If you love houseplants, chances are you’ve considered whether you can add some to your bathroom. And while not all houseplants should be bathroom dwellers, there are plenty that’ll thrive in the warm, humid environment of the bathroom.
Plants can bring many benefits to your bathroom. They can add life and greenery, reduce toxins in the air, eliminate bacteria, absorb moisture, and produce oxygen.
More good news is that if your bathroom has smaller windows, there are plenty of humidity-loving plants that are perfectly happy with less light.
So, if you want your bathroom to be a tranquil oasis, hopefully you’ll find some inspiration in our list of 11 of the best bathroom plants.
How does humidity work?
Humidity describes the amount of moisture in the air. If this is too high or too low, we can run into problems.
Low humidity has been linked to the spread of viruses and bacteria, while high humidity in our homes can lead to a number of problems such as dampness/mould, dry skin, headaches, and respiratory problems. However, plants can help to regulate humidity levels and create cleaner, fresher air.
This is because most plants are natural dehumidifiers. When there’s excess water in the surrounding air, the ‘stomata’ in the leaves open to absorb humidity. This also works in reverse – so when a plant’s leaves hold more water than the surrounding air, the leaves will ‘transpire’ to release moisture.
Some plants (mostly leafier, tropical plants that live in rainforest conditions) are more efficient at balancing water absorption and transpiration. This is because as fast as they lose water through transpiration, the humidity in the air allows them to absorb some of that moisture back.
On the other hand, plants that live in hot, dry conditions with little rainfall (such as cacti) tend to have no or fewer leaves and store water in their stems to help them survive. Therefore, they transpire less and are less effective at absorbing moisture from the air.
Plants that are better adapted to warm, moist conditions will usually thrive in a bathroom environment, whereas plants that are used to hot, dry conditions may suffer (with root rot and fungal problems being common issues).
Understanding how humidity is measured
When caring for bathroom houseplants, it can help to understand how humidity is measured – which is in absolute humidity and relative humidity.
Absolute humidity (expressed as grams of moisture per cubic metre, g/m3) is the amount of water vapour present in the air, regardless of temperature.
Relative humidity, which is what you might hear on weather reports or see in plant care instructions, is expressed as a percentage. It measures the amount of water vapour in the air at specific temperatures, compared with what it could hold.
For example, if the relative humidity is at 100%, this means the air is currently holding as much water as it can possibly hold at that temperature. But, if it’s at 50%, the air is holding half the amount of water that it could hold at that temperature.
Health experts say that normal humidity levels in the home should be between 30-60% for health and comfort. However, a bathroom’s humidity levels will increase significantly after a steamy bath or shower – making it the ideal home for houseplants that prefer humidity of 50% or above.
If you want to know what the humidity levels in your home are (and how they might differ from room to room), it may be worth investing in a hygrometer. This can provide accurate and up-to-date measurements.
Are there any plants that aren’t suited to bathrooms?
Some of the worst plants to keep in your bathroom are succulents (with aloe vera being the exception), cacti, and yuccas, which all like hot, sunny, and dry climates.
11 of the best bathroom plants
1. Philodendron
Philodendrons originate from the Caribbean, Colombia, and Venezuela, where they grow on the jungle floor. For this reason, they’re well adapted to humid, low-light conditions and prefer a relative humidity in the 60-80% range.
This tropical plant has glossy, green leaves that can be oval, heart, or spear-shaped – and the higher the humidity, the larger the leaves will grow.
If well cared for, philodendrons can grow to a height of up to three metres, so it’s important to put them somewhere where they’ll have space to flourish. Some varieties are better hung up so they can trail, while others will grow upright.
Philodendrons are hardy and relatively easy to care for; they like bright, indirect sunlight (so avoid windowsills if possible) and can be watered sparingly. It’s best to allow the top inch of soil to dry out between watering. If you forget to water philodendrons, their leaves will droop which will give you the reminder you need to water them. The leaves should perk up again soon after.
Note: Philodendrons are poisonous to humans and pets if ingested, so it’s important to keep them away from children or house pets – or avoid them altogether if this simply isn’t possible.
2. Spider plant
Spider plants (chlorophytum comosum) can be traced back to the rainforests of South Africa, where there are more than 65 different species.
Today, spider plants are one of the most popular houseplants across the world due to their easy-going nature and air-purifying qualities. In fact, a NASA study found that spider plants removed 95% of chemicals in the air in 24 hours.
These tropical beauties have pretty, spider-like leaves with vertical white or yellow stripes – and while they enjoy a relative humidity level of 50-60% and bright, indirect sunlight, they can live in virtually any conditions.
Spider plants are quite thirsty and like a drink around once a week, but even if you forget to water them, they’ll bounce back . This makes them ideal for houseplant newbies or people with busy schedules.
Healthy and content spider plants will also produce baby spider plants, which you can propagate in water until they start to root, and then pot them.
3. Moth orchid
Vibrant and beautiful, moth orchids (phalaenopsis) are popular houseplants native to South East Asia and parts of Australia – and with good care, they can live up to 100 years! In the wild, moth orchids (named after their bright blooms which have been said to look like moths in flight) grow on trees in rainforests.
Orchids often get a bad rap for being notoriously difficult to care for, but moth orchids are actually quite low maintenance. They do, however, like two things in particular: indirect, bright light (preferably in an east or west-facing window) and relative humidity levels of 50-80%. Therefore, a bathroom environment may be the ideal habitat for your moth orchid to thrive.
Many people assume that orchids are dead when they’ve finished blooming (mostly because they’re famed for their flowers). But, moth orchids flower for two to six months of the year and will rest and replenish for the remaining months. So even if your plant looks like it’s not doing anything, it usually is! Try to be patient during this time and keep watering it once a week.
4. Lucky bamboo
Up there with the cast-iron plant, lucky bamboo (dracaena sanderiana) is well known for its near-indestructibility.
It originated in South East Asia and has been used for over 5,000 years in the practice of feng shui. Lucky bamboo is said to bring good fortune and prosperity to wherever it’s grown and help enhance the flow of positive energy.
This fascinating plant is a top choice for most bathrooms because it’s compact and grows up rather than out and usually only reaches a height of two to three feet tall. It’s also happiest living in an environment with light shade or indirect sunlight, and a relative humidity level of above 50%.
Lucky bamboo is typically purchased as a bunch of potted stalks, which will grow long, arching leaves. The number of stalks can symbolise different things – for example, two stalks represent love and seven stalks represent good health. Most people grow lucky bamboo in soil (which should be kept moist), but it can also be grown in water.
Note: Lucky bamboo is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, so it’s important to keep it away from any house pets – or avoid lucky bamboo altogether if this simply isn’t possible.
5. Air plant
Air plants (Tillandsia spp) are some of the quirkiest plants around and can make for an intriguing addition to your bathroom. They’re from the Bromeliad family, with their most famous cousin being the pineapple!
Hailing from South and Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies, air plants are sprouty-looking individuals that can be as large as a dinner plate or small enough to tuck neatly in the palm of your hand. They enjoy a relative humidity of 50-70%; bright, indirect sunlight; and a good soaking every one to two weeks.
But, perhaps the most unusual thing about these plants is that they can live and grow without soil. Instead, they attach themselves to structures like rocks, trees, and fences. So if you keep one in your bathroom, you can really get creative.
For example, you can stick air plants in shells, hang them from wood mounts, or use wall suction cups to stick them on the wall in your shower. Check out this article from Plants in Bathroom for more styling ideas.
6. Cast-iron plant
The elegant-looking cast-iron plant (or aspidistra elatior) is so-called because it can tolerate pretty much anything – and there have been reports of them living over 50 years!
Native to East and South East Asia – particularly China, Vietnam, and Japan – cast-iron plants have shiny, paddle-shaped leaves of a rich green colour. They can grow to around three feet in perfect conditions, though stopping at around 1.5 feet is more common.
Growth is slow, so they only need to be repotted every two to three years, which can be helpful if you have limited space in your bathroom.
While cast-iron plants tend to be at their best when living in a relative humidity of 60-70%, they can still survive in lower-humidity environments too. They’re also used to growing at ground level under trees and shrubs, which means they tend to do well in lower-light conditions. Plus, they only need occasional watering (just let the soil dry out in between).
7. Begonia
Begonia plants (semperflorens cultorum) are native to Central and South America, Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, where they live in tropical rainforests and moist, cool forests. There are more than 1,900 species, but some have become popular houseplants, like begonia rex, begonia metallica, and begonia maculata.
Unique and intriguing, begonia come in all sorts of different shapes, sizes, and patterns. Some have blooming potential, while others are known for their gorgeous foliage which often has silver markings or spots (as in the case of begonia maculata).
Begonia enjoy bright, indirect light or partial shade and a relative humidity level of at least 45%, which is more humid than the average room. However, they’re also prone to root rot, so overwatering should be avoided. Some experts say you should wait for begonia leaves to droop before watering.
Note: Begonia are mildly toxic, so it’s important to keep them out of reach of house pets or small children – or avoid them altogether if this simply isn’t possible.
8. Guzmania
If you’re looking to inject a pop of colour into your bathroom, look no further than bromeliad guzmania.
Another member of the Bromeliad family (along with air plants), these exotic plants look similar to the top of a pineapple – with striking bracts that grow from the centre of the plant in a variety of colours from sunny yellow to deep purple.
Guzmania grows naturally on the branches of trees in the rainforests of Brazil, Florida, Costa Rica, and Colombia. Therefore, they prefer to live in shadowy spots with bright, indirect sunlight and warm conditions with a relative humidity of around 60%.
During active growth periods, they may need watering several times a week and, in general, the soil should be kept moist but not soggy.
9. Peace lily
Across the world, the graceful peace lily (spathiphyllum) has become a symbol of friendship, peace, hope, and prosperity due to its elegant white flowers. It’s also sometimes given as a sympathy gift when someone is going through a difficult time.
Native to the tropical rainforests of Colombia and Venezuela, where it grows on the ground, peace lilies are able to flourish in lower light conditions (in fact, too much bright, direct light can scorch their leaves). They’re also best suited to a room with 50-60% relative humidity.
Peace lilies are full of character. Even when they’re not flowering, they have bold, glossy leaves that droop dramatically when they need a drink (which is usually once a week or so). They’re also on NASA’s list of top 10 houseplants that can effectively purify the air in your home.
When considering whether to add a peace lily to your bathroom, it’s best to make sure that it’ll have enough room to grow. Most end up serving as floor plants because they can grow to nearly a metre tall, and their leaves fan out wide.
Note: Peace lilies are highly poisonous to humans and animals if ingested, so it’s important to keep them away from children or house pets – or avoid them altogether if this simply isn’t possible.
10. Fern
Leafy, cheerful, and low-fuss, ferns will happily inhabit most bathrooms, with many people placing them directly in their shower stall or on the side of the bath.
Ferns favour a humidity level of above 50% – with some thriving in 80% and above. Plus, they can easily withstand heavy watering.
Amazingly, there are over 10,500 different species of fern, which means you’ll have plenty of choice when it comes to size, shape, and texture. However, some of the ferns most recommended for bathrooms are the maidenhair fern (Adiantum spp), Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), and bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus).
While in the wild ferns grow in shady, tropical rainforests, they still need a reasonable amount of light – dappled is best – to avoid yellowing leaves and poor growth. They also like their soil to be kept moist, but not waterlogged.
Note: Not all ferns are poisonous to humans and animals, though many are. So, if in doubt, it’s always best to keep them out of reach.
11. Aloe vera
As previously mentioned, when choosing plants for your bathroom, it’s wise to stay away from succulents. This is because they generally prefer lots of sunlight coupled with dry and low-humidity conditions – which is typically the opposite of what you’d find in the bathroom.
However, there’s one exception to the rule: aloe vera. Aloe vera is a versatile plant which can survive in low-light conditions. And while it doesn’t need humid conditions to grow, it’s much better at absorbing moisture than other succulents, meaning it can grow comfortably at humidity levels of around 40%.
Aloe vera is a charming plant with chunky, green leaves, sharp spines, and sometimes white spots. However, its main draw is its health properties.
Native to a variety of climates around the world, the clear gel in the leaves of aloe vera has been used as a topical ointment for centuries. It’s perfect for soothing cuts, rashes, and burns – plus, it’s also effective at purifying the air in your home.
Note: While aloe vera has medicinal properties for humans, it can be moderately poisonous to cats and dogs. So, it’s best to keep it somewhere that’s out of reach of pets – or avoid aloe vera altogether if this simply isn’t possible.
Final thoughts…
Plants can bring us joy and tranquillity, and can be beneficial for our physical health too as natural dehumidifiers and air purifiers (and many other things!).
So, if you’re looking to add more plants to your home, hopefully we’ve shown you that the bathroom could be a suitable space.
To give your plants the best possible chance at flourishing and bringing more greenery and good vibes to your bathroom, try choosing species that are happiest living in higher humidity and lower light conditions.
It’s also important to remember that humidity-loving plants still need watering according to their individual care instructions, as it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to get all the water they need through humidity alone.
For more houseplant inspiration, why not check out the home and garden section of our website? Here, you’ll find articles like; 10 low-maintenance houseplants that can bring life to your home and 10 unique houseplants to upgrade your indoor space.
Do you have any plants in your bathroom? If so, which ones? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.