For many people living in more urbanized areas, the bathroom is a small enclosed box. We get in (begrudgingly) for a shower and then step out. But imagine, if instead of stepping into a cold plain bathroom, we walk into our own oasis. Orchids on the shelves, air plants hanging in the corner, a lush tree by the shower. Gorgeous green plants surrounding you while you bathe. I’d say, you’ll be stepping out a renewed and refreshed person.
A plant-filled bathroom is like a vacation in your very own home. It’s a great remedy especially in this era of staying-at-home. Not only do house plants add oomph to your bathroom, but it also improves the air quality. No longer will you be greeted by the damp and musty smells. Best of all, you aren’t the only one who will be enjoying the bathroom stay. A number of green babies benefit from the warm and humid environment of the bathroom.
Some plants cannot stand harsh and direct light. Some need to have water close by. Some plants thrive better in the humidity. A bathroom is indeed a great option for some of your house plants, with a few important things to keep in mind.
Can plants really live in the bathroom?
Years ago, I received a succulent as a wedding favor. It was cute and I thought it would go well inside my bathroom with no windows and lights. Imagine my dismay days later to find the lush green succulent brown and withered. When I saw people sharing their indoor jungle bathroom online – I was bewildered: how can their plants live in the bathroom without any light?
After careful research and experimentation, I finally achieved the bath room jungle of my dreams. One of the first things I needed to understand was this simple fact – all plants need sunlight to survive and thrive. It’s their only way to gain energy. However, some plants don’t prefer as much light as others do. Having that understanding helped me push forward with the project. Other factors that we need to consider:
Certain kinds of plants cannot stand high humidity. My succulent plant rotting in the constant moisture is proof of that. They need dry conditions to thrive. You’ll also find that some evergreens and other plants will show up with some powdery mildew if they are in high humidity environments.
The bathroom may be warm and humid when you step into the shower, but there’s a longer period when it’s left empty. That means it’s colder, these drastic changes in temperature aren’t the best for many plants.
Bathrooms without any windows or no access to the sun are, as we already know, an impossible environment for plants. The solution I’ve found to work for me is adding a grow-light (or you can use fluorescent lighting) to add the needed light to your bathroom.
Light, humidity, and temperature are the most important factors you need to be considering when you jungle up your bathroom. The following plants in the list below notably do well with these basic bathroom conditions in place.
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Build Your Shower Garden with These 10 Bathroom Plants
Bird’s Nest Fern
Ferns, in general, are the go-to plants that loves humidity in their environment. The bird’s nest fern, in particular, is made for low light. Under direct sunlight, the leaves of these gorgeous tropical greens get burned and then wither. They are easy to care for plants that are also non-toxic for our pets. New leaves will constantly emerge from the center of the plant. These are delicate and fragile, so avoid damaging them by touch.
Light Exposure: Partial shade to full shade; avoid direct exposure.
Soil Needs: Loamy, moist, well-drained
Mother In Law’s Tongue or Snake Plant
You know the snake plant is bound to be on this list. Here is the most low-maintenance, easy-to-care indoor plant of all. I have, at some points, neglected the mother-in-law’s tongue – forgetting to water them or providing a bit of sun. They can tolerate all manners of abuse and will continue to grow tall and green.
The snake plant is heralded by NASA as an air purifier. It can clear the air of many toxins found especially in cleaning products you might be keeping in the bathroom. They will do well in low light to bright indirect light. There’s no question that it can withstand most humidity levels and you won’t need to frequently water them. This plant is indeed perfect for the bathroom.
Light Exposure: Bright, indirect light to low light. Avoid direct sunlight.
Soil Needs: Soil-based potting mix.
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Spider Plant (Cholorophytum Comosum)
Imagine walking into your shower with a spider hanging in the corner but it’s not the big fuzzy one. That’s the stuff of our nightmares. Here you’ll find attractive green color leaves with yellow stripes. You can prop this up on a shelf and allow it to grow little plantlets. The spider plant is another notable air purifier. They are undemanding plants that can handle bright light but also manage to thrive on low light.
Light Exposure: Bright, indirect light levels.
Soil Needs: Loose, fast-draining potting mix. Water thoroughly when the one-inch top of the soil is dry to the touch.
Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
This is one plant that can thrive in any corner of your room in any part of the house. It’s versatile and can be styled in any way. You can prune the golden pothos to turn it into a thick and bushy indoor plant perfect for the center of the table. You can place it on a high shelf and allow it to trail, decorate it on a window sill, or let it climb up on a DIY trellis. The options are unlimited for the golden pothos otherwise called the Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum).
But if you check the plant’s ideal environment, you’ll find that it is best suited for the bathroom. the pothos loves low filtered light, sufficient humidity, and stable temperature.
Light Exposure: Low light, indirect bright light, or full shade.
Soil Needs: Peat in potting mix. Water when the soil feels dry.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Considering their origins, growing peace lilies in the bathroom is a treat for this humidity-loving plant. This elegant plant thrives in tropical climates, an atmosphere that most bathrooms can replicate. The peace lily thrives in filtered light or indirect sunlight. You can enjoy evergreens all year round. If you want to enjoy the white flowers that the peace lily is known for, you will need to give it some sunlight. Personally, the foliage already does it for me.
Light Exposure: Filtered light.
Soil Needs: Keep the soil moist but not too wet. Well-drained potting mix.
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Air Plants
Air plants are epiphytes. In the natural environment, an air plant will grow on top of tree branches, getting their water source from morning fogs. They do not need to be grown on soil, thus they can be placed in the most unique containers. If your bathroom shower is near a window, that would be the most ideal location. This way they can get bright indirect light, and then absorb all their water needs from the moist air.
Light Exposure: Bright, indirect light.
Soil Needs: An air plant needs no soil, you water by soaking them.
Boston Fern
We know that in general, ferns love humidity. But if you want to keep one without the high-maintenance pressure (we’re talking about you maidenhair fern), the Boston fern is the way to go. They naturally grow in sub-tropical and tropical rainforest, that’s why your warm and wet bathroom is the ideal location.
Light Exposure: Indirect or filtered light. Avoid placing them by a window because this will burn the leaf.
Soil Needs: Keep soil moist but not soggy.
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Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
It’s hard not to pay attention to this ubiquitous plant. I’ve seen it at grocery stores and dollar stores. I’ve seen it near the cash registers of gas stations, and everywhere in fancy spas. The Lucky Bamboo is a favorite for so many. It’s not really a bamboo, and we’re not sure if it’s lucky, but we do know that it is absolutely easy to grow and care for.
You need no potting mix to grow the dracaena sanderiana. Simply pop one or two shoots into a container, add pebbles or marbles and then add distilled water. You can place the lucky bamboo by your sink or by a shelf and feel the calm zen envelope you already.
Light Exposure: Prefers low to bright light.
Soil Needs: No soil needed but remember to change the water weekly to prevent mold growth.
Temperature and Humidity: Thrives on high humid levels.
Orchids
I’ve always been intimidated by this plant. Due in part to their elegance and beauty, but also mostly because I’ve found them to be too fussy to care for. Growing them inside bathrooms with proper lighting and better watering changed all that.
The bathroom provides high humidity that this tropical plant naturally prefers. They still do need some sun but not direct sunlight. If your bathroom has a big window that bring in as much bright light, place your houseplants there. Orchids prefer to be rootbound with a mix of coarse bark.
Light Exposure: They tolerate low light, but prefer bright indirect light.
Soil Needs: Special Orchid mix. Keep soil on the drier side.
Philodendron
We cap this list with one of my personal favorites. The philodendron comes in very many shapes and sizes. There are so many types and varieties, you can even fill up your whole house with them and it will look like you’ve got completely different plants altogether.
Philodendrons are the best houseplants for the bathroom because they are accustomed to growing in dark, leafy jungles. They need warm temperatures, originating from the tropics, will love high humidity rooms. Did I mention they are also low-maintenance? Yes! Simply put them in your desired location. Water only when needed!
Light Exposure: Medium light and indirect bright light.
Soil Needs: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
You may also like to read about the pink princess philodendron care.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best plant for a bathroom?
The best plants for bathrooms are those that love humidity and do not need direct sunlight. Avoid putting plants like cactus or succulents because they need dry air and lots of sunlight. Easy to care for houseplants like the Sanserveria or Pothos are ideal. You can definitely do more if you have a window in your bathroom.
Which indoor plant is good for the bathroom?
The best indoor houseplants for the bathroom are:
- Bird’s Nest Fern
- Snake Plant
- Spider Plant
- Golden Pothos
- Peace Lily
- An air plant
- Boston Fern
- Lucky Bamboo
- Orchids
- Philodendron
Can you put plants in the bathroom with bright indirect light?
Yes, many plants can thrive in a bathroom that has access to bright indirect light. There are no such thing as a no-light needed plant as all houseplants feed on light. Some houseplants can tolerate low light. If you have a windowless bathroom or shower, you can install grow lights.
What plants can grow in a bathroom without windows and bright light?
These plants can tolerate low light:
- Lucky Bamboo
- Pothos
- Philodendron (specifically, Heart-Leaf Philos)
- Spider Plants
- Orchid
- Snake Plants
To enjoy house plants in your bathroom, I advise starting with one houseplant or two. After a month you can slowly add more plants to ease you into your bathroom jungle dreams.