The presence of houseplants in bathrooms can be challenging due to the high levels of humidity and low to medium light typically found in these spaces.
This is a list of the best houseplants that will thrive in a moist bathroom environment while adding greenery and texture to the space.
1. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston ferns are easy to identify thanks to their bushy leaves. They can commonly be found in both pots and hanging planters. These plants are great in bathrooms because they love high humidity and indirect light.
- Plant Highlight: Attractive, bushy leaves
- Average Size: 1-3 feet
- Light Requirements: Indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Medium
- Growing Tips: Maintain high humidity, especially in winter
2. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Snake plants are the perfect houseplant for just about any environment because they are extremely hardy, even through neglect. They don’t necessarily need high humidity, but they do great in medium to low light.
- Plant Highlights: Easy care, can remove harmful chemicals from the air
- Average Size: 2-3 feet tall
- Light Requirements: low to medium indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Easy
- Growing Tips: Do not overwater
3. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Most houseplant lovers are well aware of pothos. This might be the number one beginner houseplant. It is easy to care for and adds a gorgeous touch to any room.
- Plant Highlights: Long trailing vines
- Average Size: 1-4 feet
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Easy
- Growing Tips: Maintain high humidity and do not allow roots to sit in water
4. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English ivy is a vine that can easily spread out in all directions. For this reason, it is beautiful when displayed in a hanging planter. Ivy also exudes spa-like relaxed energy that will enhance your bathroom.
- Plant Highlights: Lobed leaves and long vines
- Average Size: 6-8 inches tall
- Light Requirements: Indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Medium
- Growing Tips: Avoid overwatering by allowing the top couple inches of soil to dry out between waterings
5. Dracaena (Dracaena spp.)
Dracaena includes a group of plants that have an exotic look to them. Most varieties look like spiky trees with vertical branches. These plants can handle the warmer temperatures in a bathroom thanks to hot showers.
- Plant Highlights: Unique, edgy appearance
- Average Size: under 10 feet
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Medium
- Growing Tips: These are slow feeders so apply fertilizer sparingly
6. Begonia (Begonia spp.)
Begonias, especially wax begonias (image above), are commonly used as ground cover outside. This group of plants also does well when housed indoors.
Since these plants enjoy high humidity and moist (but not soaking wet) soil, they are the perfect addition to a bathroom.
- Plant Highlights: Diverse group of plants with generally waxy leaves
- Average Size: Varies by species
- Light Requirements: Indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Medium
- Growing Tips: Since most begonias are hybrids, you’ll need to propagate through leaf cuttings or rhizome division
7. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)
Peace lilies are recognizable plants with their large spadix flowers. Peace lily flowers start green and then turn bright white.
As the flower ages or if the plant is receiving too much sunlight, the flower can revert to green.
- Plant Highlights: Long-lasting flowers and bright green foliage
- Average Size: 1-3 feet tall
- Light Requirements: Indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
- Growing Tips: Peace lilies prefer their soil drier than wet but maintain high humidity
8. Orchid (Orchidaceae)
Orchids are the perfect bathroom plant because they do not want direct sunlight, enjoy humidity, and prefer warm temperatures.
Orchids come in plenty of sizes and colors, so you’ll have no problem choosing the perfect plant for your home.
- Plant Highlights: Thick aerial roots and colorful flowers
- Average Size: 12-16 inches tall
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
- Growing Tips: Orchids do not need as much water as people think so water sparingly
9. Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)
Philodendrons are another diverse group of plants. Some varieties are vining/trailing and will do best in a hanging basket or when given a moss pole or trellis to climb.
There are also upright varieties (like the Birkin Philodendron above) that do not need any support structures. Most varieties are easy to care for and are manageable options for beginners.
- Plant Highlights: Beautiful foliage
- Average Size: Varies by species
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Easy-medium
- Growing Tips: Maintain high humidity throughout the year for the healthiest plant
10. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are hardy and easy-to-grow plants, but they truly thrive when provided with their optimal conditions. Your bathroom is the perfect place to match the high humidity and warm temperatures of their native habitats.
- Plant Highlights: Long, thin leaves and produces “babies” for easy propagating
- Average Size: 1-2 feet wide
- Light Requirements: Indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Easy
- Growing Tips: Since these plants grow outwards and the leaves fall down, provide ample space around the pot
11. Monstera (Monstera spp.)
Monstera deliciosa is the plant that comes to mind when most people think of monsteras. There are actually more than 40 species of monsters (be careful, some like Monstera Obliqua get pretty expensive).
These plants are climbers and do best when given a moss pole or trellis to grow on.
- Plant Highlights: Unique leaves and climbing nature
- Average Size: Varies by species
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
- Growing Tips: Do research on your specific Monstera species. Each species will have specific care requirements.
12. Calathea (Calathea spp.)
Calathea contains some of the most beautiful houseplants available. However, these plants have gained a reputation for being difficult.
While there is a learning curve for caring for calatheas, proper care is rewarded with gorgeous foliage.
- Plant Highlights: Colorful and decorative foliage
- Average Size: 6-36 inches tall
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Hard
- Growing Tips: Calatheas are notoriously picky about their water. Use rainwater or distilled water to avoid harsh chemicals and minerals from killing your plant.
13. Bamboo Plant (Dracaena sanderiana)
Also known as lucky bamboo, bamboo plants can be seen in homes and on desks everywhere. This plant isn’t actually related to true bamboo, it is closely related to dracaenas and snake plants.
- Plant Highlights: Bamboo-like appearance at a small size
- Average Size: 1-3 feet tall
- Light Requirements: Indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Easy
- Growing Tips: Bamboo plants can grow directly in water (usually with pebbles) or a well-draining soil
14. Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)
Most bromeliads have a similar look but there are hundreds of individual species. Some varieties are epiphytes (not growing in soil) and some need to be planted in the ground. Caring for bromeliads can be fairly easy, but most varieties need specific conditions to flower.
- Plant Highlights: Unique appearance and colorful flowers
- Average Size: Varies by species
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Medium
- Growing Tips: Most bromeliads need similar conditions to orchids (but thankfully they are more forgiving!)
15. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus aethiopicus)
Asparagus ferns are not related to true ferns. They get their name from their similar appearance. These plants are closely related to edible asparagus.
Asparagus ferns love humidity and will thrive in a moist bathroom environment.
- Plant Highlights: Light green, feathery foliage
- Average Size: 2-4 feet wide
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Medium
- Growing Tips: Be careful when pruning your plant because they can grow sharp spines on older branches.
16. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
Fiddle leaf figs are a household name these days, with their popularity sharply increasing in recent years. They are known for their broad green leaves and for being a little temperamental.
Once you figure out the right conditions for your fiddle leaf fig, it will flourish.
- Plant Highlights: Gorgeous broad leaves
- Average Size: Up to 10 feet tall
- Light Requirements: Indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Challenging
- Growing Tips: These plants will start dropping leaves when conditions are not correct. If you start seeing lots of leaf loss, adjust your care.
17. Aloe Vera (Aloe vera)
Aloe vera is easily recognizable and prized for its medicinal benefits. Having a plant in the bathroom makes it close by for skincare or burn relief.
Since this succulent enjoys warm temperatures, hot showers will never be a problem.
- Plant Highlights: Long spiky leaves with soothing gel inside
- Average Size: 1-2 feet tall
- Light Requirements: Indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Easy
- Growing Tips: Make sure that the soil is well-draining to mimic the wild habitat
18. Zanzibar Gem (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
More commonly known as the ZZ plant, the Zanzibar gem has beautiful shiny leaves. It is known as a low-maintenance plant thanks to rhizomes that hold water for drought periods.
- Plant Highlights: Shiny oval leaves
- Average Size: 2-4 feet tall
- Light Requirements: Indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Easy
- Growing Tips: This plant is extremely slow-growing, so you do not need to repot frequently
19. Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
Crotons are another plant that will thrive in the warm, humid environment that a bathroom provides. This species has several varieties so there are lots of coloration and leaf types to choose from.
- Plant Highlights: Colorful leaves with different patterning
- Average Size: 2-4 feet tall
- Light Requirements: Bright or direct sunlight
- Level of Difficulty: (easy, medium, challenging, hard)
- Growing Tips: If your croton is not receiving enough sunlight, the leaves will lose their vibrant colors and revert to green.
20. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema spp.)
Chinese evergreen is a beautiful houseplant that comes in colors from green to silver to pink. While these plants do okay in most homes, a humid bathroom will allow this plant to live up to its fullest potential.
These plants also love warm temperatures, so do not let them drop below 65 degrees.
- Plant Highlights: Patterned leaves
- Average Size: 1-2 feet tall
- Light Requirements: Indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Easy
- Growing Tips: The lighter and more colorful the leaves are, the more sunlight the plant will require.
21. Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia spp.)
Dumb cane is an outdated name for the plants now referred to as dieffenbachias. This tropical plant will suck up the humidity and moisture that a bathroom provides.
They can also survive in lower light conditions, which is beneficial since most bathrooms only have a single small window.
- Plant Highlights: Tall plant with broad leaves
- Average Size: 3-5 feet tall
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Medium
- Growing Tips: Even though this plant loves humidity, avoid letting the roots sit in water.
22. Air Plants (Tillandsia spp.)
The fun part of air plants is that they don’t need any soil! Since air plants do not have true roots, they get everything they need from the air around them.
This means all that extra humidity from the shower will go to good use.
- Plant Highlights: Can be housed anywhere since the soil is not needed
- Average Size: Less than 12 inches wide
- Light Requirements: Medium, indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Easy
- Growing Tips: To water your air plant, just bright it in the shower with you and then place it back in its location.
23. Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)
Azaleas are known for their annual colorful blooms, and many people don’t realize that they can also be grown indoors.
These plants are typically sold with plastic wrapping around the pot. It is important to remove the wrapping immediately so that the soil can properly drain.
- Plant Highlights: Pink, purple, or white flowers
- Average Size: 1-2 feet
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: (easy, medium, challenging, hard)
- Growing Tips: Choose a greenhouse variety, not a hardy variety.
24. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
The cast iron plant may just be the perfect houseplant for someone who often forgets to water their plants or open the blinds. This plant is also rarely affected by pests and disease.
While this plant can adapt to many conditions, it will do well in a warm and humid bathroom.
- Plant Highlights: Easy to care for
- Average Size: 2-3 feet tall
- Light Requirements: Indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Easy
- Growing Tips: Overwatering is one of the few things that can kill this hardy plant.
25. Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
While most palm varieties enjoy bright sunlight, reed palms make a great house plant because they do well in low and medium light conditions. These plants also like consistent moisture, so the bathroom is the perfect location.
- Plant Highlights: tropical palm leaves
- Average Size: 3-6 feet tall
- Light Requirements: Indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Medium
- Growing Tips: Maintain a consistent watering schedule because these plants can easily suffer from underwatering and overwatering.
26. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Bird’s nest ferns have gorgeous rippled leaves that fan out from the center of the plant. Like the other plant suggestions, this plant thrives in warm and humid environments. Even though these plants are epiphytes in the wild, they are usually planted in soil when housed indoors.
- Plant Highlights: Long, rippled leaves
- Average Size: 2-3 feet wide
- Light Requirements: Indirect light
- Level of Difficulty: Medium
- Growing Tips: New leaves are extremely delicate so do not touch them.
27. Moss (Bryophyta)
There are thousands of species of moss, but they are all recognizable for their short, spongy appearance. Usually found in moist environments outside, moss can also make a beautiful houseplant.
Moss wall art has become popular recently.
- Plant Highlights: Gets its water and nutrients through its leaves
- Average Size: Less than 2 inches tall
- Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light or a couple of hours of direct morning sun
- Level of Difficulty: Easy
- Growing Tips: Keep your moss moist at all times.
Conclusion
Most people don’t think of the bathroom when they are choosing houseplants for their homes. This list gives you plenty of options to choose plants that are not just beautiful but will also absorb moisture in the bathroom.