Find the perfect houseplant for you by answering a few questions
Bathrooms are often warmer and more humid than other rooms in the house, which can make them a great environment for certain types of houseplants. Here are six plants that generally thrive in these conditions:
The Peace Lily is a striking houseplant with its glossy, dark green leaves and the showy white spathe flowers that have given it its name. These flowers are unique in that what many consider to be the 'flower' is actually a specialized leaf bract that surrounds the true flower, which are the tiny white to off-white structures found on the long spike or 'spadix'. Peace lilies can range in size from small table plants to large floor plants, depending on the variety.
Peace Lilies are native to tropical rainforests in the Americas and Southeast Asia. They are not true lilies but are part of the Araceae family. An interesting fact is that Peace Lilies are known for their air-purifying abilities. They have been shown to remove toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide from the air.
Peace Lilies are adapted to the understory of the rainforest, where they receive little light and high humidity. This makes them suitable for bathroom environments. They prefer low to medium light and need to be watered once a week or when their leaves start to droop slightly, indicating they are thirsty. However, they do not like to be overwatered and can suffer from root rot if they sit in water, so well-draining soil is essential.
The Boston Fern is an evergreen perennial fern that is characterized by its feather-like fronds that gracefully arch and dangle. The fronds can grow to be 2-3 feet long, and each frond has small leaflets along its length. The plant has a dense, bushy appearance and is a bright, lush green.
Boston Ferns are native to tropical regions throughout the world, including Africa, Central and South America, Polynesia, and the West Indies. One interesting fact is that Boston Ferns are one of the oldest plants on the planet, with fossil records dating back at least 300 million years.
Being native to tropical regions, Boston Ferns are used to high humidity and consistent moisture. These conditions make them perfect for a bathroom setting. However, they are sensitive to drafts and dry air. They require indirect light and should be watered regularly so that the soil remains damp but not soggy. Misting them can also help to increase the humidity around the plant.
Spider plants have long, slender leaves that arch outward in a rosette. The leaves are typically green with white or yellow stripes running along the edges or in the middle. They're called spider plants due to their unique growth habit - baby plants or "pups" dangle down from the mother plant like spiders on a web.
Spider Plants are native to South Africa. They're named for their spider-like plants, or spiderettes, which dangle off the mother plant as if on a web. Interestingly, they are also known for their ability to improve indoor air quality by absorbing toxins and producing oxygen.
Spider plants are quite hardy and are known for their ability to survive in a variety of environments, including the high-humidity environment of a bathroom. They prefer bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions. Watering should be done moderately, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. They are not overly fussy about humidity, but the humid conditions in the bathroom will keep them looking their best.
Orchids are an extremely diverse family of flowering plants, with blooms that are often colorful and fragrant. They are easily identifiable by their unique flower structure, which typically includes three petals and three sepals. The central petal is often larger and different from the others, called the 'lip'. Phalaenopsis Orchids, commonly grown as houseplants, are known for their elegant, arching sprays of blooms.
Orchids are found all over the world but are most diverse in the tropics. They grow in a range of habitats, from the cloud forests of South America to the Australian Outback. Interestingly, Vanilla, one of the most used flavorings in the world, is derived from a species of Orchid.
Many orchids, including Phalaenopsis Orchids, are epiphytes, which means they naturally grow on other plants and get their moisture from the air, making them ideal for a humid bathroom. They prefer bright, indirect light, and their watering needs depend on their growing media. Bark-based media dry out more quickly than moss-based media, so they will need watering more often. Overwatering is a common mistake with orchids, so it's crucial to let them dry out between waterings.
Philodendrons are known for their beautiful, glossy green leaves. There are many different types, but they can be generally categorized into climbing types and non-climbing types. The leaves can be large and lobed or small and heart-shaped, and some even have interesting color variations and patterns.
Philodendrons are native to the tropical Americas and the West Indies. One interesting fact is that the name "Philodendron" comes from the Greek words for "love" (philo) and "tree" (dendron), which translates to "tree lover" - a nod to many philodendrons' climbing nature.
Philodendrons are great for a bathroom because they enjoy high humidity and can tolerate lower light conditions. They should be placed in indirect light and watered when the top inch of soil is dry. They are also quite forgiving and can bounce back from underwatering. However, like many houseplants, they do not like to be overwatered.
Air Plants are fascinating because they do not need soil to grow. They have a unique appearance, often with silvery or grayish-green, wiry leaves that can curl or spiral. Depending on the species, they might grow in a tight rosette or more sprawling form, and some species produce colorful, exotic-looking flowers.
Tillandsia are native to the forests, mountains, and deserts of Central and South America. In nature, these plants grow on trees, rocky landscapes, and even power lines – anywhere their seeds can catch. Some species of air plants undergo a significant color change or "blush" when they're about to flower, which is a fascinating phenomenon to observe.
Air plants absorb water and nutrients through their leaves from the air, hence their name. This adaptation makes them ideal for the humidity of a bathroom. However, they also need good air circulation and plenty of bright, indirect light. While they do gather moisture from the air, they often need supplemental watering by soaking or misting, depending on the humidity in your home and the specific species of air plant. They are unique in that they require no soil, so you can get creative with how you display them.
Find the perfect houseplant for you by answering a few questions