Best Plants for the Bathroom: 7 Species That Thrive in Humidity and Low Light

Common Causes

1. 1

   Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

   Boston ferns are the quintessential bathroom plant for good reason. They evolved in humid tropical forest floors and actively prefer the steamy conditions a bathroom provides. They struggle in low-humidity living rooms but stay lush and green near shower steam.

   How to fix it: Place on a plant stand or shelf where they can catch indirect light from a window or skylight. Water when the top inch of soil feels barely dry. In a naturally humid bathroom, you may barely need to mist at all.

2. 2

   Pothos

   Pothos handles low-light bathrooms better than almost any other plant. It tolerates the fluctuating temperatures of a room that heats up during showers and cools down otherwise, and it actively appreciates the humidity boost. Trail it from a high shelf near the window or above the mirror.

   How to fix it: Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. If your bathroom has no natural light at all, supplement with a small grow light on a timer. Golden pothos is the most tolerant of very low light.

3. 3

   Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

   Peace lilies are one of the few flowering houseplants that do well in low to medium light and love high humidity. They signal when they need water by drooping slightly; a convenient care cue. They also filter some airborne compounds, making them a practical and attractive bathroom choice.

   How to fix it: Keep away from direct sun (it scorches the leaves). Water when leaves just begin to droop or when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Peace lilies are mildly toxic to pets and children.

4. 4

   Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

   The cast iron plant earns its name; it tolerates deep shade, fluctuating temperatures, and inconsistent watering better than nearly any houseplant. For windowless or very dim bathrooms, it is one of the few plants that will genuinely survive rather than just struggle along.

   How to fix it: Water infrequently, only when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. Do not fertilize heavily; a slow-release fertilizer once in spring is sufficient. Growth is slow but the plant is essentially indestructible.

5. 5

   Orchid (Phalaenopsis)

   Phalaenopsis orchids love the warm, humid conditions of a bathroom and do well in the filtered light that comes through frosted glass. They are not as fussy as their reputation suggests; most failures come from overwatering. A bathroom window position often gives them the stable temperatures they prefer.

   How to fix it: Water once a week by removing the pot from the decorative cache pot and soaking the roots in water for a few minutes, then draining completely before replacing. Fertilize monthly with an orchid-specific fertilizer.

6. 6

   Air Plants (Tillandsia)

   Air plants require no soil, which makes them ideal for small bathroom surfaces, shelves, and window ledges. They absorb moisture directly from the air; in a bathroom with regular shower use, they may need very little additional watering. They come in dozens of shapes and sizes.

   How to fix it: Mist 2-3 times per week if your bathroom is not consistently humid, or let them absorb steam from showers. Once a week, soak in water for 30 minutes and shake off excess. Allow to dry fully before placing back in an enclosed container.

7. 7

   Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

   Snake plants tolerate low light and low humidity but actively benefit from a humid bathroom environment. Their architectural form looks striking in a corner or beside the toilet. They are one of the lowest-maintenance plants available and bounce back from weeks of neglect.

   How to fix it: Water every 2-4 weeks; less in winter. Plant in well-draining soil and never let water sit in the pot base. In a bathroom with no window, supplement with a grow light or swap with a different plant before it declines.