Ah, the bathroom. It’s the place where you go to get clean. It’s the place where you go to relax. And it’s also the place where busy moms go just to get a moment’s peace. And sometimes it’s the place where you do your best thinking.
But did you know that the air in your bathroom can be the dirtiest in the whole house? Cleansers, soaps, perfumes, styling products, and other things that make things smell good leave waste behind. Also, places that are warm, damp, and don’t have a lot of air flow help all sorts of germs, bacteria, and mold grow.
You could use an air purifier and a dehumidifier, but why take up more space or waste electricity on things that aren’t needed? Studies have shown that putting plants in your bathroom can give you more energy and make you feel less stressed. Putting plants in your home to make it feel like a spa can also make you feel better and inspire you to be creative.
All you need are a few well-chosen plants that can handle the microenvironment of your bathroom. Before choosing the right plants for your bathroom oasis, you should think about the space, lighting, airflow, and temperature, just like you would in any garden.
A warm, steamy bathroom provides the perfect humid environment for many tropical plants to thrive. And in return, adding the right plants can help absorb excess moisture in the air, reducing problems like mildew and mold.
The key is selecting plants that naturally prefer and tolerate high humidity. Plants native to tropical rainforests or swampy regions are ideal choices. Their large, lush leaves readily soak up ambient moisture from the air through transpiration. This prevents condensation from forming on surfaces and improves air quality.
Beyond absorbing moisture, many tropical plants also filter out air pollutants. This makes them excellent natural air purifiers for the home. Plus, surrounding yourself with living greenery boosts energy, reduces stress, and creates a relaxing spa-like atmosphere.
If you want to experience these benefits, read on for the 8 best bathroom plants to absorb moisture.
1. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
With long, graceful fronds, Boston ferns are a bathroom classic for good reason. They naturally thrive in warm, humid environments in their native tropics. The dense foliage soaks up moisture through the air.
Boston ferns prefer bright, indirect sunlight. Direct sun will scorch the delicate leaves Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings but don’t allow it to get overly dry. Mist the leaves often to imitate tropical humidity
2. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Almost impossible to kill snake plants tolerate just about every growing condition. That makes them ideal for darker bathrooms with limited natural light. Just water sparingly and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
The stiff pointed leaves absorb moisture from the air. Snake plants also filter out air pollutants like formaldehyde xylene, and trichloroethylene. Their vertical structure adds sculptural interest to bathrooms.
3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
A favorite houseplant, peace lilies enjoy the warm, humid conditions of bathrooms. Their large, dark green leaves readily take up moisture from the surrounding air. Just don’t overwater the soil, as soggy roots will cause problems.
Let the soil partially dry out between thorough waterings. Peace lilies need less frequent watering in low light. Mist the leaves often to boost humidity. The beautiful white blooms add a nice touch in bathrooms.
4. Orchids
Available in endless varieties, orchids make lovely bathroom plants. Most originate in tropical areas and appreciate warm, humid conditions. Many do well in medium to low light situations, perfect for darker bathrooms.
Orchids absorb ambient moisture through their thick foliage. Allow pots to dry out partially between waterings and maintain indoor temperatures above 60°F. Increase humidity by misting leaves daily or placing pots on pebble trays.
5. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Also called reed palm, the bamboo palm has long, graceful fronds on bamboo-like stems. It thrives in steamy bathrooms, soaking up excess moisture through its lush leaves. Water when the top inch of soil is dry and mist leaves often.
Bamboo palms need bright indirect light but no direct sun. Turn the plant periodically so all sides get proper light exposure and growth stays even. This elegant tropical palm can grow up to 9 feet tall but is slow growing.
6. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Nearly impossible to kill, cast iron plants tolerate low light, drought, temperature extremes and other abuses. Their dark green, corn-like leaves readily absorb humidity from bathroom air.
Let soil dry out between waterings and avoid oversaturation. While they tolerate low light, some filtered sun is ideal for best growth. Wipe dust off broad leaves periodically to allow maximum air circulation.
7. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
With long, grassy leaves and trailing shoots, the spider plant is an ideal bathroom plant. It thrives with high humidity and warm temperatures, absorbing moisture through its foliage.
Spider plants adapt to various light conditions. But bright, indirect light encourages faster growth. Water when soil is partly dry and mist leaves occasionally. Spider plants also filter out air pollutants like formaldehyde.
8. Trailing Philodendrons
Trailing philodendrons come in a variety of leaf shapes, sizes and colors. Most varieties have lush, heart-shaped leaves on vining stems. They absorb ambient moisture through their tropical foliage.
Philodendrons need bright, indirect light but no direct sun. Let the soil dry out between waterings but don’t let it get bone dry. Bathroom humidity will help reduce their water needs. Prune back trailing stems as needed to keep plants tidy.
Caring for Bathroom Plants
Bathrooms provide ideal warm, humid conditions many tropical plants love. But you still need to tailor care to each specific plant’s preferences:
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Light – Choose plants suited to the available light, whether bright indirect or low. Turn plants periodically for even sun exposure.
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Water – Most bathroom plants prefer letting the soil partially dry out between waterings. Don’t oversaturate soil.
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Humidity – Mist leaves, keep plants near showers and use pebble trays to boost humidity as needed.
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Temperature – Maintain indoor temperatures above 60°F for tropical plants. Avoid drafty windows.
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Airflow – Allow space between plants for air movement to prevent mold and disease issues.
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Fertilizer – Use a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 2-3 weeks in the growing season.
With a bit of care, bathroom plants will soak up moisture and purify the air creating a private tropical oasis. Just be sure to tailor care to each plant’s preferences.
Answers to Common Bathroom Plant Questions
If you’re new to growing plants in your bathroom, here are some quick answers to frequently asked questions:
What plants are best for bathrooms with no windows?
Low-light plants like pothos, Chinese evergreen, ZZ plant, cast iron plant and philodendrons do well in darker bathrooms.
How often should you water bathroom plants?
Most bathroom plants prefer letting the soil partially dry out between waterings since humidity reduces their needs. Check soil moisture before watering.
Where should you place plants in a bathroom?
Good spots are near showers/tubs, on the counter, hanging in front of windows or on shelving. Allow proper airflow between plants.
Should bathroom plants be misted?
Misting leaves periodically keeps humidity high around bathroom plants. Just be sure not to get water on floors which could lead to slipping.
What plants should be avoided in bathrooms?
Avoid cacti/succulents and plants prone to root rot from overwatering like ficus or croton since they dislike humidity.
Enjoy a Private Indoor Oasis
As you can see, there are many great options when it comes to choosing bathroom plants.xFCarefully selected greenery can help absorb pesky moisture while naturally purifying the air.
Surround yourself with beautiful tropical plants and create a relaxing, spa-like retreat right in your own home. Just be sure to factor in lighting, humidity preferences and proper care for your chosen bathroom plants.
Tips For Bathroom Plants
Here are some tips for taking good care of your new plant after you’ve found the perfect one for your bathroom. Before you start putting plants in your bathroom, you should make sure you have the following ready:
Does your bathroom have a natural light source? Skylights and windows are great ways to let in natural light, but the plants will only get a certain amount and quality of light depending on the size, treatment, and direction of the windows.
Don’t have windows? Some houseplants can handle low light conditions if they are moved to a well-lit area for a few hours every week or so.
Some plants can’t handle drafts well. Keep this in mind as you research the plants you want for specific locations in your bathroom.
Temperature, specifically temperature fluctuations, can affect how well plants thrive in a space. A plant’s temperature range is very narrow, while another plant’s can handle big changes between hot and cool air.
Large or small bathrooms can benefit from a single plant to an extensive collection of luscious foliage and fragrant blooms. With pretty hanging baskets and stylish pots, you can maximize the room you have to add a luxurious spa-like touch to your home.
12 Bathroom Plants That Absorb Moisture / Indoor Plants That Absorb Humidity / Houseplants
FAQ
What plant removes 78% of airborne mold?
What can I use to absorb moisture in my bathroom?
Can plants help with mold in the bathroom?
What plants absorb moisture and reduce humidity in your bathroom?
With that covered, let us take a look at 14 plants that are great for absorbing moisture and reducing humidity in your bathroom! 1. Peace Lily Add a comment Instagram Peace lilies, Spathiphyllum, are a great low-maintenance choice for your bathroom.
What plants absorb moisture from the air?
Plants like Snake Plant, Boston Fern, and Peace Lily are known for their ability to absorb moisture from the air. These plants are often recommended for humid environments like bathrooms. What plants stop condensation on windows?
What is a good plant for a bathroom?
This bathroom plant is great in absorbing excess moisture in the air and does not need a lot of watering unless the soil /potting mix is too dry. Cast Iron Plant is a low light plant and can tolerate temperatures of between 10 – 27 degrees Celsius. Another one of the best plants for your bathroom.
Can plants help with humidity in a bathroom?
Yes, certain plants like Boston Ferns, Spider Plants, and Peace Lilies are excellent at absorbing excess moisture, thereby helping to regulate humidity levels in a bathroom. Can plants help with mold in bathroom?
