Bathrooms are often the most overlooked spaces when it comes to decorating with plants. However, incorporating plants into your bathroom can have a transformative effect. Not only do they enhance the aesthetic of the room, but they also improve air quality by removing toxins and increasing humidity, which is beneficial for both the plants and your skin. Choosing the right plants that thrive in a bathroom environment is key to making this work.
In this article, we’ll explore the best plants for bathroom decoration and improving air quality, along with tips for keeping them healthy in this unique indoor environment.
Why You Should Add Plants to Your Bathroom
Before diving into specific plant recommendations, let’s first consider why having plants in your bathroom is a good idea:
- Air Purification: Plants act as natural air purifiers. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, improving air quality. Some plants also filter out common household toxins, like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
- Increased Humidity: Bathrooms tend to be more humid due to the frequent use of showers and baths. Plants that thrive in high humidity can benefit from this moisture, and their own transpiration process adds even more humidity to the air, helping with skin hydration and respiratory health.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Plants can turn a sterile, clinical bathroom into a relaxing, spa-like environment. Their natural green tones help bring the outdoors inside, creating a soothing atmosphere.
- Low Maintenance: Many bathroom-friendly plants are easy to care for, making them a low-maintenance option for a space that can sometimes feel too humid or low on natural light.
Best Plants for Bathroom Decoration and Air Quality
Now let’s look at some of the best plants for bathrooms based on their ability to thrive in humid conditions and purify the air.
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
The snake plant is one of the most popular indoor plants for its resilience and air-purifying qualities. It can tolerate low light, making it ideal for bathrooms with little natural sunlight. Additionally, the snake plant thrives in the bathroom’s humidity and does well with minimal care.
Benefits:
- Air Purification: Removes formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from the air.
- Low Maintenance: It can survive in a range of light conditions and only needs to be watered occasionally, making it ideal for busy bathrooms.
Care Tips:
- Ensure the pot has good drainage.
- Let the soil dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
2. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is known for its soothing properties, particularly for burns and skin irritations. It thrives in bright, indirect light, which most bathrooms can provide. Aloe vera also purifies the air by absorbing formaldehyde and benzene, making it perfect for improving air quality.
Benefits:
- Air Purification: Removes toxins and adds oxygen.
- Health Benefits: The gel inside the leaves can be used for skin care, especially for cuts and burns.
Care Tips:
- Water sparingly; aloe vera is a succulent and doesn’t need frequent watering.
- Ensure the plant gets plenty of indirect sunlight to grow strong.
3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The spider plant is an excellent choice for bathroom decoration because of its adaptability and air-purifying abilities. This plant thrives in high humidity and can even tolerate occasional neglect. It’s also known for being one of the easiest plants to care for.
Benefits:
- Air Purification: Helps remove toxins like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.
- Low Maintenance: It’s very forgiving and requires little attention.
Care Tips:
- Keep the plant in moderate to bright indirect light.
- Water when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch.
4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies are not only beautiful with their white flowers, but they also excel at purifying the air. They are highly effective at removing harmful toxins such as ammonia, benzene, and formaldehyde. Peace lilies thrive in humid environments, making them an ideal plant for bathrooms.
Benefits:
- Air Purification: Filters out harmful chemicals from the air.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The elegant white flowers add a touch of beauty to any bathroom.
Care Tips:
- Keep the plant in low to moderate light.
- Water consistently to maintain humidity and keep the soil evenly moist.
5. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos is a versatile, fast-growing vine plant that thrives in low light and high humidity—perfect for bathrooms with limited natural sunlight. It’s also known for being one of the easiest houseplants to grow, requiring minimal care. Pothos is particularly good at removing toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene.
Benefits:
- Air Purification: Removes harmful chemicals from the air.
- Low Maintenance: It doesn’t require frequent watering and can grow in low light conditions.
Care Tips:
- Water when the soil feels dry.
- Trim the vines to maintain the plant’s shape and encourage new growth.
6. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English ivy is a versatile, cascading vine plant that thrives in a humid environment like a bathroom. It can be trained to grow up trellises or allowed to cascade from shelves. English ivy is highly effective at purifying indoor air by removing airborne mold, dust, and other pollutants.
Benefits:
- Air Purification: Known for reducing mold and airborne particles.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds a lush, cascading look to your bathroom decor.
Care Tips:
- Prefers bright, indirect light.
- Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
7. Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Ferns are natural humidifiers and do well in the moisture-heavy conditions of bathrooms. They thrive in high humidity and low light, making them one of the best plants for bathroom air quality. Ferns such as the Boston fern or the maidenhair fern are particularly effective at removing indoor pollutants.
Benefits:
- Air Purification: Filters out formaldehyde and xylene.
- Humidity Regulation: Helps maintain high moisture levels, which is beneficial for skin health.
Care Tips:
- Keep the soil consistently moist and ensure the plant gets indirect light.
- Mist the leaves regularly to provide additional humidity.
8. Orchid (Phalaenopsis)
Orchids are an elegant addition to any bathroom, with their striking flowers and air-purifying properties. They thrive in humidity and indirect light, making bathrooms a suitable location for these delicate plants. Orchids also release oxygen at night, which can help improve air quality.
Benefits:
- Air Purification: Improves air quality by releasing oxygen at night.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The beautiful flowers add a sophisticated touch to the bathroom.
Care Tips:
- Water once a week and ensure proper drainage.
- Keep the plant in bright, indirect light, and avoid placing it in direct sunlight.
9. Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Bamboo is a resilient, easy-to-care-for plant that thrives in humid environments. It’s an excellent air purifier and is often associated with good luck in Feng Shui. Bamboo is particularly suited for bathrooms with little natural light, as it can grow well in low light conditions.
Benefits:
- Air Purification: Removes toxins like formaldehyde from the air.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds a tropical touch to bathroom decor.
Care Tips:
- Keep the bamboo in bright, indirect light.
- Change the water regularly if growing in water, or keep the soil moist if growing in soil.
Tips for Caring for Bathroom Plants
- Humidity: Most plants that thrive in bathrooms appreciate the humidity. However, be mindful not to let them sit in standing water, which can lead to root rot.
- Light: While bathrooms can offer some natural light, not all bathrooms are bright. Choose plants that can tolerate lower light if your bathroom lacks windows.
- Watering: Many bathroom plants prefer to be kept on the moist side, but they don’t want to be waterlogged. Always check the soil before watering.
- Ventilation: Make sure your bathroom is well-ventilated. While most bathroom plants love humidity, excess moisture without proper air circulation can lead to mold growth.
Conclusion
Adding plants to your bathroom is a great way to improve air quality, enhance the decor, and create a spa-like atmosphere. From the easy-to-care-for snake plant to the elegant orchid, there are a variety of plants that can thrive in the humid conditions of your bathroom while also purifying the air. By choosing plants that match your bathroom’s light conditions and aesthetic, you can enjoy the benefits of both cleaner air and a more beautiful space.