Adding plants to your bathroom is a way to bring greenery, vibrancy and life into your space. The best plants for bathrooms are those that thrive in high humidity, cope with low or indirect light, and still look fresh and vibrant in smaller spaces. The right plants can completely transform your space into an exotic oasis, but there are some important aspects to consider.
While many rooms in your house have stable plant conditions, bathrooms offer a unique mix of warmth, moisture and often limited light sources. While this is great for tropical plants and low-light-loving greenery, it can be deadly to more delicate plants.
There are also several amazing benefits to having plants in your bathroom, including air purification, mood boosting and adding a touch of elegance to your bathroom. Research shows that plants can help regulate indoor humidity and reduce airborne toxins, while other studies link greenery to improved mental wellbeing. In bathrooms, this means fresher air, softer ambience, and a hint of nature in your daily routine.
Best Bathroom Plants for No Light Bathrooms
Here are our picks for good plants for bathrooms that can survive in artificial light:
- ZZ plant: This is a super low-maintenance houseplant that is almost indestructible and perfect for beginner plant parents.
- Snake plants: Provide beautiful structure and colour to your bathroom and are also hardy and great in low-light.
- The cast iron plant: Is named specifically for its toughness and thrives in shady areas.
- Peace Lily: Beautiful and known for air-purifying qualities.
- Pothos & Heartleaf Philodendron: These are gorgeous trailing plants, wonderful for beginners that add instant greenery to shelves or hanging pots.
Best Plants for Bright & Humid Bathrooms
On the other hand, if your bathroom is flooded with natural light then you may want to look at a different variety of plants to thrive in your space. Here are our recommendations for sun loving plants that thrive in moisture.
- Aloe Vera: This wonderful plant loves bright light and also offers a soothing get that can be used on most skin types.
- Succulents: Certain succulents like Elephant Bush or Ponytail Palm are wonderful as they have low-watering needs and add a sculptural element to your decor.
- Croton: This vivid plant has multicoloured foliage to transform your bathroom and is easy to take care of.
- Sago Palm: Bring a hint of the tropics into your bathroom with this beautiful and easy to care for plant.
Best Humidity-Loving Plants
As some of the most humid rooms in our homes, you also want to consider plants that do well in humidity and can also help reduce bathroom mould.
- Boston Fern: These classic bathroom plants thrive in steamy conditions and add a wonderful soft texture to the hard tiles and edges of a classic bathroom.
- Bird’s Nest Fern: Another farm type, these plants are great in indirect sunlight and help boost oxygen levels and purify the air in your home.
- Calathea: Not only do these plants have beautiful patterned levels but they are also known for their ability to help deter mould.
- Monstera Deliciosa: A bold statement plant for your bathroom that enjoys humidity.
Best Plants for Small Bathrooms or Limited Spaces
Working with a small bathroom space but still want to add a touch of green? Here are some of our favourite space-saving plants.
- Pothos or Philodendron: These are trailing plants that can be hung from the ceiling or even from shower rails.
- Mini succulents: Little succulents or small Aloe Vera plants are perfect for short windowsills and little spaces.
- Ferns: You can get compact ferns that do well on shelves or in corners of the room.
Best Low-Maintenance Plants for Busy Lifestyles
Want the benefits of plants but are new to plant care or don’t have the time to dedicate to looking after high maintenance plants? Here are some of the best plants that are relatively stress-free.
- ZZ Plant: These hardy plants can go weeks without water.
- Snake Plant: Survive in low light and actually do better when you forget about them and leave them on their own.
- Aloe Vera: This beautiful plant barely needs to be watered.
All of these plants do better when left to their own devices. Perfect to suit your busy lifestyle but still allowing you to reap the benefits of bathroom plants.
Best Plants for Natural Air Purification & Odour Control
Did you know that specific plants can help with bathroom odours as well as air purification in your bathroom while looking great.
- Peace Lily: These absorb mould spores and help to neutralise those nasty bathroom odours.
- Snake Plant: Converts CO₂ to oxygen at night to help with air purification.
- Pothos: These plants remove toxins like formaldehyde from the air.
- Boston Fern: Not only do these ferns add humidity to your space that are also great for their ability to absorb airborne pollutants.
- Calathea: Naturally fights damp-related odours keeping your bathroom fresh.
Best Hanging plants for bathroom
Hanging plants are a great addition if you are short on space in your bathroom and don’t want to sacrifice your valuable counter space.
- Pothos: These plants are very easy to care for and look beautiful with their long vine-like cascading leaves.
- Philodendron: Low-light friendly and have big, beautiful lush leaves.
- Boston Fern: Not only are these ferns great in humidity, they also do extremely well in hanging baskets.
Hanging plants add greenery and beautiful colour to your bathrooms while also reducing clutter and creating a cosy, jungle-like feel.
Best Fake Plants for Bathroom
Just not a plant person? Or struggle to take care of even the most low-maintenance plants? Then fake plants are a great option to add the greenery and charm you want to your space without worrying about killing another plant.
When selecting fake plants for your bathroom choose UV-resistant, high-quality faux greenery to avoid discolouration from the steam and humidity of your bathroom. While fake plants don’t purify air, they require zero maintenance and work well in awkward spots.
Styling & Care Tips for Bathroom Plants
Here are our tips for looking after your plants to ensure your bathroom stays looking its best.
- Avoid root rot: Make sure to use pots with good drainage to prevent root rot.
- Circulation: Remember to open your windows to help with air circulation and deter mould.
- Microclimate: Pick plants that complement your bathroom climate e.g. if your bathroom is colder or dryer do not pick a humidity-loving plant. Or for sun-filled bathrooms make sure you select a plant that enjoys direct sunlight.
- More light: If your plants are struggling in a dark space then artificial light can be used to help.
- Rotate your plants: Turn your plants every couple of weeks to ensure all sides get equal light.
To sum it up
Hopefully, this article will have provided some helpful advice on the best plants for your bathroom. Remember that choosing the best plants for your bathroom stems from matching the plant’s needs to your room’s conditions.
Whether you select a low-light ZZ plant, a humidity-loving Boston Fern or enjoy Pothos and other hanging, vine-like plants, there is a plant that is perfect for every bathroom.
Experiment with different types of plants, rotate them for variety, and enjoy the benefits: cleaner air, improved mood, and a bathroom that feels more like a personal spa.