Plants and flowers are a great way to liven up any indoor living space, but when it comes to houseplants, the bathroom is often overlooked. Bathrooms tend to be darker and damper than other rooms in the house, which is less than ideal for some types of flora. However, it actually provides the perfect environment for certain potted or hanging species, if you know what to look for!
There are some important things to consider when selecting a plant that'll thrive in a bathroom, especially one with no or low light. That's why we've put together this buying guide to help simplify the decision making process, and if after reading you're still in need of a little inspiration, we've even ranked our top 10 favourites from Amazon, eBay and Waitrose!
There's nothing worse than bringing home a new house plant only for it to wither and die a couple of weeks later. In this buying guide we go over the top things to consider when choosing the right plant for your bathroom, and we'll mention which species are suitable, too.
Are you looking for a large pot plant to help transform your bathroom into a jungle, or would you prefer something small to accent the sink or line the windowsill? When shopping for plants you need to take the size of your bathroom and desired placement into account, and always check the dimensions of the plant first to ensure a perfect fit.
Remember that some plants will start off small, but can grow quite big over the years. Some grow upright, while others have bushy branches and leaves. If you're pushed for space, opt for a hanging plant that can be suspended from a hook or the ceiling, such as a spider plant or an ivy.
Bathrooms can get pretty humid with rising steam from the shower or bath. Certain plant species, such as ferns, love soaking up moisture and can even help purify the air!
Moreover, running hot water causes the bathroom to warm up and cool down during the day, so you'll need to ensure whichever plant you pick can withstand temperature fluctuation. While succulents may seem a good idea, they are probably best avoided – these plants thrive in dry deserts, so keeping them in damp conditions could lead to mould and root rot.
Plants get energy from sunlight through a process called photosynthesis. However, the amount of light plants needs will vary depending on the type – some plants require a large amount of direct sunlight, whereas others prefer shadier locations.
You should therefore select a plant that's suitable for the amount of natural sunlight your bathroom receives during the day. For example, aloe vera and croton plants require bright, indirect sunlight so should ideally be placed a few feet from a south- or west-facing window. For bathrooms with low light, you'll maybe want to try a cast-iron plant instead.
Different plant species require varying levels of care in order for them to thrive. This includes tasks such as watering, pruning, repotting, fertilising, misting and dusting, all of which take time and a certain amount of skill.
Not all of us are green-fingered, so if you are somewhat botanically challenged you'll want a hardier, low-maintenance plant species such as the spider plant. These plants are also ideal for people with busy schedules or those who travel often as they won't wilt after a day of forgotten watering.
More advanced gardeners will be comfortable handling more involved medium- to high-maintenance plants, such as crotons or certain species of ferns. These are great for hobbyists and those who are able to devote larger quantities of time caring for their plants.
If there's one thing that kids and pets have in common, it's that when left to their own devices, they'll find a way to get into everything. And that new addition to your bathroom may prove too tempting for little hands to play with, or for Fido to snack on.
With this in mind, it's wise to stay vigilant, as some plants can be toxic (and even deadly) if ingested by animals and/or humans. While others may not be fatal, certain plants can also cause nasty reactions on the skin.
Before buying, check to see if your chosen plant is safe for animals and children, and perhaps yourself if you have sensitivities. Luckily, there are plenty of suitable options to choose from that everyone in the family can enjoy.
We've found a great selection of humidity-loving plants suitable for all kinds of homes and lifestyles. So here, in ranking order, are our top 10 plants for the bathroom in the UK!
Hedera helix
£10.95
Size | 15 cm and up |
---|---|
Light | Medium to low light |
Humidity Preference | Medium to high humidity |
Optimal Temperature | 10 - 18 °C |
Plant Care | Low maintenence |
Pet/Child Safe | No |
Codiaeum variegatum
£12.99
Size | 25 - 183 cm |
---|---|
Light | Bright, indirect sunlight |
Humidity Preference | High humidity |
Optimal Temperature | 18 - 27 °C |
Plant Care | High maintenance |
Pet/Child Safe | No |
Sansevieria trifasciata
£21.99
Size | 30 - 60 cm |
---|---|
Light | All light conditions |
Humidity Preference | Medium humidity |
Optimal Temperature | 16 - 24 °C |
Plant Care | Low maintenance |
Pet/Child Safe | No |
Phalaenopsis grazz
£34.99
Size | 45 - 90 cm |
---|---|
Light | Bright but indirect sunlight |
Humidity Preference | High humidity |
Optimal Temperature | 16 - 30 °C |
Plant Care | Moderate maintenance |
Pet/Child Safe | Yes |
Aloe barbadensis
£12.99
Size | 15 - 30 cm |
---|---|
Light | Bright, indirect sunlight |
Humidity Preference | Medium humidity and dry conditions |
Optimal Temperature | 18 - 29 °C |
Plant Care | Low maintenance |
Pet/Child Safe | No |
Anthurium andraeanum
£17.99
Size | 15 - 60 cm |
---|---|
Light | Medium, indirect sunlight |
Humidity Preference | High humidity |
Optimal Temperature | 18 - 25 °C |
Plant Care | Low maintenance |
Pet/Child Safe | No |
Aegagropila linnaei
£9.95
Size | Variable |
---|---|
Light | Low light, medium indirect sunlight |
Humidity Preference | Aquatic plant |
Optimal Temperature | Up to 25 °C |
Plant Care | Low maintenence |
Pet/Child Safe | Yes |
Adiantum raddianum
£12.99
Size | 20 - 30 cm |
---|---|
Light | Medium light |
Humidity Preference | High humidity |
Optimal Temperature | 18 - 24 ºC |
Plant Care | Medium to high maintenance |
Pet/Child Safe | Yes |
Chlorophytum comosum
£9.99
Size | 15 - 30 cm |
---|---|
Light | Medium, indirect sunlight |
Humidity Preference | Medium to high humidity |
Optimal Temperature | 12 - 18 °C |
Plant Care | Low maintenance |
Pet/Child Safe | Yes |
Aspidistra elatior
£30.98
Size | 30 cm and up |
---|---|
Light | Low light |
Humidity Preference | Low to medium humidity |
Optimal Temperature | 7 - 29 °C |
Plant Care | Low maintenence |
Pet/Child Safe | Yes |
Image | 1 ![]() Botanicly/Perfect Plants | 2 ![]() Garden Market Place | 3 ![]() GardenersDream | 4 ![]() LUFFY/K2Aqua/Waitrose | 5 ![]() GardenersDream | 6 ![]() GardenersDream | 7 ![]() EasyPlant/Waitrose | 8 ![]() EasyPlant | 9 ![]() GardenersDream | 10 ![]() Bakker Store |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Cast-Iron Plant | Spider Plant | Maidenhair Fern | Marimo Moss Balls | Laceleaf | Aloe Vera | Moth Orchid | Snake Plant | Croton | Pittsburgh English Ivy |
Features | The Perfect Plant for Bathrooms With Low Light | A Practically Indestructible Plant for the Bathroom | Brighten up Your Bathroom With Beautiful Green Foliage | Fluffy Balls of Japanese Aquatic Moss | A Showstopper With Crimson Red Flowers | Top Choice for Those Who Forget to Water Their Plants | Jazz Up Your Bathroom With a Gorgeous Orchid | Best Bathroom Plant for Beginners | Tiger Striped Leaves to Add Vibrancy to Your Bathroom | A Timeless and Elegant Plant for the Bathroom |
Price | £30.98 | £9.99 | £12.99 | £9.95 | £17.99 | £12.99 | £34.99 | £21.99 | £12.99 | £10.95 |
Size | 30 cm and up | 15 - 30 cm | 20 - 30 cm | Variable | 15 - 60 cm | 15 - 30 cm | 45 - 90 cm | 30 - 60 cm | 25 - 183 cm | 15 cm and up |
Light | Low light | Medium, indirect sunlight | Medium light | Low light, medium indirect sunlight | Medium, indirect sunlight | Bright, indirect sunlight | Bright but indirect sunlight | All light conditions | Bright, indirect sunlight | Medium to low light |
Humidity Preference | Low to medium humidity | Medium to high humidity | High humidity | Aquatic plant | High humidity | Medium humidity and dry conditions | High humidity | Medium humidity | High humidity | Medium to high humidity |
Optimal Temperature | 7 - 29 °C | 12 - 18 °C | 18 - 24 ºC | Up to 25 °C | 18 - 25 °C | 18 - 29 °C | 16 - 30 °C | 16 - 24 °C | 18 - 27 °C | 10 - 18 °C |
Plant Care | Low maintenence | Low maintenance | Medium to high maintenance | Low maintenence | Low maintenance | Low maintenance | Moderate maintenance | Low maintenance | High maintenance | Low maintenence |
Pet/Child Safe | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
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Even a couple of cleverly-positioned decorative items can really turn your house into a cosy, welcoming home, so feel free to check out our other buying guides for further inspiration!
Caring for a plant is a rewarding experience and provides a natural, living decoration unlike any other. Whether you're an experienced plant parent or just starting out, the perfect bathroom plant (or plants) are out there and waiting for you!
Author: Wren Mann
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