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Choosing the right plant for your bathroom can be difficult, especially if you have minimal to zero sunlight. Luckily, there are specific plants that will thrive in low light, humid conditions and will look really great too.
- Eucalyptus for the Shower
What you love about a spa experience is the ambiance, the smell and feeling of relaxation. Hanging eucalyptus in your shower looks beautiful and can give you the same spa vibe in your very own home! In addition to providing a relaxing, de-stressing aroma, the steam of your shower encourages oils of the plant to be released which have anti-inflammatory and anti-infective benefits.
Eucalyptus essential oil is a common ingredient in over-the-counter chest rubs which is used to relieve upper respiratory issues, especially cough symptoms from a common cold. It works by breaking down mucus, relieving congestion and this is why eucalyptus is even used in humidifiers as well. When eucalyptus is hung in our shower, the steam extracts the oils to clear congestion, inflammation and improves sinus and bronchial infections.
Before hanging the leaves in your shower, you must prep the leaves. In order to promote the release of the eucalyptus scent you will want to either hammer the leaves on a cutting board, or just take a rolling pin or wine bottle and roll over the leaves on a cutting board. Next, take a rubber band and hang them to your shower head along the wall behind where the water will fall. You don’t want the leaves directly under the intense stream of the shower. You will reap the benefits of the eucalyptus for a week to as long as a month.
Warning
Eucalyptus are extremely toxic to cats and dogs according to the ASPCA.
- Snake Plant
Snake plants are one of the easiest plants to maintain and have strong, striking leaves. They are great for the bathroom as they do well in any level of humidity and tolerates low indirect light.
Snake plants are highly regarded for their ability to purify the air, specifically known to filter out formaldehyde found in cleaning products such as disinfectants, toilet paper and other consumer products.
Snake plant is also referred to as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, Good Luck Plant & Golden Bird’s Nest. This plant is scientifically known as Sansevieria trifasciata.
Care
Can tolerate low Indirect light, but medium to bright indirect light is best. Water every 3-4 weeks when soil is completely dry.
Warning
Snake Plants are toxic to cats and dogs according to the ASPCA.
- Peace Lily
As a tropical plant, peace lilies are an excellent plant for your bathroom especially if it doesn’t get a lot of light because they do great in low light and steamy, humid environments. In addition to their emerald green leaves, they produce beautiful white flowers at the top of slender stems and provide a slight fragrance which will enhance any bathroom ambiance.
Their leaves purify the air providing better air quality, filtering out dangerous toxins including benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and ammonia.
Also known as Spath, White Flag and White Sail Plant. They are scientifically known as Spathiphyllum.
Care
It is best to place them in low-light areas and will do great even 6-8 feet from a window. Maintain moist soil by watering once a week and potentially less during winter. Don’t keep the soil too wet, the most common reason for killing peace lilies is over-watering. Use filtered water because the chlorine in tap water can damage your peace lily.
Warning
Peace lilies are toxic to cats and dogs.
- Golden Pothos
If you have a small and dark bathroom, golden pothos may be your best bet because golden pothos are perfect for high shelves or cupboards and can be hung to add a beautiful trailing touch to your bathroom. They live up to their name as they can develop streaks of gold on their green leaves. Golden pothos are low maintenance, are tolerant of all light and do best in warm, humid environments.
Care
Avoid direct sunlight and keep soil moist but be careful not to overwater.
Warning
Pothos are toxic to cats and dogs.
- Bamboo
Lucky bamboo can be arranged beautifully which can give off a relaxing spa ambiance to your bathroom. If you take a lot of baths bamboo is a great addition because they are believed to enhance the energy and chi of their environments. Considering they don’t even require soil, they are very low maintenance and will be fine in darker bathrooms because they do well in low-light environments. If your bathroom has bright light keep your bamboo away from direct light as it can cause the leaves to turn brown.
Care
When watering use distilled or filtered water because they may be harmed with chlorine and other chemicals in tap water. In addition, change the water weekly. If you choose the soil over water and pebbles to plant your bamboo, keep the water moist but don’t soak it. These plants prefer warmer temperatures so avoid placing them near an open or drafty window.
Warning
Bamboo leaves are toxic, so keep them out of reach of cats and dogs.
- Spider Plant
Spider plants are beautiful voluptuous plants which thrive in low light even though they prefer bright light. They made the list for great bathroom plants because they love moisture. They thrive in a wet, humid environment even though they do well with less humidity. Similar to golden pothos, spider plants can be kept on a high shelf or cupboards and can even be hung from the ceiling. Spider plants have been found to eliminate 95% of toxic substances from the air. In a room with good light, spider plants purify toxins from the air including formaldehyde, xylene, toluene and carbon monoxide in moist bathrooms.
They are also referred to as Spider Ivy, Airplane Plant, Ribbon Plant, Anthercium and Walking Anthericum. This plant is scientifically known as chlorophytum comosum & it is safe for cats and dogs.
Care
Spider plants tolerate minimal sunlight and do well in moderate to bright indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight and water once or twice a week once the first two inches of the soil is dry. Use distilled or filtered water because the fluoride and other minerals in tap water can damage your plant.
- ZZ Plant
ZZ plant is a beautiful plant, technically a succulent, which has a smooth, shiny and waxy leaf texture. ZZ plants are great for beginners because they’re easy to maintain, they don’t need much natural light or frequent watering. They’re perfect for your bathroom because they are used to moist wet conditions because they’re native to the high humid environment of Zanzibar. These plants also purify the air and a NASA study showed that ZZ plants remove many dangerous toxins from the air including xylene, toluene and benzene.
ZZ plant is also known as Zanzibar Gem. This plant is scientifically known as Zamioculcas zamiifolia.
Care
Low to medium indirect light is best, it can tolerate bright indirect light, yet it is not best for intense direct sun. Water every 3-4 weeks when soil is completely dry.
Warning
Keep away from pets.
- Monstera
Monstera is known for its Iconic leaves because they have natural holes in their leaves which explains why they’re also referred to as a Swiss Cheese Plant.
Monstera is also referred to as the Hurricane Plant, Ceriman, Mexican Breadfruit, Split-leaf Philodendron, Window Leaf Plant. This plant is scientifically known as Monstera Deliciosa.
Care
Monstera tolerates any humidity levels yet prefers more humid areas and so it thrives in bathrooms. Low light is adequate but they will do better in bright indirect light. Note that if direct light cannot be avoided, only allow 2-3 hours of morning sun for Monstera. Water once a week allowing soil to dry out before watering.
Warning
Monstera is toxic to cats and dogs according to the ASPCA.
