Bathrooms aren’t just for brushing teeth; they are the perfect nursery for rich, tropical indoor plants. With high humidity, steady warmth, and filtered light, bathrooms are often overlooked, but they can be easily made into miniature rainforests. Here are 12 beautiful plants that thrive in bathroom conditions and that can transform your daily shower into a serene, jungle-like oasis.
1. Boston Fern: The Victorian Classic Making a Comeback
A staple of the Victorian parlor, the Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is making a comeback in modern bathrooms. Its lacy fronds thrive in indirect-light bathrooms with plenty of moisture. Additionally, this plant serves as an excellent air cleanser that removes formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from the air. It’s retro, it’s tough, and it’s cool again.
2. Monstera Deliciosa: The Instagram Darling with Jungle Roots
Nicknamed the “Swiss Cheese Plant,” Monstera deliciosa adds wild drama with its split leaves and jungle-esque vibe. Native to Central America, it thrives in indirect light and the humid environment of a bathroom. A plant parent favorite, it’s low-maintenance and has air-purifying qualities. Plus, it can grow over 10 feet indoors, making it the perfect addition to a tropical-inspired bathroom.
3. Aloe Vera: Healing Powers Meet Spa-Day Style
In fact, your grandmother’s sunburn remedy is also chic bath decor. Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) thrives in bright light and dry soil, making it a great bathroom windowsill plant. It’s drought-resistant, and NASA’s Clean Air Study confirmed that it removes formaldehyde and benzene. Bonus: Break off a leaf for instant skincare treatment. It’s a true form-meets-function plant.
4. Spider Plant: The Low-Key Air Purifier That Multiplies Like Crazy
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum), also called “hen and chickens,” are the plant equivalent of a low-maintenance roommate: tidy, adaptable, and quietly busy. It thrives in indirect sunlight and humidity, making it perfect for a bathroom shelf. It also produces “pups” or offspring plants, which allows for easy propagation, as you can re-pot them easily and rather frequently. Bonus: NASA reports that it eliminates 90% of toxins in 24 hours.
5. Peace Lily: The Drama Queen That Earns Her Keep
Spathiphyllum is sophisticated and temperamental and does not like to be ignored—it dramatically wilts when dry. But in moderate light, humid environments and with continual care, it thrives. Peace lilies are a looker with attitude and strong bio-cleaning credentials since their white blooms are actually modified leaves. They remove airborne mold spores, especially handy for damp bathrooms.
6. Bamboo: The Minimalist’s Shortcut to Zen
Want to have a spa-like feel in your bathroom without the hassle? Meet Dracaena sanderiana, also known as Lucky Bamboo. This plant doesn’t need to be planted in soil; it just needs water and indirect light. It’s been used in Feng Shui for centuries to bring peace and prosperity. Scientifically speaking, it’s a tough, air-purifying plant that withstands neglect better than most office interns.
7. Snake Plant: The Sleep-Enhancing Sculptural Wonder
Snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata), also known as “mother-in-law’s tongue,” are a modernist’s dream: architectural, drought-resistant, and basically immortal. They differ from most plants by converting CO₂ to oxygen at night, making them a bedroom air purifier. But they will also do well in your bathroom, as they love low light and thrive in steamy bathrooms. This makes them ideal for gloomy corners or bachelor pads that require minimal to no maintenance.
8. Orchids: The Exotic Outsider That Thrives on Neglect
Although widely described as fragile and hard to keep alive, orchids (Orchidaceae) love the warm, moist environment of a bathroom. Phalaenopsis and other varieties adapt easily to indirect light and moisture. They’re epiphytes, meaning they grow on a surface other than the ground. That’s not frailty; that’s adaptation. Treat them correctly, and they’ll bloom for months on a windowsill.
9. ZZ Plant: The Gen Z Favorite That Doesn’t Care
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is the most misunderstood, low-maintenance houseplant. Often described as “too tough for life,” it actually favors humid environments with low light and is an efficient toxin remover. It only requires small amounts of water every two or three weeks to thrive and is fairly adaptable. Despite its aloof demeanor, it’s one of the best bathroom plants for forgetful plant parents—or dedicated minimalists and can result in a rather bushy but luxurious plant.
10. Asparagus Fern: The Soft-But-Deadly Showstopper
Don’t be deceived by its delicate, lacey fronds—Asparagus densiflorus is virtually indestructible. It thrives in high humidity and bounces back from neglect with ease. Formerly used as ground cover in Victorian greenhouses, it’s now achieving cult status as it adorns many bathroom corners. Pet owners should keep in mind that it’s toxic, so your pup or kitten can’t use it as a snack.
11. Pothos: The Ivy League Dropout That Climbs to the Top
Often called “Devil’s Ivy,” Epipremnum aureum thrives where others fail. It loves moisture, can adapt to low lighting conditions, and will surpass 10 feet with gentle care. A NASA top-tier air purifier, Pothos removes carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and benzene. Plus, it dangles from shower rods in emerald chandeliers—no design degree required.
12. Calathea: The Living Mood Ring of the Plant World
Calathea plants are photogenic, but wait, there’s more—they dance to the quality of light. Also referred to as “prayer plants,” some varieties of Calatheas leaves fold up at night and out again in the morning in response to its lighting conditions. This light-responsive star demands humidity, filtered light, and intensive care—but rewards you with velvet-textured leaves in psychedelic hues. It’s like having living wallpaper for your jungle-chic retreat.
Sources
Plants that will thrive in your bathroom
30 Plants That Will Transform Your Bathroom into a “Jungle Oasis”
Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement