Take your bathroom decor to the next level with plants. Adding houseplants to a bathroom introduces greenery and texture to a space. Plants liven up a room, making it feel cohesive with the rest of your home. Bathrooms can be tricky to plant style, and not all plants are suited to live in a bathroom. The houseplants you choose for a bathroom have to be able to thrive in the space and fit your ability and availability. Here are some of the best houseplants for bathrooms.
Know the Space
The trait that makes bathrooms so hospitable to houseplants is the humidity. Plants that hail from tropical and subtropical climates have increased humidity needs, so a bathroom is a good fit. Most plants can handle average household humidity, but extra moisture in the air will keep them lush and actively growing.
A full bathroom is more apt to have increased humidity, at least during and immediately after a steamy shower. The moisture hanging in the air helps tropical plants thrive. A half bath can still be an excellent location for a houseplant, but it may not offer bursts of elevated humidity.
While air moisture is vital, sunlight also matters. Monitor the available sunlight in the space to help narrow down the perfect plant. Routinely inspect the plant and adjust the care and location as needed.
Ferns
Ferns are available in all shapes and sizes, from the classic Boston Fern to the charming Crissie and so many more. Most ferns can live in 50% humidity but will be happier in 60-70% humidity. Ferns are versatile and can easily live on a vanity or shelf, while a large plant is better suited to a macrame or similar hanger. The staghorn fern is an epiphytic plant often mounted to a plaque and can even survive in a shower.
Orchids
Orchids cling to trees in nature and get most of their hydration from the moisture in the air. While some orchid varieties prefer dry conditions, moth orchids or Phalaenopsis varieties thrive in 50-80% humidity. The filtered sunlight makes a bathroom an even better spot for orchids. Most bathrooms have blinds or privacy features that filter sunlight. Filtered light is bad news for some houseplants, but it’s good news for others, like orchids. High humidity and filtered light are the two main requirements for orchids. Place an orchid on a vanity or shelf for a refined addition to the space.
Prayer Plants
The uniquely patterned leaves of Prayer Plants introduce bold color and dimension to a space. The leaves rise and lower throughout the day, adding even more interest, and the leaves often have a bold purplish or burgundy-hued underside for an unexpected pop of color when the leaves fold up overnight. Prayer Plant is a term used to describe Marantas and Calatheas or Goeppertias. Most Prayer Plants need at least 50% humidity. Small plants look darling on a counter, while large plants look amazing in a plant stand or even in the corner of a walk-in shower.
Spider Plants
Thin, long foliage that grows in a rosette formation is the hallmark of spider plants. These lush plants have gently arching leaves, and some varieties, like the Bonnie spider plant, have curly foliage. Spider plants are adaptable and can live in average humidity, but 50-60% humidity will help this low-maintenance houseplant reach its full potential.
Pothos
Subtly heart-shaped leaves and reaching vines make the Pothos a welcome addition to most rooms. Much like spider plants, pothos can live in less than ideal humidity levels, but give them some damp air, and these plants will grow luxuriously long vines and full, healthy leaves. Humidity between 50-60% is ideal for pothos houseplants. A small pothos will look darling on a vanity, but mature plants need a perch up high so the vines can hang down. Choose a rare variety, like the Baltic Blue Pothos, which has a tropical look.
Plants to Avoid
Houseplants native to dry, arid climates are generally not a good pick for a bathroom. Succulents, like cacti, kalanchoe, and echeveria, prefer to dry out between watering, and extreme dampness in the air may be too much for these plants to handle. Each situation is unique, so a half-bath with southern exposure may be a fantastic location, but as a rule, keep succulents out of the bathroom.
Green Your Space
Bathrooms are an often overlooked spot that can be an excellent location for houseplants. The increased humidity enables some tropical plants to thrive while lending the room a jungle-like vibe. Evaluate your space to select a plant that aligns with the available humidity and sunlight, and consider how much time you can dedicate to plant care. Houseplants add warmth, color, and texture to a space, giving a bathroom a relaxing, spa-like feel.