How to choose the perfect plant for your bathroom
Before you get started, you should consider factors such as the size of your bathroom, the amount of light it gets and the average temperature and humidity levels of the space.
A small, dark bathroom without a window requires vastly different plants to a large bathroom with windows, for example. Our plant picks below have varying types of care requirements, so you're sure to find the perfect houseplant for your needs.
1.SPider plant
Spider plants have graceful, striped leaves in a fresh, green colour. They grow quite fast and, because of their long, drooping leaves, work wonderfully as a hanging plant in a bathroom. Spider plants are ideal for bathrooms as they love high humidity and can tolerate low temperatures. They'll thrive in a bright spot or a shady one.
2. Boston fern
With their striking, lush leaves, Boston ferns add a nice green feel to your bathroom. These plants like high humidity and thrive in a warm, steamy bathroom. They need indirect light and are ideal for placing on a shelf or in a hanging pot.
3. Peace lily
With its dark green leaves and elegant white flowers, the Peace Lily is a stylish addition to your bathroom. This an air-purifying plant that likes high humidity and thrives in low-light spaces such as the bathroom.
4. Aloe vera
Strong and steady Aloe Vera does well in a bathroom. Although it likes dry conditions, the plant can handle humidity surprisingly well. Place your Aloe in a well-drained pot and in a place with plenty of light (sadly this isn't the choice for you if your bathroom is on the darker side). A big benefit of keeping this plant is the moisturising, soothing leaf gel, which has medicinal benefits.
5. Monstera
Monstera is another popular bathroom plant. The most popular varieties, Monstera deliciosa and the smaller Monstera adansonii (Monkey Mask), are both suitable for the smallest room in the house. Monstera likes high humidity and a warm environment. The plant can be placed in a spot with lot or a little light without issues, but avoid drafts.
6. Alocasia Zebrina
Tropical Alocasia Zebrina (Elephant's Ear), has dark green leaves with zebra-patterned stems. This plant needs a humid spote, so the bathroom is a good place for it. Alocasia Zebrina needs quite a lot of indirect light, so only place it in a bathroom with sufficient daylight.
7. Philodendron
With its large, deep green leaves, Philodendron is a beautiful plant to green up your bathroom with. It likes a humid and warm environment, which makes it perfect as a bathroom plant. Philodendron needs little light and prefers a spot in the semi-shade, such as near a small bathroom window.
8. Calathea
Calathea is a true beauty. While there are lots of different varietes - wavy leaves, ribbed leaves, flamed patterns and stripes - all Calatheas like high humidity and low light. This makes them the ideal candidate for a bathroom. Caution: Calatheas are not very resistant to draughts and cold (temperatures <15°C)..
9. Orchid
Orchid is a tropical, flowering plant that loves a humid environment. Note that your bathroom does need to stay warm enough for Orchid's blooms to thrive (at least 16°C). This plant prefers to be in a place with filtered daylight, such as an east- or west-facing bathroom window where the light falls through slats or blinds.
10. Pothos
Pothos loves damp spaces. This air-purifying climbing plant bring a nice green vibe to any bathroom. This plant is also suitable for smaller bathrooms, as it can be displayed as a hanging plant. It thrives in high or low light levels but the less light, the darker the leaves of this plant will be.
How to care for plants in your bathroom
Once you've chosen your ideal plant for the bathroom, you'll want it to thrive! Check out these basic rules and tips for looking after houseplants here and see our bathroom-specific tips below:
- Thanks to the generally high humidity levels of bathroom, plants living there usually need less water than usual.
- Has the humidity become too high or have you overwatered your plant, and the potting soil is mouldy? Take off the top layer of potting soil and loosen the layer underneath with a fork, allowing the rest of the potting soil to dry out.
- Allow a plant to get used to more or less light gradually. Don't suddenly move it from a bright living room to a dark bathroom or vice versa, but keep moving it slightly darker or lighter areas.
- The same goes for temperature: let plants gradually get used to more heat or cold by placing the plant in a slightly warmer or colder spot each time.
- Avoid excessive temperature fluctuations. After a bath or shower, the temperature in the bathroom is a lot higher. Therefore, you should provide ventilation. Make sure it doesn't get too cold or drafty as many tropical plants do not cope well with this.
Plants for low-light bathrooms
Do you have a low-light bathroom that doesn't have great ventilation? We recommend choosing Calathea, as this plant likes warm, humid and relatively dark conditions. Note that Calathea is a relatively difficult houseplant to care for and therefore best suited for people with experience and green fingers!
Plants for windowless bathrooms
Is your bathroom completely dark with no window? Unfortunately, it's unlikely a plant will thrive under such conditions. Green up other areas of your home instead, such as your bedroom, dining room or living room.
More green inspiration
Got the taste for plants in your home? Discover these 10 extra-special eye-catching houseplants, and these hanging plants to bring height into your interiors.
