Bathroom Plants That Thrive, With or Without Sunlight

Finding the right type of plants to grow in a bathroom can be difficult because most bathrooms are high in humidity and low on light. The good news is that these conditions are perfect for tropical plants and many other plants.

Are you looking for bathroom plants that don’t need sunlight? When you know which plant works best, adding flair to your bath is easy.

Bathroom Temperature and Humidity

Hot water from the faucet, tub, or shower can cause humidity to rise quickly in the bath. This is ideal for some indoor plants but not for others.

Amount of Light

Some bathrooms have small windows; some have none at all. In addition, even low light plants need some indirect sun to grow.

A fluorescent grow light works as a great stand-in if you have no window in your bath. Place the light a foot away from your bathroom plants to prevent burning.

Where to Place Your Bathroom Plants

If your bath is tiny, it can be challenging to find a place for your new greenery. A great option is to choose a plant that will grow well in a hanging basket or a vining variety that will trail down from a bath shelf.

The windowsill will be the best option if you have a bathroom window.

Plants That Grow Well In Indirect or Low Light

Learn about the most popular bathroom plants that don’t need sunlight below:

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

With its glossy, dark green leaves and white, flower-like spathes, this easy-care plant grows 1 to 4 ft tall. Peace lilies also remove pollutants from your home’s indoor air.

It thrives in low light conditions but needs some indirect light during the day. Display your peace lily away from pets as the leaves are toxic to animals.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Boston ferns love cool temps, high humidity, and low, indirect light, most often found in bathrooms. To increase the humidity, lightly mist your fern weekly. Boston ferns love moisture, so always keep the soil damp.

Philodendron (several varieties)

With its lovely heart-shaped leaves, the philodendron is easy-care for even green-thumb challenged folks. This plant thrives best indoors, year-round.

Philodendrons also love a location with bright, indirect sunlight. Occasionally you need to dust the leaves to assist in light absorption and to keep the plant healthy.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

This unique indoor plant grows off-shoots called spiderettes. These dangle from the main plant, starting as white flowers, similar to spiders hanging on a web.

The spider plant is available in green or variegated varieties and can easily be propagated by trimming the spiderettes and rooting them in soil. Furthermore, the spider plant removes pollutants from the air, mainly formaldehyde, in many cleaning products.

For more information on taking care of a spider plant, check out our blog post here.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)

Dubbed the ‘plant of immortality because of its longevity, the aloe vera plant is known to have healing properties. The gel from the leaves helps soothe insect bites, minor cuts, and burns. In addition, aloe vera juice contains healthy vitamins and minerals.

Place your aloe vera plant close to the bathroom window so it will receive needed indirect sunlight.

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

According to NASA studies, English ivy is considered one of the best plants for air purification. It can even remove mold spores from the air.

If your bathroom is small, place an English ivy plant on the edge of the tub, in a corner, or a hanging basket. In addition, this compact vining plant enjoys the high humidity found in a bathroom.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

One of the hardiest and best house plants, the snake plant is also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue. The leaves of the snake plant have attractive yellow or white edges.

The snake plant also removes harmful toxins from the air, including formaldehyde. Learn more about the snake plant and other plants that flourish indoors here.

Orchid (several varieties)

To give your bath a tropical, spa-like feel, choose an orchid. Orchids grow best on a windowsill that receives indirect light. True to its natural environment, orchids also thrive on humidity which can be found in a bathroom.

Finally, orchid plants are small and thrive best sitting on the corner of a tub, next to the sink, or tucked away in an unused counter corner.

Want to learn more about decorating a small bathroom? Click here.