12 Best Plants for Low Light Bathrooms

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 choose a houseplant that will be able to tolerate them.

Fortunately, the following 12 houseplants will thrive in the warm, humid, low-light conditions common in bathrooms, making them the best plants for low light bathrooms. Several of them were also part of a well-known NASA study on houseplants and air quality — though that study used small sealed chambers, not real rooms, so a single plant on a shelf won't meaningfully purify your bathroom's air the way it's sometimes advertised. They're still a nice, low-maintenance way to bring some life to the room.

Here are some factors to keep in mind when keeping houseplants in the bathroom:

A quick clarification before the list: "low light" means less light than a plant would get in full sun, not no light at all. Every plant on this list still needs some usable daylight or supplemental light to survive — an unlit interior bathroom with no window and no grow light isn't a fit for any houseplant, no matter how shade-tolerant.

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.

Overwatering 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 its 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're also one of the genuinely pet-safe options on this list, per the ASPCA.

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, with dwarf varieties staying under a foot and most common varieties reaching 2 to 4 feet tall — a few tall cultivars can reach around 6 feet in good conditions, making a great addition to any size room.

With green patterned leaves and yellow borders, the snake plant will make your bathroom pop. Sansevieria also contains saponins and is toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, per the ASPCA — worth knowing since it's such a popular low-light pick.

They like partial shade and low light conditions, making them a great addition to a bathroom that is naturally darker. Let the soil dry out fully between waterings — roughly every 2 to 4 weeks in the growing season and less often in winter — plant it in well-draining soil, and… that's it! It is really that hardy. Our full snake plant guide covers watering and troubleshooting in more detail.

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, indirect light areas, so a humid bathroom with some bright, indirect light suits it well.

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. A humidifier or a pebble tray works better than misting for this — misting wets the leaf surface briefly but does little to raise the humidity of the room itself.

5. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)

Peace lilies are quite a popular houseplant because of their lush, green leaves and white flowers. This is a popular, easy-care houseplant, though it's worth knowing peace lilies are toxic to pets if chewed — the ASPCA lists them as causing oral irritation and vomiting in cats and dogs.

Peace lily blooms don't follow a strict schedule and can appear at various points through the year with the right light and care. 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.

Check peace lilies for water regularly rather than on a fixed schedule. 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, check the soil before watering more — droopy asparagus fern can also result from overwatering, not just thirst.

Be aware that this plant is toxic to pets — the ASPCA lists it as causing vomiting, diarrhea, and skin irritation with repeated contact — 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)

Despite the name, lucky bamboo isn't true bamboo — it's a Dracaena species. It's a symbol of luck and prosperity in Feng Shui, and despite sometimes being marketed as pet-friendly because of the "bamboo" name, it actually contains saponins and is toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA. 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 its 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. Most bromeliads actually prefer bright, indirect light rather than deep shade, so give them the brightest spot your bathroom has, and ensure they do not sit in water for too long to prevent rot.

Bromeliads produce 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 its conditions: low to medium light and moist soil will be enough to keep it happy. Brown tips can happen from dry air, cold drafts, or other stress, so check for those causes rather than assuming humidity alone; a humidifier or pebble tray helps more than misting if dry air does turn out to be the culprit.

Chinese evergreen leaves have many different patterns, including full green, speckled, spotted, variegated and blotched. The variegated varieties 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.

Air plants actually want fairly bright, indirect light to thrive — more than most other plants on this list — so a windowless bathroom isn't their best fit; provide filtered or fluorescent light and avoid direct sun, which 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 its other nicknames: ‘Hunter’s Robe’, ‘Ivy Arum’, ‘Devil’s ivy’ or ‘Money plant’.

Golden pothos earned its nickname 'Devil's Ivy' because it is almost impossible to kill and will live even in low light conditions — though it's also toxic to pets if chewed, so keep it out of reach of curious cats and dogs. 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 — and like other begonias, they're toxic to pets if chewed, with the highest concentration of irritants in the underground portions. 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 its 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 brighten up the space and add color, even if their air-purifying reputation is overstated. 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

Low-light bathroom plants: frequently asked questions

Are low-light bathroom plants safe for pets?

Most of them aren't. Peace lily, pothos, snake plant, Chinese evergreen, asparagus fern, lucky bamboo, and Rex begonia are all toxic to cats and dogs if chewed — typically causing drooling, mouth irritation, or vomiting rather than severe poisoning, but still worth avoiding for pets that like to nibble. Spider plant and Boston fern are two genuinely pet-safe options on this list, per the ASPCA.

Do houseplants really purify bathroom air?

Not meaningfully on their own. The widely cited NASA study behind this claim tested plants in small sealed chambers, not real rooms with normal air exchange, so a houseplant or two won't noticeably clean your bathroom's air. They're still a nice way to bring in some greenery and can benefit from bathroom humidity themselves.

What is the best low-maintenance plant for a windowless bathroom?

Snake plant and golden pothos are two of the most forgiving options — both tolerate low light and irregular watering well. Keep in mind an ordinary bathroom ceiling light isn't a substitute for a real grow light: for artificial light to meaningfully support a plant, it generally needs to be a dedicated grow light positioned 12 to 24 inches away and run for 12 to 14 hours a day, not just whatever fixture happens to be overhead.

Written from a very crowded windowsill

Every guide here comes from things I've actually tried on my own plants. Got a plant doing something weird? Send me a photo — I answer every one.

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