It sounds perfectly normal when you mention the balcony or outdoor plants, but how about bathroom plants that absorb moisture?
Out of the ordinary, isn’t it?
Well, it shouldn’t feel that way since, just like we have plants growing outdoors or indoors in pots, we can also keep plants in our bathrooms.
While most people prefer to use synthetic or artificial plants, live bathroom plants will not only absorb moisture from the atmosphere but also have several other benefits, including spicing up your decor, purifying the air, and improving your mental health and energy.
Wondering which plants are ideal for your bathroom?
You don't have to because I have done comprehensive research on suitable bathroom plants. In today's article, I’m going to list the common ones together with the factors to consider.
Sounds good? Let’s get started:
Factors to consider while selecting your bathroom plants
Humidity
The most humid part of every household is the bathroom; hence, when choosing plants for your bathroom, select those that can withstand such conditions.
You’ll find this list article helpful since it has more than enough bathroom plants that absorb moisture to choose from. You don’t have to break a sweat wondering which plants are humid-tolerant.
Lighting
Many, if not all, bathrooms have low light levels, which has led most people to believe that they cannot keep plants in their bathrooms.
This shouldn’t be the case.
As you will see in this article, there are several low-light bathroom plants to choose from. Depending on the season, you may need to move the plants around towards light.
Alternatively, you should consider using fluorescent bulbs to give your bathroom plants the desired light wavelengths.
Toxicity to humans and pets
The plants you choose to keep in your bathroom should not be toxic to either pets or humans.
If you must have a plant that can cause harm to family members, you should place it where kids and pets cannot reach. Which sometimes isn’t practical, but it is better to avoid them altogether.
Better safe than sorry.
Space
The size of your bathroom determines the free space available for keeping plants.
So, it is crucial to understand the plant's growth habits and the space available before considering keeping it.
Big plants, when fully grown, require more space, and vice versa. Space is also a determining factor when selecting plant pots. Here's a list of the best indoor pot planters and their sizes.
Temperature
Every bathroom has different temperature levels at different times of the day, depending on the kind of shower taken (it may be hot, warm, or cold).
Therefore, it’s important to choose plants that can quickly adapt to rapid temperature changes.
If deciding based on the conditions listed above is too tedious, just settle on the plants I’ve suggested in the video below or scroll down if you prefer to read. You’ll thank me for it.
19 Best Bathroom Plants That Absorb Moisture
#1: Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
Peace lily is a plant that is mostly known for its ability to absorb moisture from the atmosphere through its leaves. This plant can therefore survive with minimal or no watering.
Moreover, it requires low amounts of light to grow hence a perfect choice for a bathroom plant. Another characteristic that makes peace lily a good choice for keeping in your bathroom is its ability to purify the air of all contaminants.
However, this plant can also be toxic when accidentally ingested. This should not deter you to keep peace lilies in your bathroom. Just ensure you keep the plants at a place where kids and pets can’t reach.
#2: English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Ivy is a great indoor plant that you can consider placing in the bathroom in hanging baskets. You can find great vertical hanging planters online, and you'll be set with your Ivy plant.
This plant is ideal for reducing the impurities in the air especially formaldehyde that’s more present in the household products like bathing soap, cleaning detergents, furniture and treatments for carpets.
The ivy will also help you get rid of mold that grows in areas with high humidity.
With little maintenance and low light requirement, it is easy to keep English Ivy in your bathroom provided that you always keep the soil/ potting mix moist.
#3: Mother In-Laws Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)
This is one of the most popular of the bathroom plants that absorbs moisture.
Just like the Ivy, it has a special ability of filtering household toxins from the air, including formaldehyde, which is found in many cosmetics and cleaning products.
And like other bathroom plants, Mother- in Laws Tongue is able to withstand high humidity and low light.
Here's a nice article on how to propagate numerous snake plants.
#4: Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plant is without a doubt a very spectacular plant that you can grow indoors in your bathroom.
Its smooth arching leaves improves your bathrooms’ overall appearance.
The most astonishing fact about spider plant is that it can remove up to at least 90% of pollutants and moisture in the air.
This unique characteristic makes it to stand out from the rest.
Learn more about spider plants by reading this article - Brown Tips on Spider Plants? Here’s What to Do
#5: Reed Palm (Chamaedorea spp)
Reed Palms are known to thrive best in tropical and humid areas.
Guess the best example of such areas?
Your bathroom!
These bathroom plants have proven over and over again to be good at excess moisture absorption, air purification as well as ability to grow under low light hence another good choice for your bathroom.
#6: Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston Fern is an indoor plant that likes moist growing conditions with indirect sunlight.
This plant is able to absorb excess moisture from your bathroom without much of a struggle, a characteristic that enables it to balance out the humidity levels leaving your bathroom more comfortable.
However, take more care of your fern by misting especially during cold winters as plants may die when the air dries out too much. In this case misting is advised.
#7: Zanzibar gem (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Also known as ZZ plant, Zuzu plant, aroid palm, eternity plant or emerald palm.
Zanzibar gem plant is almost indestructible and can put up with any sort of growing conditions ranging from low light, high humidity, low water levels as well as rapid temperature switch.
This bathroom plant needs to be watered only four times a year. Its elegant oval leaves will grace your bathroom for many years.
Read: 21 Best Large Indoor Plants for Styling Your Home
#8: Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
This bathroom plant is great in absorbing excess moisture in the air and does not need a lot of watering unless the soil /potting mix is too dry.
Cast Iron Plant is a low light plant and can tolerate temperatures of between 10 – 27 degrees Celsius.
#9: Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Another one of the best plants for your bathroom.
It loves low light levels and the extra moisture your bathroom can provide. With these conditions the Bird's Nest Fern becomes big with beautiful dark leaves that improves the appearance of your bathroom.
However, you’ll need enough space to plant Bird’s Nest Fern as it will ultimately grow bigger.
#10: Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos is a hardy, easy-to-care-for plant that can survive in most spaces hence sometimes referred to as a "cubicle plant". It can tolerate the high humidity in your bathroom.
Moreover, it can withstand low light levels and irregular watering schedule.
This bathroom plant is fast-growing and flourishes into a beautiful hanging vine especially when suspended from the shower curtain rod.
#11: Orchids (Phalaenopsis spp)
Orchids like low light, enjoy the same temperatures as we do, and like a bit of humidity.
If well taken care of they produce beautiful blooms for several months and add exotic elegance to your bathroom.
#12: Baby’s tear (Soleirolia soleirolii)
A bright green delicate creeping herb that trails prettily over wall-mounted planters or hanging baskets.
It prefers shade and moisture, making it ideal for bathrooms with low levels of natural light.
#13: Tillandsia (Tillandsia spp)
Tillandsia is a low light plant and just like many other bathroom plants, it is able to absorb excess moisture from the environment through the leaves.
Another one to add to your bathroom decor.
#14: Calathea (Calathea spp)
Calatheas respond very well to humidity and can tolerate indirect light hence well-suited for most bathrooms.
These plants bring a splash of color and elegance to your bathroom.
#15: Dracaena (Dracaena fragrans)
Dracaena requires high humidity levels, so your bathroom is basically the perfect location for it.
These plants also tolerate low light but can thrive even better in a medium to bright indirect light location, too.
#16: Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
This succulent plant needs low amounts of sunlight, less water requirements and the humidity in your bathroom will be perfectly enough to keep it healthy.
Apart from the fact that Aloe Vera beautifies your bathroom, it is also incredibly useful especially when immediate relief from sunburns, cuts, or bug bites is needed.
#17: Azalea (Rhododendron spp)
Azalea produces the most beautiful blooms out of all bathroom flowers. Their purple, white, pink, and red flowers makes your bathroom look adorably beautiful.
These plants thrive best in warm, humid environments just like the bathroom.
#18: Begonia (Begonia spp)
Many types of begonia grow well in containers and they enjoy the warmth and humidity of a bathroom shelf.
Begonias are extremely colorful ornamentals and does very well indoors.
To learn more about begonias, read this article – Wax Begonia Care: Do begonias like sun or shade?
#19: Philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum)
Philodendrons are easy growing plants that love bathroom conditions.
Some philodendron varieties vine or trail while others grow upright several feet. This plant has a special way of telling you whether you have over-watered or under watered it by dropping its leaves.
Philodendrons need bright but indirect light. Ensure you place them on a curtained windowsill.
Bonus: Bromeliads
Many varieties of bromeliads are epiphytic and bask in the humidity of a bathroom.
They have the ability to get most of their moisture from the air. Bromeliads like bright but indirect light and do not like sitting in wet soil.
Conclusion
I trust that the article you have just read about 19 bathroom plants that absorb moisture has made a great impact on your perception on whether or not to keep plants in your bathroom.
The article has explained the importance of having plants in your bathroom. These include, air purification, excess moisture absorption and spicing up the bathroom décor among others.
Moreover, you have learnt that you should consider things like lighting, space, pets, humans, and plants’ tolerance to humidity and temperature before selecting one.
It’s now your turn to make your bathroom beautiful and more comfy by keeping plants of your choice.
Have anything to add, please let me know in the comments.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published on August 4, 2019, and has been revamped and updated for accuracy, grammar, and comprehensiveness.
I was informed that Mother in laws tongue should not be kept inside as it releases toxins into the air which are harmful. Is this a myth or fact?
Hi Jacqueline, thanks for dropping by. Back to your question; there’s absolutely no research that proves this claim. Quite the contrary – According to NASA Clean Air Study, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue may also provide a natural way of removing toxic agents such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air. This leaves the claim a myth rather than a fact.
What I do know is that this plant is poisonous to dogs when ingested. You can read this article -https://hortzone.com/blog/poisonous-plants-for-dogs/ – for a complete list of poisonous plants for dogs.
THANK YOU FOR THIS I REALLY LIKE TO HV A PLANT IN BTHRM BUT WAS NOT SURE WHICH UR ARTICLE HAS SAVED ME HRS OF RESEARCH THANKS A MILLION
Hello Iris, I’m glad you found the article helpful.
Recently Retired I had a number of plants to bring home from my office. I put my Christmas Cactus in my bathroom on a high, south-facing window sill.
I’m hoping it acclimates well to this new location.
My office had a south facing window and it did well there.
Hello, Paulette.
That’s very good for you!
Please update us how your Christmas cactus fairs moving forward. Thanks for dropping by.
Hygroscopic substance can absorb moisture hence it is use to dehumidify air. Substance like baking soda has hygroscopic properties and is a very good substance to absorb moisture. This is one of the natural ways to absorb moisture in case you are very far from store or if the items that absorb moisture are not available in your area.
Thank you for this informative article. I have been searching for plants to grow in my bathroom and lucked upon your article in Pinterest . Thanks so much for your expertise. I’m going through my house plants to find the perfect plant to place in a special place in my bathroom.
Thanks for your comment. I hope everything goes well for you and good luck!
I would be very guarded about the advice given, as having worked 45 years with houseplants I know that there are multiple errors in the articles he writes and he will not back up his claims with evidence of his experience. Other readers have agreed with me quite simply, the man is trying to be all things to all people, and is floundering way out of his depth.
It is not fair on novice gardeners to be misled.
Hello Dusty Rhodes, I totally respect your opinion. I’d really appreciate if you could be generous enough as to share with us what you’ve learned for the 45 years you’ve been gardening that is contrary to what is written. All of us would really benefit from your experience. Secondly, according to my opinion, gardening is a matter of having fun with plants and rarely about being right or wrong.
All the same, thanks for dropping by. I appreciate all the feedback 🙂
Thank you so much for this list! Can’t wait to go plant shopping!
What be the best in hanging baskets plants in the small bathroom ?
Thank you so much for this article! I am a huge plant lover but can never seem to get my plants to stay alive. I live in Louisiana and not very many windows in my home so it’s difficult to plant anything outside or inside. My hope is with this list I can have some beautiful plants in my bathroom without them dying on me!
Aren’t lilies toxic to cats? I’ve always been told and so avoided them
Hi Colleen, Yes it’s true that lilies are poisonous to cats. Therefore, it’s a good idea to avoid them if you have cats at home. Here’s an article with more details about the same – https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/how-spot-which-lilies-are-dangerous-cats-plan-treatment
Dusty, Is it possible for you to give some examples of the errors in the article. I’m sure it would be beneficial to all of us to have some background on your claims.
Deborah Lancaster
Right or wrong on some plants, this article is a great starting point for a novice who has no idea of where to start.
Just getting over Covid and using recovery time to research plants and where to put them in the house. Loved your informative article and it was extremely helpful for me! Thank you.
Thanks for saying as much, Judy!
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us pertaining to plants. I clean homes and lawns and I love to gift plants to my customers. This article will allow me to bring life to their bathrooms with confidence. And by the way no one or article is perfect so thank you for taking the time to share. May you continue to discover knew ways to bring living things into our lives, especially for those who can even kill a plant that lives in water 🙂
GOD Bless
Which of the plants mentioned here are also dog and cat friendly?
Is there any plant that doesn’t need light? My bathroom has no window. So I have a artificial succulent on my shelf. This was probably a dumb question but thought I’d ask. Thank you