Plants for Bathrooms
Why is this even a blog post? Surely you can put any plant in a bathroom?
This is a question I get asked a lot...."What plants are suitable for my bathroom"?
Well, assuming that you are showering/bathing on a regular basis then the moisture levels in the air are going to be much higher than they would be in any other room in the house. This leads to an environment that suits some plants more than others. Plants have evolved over millions of years to adapt to their surroundings; not just surviving but thriving in those environments.
One of the things that you will notice in plants that like high humidity have features like large, glossy, lush green leaves. Think Birds Nest Ferns, Boston Ferns, Calatheas, Swiss Cheese Plants, Spider Plants and Orchids.
When we think about houseplants we need to remember that a "houseplant" is a relatively new concept in historical terms and they were actually plucked from a place where they naturally grow outside. In order to provide the best growing conditions we should look at what habitat it is naturally found in. I’m not suggesting that we need to replicate the Amazon rain forest with a tepid shower every three hours, but if we know that a plant comes from there then at least sticking it in a bathroom where there is more humidity than an air-conditioned office will hopefully give you better results.
Not only are we looking to create the right environment for plants in the bathroom, but we also want to create a beautiful, serene space that makes you feel for a moment like you’re in a mini tropical paradise (or at the least just a jolly nice bathroom!).
Large Bathrooms
If you have the room then I suggest go as big as you can. So think large Kentia palms, cheese plants on moss poles and even large fiddle leaf figs if you have the budget. They provide a dramatic focal point and can be used to hide or frame the shower or bath. Cheese plants, when happy, are quite rapid growers, so if you don’t want the hassle of re-potting them on a regular basis then opt for a Kentia palm as they are slow growers. You can compliment any large plants with a window sill or cabinet top full of smaller potted ferns.
Smaller Bathrooms
If you have a smaller room then ferns are a great option. They are generally indirect/low light lovers so will suit slightly shaded bathrooms or north facing windows. Birds nest ferns and asparagus Ferns (although technically not actually a fern) sit very well in upright planters but both look equally good if hung up. Rabbits foot and Boston ferns suit hanging planters as they get more room to hang down. This style of planter also suits plants that like to trail like ivy, tradescantia, spider plants and Devil’s ivy. Hanging planters are the key to creating that "jungle look". By putting plants at eye height (or taller) you are essentially adding another layer of plants. Allowing these to grow "wild", i.e., grow out of their pots and cascade down, will further this look. They also don’t take up any precious surface space if you have a tiny bathroom.
Whether you have a large or small bathroom, even one plant is better than none and helps to soften the interior space.
Another favourite of mine for so many reasons is the mother in laws tongue. I write about it a lot but it really is a super trouper of a plant and sits just as well in a bathroom as it does in a bedroom, office or lounge. It is a great starter plant and provides a spiky, architectural form to contrast the blousy, billowy birds nest fern.
Looking to grow your bathroom plant collection? Find all these plants and more in our shop: www.stupidegg.co.uk.
