Buying bathroom plants turns your bathroom into a green oasis. Many houseplants come from tropical rainforests and thrive in the humid air after a shower or bath. Think of ferns, Calathea, orchids, the spoon plant, and Tillandsia. They grow well in partial shade, as long as there is some daylight.
The air in the bathroom is often more humid than in the rest of the house. This is not a good place for cacti and succulents, but rainforest plants will feel right at home. In this category, you will find only species that like humidity and can cope with less light.
Ferns such as the sword fern and the bird's nest fern like humid air and partial shade. The Calathea, prayer plant (Maranta) and peace lily (Spathiphyllum) also do well in a bathroom with natural light.
An orchid (Phalaenopsis) likes light but not in direct sunlight, and appreciates the humid air. The Tillandsia does not need soil: it absorbs moisture from the air and is therefore a convenient bathroom plant.
In humid air, the potting soil dries out more slowly. Therefore, always feel whether the top few centimetres are dry before watering, and make sure that no water remains in the decorative pot.
Bathroom plants also need natural light. A window with frosted glass is fine; in a bathroom without a window, no plant will grow in the long term unless you use a grow light. Read more in our guide about plant placement.
Is your bathroom quite dark? Then also check out our shade-loving plants. For a shelf or a corner, hanging plants are a beautiful choice, and if you have pets at home, choose from our pet-friendly plants.
In the long term, none: every plant needs light. Without a window, you can use a grow light, or move your plant to a brighter room for a while every few weeks.
Yes, a Phalaenopsis likes humid air. Do place it in a bright spot without direct afternoon sun, for example by a window with frosted glass.
Often yes, because the soil dries out more slowly in humid air. Therefore, first feel whether the top few centimetres are dry before watering.
