If you are looking for a new plant for your bathroom, you are in the right place. We have selected 20 bathroom plants that feel comfortable, grow, and thrive in the bathroom. Additionally, this article provides ideas on how to place the plants and care tips.
In our list of the 20 most beautiful plants, we have made sure that the plants can cope well with the conditions in the bathroom. Please still ensure that the location meets the plant's requirements.
The true aloe (Aloe vera) originally comes from the Arabian Peninsula. Therefore, it copes well with warm and humid air. Since it can absorb the moisture available in the bathroom through its leaves, it only needs to be watered very little. We also recommend Aloe Vera because of its robustness. Additionally, cosmetics can be made from the sap contained in the leaves. Aloe Vera is almost indestructible and requires no special fertilization or care.
Caring for an orchid is not exactly easy, but the plant looks visually stunning with its beautiful flowers like few other houseplants. It is a true classic for the windowsill in the bathroom if the window faces east or south. Orchids are not necessarily recommended for beginners, but they are almost a must for more experienced hobby gardeners.
It doesn't get much easier to care for. The Zamie, in my own experience, is one of the most undemanding houseplants. Originally, the Zamioculcas comes from the forests of East Africa. It needs very little light to feel comfortable and loves warm temperatures with high humidity. This plant is almost indestructible and requires no special fertilization or care.
The Peace Lily is a small easy-to-care-for plant, which quickly recovers even if it has not been watered for a few days. Originally, the Peace Lily comes from the tropical regions of South America. In the wild, it grows in the shade of large trees in the rainforest, so it has adapted to needing very little light to grow and thrive.
Originally, the Chamaedorea elegans comes from the mountainous regions of Mexico in Central America. There it grows in the undergrowth and is therefore ideally suited for shady locations. It is considered particularly easy to care for and robust. It quickly forgives care mistakes and is perfect for beginners. If you are looking for a slightly larger plant for a bathroom corner, the Mountain Palm is highly recommended.
Although Ivy is more known from gardens, it is indeed also well-suited as a houseplant. Originally, Epipremnum aureum comes from Southeast Asia, Australia, the Pacific islands, and the forests of East Africa. As a climbing plant, it is perfect for hanging planters or for greening walls. Ivy grows quite quickly and can be easily pruned back if the hanging plant becomes too large.
The Tillandsia originally comes from South America. It can be found both in tropical and subtropical rainforests. However, some specimens can also be found in high steppes and even deserts. This already shows the enormous adaptability of this plant. The only thing to keep in mind with this plant is that it requires relatively much light to thrive.
The small tree growing in rosettes brings a tropical flair to the room. The Dragon Tree doesn't need a lot of light and is quite easy to care for. It can be easily placed in a corner that could use some greenery.
The Monstera deliciosa impresses with its unique leaf shape. The plant’s leaves get very large and form a unique pattern with symmetrical holes.
The Calathea, also known as the prayer plant, is a beautiful plant. It originates from the rainforests of Brazil and impresses with its beautifully patterned leaves. Unfortunately, the Calathea is not very easy to care for. You should follow the watering instructions carefully. It likes it bright to shady but not full sun, as the leaves may burn.
The Elephant Foot, also known as the bottle tree or ponytail palm, prefers a spot in direct sunlight or another bright location. It is considered a robust plant as it can go quite a while without water. If you frequently forget to water, it is perfect for you.
Originally, the bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus) comes from the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia. There it grows primarily on trees. While the fern does not produce flowers, it impresses with its unique leaf shape and vibrant green. It can reach a height of up to one meter but grows wider as it grows taller. It thrives in a semi-shaded environment with high humidity. Strong drafts or too much sunlight should be avoided.
The cast iron plant, also known as the barbershop palm, is particularly suitable for low-light locations. If you have a dark corner in your bathroom, it will feel comfortable there. The upright leaves that grow straight out of the ground look like giant wild garlic and are visually appealing.
The Bird's Nest Fern comes from the tropical rainforests. Although it does not bloom, it beautifies a room with its growing and leaf shape.
In a large bathroom, you have different decorating options than in a smaller bathroom. The following section presents three ways you can beautify your large bathroom with growing green plants.
In the first image, a Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) is placed in the corner of a bathroom. Above the plant is a narrow window that provides some daylight. The open and minimalist design of the bathroom is complemented and extended by the green leaves of the plant. Since the plant is located in an open shower, make sure the substrate doesn't get too wet or choose a suitable substrate. Due to the small amount of daylight available, additional lighting might be required.
The best-suited spot in the bathroom for a plant is near a large window, as it receives adequate light to thrive. Additionally, such areas tend to be cooler in winter, mimicking the natural seasonal rhythms of the plant.
A plant placed in a niche next to the washbasin fits well visually. However, you must ensure that the plant receives sufficient light to grow, as no natural light reaches this spot. In most cases, you will need to use artificial lighting.
In a small bathroom, you have limited options to add greenery. Here are three ways to green up a small bathroom.
Due to the limited space, you should adjust the size of your bathroom plants accordingly. One option is to use small plants in pots up to about 10cm in diameter. You can place these on shelves next to your bathroom accessories. Ensure the plant gets enough light and not too much or too little water.
The washbasin offers a good opportunity to place a small plant. It does not obstruct the space and takes up very little room. It's still a nice way to bring some green into the bathroom.
Consider where you want to place your new houseplant and note the factors of this location for selecting your plant. The light conditions in the bathroom cannot be generalized. Different plants are suitable for bright bathrooms compared to darker ones. It is clear that every plant needs light for growth, and the choice of houseplant should take this factor into account.
If the bathroom has no windows or other natural light sources, it is not suitable as a location for houseplants. The only way plants can thrive here is with artificial lighting, which involves initial and ongoing costs. Consider if another location might be more suitable.
Some plants are satisfied with little natural light from a small bathroom window. Ensure that the plants are close enough to the window to utilize the incoming sunlight. Choose plants accordingly. Here you will find a list of houseplants suitable for a bathroom with little natural light.
These Plants are Suitable for a Dark Bathroom
If the bathroom is flooded with light, different plants are suitable. With large windows facing east or south, allowing lots of sunlight in, plants needing a lot of light will thrive. Ensure the plant is placed where it can benefit from the available light. High shelves or corners often receive little light even with large windows. Also, be mindful that potential privacy screens on the windows do not overly darken the room and are opened when not needed. Here you will find a list of houseplants suitable for a bathroom with plenty of natural light.
Consider the location, the conditions the plant must cope with, and the purpose the plant should serve beforehand. This ensures you will enjoy your bathroom plant for a long time.
These Plants are Suitable for a Bright Bathroom
The bathroom generally has a high relative humidity of about 50-70% compared to other rooms. While the bathroom is used for showering or bathing, both the temperature and humidity rise drastically. Make sure the plant feels comfortable with high and fluctuating humidity levels. Typically, plants from tropical and subtropical regions are well-suited as they are used to these conditions from their original habitat and are therefore well-adapted. All plants listed below have no issues with the humidity in the bathroom.
Due to the use of showers and bathtubs, both the relative humidity and the temperature in the bathroom often rise rapidly and drop quickly due to subsequent ventilation (especially in winter). Sensitive houseplants can be damaged by these temperature fluctuations. These plants are not suitable for your bathroom. All plants listed below have no issues with temperature fluctuations in the bathroom.
Think carefully if you want to place a cactus or other plant with sharp leaves or thorns in the bathroom. Especially if you are often in a hurry in the bathroom or space is limited, such plants might pose an injury risk, which can be easily prevented by choosing another plant.
Before watering, make sure the substrate (soil) is dry on the surface. The soil must dry to prevent mold, especially in the high humidity of the bathroom. Water the plants directly into the substrate, rather than on the leaves. Otherwise, water can accumulate on the leaves or in the center of the plant, causing it to rot in the worst case. If your plant pot doesn't allow excess water to drain at the bottom, water sparingly. It is essential to prevent waterlogging at the bottom of the pot, as this can cause the roots to rot.
If your bathroom only has north-facing windows, very small windows, or no windows at all, you'll need to use artificial lighting. A detailed guide on various lighting options is coming soon.
The substrate you use for your bathroom plants should be good at retaining moisture. Besides soil, clay-based substrates are often a good choice for the bathroom as they largely prevent mold formation.
Due to the often small pots and less-than-ideal conditions, it might be necessary to provide additional nutrients to your bathroom plants. Be sure to follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging. Too much fertilizer can harm the plant.
We hope we could answer your questions with this post and help you out.
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