shares Ethos Behind Vibrant, Verdant Space

*Aaliyah Flores AGNR Office 03082023 JC 0364 1920x1080 — Aaliyah Flores ’19, administrative assistant for the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, keeps about two dozen plants in her office.*

To someone just hurrying past, the thriving little oasis in the Plant Sciences Building could pass for a researcher’s greenhouse or even a meditation room.

Aaliyah Flores ’19, administrative assistant for the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA), keeps about two dozen plants in her office, a warm space—literally—that keeps her flora happy and makes visitors from graduate students to Facilities Management employees to researchers feel welcome.

“Plants are beautiful, they brighten your mood, and they’re the best cheap décor you can get,” said Flores.

The animal sciences graduate started her collection from a dozen she purchased from the Institute for Applied Agriculture’s annual sale as a student. Flores talked to *Maryland Today* about her maximalist aesthetic, her most treasured greenery and how she keeps plants thriving indoors.

**Sort-of stained glass**  
Flores added peel-and-stick film to create the multicolored effect on her indoor windows, pictured above, which face the building’s entrance.

“The maximalism vibe is, like, more is more, and I love it,” she said. “I grew up in a house with all white walls, where we weren’t allowed to paint or do anything. So when I was an adult and could do what I wanted, I was like, let’s do everything!” As a student, she even painted her entire room pink—though of course, she restored it to its original white when the lease was up. “I got away with that one!”



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*Aaliyah Flores holds plant near window*



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*hand holds bryophyllum plant*



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*shelf with test tubes and framed photo of cat*


**Propagation station and Opal the cat**  
Thanks to an entomology lab clean-out, Flores was able to get a ton of test tubes that she plans to use to propagate her plants, though she suspects she’ll have to move them to a sunnier spot. (She’s also excited about an incubator she got in the same haul, which she and colleagues will use to raise chicks for the department’s Maryland Day station.)



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*Flores looks at plant under light*


**Grow light**  
Each night before Flores leaves, she unscrews the LED bulb in her lamp and replaces it with a one that ensures her tropical dragon trees and mass cane can properly photosynthesize indoors. Erwin helped her and several other staffers, including those in windowless offices, pick out one from an overwhelming array of options online.

“I bunch the plants under the light and say, ‘Don’t you die tonight!’” she said with a laugh.

*This is part of an occasional series offering a look inside some of the most interesting faculty and staff offices around campus. Think you have a cool workspace—or know someone’s that you’d like to recommend? Email* [*kshih@umd.edu*](mailto:kshih@umd.edu)*.*




**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Plant Science and Landscape Architecture](https://today.umd.edu/topic/plant-science-and-landscape-architecture), [A Peek Inside](https://today.umd.edu/topic/a-peek-inside)


**Units:** [College of Agriculture and Natural Resources](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-agriculture-and-natural-resources)