Natural humidity in bathrooms can significantly benefit certain houseplants. Plants like ferns and orchids thrive in high-humidity environments, closely resembling their native tropical habitats.
This moisture-rich air helps them grow healthier and more vibrant. Additionally, the presence of these plants can improve indoor air quality by absorbing pollutants.1
Here are 18 plants that are perfect for humid bathrooms, ensuring they stay lush and healthy while enhancing your space.
1. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston Ferns are among the most popular houseplants, known for their lush, arching fronds that create a soft, elegant look. Native to tropical regions, these ferns thrive in high humidity and indirect light, making them ideal for bathroom environments. Boston Ferns can reach up to three feet in height and width, providing substantial greenery to fill your space.
Aside from their decorative appeal, Boston Ferns are effective natural air purifiers. To care for a Boston Fern, keep the soil consistently moist and maintain high humidity by misting the fronds regularly. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn.
2. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider Plants are renowned for their resilience and ease of care, making them perfect for less-than-ideal conditions like humid bathrooms. These plants feature arching leaves that grow in rosettes. “Spiderettes” or baby plants form at the ends of long flower stalks after clusters of small white flowers bloom, creating a cascading effect.
For optimal growth, place your Spider Plant in a spot with indirect light and water it moderately to keep the soil slightly moist. They also tolerate occasional neglect, making them a low-maintenance addition to your bathroom greenery.
3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace Lilies are prized for their striking white flowers and lush, dark green leaves. These plants thrive in low to medium light and high humidity, conditions often found in bathrooms. Peace Lilies can grow up to three feet tall, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to your space.
To care for a Peace Lily, water it regularly, ensuring the soil stays moist but not waterlogged, and mist the leaves to maintain humidity.
4. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a versatile plant that adapts well to various indoor conditions, including the humid environment of a bathroom. With its heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines, Pothos can grow up to 10 feet long, making it ideal for hanging baskets or shelves.
This plant is low-maintenance, requiring only occasional watering, pruning, and indirect light to thrive. It can tolerate periods of drought, making it a resilient choice for busy households. And the best part is all the pothos varieties to choose from (22).
5. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
Aloe Vera is a succulent plant well-known for its medicinal properties and ease of care. Aloe Vera prefers bright, indirect light but can adapt to the lower light conditions found in many bathrooms. Its thick, fleshy leaves store water, allowing it to survive in humid environments without frequent watering.
It is particularly valued for its soothing gel, which can be used to treat minor burns, cuts, and skin irritations. To keep your aloe vera plant healthy, water it sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. This helps prevent root rot, a common issue with succulents in humid conditions.
6. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Lucky Bamboo is a popular indoor plant known for its unique, upright stalks and minimal care requirements. Despite its name, Lucky Bamboo is not a true bamboo; it is a member of the Asparagus family, along with hosta, hyacinth, and yucca. It thrives in low light and high humidity, making it well-suited for bathrooms.
It can be grown in water, which makes it particularly easy to care for in humid environments. Ensure that the roots are submerged in water, and change the water every two weeks to keep it fresh. This plant is also considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity, adding both aesthetic and cultural value to your bathroom decor.
7. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata, formerly Sansevieria fasciata)
Snake Plants, also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, are celebrated for their hardiness and striking appearance. Their tall, stiff leaves with unique variegation patterns make them a stylish addition to any bathroom. Snake Plants can tolerate low light and high humidity, thriving in conditions where many other plants might struggle.
They require minimal care, needing only occasional watering and indirect light. They are also drought-tolerant, making them a low-maintenance option for busy individuals.
8. Orchids (Orchidaceae)
Orchids are known for their exotic beauty and intricate flowers. These plants thrive in humid environments with indirect light, making bathrooms an ideal location. Orchids can bloom for several months, providing long-lasting color and elegance to your space.
These plants require specific care to flourish. They need good air circulation and should be watered once a week, allowing the roots to dry out slightly between waterings. Their epiphytic nature means they absorb moisture and nutrients from the air, making the high humidity of a bathroom particularly beneficial.
Orchids can also improve indoor air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
9. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ Plant is a hardy, low-maintenance plant with glossy, dark green leaves that thrive in low light and high humidity. Native to Eastern Africa, the ZZ Plant is known for its ability to withstand neglect and poor conditions, making it an excellent choice for bathrooms.
ZZ Plants are effective at purifying the air and removing toxins such as xylene, toluene, and benzene. They require minimal watering; allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. ZZ Plants can grow up to three feet tall, adding a substantial and attractive green presence to your bathroom decor.
10. Begonia (Begonia spp.)
Begonias are a diverse group of plants known for their vibrant blooms and varied foliage. They thrive in high humidity and bright, indirect light, making them well-suited for bathroom environments. Begonias can range from compact, bushy plants to trailing varieties, offering versatility in how they are displayed.
They are known to help improve indoor air quality by absorbing pollutants such as benzene and formaldehyde. To keep your Begonia healthy, ensure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged and provide adequate air circulation.
Regular misting can help maintain the humidity levels these plants prefer.
11. Calathea (Calathea spp.)
Calatheas are prized for their striking, patterned leaves that often feature bold colors and intricate designs. Native to tropical regions, these plants thrive in high humidity and low to medium light, making bathrooms an ideal setting. Calatheas are known for their unique leaf movements, which open and close in response to light, adding a dynamic element to your space.
It can help purify the air by filtering out common household toxins. They require consistently moist soil and benefit from regular misting to maintain humidity.
Avoid direct sunlight, which can cause leaf burn, and ensure good drainage to prevent root rot. With proper care, Calatheas can grow up to two feet tall.
12. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus setaceus)
The Asparagus Fern is not a true fern, but its delicate, feathery foliage resembles that of ferns, adding a soft, lush look to any bathroom. This plant thrives in high humidity and indirect light, conditions often found in bathrooms. They can grow quite large, reaching up to three feet in height and width, making them ideal for filling empty corners or hanging baskets.
Asparagus Ferns are relatively easy to care for. Keep the soil consistently moist and mist the foliage regularly to maintain humidity. They can also tolerate occasional periods of drought, making them forgiving for busy homeowners.
Regular pruning can help manage their size and encourage bushier growth.
13. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
The Cast Iron Plant is aptly named for its hardiness and ability to thrive in less-than-ideal conditions. This plant features broad, dark green leaves that can add a touch of tropical greenery to your bathroom. They can tolerate low light and high humidity, making them perfect for bathroom environments.
Cast Iron Plants are known for their resilience and low maintenance. They require only occasional watering, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
14. Fittonia (Fittonia albivenis)
Fittonia, also known as the Nerve Plant, is admired for its vibrant, veined leaves in various colors, such as red, pink, and white. This compact plant thrives in high humidity and low to medium light, making it an excellent choice for bathrooms.
This plant requires specific care to thrive. Keep the soil consistently damp and mist the leaves regularly to maintain humidity. Fittonia’s small size makes it perfect for smaller bathrooms or tight spaces. Despite its delicate appearance, Fittonia is quite hardy when provided with the right conditions, adding a pop of color and interest to your bathroom decor.
15. Bromeliads (Bromeliaceae)
Bromeliads are exotic plants known for their striking flowers and colorful foliage. They thrive in humid environments and prefer bright, indirect light, making bathrooms an ideal location. Bromeliads come in various shapes and sizes, with some species producing long-lasting flowers that can add bold color to your space.
They are relatively easy to care for. They must be watered by filling their central cup, and their leaves should be misted regularly to maintain humidity. These plants are also epiphytic, making them well-suited for high humidity in bathrooms.
Bromeliads can grow up to three feet tall, adding a dramatic tropical look to your decor.
16. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum spp.)
Maidenhair Ferns are delicate and beautiful, with fine, feathery fronds that add a soft, ethereal look to any space. These ferns thrive in high humidity and low to medium light, making bathrooms perfect for them. Maidenhair Ferns can grow up to two feet tall and wide, providing a lush, full appearance.
They require consistently moist soil and regular misting to stay healthy. They are sensitive to dry air and direct sunlight, which can cause their delicate fronds to wither. Providing proper humidity and indirect light can ensure these ferns remain vibrant and beautiful.
17. Philodendron (Philodendron spp.)
Philodendrons are versatile and easy to care for, with lush, heart-shaped leaves that thrive in humid conditions. These plants can adapt to low to medium light, making them ideal for bathrooms. Philodendrons can grow in various forms, from trailing vines to upright plants, allowing for creative display options.
These plants are effective at purifying indoor air and removing toxins such as formaldehyde. They require minimal care; keep the soil moist and provide occasional misting to maintain humidity. With proper care, philodendrons can grow up to six feet tall.
18. Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia spp.)
Dumb Cane is a striking plant with large, variegated leaves that thrive in humid environments. This plant prefers low to medium light, making it suitable for bathroom conditions. Dumb Cane can grow up to five feet tall, providing a bold statement piece for your space.
It is relatively low maintenance; it keeps the soil consistently moist and provides occasional misting to maintain humidity. This plant is also known for its air-purifying qualities, helping to remove toxins from the indoor environment. With its impressive size and attractive foliage, Dumb Cane can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom.
Transforming your bathroom into a lush, green sanctuary is easier than you think with these humidity-loving plants. Not only do they enhance the aesthetic appeal of your space, but they also contribute to a healthier, fresher environment.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.