Houseplants you can take to the bathroom
Humidity lovers can do well in small spaces but still need a light source
Indoor gardeners may be overlooking a humidity-filled haven for great growth: the bathroom.
“Bathrooms are a fun category,” said Annette Gutierrez of L.A. plant store Potted. “Hanging plants are great in the bathroom where counter space is at a premium, and since most houseplants are tropicals, they love the humidity.”
But, she reminds: “You still have to water your plants.”
Plant expert Joyce Mast suggests placing them on a shelf, mounting them on tile with adhesive-backed hooks or hanging them from a tension rod. “Don’t be afraid to place plants in the shower,” Mast said. “They will love the steam and moisture boost, and the gentle rain will clean their leaves of dust and debris.”
And while plants may do well in humidity, don’t forget they also need light.
Here are 10 houseplants to consider for the bathroom:
1. Fern. Many ferns, such as Kimberly queen fern, bird’s nest fern and blue star fern thrive in extra moisture and will grow beautifully in a bathroom habitat with medium light or bright, filtered light, according to Mast.
2. Gardenia. These beautiful plants do best in bright light but love a high humidity environment. “If you have a window in your bathroom that gets at least four hours of sun ... this would be a perfect spot to add a gardenia,” Mast said.
3. Snake plant. Sansevieria would be perfect to add to a bathroom that receives only minimal natural light. “Snake plants need very little water and thrive on neglect, so they are a perfect addition for someone who is new to plants or needs a plant that doesn’t mind being forgotten from time to time,” Mast said.
4. Spider plant. Chlorophytum comosum are tolerant of low light and love extra humidity. “Spider plants would be great as a hanging plant above a bathtub for a dramatic effect,” Mast said.
5. Parlor palm. Like most tropical plants, Chamaedorea elegans thrives in warm, humid rooms, so it helps to mist them or place them on a tray filled with moist pebbles. The miniature palm is a slow grower.
6. Prayer plant. Calathea, often called prayer plant because of the way its leaves open during the day and close at night, will thrive in medium to low light and a bathroom’s added humidity. Calathea can be a diva and needs consistent watering, pruning and feeding.
7. Nerve plant. Fittonia plants can be finicky but do well if they have warmth, humidity and good (not direct) lighting. Keep the soil barely moist at all times and give it a regular misting or place it on a tray of wet pebbles.
8. Monstera. Monstera deliciosa, also called swiss cheese plant, is trendy (check out #MonsteraMonday on Instagram) since it’s a dramatic, lowmaintenance houseplant. Monstera does best in bright filtered light and on pebble trays.
9. Orchid. Phalaenopsis will do well if the bathroom has a window, said orchid specialist Brandon Tam. “The higher humidity is a definite plus but not mandatory,” he said.
10. Lipstick plant. The longstemmed Aeschynanthus radicand, also known as lipstick plant, is an excellent hanging plant for the bathroom. Give it bright light, moderate water and misting, and it will produce bright red flowers that peek out of calyxes, or tubes, that resemble a tiny tube of lipstick.