Bathrooms are known for being humid places with moisture in the air and unless you do something about it, you’ll end up with mold, especially mold on your bathroom ceiling.
But the great news is that there are plenty of ways to combat a humid bathroom!
You can go the route of buying a bathroom dehumidifier or even using other natural ways to reduce the humidity.
If you’re someone who loves gardening then why not turn to nature to help you reduce bathroom humidity? In this blog we look at the best bathroom plants that absorb moisture and reduce bathroom humidity.
The best bathroom plants that absorb moisture are:
- Aloe Vera
- Cyclamen
- Philodendron
- Weeping fig
- Azalea
- Begonia
- Birds nest fern
- Boston fern
Adding plants around your home is so good for your health and it’s lovely looking at some greenery and flowers to cheer you up while you’re at home.
Best bathroom plants that absorb moisture
Before choosing the best bathroom plants that absorb moisture, let’s look at some important factors before deciding. Not every plant will be suitable for your own bathroom- you need to think about the type of bathroom you have, how much moisture is in the air and how much natural light your bathroom receives.
If you think your home doesn’t have enough humidity to keep plants alive, then check out our article about the best humidifier for plants.
Why having plants in your bathroom is a great idea
Plants clean the air in your home
One of the best reasons for having plants in your home especially in your bathroom is that they help remove toxins in the air and add fresh air to your home. Plants are air purifiers and when used in your bathroom they can help you get rid of bathroom smells without you needing to resort to toxic air fresheners.
Plants cheer you up
Plants help cheer you up and give a calming effect when used in a room. Mother nature’s beauty helps you with your mental health and improves memory and concentration. If you work from home, it’s a great idea to have a plant in your home office to help you destress and stay focused while working.
Plants absorb moisture in your bathroom
There are certain plants that can help decrease the moisture levels in your bathroom. They reduce humidity levels, leaving your bathroom drier and reducing the incidence of mold which is a problem in many bathrooms.
Having plants in your bathroom also adds to the decor and makes you feel good while you’re soaking in a bath- again, helping you have a positive mental state!
But not all plants are suitable for bathrooms, which is why we’ve written this blog to help you figure out which are the best bathroom plants that absorb moisture.
How to choose the best bathroom plants that absorb moisture
Before choosing the best bathroom plant for your bathroom, there are some things to consider.
Choose plants that can cope with humidity
Not all plants like humid conditions in bathrooms so it’s important to pick bathroom plants that can handle the humidity levels. Fortunately, all the plants listed in this blog can grow in humid conditions.
Choose plants according to the natural light in your bathroom
Consider how much natural light you get in your bathroom before picking the best bathroom plants that absorb moisture.
Even though all of the plants in this list are perfect for reducing humidity in your bathroom, the plants need different conditions to thrive. Some are suited to dark places while others need a lot of natural light.
Think about how much natural light you get in your bathroom. Does the sun shine in your bathroom and if so, at what part of the day? Some plants love morning sun but need to be protected from the harsh afternoon sun especially during summer.
In this blog we have created two lists: one is bathroom plants that absorb moisture and are perfect for shady bathrooms with little natural light, while the other is bathroom plants that absorb moisture and need natural light to survive.
Do you have enough bathroom space for plants?
In order to have plants in your bathroom, you need to have the space for them.
Some plants are great in hanging baskets that you can hang from a ceiling or a beam. Plants like Ferns and English Ivy are great for hanging baskets because they grow quickly.
If you have a small bathroom then you’d want a smaller plant with compact growth. Stay away from English Ivy if you don’t have the space. Some plants have a more compact growth habit when they’re in a pot compared to when they’re planted in the ground.
Make sure that you can easily access the plants in your bathroom so you can water them. If they’re placed in an obscure position, you won’t be able to reach them to water them and you’ll probably forget to do it.
Place your plants somewhere where they won’t get in your way when you’re getting changed in your bathroom or using the basin or cabinet.
Whenever you buy plants, always read the label and check for the plant size when it has fully grown so that you can plan out where you would put it in your bathroom.
Choose plants that are suited to your bathroom temperature
While you won’t need to worry about frosty-hardy plants since the plants will be indoor, you still need to think about your bathroom temperature and choosing plants that will grow well in these types of temperatures.
Some plants don’t like heat and won’t do well if your bathroom gets hot, regardless of whether there’s natural light or not. Other plants can’t thrive in cold rooms so if you have a bathroom that gets cold (even if only at night), this might affect your plant’s growth habits. Think about this carefully!
Choose plants that are not toxic for you or your pets
If you have indoor pets such as cats or dogs, check that the plants you choose for your bathroom are not toxic to animals or even to yourself. Cats and dogs get into everything and may end up eating your plants. If they’re toxic to animals, this could lead to health problems or death.
Get rid of humidity with these best bathroom plants that absorb moisture
Best bathroom plants that absorb moisture in a sunny bathroom with lots of natural light
Aloe Vera
Height: Aloe Vera grows in the garden to about half a metre but is smaller in pots. The size depends on the pot size.
Foliage: Aloe Vera is an evergreen succulent plant with mid-green colored foliage.
Climate: It grows well in almost all conditions except for frost.
Soil: Use soil with excellent drainage.
Position: Needs lots of natural light to thrive in a bathroom.
Flowering: When Aloe Vera flowers, they are clusters of yellow to orange flowers.
Feeding: Only feed occasionally using a controlled-release fertilizer.
Watering: Aloe Vera thrives in dry conditions so it doesn’t need to be watered much. Perfect for those who are too busy to remember to water plants!
Cyclamen
Plant type: Cyclamen is a low-growing plant that has leaves that arise from an underground bulb. Its leaves die back and reshoot the following year.
Height: It is a small plant that’s less than 10cm and the flower stems are taller than the leaves.
Foliage: Leaves are dark green above and pale underneath with silvery markings. They are heart/oval-shaped.
Climate: Grows well in warm or cool conditions, making it a great indoor plant.
Soil: Needs well-drained soil.
Position: Needs morning sunlight for a couple of hours but needs to be protected from afternoon sun and draughts. Don’t place it near an open window.
Flowering: Flowers from early winter to mid-spring.
Feeding: Feed once a year in early winter.
Watering: Fill the saucer with water and allow the cyclamen to soak it up.
Philodendron
Plant type: Philodendron is a tall-growing plant that mainly consists of green foliage. Usually found in tropical climates.
Height: They grow to about 8 feet so they require a lot of height in a bathroom.
Foliage: Leaves are light green. They are toxic to humans and animals when eaten. If you have indoor pets we don’t recommend growing a Philodendron in your bathroom in case your pets eat the leaves or stems.
Climate: Grows well in warm or cool conditions, making it a great indoor plant.
Soil: Needs well-drained soil.
Position: Needs partial light- morning light is ideal. Protect from harsh afternoon direct sunlight.
Flowering: No flowers.
Feeding: Feed once a year in early winter.
Watering: Water regularly especially during warmer months.
Weeping fig
Height: In pots, a weeping fig grows to 6 to 8 feet. Needs a lot of height space.
Foliage: Dense, glossy leaves that arch gracefully.
Climate: Grows well in temperate and tropical places; Doesn’t grow well in cold rooms. Suitable for homes in tropical locations.
Soil: Most soils are suitable providing they have good drainage.
Position: Prefers sunny or partially shaded spaces.
Flowering: Doesn’t flower much.
Feeding: Use a fertilizer annually.
Watering: Doesn’t require much watering. Be careful not to over water.
Best bathroom plants that absorb moisture in a shady bathroom without much natural light
If your bathroom doesn’t get much natural light, then the following bathroom plants that absorb moisture would be a good choice.
Azaleas
Plant type: Azaleas are a hardy plant that grows in most conditions and loves morning sun. The flowers come in a range of colors, making this a striking plant to have in your bathroom. Beware: azaleas are poisonous to dogs, so if you have an indoor pet dog then this won’t be a suitable indoor plant for your bathroom.
Height: Azaleas are slow-growing and aren’t as tall when planted in pots and are an average size.
Foliage: Evergreen plant with elliptic, glossy, olive-green leaves.
Climate: Likes dappled sun-light and a Mediterranean climate.
Soil: Acidic soil that is well-drained.
Position: Prefers morning light.
Flowering: Flowers in spring with some flowers during autumn too
Feeding: Feed annually with a slow-release fertilizer
Watering: Water regularly especially during hotter months but be careful not to over-water.
Begonia
Plant type: A flowering plant that is naturally pest-resistant and makes a lovely plant in the bathroom. Look for fibrous and rhizomatous varieties as they make excellent indoor plants. Begonias are toxic to pets- the plant is toxic but the roots are very poisonous.
Height: In a pot, Begonias grow 12 to 18 inches tall and wide.
Foliage: Heart-shaped, medium-green leaves.
Climate: Prefers morning sun or dappled sunlight. Can grow in the shade but has fewer flowers.
Soil: Moist soil but not soggy.
Position: Place in a spot that has morning sun or dappled sunlight. Keep away from afternoon sun.
Flowering: Begonias bloom from early summer until mid-winter and have clusters of slightly fragrant, light pink flowers.
Feeding: A general-purpose, slow-release fertilizer at the time of planting and then a half-strength fertilizer every two to three weeks during flowering months.
Watering: Water around the plant and avoid getting the leaves wet.
Bird’s nest fern
Plant type: An Australian native plant that grows as a shrub plant and is great for patios and indoor spaces. They are NOT toxic to humans, cats or dogs.
Height: 60 to 80cm long and 20cm wide.
Foliage: Yellow-green leathery fronds with a midrib that gives them a keeled appearance.
Climate: Loves tropical, warm climates.
Soil: Moist soil.
Position: Prefers morning light only or pre-sunset light. The leaves can get scorched in the summer if exposed to direct afternoon sunlight.
Flowering: No flowers.
Feeding: Half-strength fertilizer applied monthly.
Watering: Prefers to be moist but not wet. Don’t overwater but make sure the soil is moist. Water twice a week.
Boston Fern
Plant type: The Boston fern is a popular indoors plant with its lovely long fronds and according to the University of Florida’s guide to Boston Fern production, they do well in well-lit spaces and also outside in shady places.
They are NOT toxic to humans or pets however cats love to play with their fronds so it’s a good idea to keep the fern raised if you have a cat.
Height: The fern’s height depends on the size of the pot. It can grow up to 7 feet tall in garden beds.
Foliage: Long, lacy fronds.
Climate: Loves tropical, moist climates hence why they make a great bathroom plant.
Soil: Slightly moist, well-drained sandy soil.
Position: Boston Fern’s thrive in a warm, well-lit spot with a little morning sunlight. Doesn’t do well in afternoon sun as the fronds burn easily.
Flowering: No flowering.
Feeding: Apply liquid plant food every 2 weeks for strong growth.
Watering: Soak well once per month and at other times, only water if the soil feels dry.
Now that you’ve read through a list of the best bathroom plants that absorb moisture, check out our other blogs about how to reduce bathroom humidity and get rid of bathroom mold:
Best dehumidifier for your home
Best humidifier for plants
Cost to run dehumidifier: we show you how to calculate it
Best dehumidifier to use in your bathroom
Dehumidify your bathroom in 10 easy steps
Best digital hygrometer for measuring humidity
How to get rid of mold in your bathroom
How to get rid of mold on bathroom ceiling
How to clean mirrors without Windex
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