Indoor plants can make bathrooms more pleasant places, adding a touch of greenery to the decor and improving air quality.
A bathroom is typically a room hot and humid which provides the perfect setting for some houseplants, and the water to irrigate them is always at hand. However, you still need to choose them wisely, because these conditions are not always ideal, for example:
- Although a bathroom provides plenty of warm, humid air when showering, the room is cooler and less humid when not in use, especially at night. These large temperature fluctuations are not ideal for many plants.
- Not all plants like high humidity: succulents prefer drier conditions and will rot if kept constantly moist; some houseplants can become moldy in high humidity.
- Some bathrooms receive very low levels of sunlight. Don’t give up if this is the case for your bathroom. Fluorescent bulbs provide plenty of light at wavelengths that plants can use.
- You need to consider these three factors when choosing plants for a bathroom: low light, high humidity and temperature variations. Here are some suggestions:
1. Arparagus pendant (Asparagus densiflorus)
Lumpy and lively, dangling asparagus love the humidity of a bathroom. They do well in moderate to full light, so a spot near a window is ideal. It feels soft to the touch, but the stems have thorns, so beware. It can grow up to 60 cm, with branches that can extend laterally up to 1.80 m.
- Color Varieties: Pale green foliage
- Sun exposure: bright artificial light or sunlight from the window
- Soil requirements: Well-draining potting soil.
NOTICE
This plant is highly toxic – keep away from pets and small children.
2. Bamboo (Bambusa Spp.)
the cultivation of bamboo in pots it controls its size and spread, an important factor as it can become very invasive when planted in the garden. But even confined, bamboos can become large, requiring annual replanting.
Varieties that clump together will need to be repotted less often than those that spread. During the growing season, feed the bamboo weekly with a dilute nitrogen-rich fertilizer, reducing to monthly in winter.
- Color Varieties: Pale to dark green foliage; varied forms
- Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil requirements: Prefers sandy potting mixes, but tolerates most substrates
3. Begonia (Begonia Spp.)
many types of begonias grow well in pots and benefit from the warmth and moisture of a bathroom shelf. In particular, king begonias (begonia rex), with their showy foliage, grow well indoors.
Begonias like moist conditions, but not soggy soil, which can cause root rot. They that are prized for their blooms need a bright spot in the bathroom with some direct morning sunlight. Begonias grown for their foliage need a bright location, away from direct sunlight.
- Color Varieties: Light green, dark green, bronze or variegated foliage. Some varieties are grown for their flowers, while others are grown for their foliage.
- Sun exposure: To encourage flowering, provide direct sunlight; for varieties grown for their foliage, provide filtered light.
- Soil requirements: Begonias do best in general-purpose potting mixes.
4. Bromeliads (Various Genres)
To the bromeliads are unusual specimens; they readily produce long-lasting flowers in locations where most houseplants do not. They bloom with yellow flowerspink or red in winter, and flowering lasts several weeks.
Bromeliads include several different plant genera and dozens of species, many of which are epiphytic (attract moisture from the air rather than the soil). They are ideal for taking advantage of the humidity in a bathroom, but they also need good air circulation, which can be provided by turning on the extractor fan or setting a small portable fan to run for a few hours a day.
Feed them an orchid fertilizer (although they are not orchids, they require the same nutrients).
- Color Varieties: Dark green foliage and pink or red flowers
- Sun exposure: Indirect light is best. They will tolerate a few hours of direct sunlight each day, but don’t place them in hot afternoon sun as it can burn the leaves.
- Soil Requirements: Soil depends on genus and species; those that require soil do well in a potting mix for succulents.
5. Cast Iron Plant (elatior aspidistra)
This plant got its popular name because it is very difficult to kill. elatior aspidistra it is an excellent low maintenance houseplant. A tropical species that grows 60 to 90 cm tall, this is one of the rare houseplants that tolerates almost full shade.
Colored varieties need more light than solid green specimens. They also don’t require high humidity, making them good for guest bathrooms that aren’t used often.
- Color Varieties: Medium green foliage; rarely blooms when grown as a houseplant
- Sun exposure: Low and indirect light; tolerates full shade
- Soil requirements: well-draining, peaty potting mix
6. Aglaonema (Aglaonema Spp.)
Few plants are as tolerant and adaptable as the aglaonema, comprising about 20 species of the genus aglaonema. These large-leaved tropical perennials will thrive even if you forget to water and feed them.
Although they love moisture, they can tolerate dry air as well, as long as you keep them away from cold drafts, which can damage the leaves. They grow from 10 inches to 4 feet tall, depending on the variety; some cultures have gray-green and even pink coloring.
- Color varieties: Dark green; some varieties are colored
- Sun exposure: Low and indirect light; no direct sun
- Soil needs: rich, well-draining potting mix
7. Croton (Codiaeum variegatum var.)
You’ll find croton plants in a variety of brightly colored foliage. These broadleaf tropical perennials grow slowly but can reach up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide, so be sure to give them enough space.
Crotons need strong but indirect light and lots of moisture and moisture, although they don’t like to be in wet soil. Wait until the surface of the soil is dry before watering. Reduce watering in late fall and winter.
- Color Varieties: Green or combinations of yellow, pink, orange, red, bronze, purple and green
- Sun exposure: bright, indirect light
- Soil needs: well-draining, moist potting mix
8. With me-nobody-can (Dieffenbachia spp.)
With me-nobody-can, also known by their botanical name dieffenbachia, do well with minimal care. Water them when the soil is dry (feel just a few inches below the surface).
This plant requires more light during the short winter days and filtered light in the summer. Rotate your plant every month so that it grows evenly. They can grow several meters in height.
- Color Varieties: Green and Yellow/White Foliage Combinations
- Sun exposure: bright, indirect light
- Soil needs: loose, fast-draining potting mix
NOTICE
It is highly toxic to humans, dogs and cats, so keep it out of reach of children and pets.
9. Ferns (various genera)
Ferns are a unique family of shade-loving plants that reproduce through spores rather than flowers and seeds. Many ferns make great houseplants and can handle temperature and humidity fluctuations in a bathroom environment.
Some can even be grown directly in a shower, where they are regularly soaked. Recommended bathroom ferns include Boston Ferns (nephrolepis exaltata), maidenhair (Adiantum spp.), bird’s nest fern (asplenium nidus) and button fern (Pellaea rotundifolia).
- Color Varieties: Light to dark green, depending on the species
- Sun exposure: Depends on the species
- Soil needs: Depends on the species; most thrive in moist, well-draining potting mix
10. Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
The gardenias most cultivated as houseplants are the G. jasminoides, also known as gardenia jasmine. These broadleaf tropical perennials aren’t particularly easy to grow indoors because they respond poorly to cold drafts or sudden heat waves.
However, they can grow well in the humid conditions of a bathroom, as long as they receive enough light. Gardenias can be large plants, growing up to six feet tall, but they can be kept smaller with frequent pruning. Feed with an acidic fertilizer.
- Color Varieties: Dark green leaves; White flowers
- Sun exposure: needs six to eight hours of sunlight for flowering
- Soil needs: Acidic, well-draining potting mix rich in peat moss
11. Orchids (Family OrchidaceaeVarious Genres)
To the orchids comprise hundreds of species in dozens of genera of the plant family Orchidaceae. Many orchids are ideal for growing in bathrooms that don’t get too cold. Some species are planted in the ground, while others are epiphytic (aerial plants) that absorb moisture from the air.
Orchids can bloom for weeks, and since some varieties are small plants, you can group several together. Some prefer subdued light; others need bright light.
- Color varieties: pink, red, purple, white, depending on the variety
- Sun exposure: Depends on variety, but needs light for flowers
- Soil requirements: Depends on the type, but usually requires an orchid bark mix
12. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)
You peace lilies they are elegant plants that require minimal care. They do best with regular watering and appreciate the humidity in the bathroom. Do not allow the soil to remain dry for long periods.
Peace lilies do well in limited light, however if your plant isn’t flowering it may need a slightly brighter location. When feeding, use a well-diluted fertilizer mixture.
- Color Varieties: Bright green foliage; White flowers
- Sun exposure: bright, filtered light
- Soil needs: well-draining potting mix
13. Philodendron (Philodendron Spp.)
You philodendrons are tropical plants that thrive in bathroom conditions. Some varieties produce vines or trails with stems up to 6 m and others grow vertically. Both types are relatively easy to grow. Whether you water too much or too little, the…