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Plants and flowers are a great way to liven up any indoor living space, but when it comes to houseplants, the bathroom is often overlooked. Bathrooms tend to be darker and damper than other rooms in the house, which is less than ideal for some types of flora. However, it actually provides the perfect environment for certain potted or hanging species, if you know what to look for!
There are some important things to consider when selecting a plant that'll thrive in a bathroom, especially one with no or low light. That's why we've put together this buying guide to help simplify the decision-making process, and if, after reading you're still in need of a little inspiration, we've even ranked our top 8 favourites from Amazon and Waitrose. Moreover, we partnered with interior designer Belen Dakak to review and fact-check the article to deliver the best information.
Belen is an interior designer (residential and retail design), having worked for top retail brands including Estee Lauder, Seasalt and John Lewis, as well as working with private clients on residential projects and RoomLab, an online interior design platform.
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Belen is an interior designer (residential and retail design), having worked for top retail brands including Estee Lauder, Seasalt and John Lewis, as well as working with private clients on residential projects and RoomLab, an online interior design platform.
Belen is also a landscape garden designer with an RHS Level 2 in Principles and Practical Horticulture.
Are you looking for a large pot plant to help transform your bathroom into a jungle, or would you prefer something small to accent the sink or line the windowsill? When shopping for plants you need to take the size of your bathroom and desired placement into account, and always check the dimensions of the plant first to ensure a perfect fit.
Remember that some plants will start off small, but can grow quite big over the years. Some grow upright, while others have bushy branches and leaves. If you're pushed for space, opt for a hanging plant that can be suspended from a hook or the ceiling, such as a spider plant or an ivy.
Don't just stop at the bathroom, get a bunch of air-purifying plants to beautify and purify your space.
Bathrooms can get pretty humid with rising steam from the shower or bath. Moreover, running hot water causes the bathroom to warm up and cool down during the day, so you'll need to ensure whichever plant you pick can withstand temperature fluctuation.
Certain plant species, such as ferns and Devil's Ivy, both best displayed in a hanging basket, love soaking up moisture and can even help purify the air! While succulents may seem a good idea, they are probably best avoided – these plants thrive in dry deserts, so keeping them in damp conditions could lead to mould and root rot.
Discover our best essential oil diffusers to create a relaxing atmosphere in your bathroom.
Plants get energy from sunlight through a process called photosynthesis. However, the amount of light plants needs will vary depending on the type – some plants require a large amount of direct sunlight, whereas others prefer shadier locations.
You should therefore select a plant that's suitable for the amount of natural sunlight your bathroom receives during the day. For example, aloe vera and croton plants require bright, indirect sunlight so should ideally be placed a few feet from a south- or west-facing window.
Airplants are also great for bathrooms with plenty of sunlight as well as the Chinese money plant, which likes direct sun or light shade. For bathrooms with low light, you'll maybe want to try a cast-iron plant instead.
Different plant species require varying levels of care in order for them to thrive. This includes tasks such as watering, pruning, repotting, fertilising, misting and dusting, all of which take time and a certain amount of skill.
Not all of us are green-fingered, so if you are somewhat botanically challenged you'll want a hardier, low-maintenance plant species such as the spider plant. These plants are also ideal for people with busy schedules or those who travel often as they won't wilt after a day of forgotten watering.
More advanced gardeners will be comfortable handling more involved medium- to high-maintenance plants, such as crotons or certain species of ferns. These are great for hobbyists and those who are able to devote larger quantities of time caring for their plants.
If there's one thing that kids and pets have in common, it's that when left to their own devices, they'll find a way to get into everything. And that new addition to your bathroom may prove too tempting for little hands to play with, or for Fido to chew.
With this in mind, it's wise to stay vigilant, as some plants can be toxic (and even deadly) if ingested by animals and/or humans. While others may not be fatal, certain plants can also cause nasty reactions on the skin.
Before buying, check to see if your chosen plant is safe for animals and children, and perhaps yourself if you have sensitivities. Luckily, there are plenty of suitable options to choose from that everyone in the family can enjoy.
Here are our favourite non-toxic candles in the UK!
If your bathroom is situated in a part of the house with little to no natural light, a cast-iron may well be the plant for you! These guys are incredibly hardy and able to withstand even extreme conditions, making them more than capable of surviving even the gloomiest washrooms. Just make sure to move it into a sunnier location from time to time.
With their large, waxy green leaves, cast-iron plants will guarantee a big impact and will fit with any home decor, making them the most versatile option on the list and our winning bathroom plant!
Managed to kill every plant you've ever owned? Before you give up entirely and invest in an artificial alternative, try a spider plant instead. Spider plants are practically indestructible, they can withstand most light conditions, and only require water once the soil has become completely dry.
They're a great choice for small or narrow bathrooms too, as the long, drooping leaves look gorgeous suspended from a hanging pot or planter. While generally pet safe, they do have a harmless, mildly hallucinogenic effect when eaten by cats.
The maidenhair, or venus hair fern, is ideal for providing a soft plume of foliage to brighten your bathroom. These ferns love humidity and are often found growing between the rocks at the base of a waterfall. So, you can comfortably display them next to your bath or shower worry-free.
One for more experienced plant parents, the delicate nature of the maidenhair fern means it will require daily maintenance to keep it healthy and looking its best. But on the plus side, they are non-toxic and completely safe for homes with children or pets.
Looking for something a bit different? These fluffy green Japanese Marimo moss balls are an aquatic plant which look great in tanks, bowls and water terrariums. Found at the bottom of riverbeds, marimo like it cool and dark, but will appreciate a bit of sunlight during the day to help them grow.
They're easy to look after and a fun plant for kids to cultivate, too – change out the water every two weeks, give them a gentle squeeze, and roll between your palms to help keep their shape. They are also pet and child safe!
Another fantastic option for those who like a dash of colour is the laceleaf, a striking plant with crimson red flowers. They're also great if you favour a long hot shower – they're found in tropical regions of South America and the Caribbean and prefer to be nice and warm with high humidity.
Laceleaf plants look wonderful both on their own and when paired with greener, leafier plants. If you want to encourage flowering, feed with a half-strength liquid fertiliser once in the spring then again in the summer, and reap the rewards!
Aloe vera are technically succulents, but unlike echeverias, for example, they will happily make their home in your bathroom. You should avoid placing them on the windowsill, but otherwise aloes will do best in bathrooms that get a decent amount of sunlight during the day. Plus they can be used as a home remedy for burns or cuts!
The aloe vera can survive up to two months without water during the winter months! In fact, for the most part you can just leave it alone – just make sure the pot has adequate drainage to avoid waterlogging and root rot.
Often referred to by the somewhat scathing name of 'mother-in-law's tongue', snake plants are an excellent starter houseplant for the bathroom. These striking plants require infrequent watering, grow vertically up to around 60 cm, and will thrive in most light conditions so you can put them pretty much anywhere.
In addition this plant is a great way to purify the air in your home, removing toxins while producing oxygen, But we would like to point out that this plant is mildly toxic if ingested so may not be ideal for households with pets.
Looking to inject a little colour into your space? We recommend the croton plant. If you're fed up of boring white enamel and dated 70s tiles, the croton's beautiful green, red and yellow tiger-striped leaves will add some much needed vibrancy to any bathroom.
In nature, bright leaves often mean 'Stay away!' And this is no different – if you're planning on purchasing a croton, be aware that this plant is poisonous. The sap of the plant in particular will be highly irritating if it gets onto the skin, so take care when handling it.
No. 1: Botanicly/Perfect Plants|Cast-Iron Plant|Aspidistra elatior
No. 2: Garden Market Place|Spider Plant|Chlorophytum comosum
No. 3: GardenersDream|Maidenhair Fern|Adiantum raddianum
No. 4: LUFFY/K2Aqua/Waitrose|Marimo Moss Balls |Aegagropila linnaei
No. 5: GardenersDream|Laceleaf |Anthurium andraeanum
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