Dark bathrooms can be dreary and boring, but houseplants bring a touch of personality and color. High humidity and low light are the preferred environment for several types of houseplants, making them the perfect addition to these rooms.
However, not all plants are suited for these conditions, so it is important to chose a houseplant that will be able to tolerate them.
Fortunately, the following 12 houseplants will thrive in warm moisture, low light, and high temperature rooms, making them the best plants for low light bathrooms. In addition, several of them were found by NASA to have air-purification qualities, so they provide a health benefit as well (there is really no reason not to have a plant in every single room).
Here are some factors to keep in mind when keeping houseplants in the bathroom:
Sunlight
Even low light plants require some light to photosynthesize and produce nutrients.
If you have a window nearby, keep your plant on the sill to make the most out of the light you do have. Make sure the leaves of the plant do not directly touch the glass because it could burn them. Rotate your plant every few days so that each side receives light and the growth is equal.
Fortunately, some plants grow well even under fluorescent light if your bathroom is windowless. Just keep the houseplant a few feet away from the light source to avoid burning the leaves.
Making space for your plants
If your bathroom is dark and small, you will have to be even more creative with displaying your plants. Hanging plants that trail out of their basket are a great solution for a small space to maximize greenery. Avoid plants that are quick growers, or grow widely because they may get in the way.
Watering
Hot water from showers increases the humidity in bathrooms. Be aware that since your houseplants are in a more humid room, they will not need to be watered as much as if they were kept somewhere drier.
Over watering plants leads to root rot, with some plants being more susceptible than others. Each plant will have unique watering needs.
Humidity
The plants chosen for bathrooms need to be able to handle temperature changes. During showers, the room is hot and humid, but when not in use it can become much cooler. This is especially true for bathrooms that are not used as often, such as ones for guests.
The plants chosen for this space need to be resilient and able to handle these temperature and humidity fluctuations.
12 Best Plants for Low Light Bathrooms
1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Don’t worry- this plant’s nickname is not because it harbors spiders, but rather because it’s offshoots with long, trailing stems look “spidery”. In the spring, spider plants produce white flowers that will lead to these offshoots- you can either keep these in place for a fuller plant or root them in separate pots for new plants.
Spider plants are one of the easiest houseplants to grow, even for beginner gardeners. Plant them in well-draining soil and water about once a week (let it dry out in between watering to prevent root rot). Keep it somewhere with medium light and avoid direct sun. East-facing windows are best if you have one. Avoid South-facing windows because their light is too harsh.
With long, narrow leaves, spider plants look great in hanging baskets. Not only do they look great, but they also remove formaldehyde and other toxins from the air, providing a cleaner atmosphere.
2. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Sansevieria trifasciata, commonly known as ‘Snake Plant’ or ‘Mother-in-law’s Tongue’ is a very hardy houseplant. Seriously, it survives almost anything. It has long, stiff leaves that grow anywhere from 6 inches to 8 feet tall, making a great addition to any size room.
With green patterned leaves and yellow borders, the snake plant will make your bathroom pop. Furthermore, Sansevieria also have air-purification qualities, and clean toxins from the atmosphere.
They like partial shade and low light conditions, making them a great addition to a bathroom that is naturally darker. Water your Sansevieria about once a month, plant it in a well-draining soil, and… that’s it! It is really that hardy.
3. Philodendron (Philodendron cordatum)
With pretty, heart-shaped leaves, Philodendron thrive indoors. There are two main varieties:
- Vining philodendrons are a good choice for people short on space because their trailing stems look great in hanging baskets. Or, you could have them draping around your shower pole.
- Non-climbing philodendrons are for people with more room, because they grow upright and spread width-wise when growing.
Set your philodendron somewhere that receives indirect sunlight- if many of your plant’s leaves yellow at the same time, it is receiving too much sun.
Allow the top inch of soil to dry out in between watering. Drooping leaves are either a sign of too much or too little water.
4. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exalta)
The Boston fern is naturally found in high humidity, low light areas, so you could say it is pretty much made for your bathroom.
Humidity helps keep the leaves lush and green. Make sure the fern’s soil remains moist because it hates staying dry. If you notice your Boston fern’s leaves are turning yellow, it is not receiving enough humidity. Try misting with a spray bottle every few days to improve the color and bring back the green color.
5. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
Peace lilies are quite a popular houseplant because of their lush, green leaves and white flowers. This is another houseplant with air-purification qualities, if it’s blooms were not convincing enough.
Peace lily blooms occur during the spring season and last for a few months. They prefer partial shade and will not fuss if put under fluorescent light. If the light is too bright, the plant’s leaves turn yellow-brown. Move it further away from the window if this occurs.
Water peace lilies about once a week. They will wilt when they need a drink and perk right back up afterwards (they are quite dramatic). Peace lilies will thrive in humid conditions and cannot stand cold drafts, so keep them away from windows during the winter.
6. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus)
With fine, lacy green leaves, the asparagus fern brightens up any room. It loves humid conditions, so it will be right at home in your bathroom.
The asparagus fern likes medium sun, so place it by the window or near a fluorescent grow light. Yellow leaves are a sign this plant has received too much sunlight. Plant in a well-draining potting soil to prevent rot and keep the soil moist. If the plant appears droopy, increase your watering frequency.
Be aware that this plant is toxic, so if you have pets or children, it may not be the best choice of plant to keep within their reach.
7. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
A symbol of luck and prosperity, lucky bamboo are a common houseplant and known for their utilization in Feng Shui. Fortunately, you do not need much luck for your bamboo to survive because they are quite easy to take care of.
Place your lucky bamboo in an area with indirect sunlight (direct sunlight will burn the leaves). The soil should be kept damp, not completely dry or soaking wet. They thrive at room temperature. During the winter, do not leave them near windows or anywhere they could experience a cold draft.
Lucky bamboo can be shaped into spirals by manipulating it’s light source or twisted into a braid if you want a unique looking plant.
8. Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)
If you want to add an exotic touch and some color, a bromeliad is exactly the plant you are looking for. In their natural habitat these plants are epiphytic, which means they grow on other trees to gather water and sun.
Despite their fancy appearance, bromeliads are quite easy to care for. Native to rainforests, it is no surprise that bromeliads enjoy high humidity. Provide the plant with medium light and ensure they do not sit in water for too long to prevent rot.
Bromeliads produces offsets (pups) at the base that you can remove and plant on their own once large enough. Their flowers range in color and can be red, yellow, orange, pink, or purple. Bromeliad bloom cycle is affected by many factors, including day length, temperature and water.
9. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Originating in the tropics of Asia, the Chinese evergreen is easy to grow and quite hardy. Since it is slow-growing, it can be added to any size room without space being an issue. They can reach a height up to 3 feet (0.9 m).
The Chinese evergreen is not picky with it’s conditions: low to medium light and moist soil will be enough to keep it happy. Brown tips mean the air is too dry, so mist it with a spray bottle every few days if you notice them.
Chinese evergreen leaves have many different patterns, including full green, speckled, spotted, variegated and blotched. The variegated variety arise due to a lack of green chlorophyll pigment in certain parts of the leaves, giving it that white color.
10. Airplants (Tillandsia)
If you are really short on space, or plants in soil just are not your thing, consider an airplant… or several! Tillandsia are tropical plants that absorb moisture through their leaves, so they love bathrooms because of their humidity. You can place a bunch in a basket or keep them in hanging containers on the wall.
Provide airplants with filtered or fluorescent light (no direct sun because that will burn the leaves). Soak your tillandsia in a tub of water once a week, then let it dry out.
Make sure your bathroom receives enough air circulation, so that they can quickly dry out. If they remain wet for too long, it could lead to rot.
11. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
You may have heard this plant being referred to by one of it’s other nicknames: ‘Hunter’s Robe’, ‘Ivy Arum’, ‘Devil’s ivy’ or ‘Money plant’.
Golden pothos earned it’s nickname ‘Devil’s Ivy’ because it is almost impossible to kill and will live even in low light conditions. This is another great trailing plant if you are short on space.
Pothos are quite tolerant of neglect, making them the perfect choice for busy people who still want houseplants. This plant likes low, indirect sun, and will pale if the light is too bright. Allow the soil to dry between watering. It thrives in humid environments- in fact the leaf tips will turn brown if it becomes too dry.
If you want to multiply your collection, pothos can easily be propagated from cuttings. Just place the cut stem in a jar of water until it roots, then transfer to a pot.
12. Rex Begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum)
Rex begonias are higher maintenance plants that enjoy humid conditions, well-draining soil and careful watering. If you want your begonia to bloom, it will require some direct sun. To just maintain foliage, bright filtered light is fine.
When watering, allow the soil to almost dry before watering again. Watering too frequently will lead to root rot. In the spring, apply a diluted fertilizer twice a month. Avoid placing the plant in direct sun.
In the winter, this plant will enter dormancy, so do not be alarmed if it’s growth slows or it drops some leaves. During this time, water less frequently and wait for spring when it will show new growth.
Those were the 12 best houseplants for low light bathrooms. As you can see, if you have a darker bathroom you want to add greenery to, it is still possible! In general, you want to avoid plants requiring hot, arid climates and bright light (such as succulents) because they will not do well.
Indoor plants help purify the air, brighten up the space, and add color. With the above tips, you can add a houseplant to any kind of room and see the benefits.
Those were some of the best plants for low light bathrooms. Which one is your favorite?
Check out this guide to learn about the best low light succulents
