Even if you do not see the need to beautify your bathrooms with plants, you should consider it because of its benefits.
Plants in the bathroom will help purify the air. It does this by extracting toxins from the air and infusing fresh oxygen. Secondly, plants fill the environment with some certain level of calmness and serenity too.
You deserve to experience these benefits and more.
Thinking of plants that thrive in bathrooms?
We’ve got you covered with some of the ideal plants perfect for bathrooms here!
Jump to:
- Plants Perfect For Bathrooms
- 1. Bamboo (Bambusa spp.)
- 2. Bromeliads (Various Genera)
- 3. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema spp.)
- 4. Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia spp.)
- 5. Ferns (Different genera)
- 6. Orchid (Orchidaceae Family & Various Genera)
- 7. Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)
- 8. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
- 9. Weeping Fig (Focus benjamina)
- 10. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- 11. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
- 12. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)
- 13. Gardenia (Gardenia Jasminoides)
- 14. Croton (Codiaeum variegatum var.)
- 15. Cast-Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
- 16. Begonia (Begonia Spp.)
- 17. Claude (Pilea Peperomioides)
- 18. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus)
- 19. Devil’s Ivy (Golden Pothos)
- 20. Hedgehog Aloe
- 21. Calathea (Rattlesnake Lancifolia)
- 22. Monstera Delicosa Plant
- 23. Lucky Bamboo
- 24. Tradescantia Zebrina
- 25. Anthuriums
- 26. Dracaena Madagascar (Dragon Tree)
- 27. Majesty Palm (Ravenea rivularis)
- 28. Tillandsia (Air Plants)
- 29. Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra)
- 30. Walking Iris (Neomarica northern)
- Conclusion
Plants Perfect For Bathrooms
1. Bamboo (Bambusa spp.)
Bamboo plants are known to have a vigorous spread, but that can be controlled to an extent if you grow them in containers.
The best care practice for this bathroom-friendly plant is, preferably, a sandy potting mix and a weekly dose of nitrogen-rich fertilizer during its active growth stages.
The plant loves full sun to part shade and is available in variegated forms and pale or dark green.
2. Bromeliads (Various Genera)
Many of the bromeliad cultivars are epiphytes; they grow without soil, making them a perfect bathroom plant to consider. They would, however, need a fair amount of air circulation.
Expect the bromeliad plant to thrive in places where many plants would not.
With them, you will enjoy long blooms that make your bathroom come alive.
Bromeliad species that grow with soil naturally thrive in a succulent potting mix.
Apply orchid fertilizer periodically and feed with bright but indirect sunlight.
3. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema spp.)
Chinese Evergreens naturally love humidity, but they can thrive in dry air as long as you see that they are shielded from cold drafts as they may destroy the leaves.
These perennial plants are very hardy and can manage quite well even if temporarily neglected. Aglaonema loves a rich, well-drained potting mix and exposure to low, indirect light.
They have a height size range of 10 inches - 4ft and can be found in dark green color and variegated species.
4. Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia spp.)
You do not need to be all doting with this plant. Just establishing the plant in a loose, well-drained potting mix, watering it when the soil feels dry to the touch, and exposing it to bright but indirect sunlight will be just fine.
Dieffenbachias will need to be rotated monthly, at least, for them to grow uniformly.
They are, however, toxic to both humans and pets.
5. Ferns (Different genera)
Ferns are very well equipped with what it takes to withstand temperature/humidity fluctuations that are expected in a bathroom environment.
The plants can even handle being placed close to the shower and drenched by it. These plants are unlike any other one that you might have seen.
Reproduction for them happens using their pores, not seeds or flowers like most other plants.
For bathrooms, go for variants like maidenhair Fern (Adiantum spp.), Bird’s nest Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia), or Boston Fern (Nephrolepsis exaltata).
For best results, plant them in a well-drained and moist potting mix and follow the light recommendations of the particular variant you choose.
6. Orchid (Orchidaceae Family & Various Genera)
The Orchidaceae family boasts of species in their hundreds and many genera. Among these many species, you will find some that can thrive in not-so-cold bathrooms.
Enjoy the long-lasting blooms of this plant by establishing them in a bark mix specially formulated for orchids and moderate to bright light, depending on the species.
You will find this plant in varying colors depending on the variety.
7. Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)
Introduce the tropics to your bathroom with this plant, as they are sturdy enough to thrive in a bathroom environment.
You have to be sure they do not get over or underwatered as that might make them lose their leaves.
Philodendrons love a soil-based potting mix and exposure to bright but indirect sunlight.
You will find them in dark-green foliage and another species in variegated leaves.
8. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Sansevierias are typical low-maintenance plants that withstand less-than-ideal growth conditions. Commonly known as the mother-in-law’s tongue, specific cultivars of this plant are known to thrive in the bathroom environment.
Grow in a soil-based potting mix and feed with warm, bright, but indirect sunlight.
They have a height range of 8 inches - 4ft and are available in dark-green leaves with either golden-yellow or gray-green stripes.
9. Weeping Fig (Focus benjamina)
Perfect for fairly large-sized bathrooms. Weeping Fig will transform your bathroom into something magnificent.
This plant is not the best in handling abrupt temperature changes, and even cold drafts will see them lose their leaves, but the good thing is that they will recuperate.
Be careful not to overwater the plant or allow it to sit in soggy soil for long. To be safe, only water when the top two inches of soil feel dry.
Weeping Fig grows best in a rush and fast-draining soil and prefers bright light.
10. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are low-maintenance plants that detest the full sun as it makes their leaves wilt. They also like being grown in a confined space, so refrain from planting them in containers that are way more significant than a root ball.
The plant can be propagated by taking out plantlets that develop once its flowers fall off and grow their roots. These plantlets are, after that, repotted to grow more spider plants.
Grow this plant In a loose, fast-draining potting mix and expose it to bright but indirect sunlight.
11. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos can withstand low light, even though they prefer bright light. Even as indoor plants, some of its species can grow as night as over 6ft.
Now when the plant's stems are consistently pruned to a little above a leaf, you get a more robust and bushy plant.
Pothos share a striking resemblance to P. Hederaceum, a specie of philodendron that has got heart-shaped leaves.
Grow them preferably in a general potting mix rich in peat moss and allow them to enjoy bright light to an almost full shade.
Watering should be done only when the soil feels dry.
12. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)
Peace lilies offer outstanding aesthetics, and the best part is that they tolerate bathroom humidity and are, generally, not fussy plants.
For best results, plant in a well-drained potting mix and do not leave the soil dry for a long time.
Allow plants to enjoy bright, filtered light, but if you notice that they are not flowering, a more brilliant light condition might do the trick.
When applying fertilizer, see that it is diluted to half its strength.
13. Gardenia (Gardenia Jasminoides)
Many people have issues growing the G. Jasminoides indoors, as temperature fluctuations hurt them. Still, they do not realize that this same plant thrives better with the humidity level found in a bathroom as long as they can get sufficient bright light.
Gardenias are large-sized tropical evergreen plants with pretty broad leaves.
Grow them in a well-drained, rich, and acidic potting mix and allow them to enjoy at least six hours of sunlight to flower.
Fertilizer application should be periodic and done with an acidic fertilizer.
Gardenias can get about 6ft tall, but their size can very well be controlled.
14. Croton (Codiaeum variegatum var.)
This slow-growing tropical evergreen plant is sitting pretty on the 14th spot on our list.
Crotons love increased humidity and moisture levels. They grow well in a well-drained, humusy potting mix and thrive better with bright but indirect sunlight exposure.
Crotons detest being in wet soil only when the ground feels dry. The plants will need less watering in late fall and winter.
Although they grow slowly, they can still get as night as 6ft and about 3ft wide.
15. Cast-Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Cast-Irons are rightly named because the plants are almost indestructible. Unlike many houseplants, its dark-green species will comfortably thrive in a nearly full shade, although variegated species will need a little more light.
Cast-Iron plants are not particular about humid-high environments and will thrive even when placed in bathrooms that are not frequently used.
They grow best in a well-drained potty mix, rich in peat moss, and tolerate full shade even though they prefer low indirect sunlight.
16. Begonia (Begonia Spp.)
With this plant, you are open to lots of its species that do well in a bathroom’s humidity level and warmth. They make good container plants also.
Begonia plants are lovely. They grow at their best in a general-purpose, soilless potting mix and need direct sunlight to flower.
To prevent root rot, do not allow the soil to sit in water for too long.
17. Claude (Pilea Peperomioides)
This is one plant you will have no trouble with within your bathrooms, as long as there is a window in which bright/indirect light shines through.
Claudes make a showy display on your bathroom shelves with their flat leaves.
Another plus is that they are self-propagating plants.
18. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus)
Asparagus Fern is one plant that does enjoy the humidity in bathrooms. Their lacy leaves also add a soft touch to your bathroom decor.
They love being grown in well-drained, potting soil and exposed to bright artificial lighting or window sunlight.
Asparagus Ferns look pretty and delicate, no doubt, but do not be fooled, and the stems have some thorns in between, so be careful not to get carried away when caressing them.
They are also very toxic to humans and plants.
19. Devil’s Ivy (Golden Pothos)
If you know much about this plant, it should readily come to mind when you think about the perfect trailing plant for your bathrooms.
Golden Pothos enjoy bright but indirect sunlight, but dry air adversely affects its leaves, making them dry.
20. Hedgehog Aloe
These succulents are easy-care, meaning that first-time growers or someone without much time to tend to plants can manage them very well.
Hedgehog Aloe plants require only direct sunlight, even though they thrive under indirect light. However, direct sunlight will make the plant produce more flowers.
21. Calathea (Rattlesnake Lancifolia)
The relationship between a Calathea plant and a bathroom environment is more robust than you think. We will not be wrong if we say they mutually depend on each other.
The plant thrives in the bathroom environment, and its stunning foliage returns the favor by beautifying your bathroom.
Calatheas prefer medium, indirect light, and moderate - more humid conditions.
22. Monstera Delicosa Plant
The monstera is a highly prized houseplant for its leaves. They are versatile plants that can comfortably adapt to different environments, even bathrooms. They also thrive in any level of humidity.
Monsteras will survive even under low lights condition, but they naturally prefer bright but indirect sunlight.
23. Lucky Bamboo
You have a chance of gracing your bathrooms with this plant even if it does not have much light coming in.
Lucky Bamboo is a low-light tolerant, water-growing plant that will give you no trouble at all.
24. Tradescantia Zebrina
Looking for a trailing plant for your bathrooms? This plant should be among your options.
Tradescantia Zebrinas are not just trailing plants but trailing plants that do very well in bathroom environments.
With this plant, the higher the humidity level, the better it grows.
Note that its leaves turning brown indicate that the plants are dry.
25. Anthuriums
This is a perfect fit for well-lit bathrooms. They love bright but indirect light conditions and increased humidity levels.
Anthuriums offer you significant visual effects too. Their stunning, waxy, heart-shaped leaves will make your bathroom experience memorable.
When the leaves turn brown, it indicates that they are too dry. Meanwhile, yellow tips tell you that they are too wet.
26. Dracaena Madagascar (Dragon Tree)
With the dracaena plant, you enjoy a lot of fun varieties to choose from. Highly recommended for bathrooms is the lemon-lime variants.
Dracaenas naturally thrive in high-humid areas, so bathrooms are the right place for them.
They grow at their best with medium/bright but indirect sunlight and are also tolerant of low light levels.
27. Majesty Palm (Ravenea rivularis)
Majesty palms are the right choice if you have enough for a big plant in your bathroom.
They are humidity-loving plants and, therefore, thrive effortlessly in bathrooms.
They prefer very sunny spots but will thrive under low light conditions too.
Grow in well-drained, moist soil with a pH of 5.0 - 6.0. Periodic misting of the plant will see it grow seamlessly too.
28. Tillandsia (Air Plants)
Tillandsias make great bathroom plants as they relish the humidity that emanates from showers and baths.
Air plants are very versatile, especially for displays, and more easy to handle since they derive their nutrients from the atmosphere rather than soil.
They are low-maintenance plants that will thrive in different conditions.
Air plants naturally love bright but indirect sunlight and increased humidity.
29. Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra)
This native African plant adds some life to your bathroom with its pretty, jade-looking foliage and tiny pink flowers that put up a show when they bloom.
Elephant Bush loves a sunny spot, so a window where they can get partial sunlight would be preferable.
Have them grown in well-drained, sandy soil with an acidic pH of 4.5 -6.5.
30. Walking Iris (Neomarica northern)
The majority of the Iris species thrive well in diverse soil and, most importantly, light conditions making them perfect bathroom plants.
Grow in well-drained, moist clay or sandy soil with a slightly acidic/neutral pH of 6.5-6.8.
Neomarica northern naturally has short-lived blooms in late winter or early spring.
Conclusion
Choosing the right plants for your bathroom is a lot more complicated than it seems due to several factors like fluctuations in temperature, very high humidity levels, and low levels of sunlight in most bathrooms.
However, with our well-researched compilation above, you will have no issues knowing which plant can thrive through all these less-than-ideal situations and give your bathrooms a facelift.