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Whether it’s a wallpaper-clad powder room or an intricately tiled primary bathroom, good bathroom design is all about the details. That’s why one of the best ways to elevate any size bathroom is by adding plants. Bathrooms are actually fantastic places to grow houseplants, mostly due to the extra humidity. We often remember to consider water and sunlight needs when buying plants, but it’s easy to forget humidity can be crucial too. The best bathroom plants thrive in warm, moist air.
Plants that can thrive in a bathroom environment include ferns, air plants, and other tropical plants. Bathrooms often don’t get a lot of light or fresh air, so when choosing the best plants for bathrooms, opt for low-light tolerant and air-purifying varieties. They’ll be easier to care for and more likely to go on giving your bathroom the relaxing, spa-like vibe you want.
There are many plants that are great for bathrooms. Some, like English ivy, even help absorb moisture from the air to eliminate dampness and excessive humidity, meaning it can help fend off mildew and mold. Other solid bathroom plant options, like eucalyptus and aloe, have leaves you can use for medicinal purposes. Keep reading to learn how to pick out the best plants for your bathroom.
How to Grow Plants in the Shower
It may sound odd or counterintuitive, but it’s true: Some plants really can thrive in the confines of your shower. You just need to pick plants that value water and humidity more than light. Low-light friendly ferns and philodendrons are great options if your shower or bathroom doesn’t have a window. However, if your space does get natural light, you have a lot more to choose from, including majesty palm and aloe plants.
Where Should I Place Plants in My Shower?
The size of your shower will determine the best size for a plant. In many shower spaces, small plants that can hang from a suction-cup hook or sit on a shelf work best. You could also use planters that hang from the ceiling or place a series of small pots on the windowsill. If you have an open 0r walk-in shower, thought, why not put some larger plants and small trees in it?
Bathrooms can be short on counter space and flat surfaces, so instead of a myriad of planters and pots, look for hanging plants and indoor plants that can thrive in small spaces. Ahead, we’re highlighting the best plants for bathrooms, no matter the amount of light your space gets.
Additional copy by Hadley Mendelsohn.
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Pros
- Fast growing
Cons
- Needs occasional pruning
English ivy is a classic bathroom plant that cleans the air and thrives in low light. Hang it up high to let the trailing vines do their thing and create a showstopping look. This plant can quickly become unruly due to its fast-growing nature, so keep an eye on it and help direct its growth with plant hooks or indoor trellises.
Size: Medium to Large
Related: How to Grow English Ivy Indoors
Pros
- Large leaf spread
Cons
- Needs heavy watering
Unlike other ferns, the blue star prefers less humidity and more consistent watering. You can expect the dramatic leaves to fill in for a lush and tropical look. Place yours in bright indirect sunlight—perhaps on a windowsill—for the best results. I’ve noticed that this plant crisps up quite quickly, so I recommend using a self-watering planter or watering stake to ensure it gets enough moisture.
Size: Medium to Large
Pros
- Pet safe
Cons
- Needs high humidity
Low-light tolerant and nontoxic to pets, the kangaroo fern prefers the ample mist and humidity of the forest floor. It’s used to growing side to side rather than upward, so it’s a great option for high coverage. Be sure to place this plant on its own or with plenty of space to allow the leaves to fully spread out.
Size: Medium
Pros
- Fast growing
Cons
- Needs medium light
A classic fern, the Boston appreciates a lot of mist and humidity—like in your bathroom after a lengthy shower. It’s ideal for filling sparse corners, so hang this plant up high to make the most of its spreading and draping leaves. It needs occasional sunlight, so if your bathroom doesn’t have a window, move it into a brighter spot for a bit or set it under a grow light.
Size: Medium to large
Related: 20 Best Plant Grow Lights
Pros
- Easy to care for
Cons
- Toxic to humans and pets
Low-light cutie-pie pothos plants are great for windowless or basement bathrooms. They’re incredibly easy to care for and need water only when the soil is completely dry. Their low-maintenance care requirements make them ideal for beginner plant parents.
Size: Small
Pros
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Toxic to humans and pets
Drought tolerant and nearly indestructible, the ZZ plant is great for people who are just getting into gardening. When cared for properly (meaning you water it when the soil is completely dry to the touch and give it low to medium light), it can grow up to three feet tall, making it the perfect accent for a large walk-in shower.
Size: Small to medium
Related: How to Grow and Care for a ZZ Plant
Pros
- Beautiful striped leaves
Cons
- Finicky about water
Mimicking praying hands, this plant curls up at night and then reopens with the sunrise. That means it’s happy, we promise! Its unique striped leaves love low to bright indirect light and filtered water, which helps them avoid developing scorched-looking edges. In my experience, normal tap water has been completely fine for my prayer plant, but I’ve noticed the color become more vibrant when I use distilled water.
Size: Small to medium
Pros
- Easy to propagate
Cons
- Prone to overwatering
The self-propagating pilea, aka pancake plant, UFO plant or Chinese money plant, thrives in tropical environments, making it the perfect bathroom plant candidate. However, it does best in bathrooms that get bright indirect light. It has flat, round leaves that make it look cute and playful display, and you can pull off the “pups” it produces to give to friends and family.
Size: Small
Pros
- Trailing vines
Cons
- Needs high humidity
If you can’t resist a trailing plant, go for a golden pothos, It’ll make itself and all its vines at home in your bathroom. It can handle low to bright sunlight so long as the light is indirect, but the tips of its leaves will turn brown if the air is too dry. Focus on misting and adding humidity wherever possible.
Size: Small to medium
Pros
- Easy to care for
Cons
- Needs a decent amount of sun
Majesty palms love humidity, so your bathroom is the perfect spot for them—so long as you have space for a bigger plant. They love the occasional misting, and while they can handle lower light, they do best in sunny locations—a south- or east-facing window is best. If you notice the leaves crisping up or turning brown, give your plant less sun and more water.
Size: Large
Related: 20 Best Indoor Trees for Every Kind of Plant Parent
Pros
- No maintenance
Cons
- Will not get bigger
Sometimes the best bathroom plants are the ones that require zero effort. If you’re looking for a decorative plant to liven up your bathroom wall, opt for a “living wall.” This vibrant green moss has been preserved in its prime so you won’t have to do anything to keep it in tip-top shape. Simply hang it up.
Size: Small
Pros
- Low water requirements
Cons
- Needs ample sunlight
The aloe plant is a low-key succulent that’s perfect for a first-time plant owner or anyone with a busy lifestyle. All it really needs is access to bright light (indirect is fine, though direct sunlight will be better and might even make your plant yield coral-hued flowers), so just place it in a sunny spot. Its leaves are filled with gel that’s great for soothing sunburns and skin irritations.
Size: Small to medium
Pros
- Low-light friendly
Cons
- Slow growing
Beloved by everyone from beginners to plant pros due to its stunning good looks and easy care requirements—the ever-popular snake plant (aka sansevieria) is a great option because it can live in any humidity level and tolerate low or bright indirect light. I own one that’s still thriving in spite of years of subpar plant parenting.
Size: Small to Medium
Related: How to Care for a Snake Plant
Pros
- Beautiful coloring
Cons
- Prone to overwatering
Keep the stunning calathea in medium indirect light with moderate to more humid environment, and it’s sure to do well. Think of it as a symbiotic relationship: Your bathroom’s environment will help it live a healthy life, and its beautiful foliage will give your bathroom new life too. It’s a great choice for your bedroom too.
Size: Small to medium
Pros
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Can become unruly without direction
If you love the whimsical, secret garden vibes of ivy, why not bring that aesthetic inside? With a classic countryside charm, potted ivy is resilient and grows pretty much wherever it can find room. The plant likes medium light and humidity. Hang it in a basket for maximum vining effect.
Size: Small to medium
Related: 15 Indoor Climbing Plants to Make Your Home Look Lush
Pros
- No soil required
Cons
- Nontraditional care requirements
Don’t let the name fool you: These unique plants need more than air to survive. You water air plants by soaking them, and they like moderate to high humidity and bright indirect light. They’re the perfect chocie if you have a bathroom window to perch them near.
Size: Small
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Caring for Air Plants
Pros
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Prone to overwatering
With its iconic tropical leaves, the monstera plant (aka Swiss cheese plant) is always a stunner, and it’s a great houseplant because it can live in a lot of different environments, including your bathroom. It’s able to handle low light, though it will do better in brighter indirect light, and any level of humidity suits it.
Size: Medium to large
Pros
- Beautiful coloring
Cons
- Needs ample humidity
Watermelon peperomia loves humidity, warm temperatures, plenty of moisture, and medium to bright indirect light. Mist it regularly and it’ll be quite the happy camper in your bathroom.
Size: Small to medium
Pros
- Can grow in low light
Cons
- Requires growing supports
Typically speaking, lucky bamboo grows in water and is a low-maintenance pick that’ll also give your bathroom some serious spa vibes. It’s a great plant for low-light spaces, so if your bathroom doesn’t get a lot of sun, don't worry—bamboo will still grow successfully there.
Size: Small to medium
Related: Lucky Bamboo Plant Care
Pros
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Prone to overwatering
Not only is philodendron a great plant choice for beginners, but it’s also ideal for a bathroom. The higher the humidity, the bigger it’ll grow. Plus, it’s a trailing plant—perfect if you want a little drama.
Size: Small to medium
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