These Are The 12 Best Plants For The Bathroom

A bathroom can serve as the perfect home for certain plants. Steamy showers and baths naturally create the humid environment that plants for the bathroom even love. Several varieties can thrive in the darkest bathroom corners.

Success depends on matching the right plants to your bathroom’s conditions. Different spots in your bathroom offer unique environments, from the steamy shower area to a peaceful, sunny corner by a window. Your space has potential, regardless of whether it’s a small powder room or a large master bath.

If you have a windowless bathroom, that doesn’t get any natural light, not even when the door is open, plants can’t survive. In this case, you can move in plants temporarily and switch them out every week. 

Bathroom profile

• Humidity: High after shower and low in winter due to heating
• Light: Often low, since bathroom windows are mostly small
• Temperature: Highly variable, hot after shower or bathroom use, cool after airing out in winter
• Special conditions: Particles of hair spray, deodorant and other care products might settle on the leaves

Our selection of bathroom-friendly plants

We selected 12 bathroom-friendly plants and included their care instructions. These options range from moisture-loving ferns to easy-care succulents. You’ll discover plants that suit your bathroom’s environment and align with your plant care skills.

Peace Lily

The Peace Lily is a very adaptable bathroom plant. This air-purifying champion runs on your bathroom’s natural humidity and helps remove harmful VOCs from the air.

Peace Lily care 

Peace Lilies adapt well to various growing conditions, which makes them perfect for plants for the toilet. Here’s what you need to know:

• Place in bright, indirect light (though it tolerates low light)
• Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
• Maintain temperatures between 18–27°C
• Feed with houseplant fertiliser every 6–8 weeks during growing season

Note that: Peace Lilies can handle lower light conditions but flower better in bright, indirect light. Your Peace Lily will still thrive with limited natural bathroom light and focus its energy on producing lush foliage instead of flowers.

Snake Plant

Need a bathroom plant that’s almost impossible to kill? The Snake Plant could be your ideal match. This plant stands as the most forgiving among all bathroom varieties.

Snake Plant care 

Snake Plants adapt seamlessly to bathroom environments of all types and moisture levels, since they are humidity loving plants. These resilient plants prefer bright, indirect light but run on minimal light conditions just as well.

• Ideal temperature ranges between 18–24°C 
• Mix well-draining soil with sand or perlite
• Watch for overwatering signs (yellow leaves, soft stems)
• Protect from cold drafts and direct air conditioning
• Wipe leaves with a damp cloth occasionally

Note that: The soil should be completely dry before watering. A Snake Plant’s pale leaves or fading patterns signal the need for more light.

Spider Plant

Spider plants make perfect bathroom companions. They practically take care of themselves and create beautiful cascading greenery in your space. Spider plants grow best a metre away from east or west-facing windows.

Spider plant care

These adorable plants need minimal care. The plant might need trimming back during early summer or spring. Remove yellow or brown leaves to keep it looking fresh and encourage new growth.

• Temperature around 20 °C are ideal for Spider Plants
• Mist leaves during dry periods
• Water them weekly and let the top two inches of soil dry between watering

Note that: These plants produce spiderettes, baby plants that make propagation easy. You can leave these plantlets attached for a dramatic hanging display, or cut them off to grow new plants.

Boston Fern

Steam-filled bathrooms after hot showers create a tropical paradise-like environment that these small potted plants absolutely love. These humidity-loving plants naturally adapt to bathroom environments.

Boston Fern care 

Boston Ferns flourish in bright, indirect light, but need protection from harsh afternoon sun that can damage their leaves. Your steamy bathroom provides ideal conditions that match their natural habitat.

• They thrive between 18–25 °C 
• Apply indoor plant fertiliser fortnightly during spring and summer
• Protect from drying drafts and radiators
• Cut dead or yellowing fronds at the base
• The soil should stay moist but never become waterlogged

Pro tip: A hanging planter or plant stand lets your fern’s fronds cascade naturally. This arrangement looks beautiful and improves air circulation around the plant.

Pothos

Pothos plants make the perfect low-maintenance bathroom companions. These adaptable plants run on minimal care and thrive in bathrooms of all sizes, from spacious en-suites to tiny powder rooms. They look especially nice in hanging pots, which makes them wonderful low light hanging plants.

Pothos care 

Your plant sends clear signals if something’s wrong. Yellow leaves point to overwatering, while brown edges suggest dry air. Watch the variegation patterns–less patterned leaves need slightly more light.

• Preferred temperatures range between 18–30 °C
• Let soil dry between watering
• Use room temperature water
• Feed them monthly with a balanced fertiliser during spring and summer
• A quick wipe of the leaves removes dust and brings back their natural shine

Pro tip: Regular trimming of long vines encourages bushier growth.

ZZ Plant

The ZZ plant has become a popular bathroom plant since its introduction as a houseplant in the 1990s. This modern classic could be your perfect match if you need a truly carefree bathroom companion.

ZZ Plant care 

Your ZZ plant runs on minimal attention, which makes it perfect for busy plant parents. 

• The plant needs balanced fertiliser once or twice during growing season
• Room temperature should stay between 15–32°C
• The leaves need occasional wiping to maintain shine
• Spring is the best time to repot every 2–3 years
• Check if the top 5cm of soil feels completely dry before watering. 
• Summer requires watering every 2–3 weeks, while winter needs monthly watering.

Note that: The plant adapts well to bathrooms with varying moisture levels, since it doesn’t need extra humidity like other bathroom plants.

Chinese Evergreen

The Chinese Evergreen stands out as a perfect choice if you just need a durable yet elegant plant for your bathroom. This tropical beauty has made quite a name for itself as one of the most reliable bathroom plants, especially when you have just started your indoor gardening trip.

Chinese Evergreen care

The darker green varieties do well even in near-shade spots, while variegated ones like their space a bit brighter.

• Keep the temperature between 16–27 °C
• Add liquid fertiliser every 2–3 weeks in spring and summer
• Shield it from cold drafts and direct sun
• Clean the leaves now and then with a damp, clean cloth
• Let the top inch of soil dry out between watering
• Droopy leaves mean it’s thirsty

Note that: This slow-growing plant won’t ask for frequent repotting, which makes it ideal if you want lasting bathroom greenery without constant fuss. Every 2–3 years is enough. 

Philodendron

Create a tropical oasis in your bathroom with a Philodendron, one of the most adaptable and forgiving bathroom plants around. These tropical beauties adjust well to indoor settings.

Philodendron care 

Philodendrons love bright, indirect sunlight but can adapt to different light conditions. Dark varieties handle low light well, while variegated types need brighter spots to keep their unique patterns. 

• Keep temperatures between 18–29 °C
• Prune now and then to encourage bushier growth
• Wipe leaves monthly with a damp cloth
• Look at drainage holes regularly 
• Feed your Philodendron monthly with balanced liquid fertiliser during growing season

Note that: Yellow leaves signal overwatering, while brown leaf tips point to low humidity. 

Air Plant

Want to add something unique to your bathroom? Air Plants stand out from all other plants in our list because they break every rule. They don’t even need soil to grow! These bathroom buddies get everything they need from the surrounding air and absorb moisture.

Air Plant care

Air plants do best in bright, indirect light, which makes your bathroom window a perfect spot. They are also great shower plants.  

• The temperature should stay between 10–32°C
• Water weekly through either: Soaking for 20–30 minutes Thorough rinsing under running water
• Shake excess water after each watering
• Water in morning hours only
• Trim any brown or dead leaves
• You might need to mist more often during winter.

Note that: Water should never collect between leaves because this leads to rot. Place your air plant where it dries within 4 hours after getting wet.

Aloe Vera

Want to add both style and function to your bathroom? An aloe vera plant fits the bill perfectly. This versatile plant brings beauty and practical benefits to your space.

Aloe Vera care 

Aloe vera plants do best in bright, indirect light, and they adapt better than most people expect. Your aloe vera doesn’t need much water to thrive. Check if the top few centimetres of soil feel dry before watering. Winter months require even less water–you might only need to water once every 4–6 weeks.

• Keep the temperature between 13–27 °C
• Add diluted cactus fertiliser once during spring and summer
• Trim dead or damaged leaves to boost healthy growth
• Look for signs of overwatering (yellow, mushy leaves)
• Give your plant a new home every 2–3 years as it grows
• Well-draining cactus mix

Pro tip: Your aloe vera doubles as a natural first aid kit. The gel inside works great for minor burns or skin.

Monstera

Want to add some rainforest vibes to your bathroom? A Monstera deliciosa, also called the Swiss cheese plant, loves the humid bathroom environment and makes itself right at home there.

Monstera care

The bathroom setting suits your Monstera’s tropical nature perfectly. The plant runs on bright, indirect light but handles lower light conditions well – exactly what most bathrooms offer.

• Temperature 15–30 °C
• Wipe leaves with a damp cloth monthly so they can photosynthesize better
• Add a moss pole or trellis to help it climb
• Cut away yellow or damaged leaves right away
• Test soil moisture before adding water–wait another day if unsure
• Give it balanced fertiliser monthly from spring through early autumn.

Pro tip: The leaves should develop their signature holes naturally. Move it somewhere slightly brighter if they don’t.

Calathea

Calatheas are expressive plants that communicate their needs through dramatic reactions to different care conditions. These plants are also suitable for bathrooms.

Calathea care 

The rainforest floor serves as your Calathea’s natural habitat, making it ideal for your bathroom’s environment. The plant adapts well to lower light conditions but prefers bright, indirect light.     

• Keep the temperature steady between 18–25 °C. Place it away from drafts and heating vents.
• Use filtered or distilled water only–tap water can cause brown leaf edges
• Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged
• Maintain high humidity through regular misting
• Feed monthly during growing season with balanced fertiliser

Pro tip: A pebble tray filled with water under your Calathea boosts humidity levels naturally.

Bathroom plant comparision table

Ready to green up your bathroom?

Now that you know about at least 12 of the best plants for the bathroom, you can start preparing to green up your bathroom. Maybe you already have some pots, hanging pots and perlite at home? Just in case you want to read even more before you get started, you can check out our guide to indoor gardening. Or learn how to choose the right indoor plant substrates. If you have a questions or a tip for us, please leave a comment.

Happy bathroom gardening!

Louis Hooft

Founder & Lawn expert

Introducing Louis Hooft, the founder of MOOWY and your reliable expert. With a profound love for stunning lawns and extensive experience in garden maintenance, Louis is here to assist garden enthusiasts in achieving a greener and livelier outdoors than ever before. Count on Louis for invaluable tips, clever tricks, and top-notch products to make your garden flourish!