15 Best Bathroom Plants That Thrive in Humidity
Updated: Mar. 13, 2024
Turn your bathroom into a leafy oasis with these low-light, humidity-loving bathroom plants
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Bathroom plants that’ll turn your space into a spa
Soaking in the tub while surrounded by stress-relieving, air-purifying indoor plants is good for the soul. But if your bathroom has only a small window that doesn’t let in much light, you might assume it will be a challenge to find low-maintenance indoor plants to cultivate that tropical oasis. Thankfully, many low-light indoor plants are perfect for high-humidity bathrooms. And while “low light” doesn’t mean your plants can survive with no light, don’t despair if you have a room without windows. Simply place your bathroom plants under grow lamps to see them thrive.
Whether you plan to buy plants online or visit a specialty brick-and-mortar store, check out these 15 suggested species to learn how to decorate with plants and turn your bathroom into a leafy jungle.
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Calathea ‘Freddie’
Calathea concinna ‘Freddie’
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall
Many of the best plants for bathrooms are native to tropical rainforests. “These understory plants on the forest floor receive filtered rather than direct sunlight and are accustomed to warm, wet and humid environments,” says master gardener Sarah Everman, owner of The Leafy Vine.
Calathea are popular humidity-loving tropical houseplants. The calathea ‘Freddie’ can handle less light than many species in this genus, so it works well in bathrooms with small windows. Watch out for the leaves of these prayer plants; if they’re curling, it’s usually a sign they aren’t getting enough humidity or irrigation.
Pros:
- Pet friendly
- Zebra-striped leaves
- Open their leaves during the day and close them at night
Con:
-
Sensitive to drafts and swings in temperatures
Cast-iron plant
Aspidistra elatior
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall
If you’re known for having a brown thumb, a hard-to-kill cast-iron plant could be the perfect addition to your bathroom. Its green, glossy foliage grows when natural light is limited, and it can handle a fair amount of neglect. Keep the potting mix moist but not soggy to see your plant thrive.
Pros:
- Adaptable to a wide range of conditions
- Air-purifying plant
- Pest and disease resistant
Cons:
- Doesn’t like full sunlight
- Won’t thank you for overwatering
Chinese evergreen
Aglaonema spp.
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall
Houseplant consultant Tiffany Mah recommends Chinese evergreens, saying they’re the ideal bathroom plants. “They’re hardy and can withstand fluctuations in temperature and humidity,” she says. “These plants have diverse and colorful foliage, plus they’re low maintenance.” Some gardeners insist plants are the new pets, so go ahead and grow yourself an entire brood. (Before you know it, you’ll be whipping up a DIY moss bath mat.)
Pros:
- Thrive in low light
- Great beginner bathroom plants
Cons:
Never never plant
Ctenanthe setosa ‘Grey Star’
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall
The flashy foliage of the never never plant is sure to impress your bathroom visitors. It’s another tropical species that loves humidity and can grow in shady spots.
Like its calathea relatives, this plant is a magnet for spider mites. “Spider mites thrive in hot, dry environments, so locating these plants in a moist, humid environment can help control this pest population,” says Everman. “Placing these plants in a bathroom also makes it easier to shower them off, another step in controlling spider mites.”
Pros:
- Easy to care for
- Impressive, striking variegation
Con:
-
Doesn’t do well with sudden temperature changes
English ivy
Hedera helix
Size: Up to 9 feet indoors
Are you looking for a hanging plant to trail over your bathroom shelves? Dark-leaved English ivy is the perfect choice for bathroom hanging plants, as it grows in low-light conditions. While it appreciates humidity, English ivy prefers its soil slightly on the dry side, so be careful not to get carried away when watering.
Pros:
- Good for beginners
- Lives long
- Air-purifying plant
Con:
-
Toxic to pets
Golden pothos
Epipremnum aureum
Size: Trails 20 to 40 feet
A houseplant lover’s favorite, golden pothos is another trailing beauty. This fast-growing species might not need the extra humidity, but its adaptability makes it one of the best bathroom plants. No matter your window size, your pothos plant is sure to thrive unless you get it really wrong with watering. An added benefit of having these plants in bathrooms is their proven ability to remove indoor air pollutants.
Pros:
- Easy to care for
- Air-purifying plant
Con:
-
Toxic to pets
Lucky bamboo
Dracaena sanderiana
Size: 1 to 5 feet tall
Lucky bamboo might not be real bamboo, but it’s still hardy and fast-growing. This species is perfect for adding sculptural interest and good feng shui to your bathroom. Not a lover of harsh sunlight, it grows in potting soil or a vase filled with water.
Pros:
- Carries interesting symbology
- Low maintenance
Cons:
- Relatively short-lived
- Toxic to pets
Maidenhair fern
Adiantum aethiopicum
Size: 1 to 2 feet tall
This gorgeous plant may fool you into thinking it’s a medicinal herb, but you’re looking at a type of delicate fern. “Ferns usually require high humidity to stay lush and prefer shadier environments. That’s why they’re perfect bathroom plants,” says Mah. The lacy fronds of the dainty maidenhair fern add a touch of elegance and lush coloring to your space.
Pros:
- Shade loving
- Air-purifying plant
- Pet friendly
Cons:
- Slow growing
- Particular about moisture and humidity levels
Moth orchid
Phalaenopsis spp.
Size: 6 to 12 inches tall
Want to be rewarded with showy blooms in your bathroom? Provided you can offer the right amount of medium to bright indirect light and consistently warm temperatures, moth orchids are an ideal choice. Tall and narrow, they’re well-suited to small powder rooms with spatial challenges. (They’re also gorgeous enough to give as gifts, so bookmark this page next time you’re looking for plants for your mom, sister or friends.)
Pros:
- One of the easiest orchids to grow as a houseplant
- Long-lasting blooms
- Pet friendly
Con:
-
Not suited to bathrooms with very low light
Parlor palm
Chamaedorea elegans
Size: 2 to 6 feet tall
The resilient and popular parlor palm suits low-light, steamy shower rooms. Though it’s relatively tall for an indoor houseplant, this slow-growing mini palm won’t overwhelm the small space and can handle colder temperatures better than some tropical species.
Pros:
- Grows in attractive clumps
- Long-lasting cut fronds are perfect for flower arrangements
- Pet friendly
Con:
-
Sensitive to overwatering
Peace lily
Spathiphyllum spp.
Size: 1 to 4 feet tall
The thick, white, flower-like spathes and glossy green leaves of the peace lily work wonders for purifying steamy bathroom air, as they have the ability to absorb mold spores. Ensure you provide yours with the right amount of indirect, bright light to avoid a dead plant. Peace lilies are sensitive to overwatering, and some enthusiasts wait for the foliage to start drooping before irrigating.
Pros:
- Fragrant blooms
- Air-purifying plant
- A positive symbol of peace, purity, healing and hope
Cons:
- Toxic to pets
- Sensitive to fluctuating temperatures
Rex begonia
Begonia rex-cultorum
Size: 12 to 16 inches tall
Try a rex begonia if you want to make a dramatic statement in your bathroom and don’t mind a bit of a challenge. Their large, variegated leaves can handle low light, but they appreciate bright, indirect sunlight and thrive in consistently warm, humid conditions.
Pros:
- Fabulous foliage
- Easy to propagate
Cons:
- Prone to powdery mildew
- Toxic to pets
Snake plant
Dracaena trifasciata
Size: 2 to 6 feet tall
The perennially popular snake plant thrives in most indoor locations, including bathrooms. Their instantly recognizable sword-like leaves are typically green with a yellow edge, but they come in various color combos. While they like high humidity, they can handle low light and infrequent watering, making snake plant care super simple. With their efficient moisture-absorbing skills, they make great bathroom plants.
Pros:
- Great for beginners
- Upright, clean lines work well in minimalist bathrooms
Cons:
- Needs consistent warmth
- Root rot is common as a result of overwatering
Spider plant
Chlorophytum comosum
Size: 1 to 2 feet tall
When you think of a low-maintenance houseplant, there’s a good chance the variegated, grassy spider plant springs to mind. It’s perfect as a boho bathroom hanging plant (displayed in a macrame hanger, of course). And spider plant care couldn’t be easier. Tolerant of low light and inconsistent watering, these beauties are ideal for preoccupied plant parents.
Pros:
- Air-purifying plant
- Low maintenance
- Easy to propagate
Con:
-
Not good for breezy locations
Stromanthe tricolor
Stromanthe sanguinea
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall
It might be one of the fussier plants on this list, but the vibrant green-and-pink variegated foliage of the stromanthe tricolor makes it worth the effort. It’s perfect in a location with plenty of bright, indirect light; though it can handle lower-light conditions, the foliage colors will fade. A steamy, well-lit bathroom is an ideal spot for these high-humidity lovers.
Pros:
- Dramatic folding foliage
- Pet friendly
Con:
-
Not an ideal beginner houseplant
Sources:
- Sarah Everman, master gardener and owner of The Leafy Vine
- Tiffany Mah, houseplant consultant
- IEEJ Transactions on Sensors and Micromachines: “Purification Effects of Golden Pothos and Peace Lily for Indoor Air-Pollutants and Its Application to a Real Environment”
Originally Published: March 13, 2024
