8 Best Plants for the Bathroom 2022 | UK Interior Designer Reviewed

1. Choose a Plant Size That Is Appropriate for Your Space
2. Select Plants That Are Adaptable to Humidity and Temperature Fluctuation
3. Try Aloe Vera or Croton if Your Bathroom Has Direct Sunlight or Cast-Iron Plants if It Has Limited Sunlight
4. Go For a Plant That Is Appropriate for Your Lifestyle and Level of Plant Care
5. If You Have Pets or Children, Ensure That the Plant Is Safe for Them

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.

Don't just stop at the bathroom, get a bunch of air-purifying plants to beautify and purify your space.

Bathrooms can get pretty humid with rising steam from the shower or bath. 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. 

Certain plant species, such as ferns and Devil's Ivy, both best displayed in a hanging basket, love soaking up moisture and can even help purify the air! 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. 

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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. 

Airplants are also great for bathrooms with plenty of sunlight as well as the Chinese money plant, which likes direct sun or light shade. 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 chew.

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.

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This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.

Written and researched by Wren Mann

Our ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.