11 Bathroom Plants That Thrive in Humidity

2016-08-24
11 Bathroom Plants That Thrive in Humidity

The typical high humidity and warmth of your bathroom are precisely what most tropical plants are missing in their lives. So if your houseplants are struggling, gather them up and display them near your tub or sink to act as bathroom plants. But remember that not all species can tolerate many windowless bathrooms' lower light levels, so you may need to provide some supplemental lighting. Brighten up a shelf or corner by your sink and add a few high humidity plants that prefer the conditions in your bathroom to the rest of your house.

01 of 11

Orchids

Orchids, though they can be a tad bit temperamental, are worth the extra effort to grow in your bathrooms; after all, they keep their gorgeous flowers for months. The damp, warm conditions in most bathrooms are a perfect environment for these high humidity houseplants, which grow in bark instead of soil and prefer it to be moist but not wet. Some easier-care varieties of orchids include Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis, and Paphiopedilums, which will all do well with bright, filtered bathroom window light.

02 of 11

Golden Pothos

One of the most popular indoor vining plants is pothos (Epipremnum aureum). This plant features a variety of leaf sizes, colors, and variegations. Keep pothos out of direct sunlight, and don't let its soil dry out (but it doesn't care for overwatering). Pothos is a low-maintenance beauty that is exceptionally pretty in a bathroom hanging basket or on a high shelf where it can trail to its heart's content. Golden pothos can develop beautifully variegated leaves with streaks and flecks of gold among the green.

All types of pothos are toxic if ingested by pets and people.

03 of 11

Neon Pothos

This variety of Epipremnum aureum has bold neon leaves that will add color and life to your home. This is one of the best bathroom plants because it's just as easy to care for as golden pothos, but it has brighter, even more eye-catching foliage.

04 of 11

Spider Plant

Houseplants don't get easier than this no-fuss, low-light bathroom plant, known as the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum). They tolerate low light like champs, enjoy a little humidity, and their baby shoots (which can be detached and propagated) are so cute. You can also let them dry out between waterings, and established plants can usually go up to two weeks without a drink.

05 of 11

China Doll Plant

A dark green China doll plant (Radermachera sinica) is one of the best bathroom plants that you can slide into a corner near a window. China doll plants need bright, indirect sunlight and moist, well-drained soil, and must be protected from drafts. Since they're high humidity houseplants, they will thrive in the warmth of your bathrooms.

06 of 11

Bromeliad

These bright tropicals are in a family of plants that consist of thousands of different species. Though they vary in care depending on the specific species and plant features, they make good bathroom plants because most bromeliads have similar needs: Bright, filtered light, plenty of moisture in the air, and a temperate indoor climate. Most are prized for their incredibly colorful, variegated foliage and long-lasting color.

Some common, easy-to-care-for varieties include Scarlet Star (Guzmania lingulata), Blushing Bromeliad (Neoregelia carolinae, shown), and the incredibly prehistoric-looking Urn Plant (Aechmea fasciata).

07 of 11

Tillandsia

Also part of the bromeliad family, these beauties are commonly referred to as air plants. The specimens that fall into the Tillandsia genus (we're talking hundreds and hundreds of species) are are beloved for their ability to grow without soil, or without necessarily being planted at all. In the right environment, they hardly need any care whatsoever. What's the right environment beyond the jungles of South America? You guessed it, the bathroom. If you have a shower with a bright window, even better. They'll love to have occasional shower overspray and soak up all that trapped humidity.

Overall, this is one of the best bathroom plants that absorb moisture. If your air plant doesn't quite get enough moisture from the air, you can mist it, or give it a good soak every few weeks (depending on how dry your climate is). Some common varieties include Tillandsia xerographica, Tillandsia bergeri, and Tillandsia ionantha.

08 of 11

Peperomia

This small-growing, low-light plant comes in various colors and adorable leaf shapes. Its compact size makes it perfect for tight quarters, such as narrow shelves or terrariums (but it doesn't like direct sun, so keep it away from the windowsill). This particular striped variety is watermelon peperomia, or Peperomia argyreia. Peperomia is super easy to care for, loves humidity, and only needs watering when the top of the soil feels dry.

09 of 11

Tropical Pitcher Plant

Nepenthes are a widely diverse genus of tropical plants that all display some type of pitcher blooms (filled with a liquid that attracts and helps digest insects as food). They're also known as monkey cups. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to "feed'" insects to these houseplants; the average household has enough to tide one specimen over.

Pitcher plants like their soil to be kept moist; since they're high humidity plants, they'll be at home in the bathroom. They'll also tolerate low humidity but will produce fewer pitchers under those circumstances. Their vining habit makes them a stunning windowsill addition.

10 of 11

Snake Plant

This bathroom plant, also known as mother-in-law's tongue, viper's bowstring hemp, or St. George's sword, is nearly impossible to kill. Sansevieria varieties tolerate almost any growing condition, from almost no light to bright light to direct light. They need little to no water, and if you keep them in a humid bathroom, you might never have to water these hardy West African natives.

This plant is considered mildly toxic to people and animals when ingested.

11 of 11

Heartleaf Philodendron

Philodendron scandens is a South American native that doesn't require much light to thrive. It likes its soil to be kept damp, and while it will tolerate dry conditions, it's a high humidity plant, making it perfect to keep in low-light bathrooms. Best of all, you can train it to happily vine along a windowsill or shelf.

Philodendrons are toxic to pets and children if ingested.

Sources
Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy.
  1. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/golden-pothos

  2. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/snake-plant

  3. https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/are-philodendrons-poisonous

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