Adding a hint of green to your bathroom can elevate your own personal sanctuary, whether it's a few small plants on your bathroom vanity unit or a striking tree-like plant nestled in a corner. Greenery is guaranteed to infuse your space with a welcoming and relaxing ambience. But not all plants can handle the unique environment of a bathroom with its high humidity and varying light levels.
If you're looking to bring life into your bathroom and searching for the best plants to do so, then look no further! This list will introduce you to nine superstars that will thrive in your bathroom.
- Why Are Bathrooms Good For Plants?
- Benefits of Indoor Plants in Bathrooms
- Choosing A House Plant For Your Bathroom
- What Plants Are Good For The Bathroom?
- Plant Placement Tips: How to Decide Where To Place Plants in Your Bathroom?
Why Are Bathrooms Good For Plants?
There are an array of reasons why bathrooms are good for plants and also why plants are good for the bathroom, with the main reason being moisture levels in bathrooms. Due to the levels of high humidity from hot baths and showers, they are an ideal space for many plant species to thrive.
Benefits of Indoor Plants in Bathrooms
There are many benefits of indoor plants in bathrooms. These can include:
Air Purification
Plants help improve air quality by absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen, creating a healthier living space, which is particularly beneficial in enclosed spaces like bathrooms.
Improved Ambience
Plants have properties that improve the overall aesthetic and ambience of a bathroom including their ability to create a more inviting environment. Greenery is also known to have a calming effect creating a more pleasant space for relaxation and stress relief.
Low Maintenance
Many indoor plants thrive in bathroom conditions including warm, humid temperatures. This means bathroom plants are low maintenance and require little to no additional watering.
Absorb Excess Moisture
Plants are natural dehumidifiers as they absorb water from their surroundings through their leaves and then release moisture back out through transpiration.
Choosing A House Plant For Your Bathroom
There are many things to consider when choosing the perfect plant for your bathrooms, these include:
Considering Light Levels
Different plants require different levels of light meaning it is important to assess the level of lightin your bathroom, whether you have large levels of light with big windows or no windows at all.
Assess Space
In smaller bathrooms, it is worth considering smaller plants that won’t overcrowd the space and make it look busy. For larger spaces, you can add larger plants of different shapes and colours to fit your desired aesthetic.
Evaluate Humidity Levels
If you have a big family and plenty of people using the bathroom, select plants that thrive in high humidity.
Maintenance Levels
Always make sure that you choose plants that match your lifestyle, whether you’re able to spend time maintaining your plants or not.
Décor Style
Select plants that complement the aesthetic of your bathroom. Sleek, modern bathrooms may benefit from minimalist plants while traditional bathrooms may suit more classic choices.
What Plants Are Good For The Bathroom?
There are many plants that are good bathroom plants, not only for their aesthetics, but also help to create a clean air environment. This is because they actively remove impurities and excess moisture from the air. This natural process can help to regulate humidity levels in the bathroom, which can consequently help reduce the growth of mould and mildew.
1. Air Plants (Tillandsia)
Air Plants, also known as Tillandsias, are probably the most low maintenance of all the houseplants, particularly thriving in bathrooms with windows and natural light. They require temperature between 10-32 degrees and moderate humidity at levels around 40-60%, making them good plants for the bathroom.
2. Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are a pot-bound plant, making them perfect for jazzing up bathroom shelves and bathroom cabinets. They are ideal for bathrooms due to their resilience in fluctuating temperatures and low light conditions. Additionally, their air-purifying qualities make them effective in removing toxins from bathroom air
3. Ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata)
The Boston fern, also known as the sword fern, is an excellent choice for bathrooms due to its affinity for high humidity. Thriving in moist environments, it efficiently absorbs excess moisture from the air, making it an ideal plant for steamy bathroom conditions. Caring for a fern involves ensuring it doesn't dry out, making the naturally humid environment of a bathroom the perfect habitat for its growth and vitality.
4. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Bamboo's innate water resistance makes it an excellent choice for bathroom plants. Its ability to withstand moisture makes it perfect for humid environments like bathrooms, where other plants might struggle. However, it's important to note that bamboo can be prone to mould growth in overly hot and poorly ventilated bathrooms, so ensuring proper airflow is key to its health and longevity in such spaces.
5. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies excel as bathroom plants, purifying indoor air and thriving in low light conditions. Their adaptability to fluctuating humidity levels and preference for consistently moist soil make them well-suited for bathroom environments. Additionally, their elegant white flowers enhance the tranquillity and aesthetics of bathroom decor.
6. Aloe (Aloe Vera)
Aloe vera thrives in bathroom environments, benefiting from the high humidity reminiscent of its tropical habitat. Bathroom moisture helps regulate its water intake, reducing the need for frequent watering. With its preference for bright, indirect light, aloe vera adapts well to bathrooms with sufficient natural or artificial illumination. Its compact size makes it a practical choice for bathrooms with limited space, fitting easily on windowsills or countertops.
7. Orchid (Orchidaceae)
Orchids prove to be excellent choices for bathroom plants, with the conditions of a bathroom mimicking their tropical habitat. The moisture helps maintain hydration levels and prevents root dryness. They prefer bright, indirect light, making bathrooms with windows their ideal home. Orchids tolerate temperature fluctuations and add elegance with their stunning flowers, requiring minimal care in suitable bathroom conditions. Orchids are a beautiful addition to any bathroom, but require more care and attention than most household plants. To get the most out of them, be sure to water once a week, and more often if your orchid is placed in direct sunlight (top tip: if the leaves are warm to the touch, you’ll need to water them more).
8. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Ivy is an ideal bathroom plant, thriving in high humidity and effectively purifying indoor air. It tolerates low light and a range of temperatures, offering flexibility in bathroom decor. With minimal maintenance required, it's perfect for those seeking an easy-care option for their bathroom.
9. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Snake plants are an excellent choice for bathroom greenery, thriving in high humidity and low light conditions while purifying the air. They tolerate various temperatures and require minimal care, making them ideal for low-maintenance greenery. With their sleek appearance, they enhance bathroom decor without taking up much space.
Plant Placement Tips: How to Decide Where To Place Plants in Your Bathroom?
Assess Light Availability
Examine natural light sources in your bathroom to choose appropriate plants. Spider plants and peace lilies thrive in low to moderate light, while ferns and orchids prefer indirect sunlight.
Consider Humidity Levels
Bathrooms tend to be humid from showering and bathing. Opt for plants like peace lilies, snake plants, and aloe vera that tolerate or benefit from higher humidity.
Maximise Your Space
Hang plants like ivy, spider plants, or Boston ferns from hooks or ceiling mounts to save floor space. This adds greenery without cluttering surfaces in bathrooms with limited space. Alternatively, for potted plants, adding them to shelves and vanities make for a quick fix to spruce up any space.
Use Shelves and Window Sills
Utilise shelves and window sills to display a variety of potted plants. Choose plants of different heights and sizes to enhance visual appeal and make the most of available light.
Found your plants? Now, searching for the ideal spot to display them? Explore our selection of bathroom furniture for the perfect place to showcase your fresh foliage
