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Your evening shower can double as a plant care routine.
So many of our favorite houseplants are native to tropical environments, which means they love extra moisture and humidity. That makes the bathroom the best place to put them in your house. Whether your powder room is a bit dim or it gets plenty of sunlight, there are lots of lush plants to choose from that add vibrancy and life.
Filled with steam and water, bathrooms create a sort of natural ecosystem that can help certain plants thrive with little to no care. Sure, they’ll still need to be watered, but the exposed leaves and stems will take in plenty of moisture from the room when you shower, wash your hands, steam your face, or do anything else that releases water droplets into the air.
Ahead, we are sharing the best humidity-loving plants worth adding to your bathrooms ASAP. There are over 20 to choose from, so take into account the level of care, lighting needs, and, of course, beauty, to make an educated decision. You can order these online and start enjoying the plants you’ll lovingly care for for years to come.
If you’re looking for a plant to hang in the shower for some biophilic ambience, then Boston ferns are a great contender. They love humid subtropical forests and need frequent watering, so the extra spray during your shower will be very welcome.
Moth orchids are a classic beauty of a flowering plant. They’re pet-safe and epiphytic, used to growing on the trees of tropical rainforests around the world. They love high humidity, but they also need ten to 15 hours of light per day, so place them in your sunniest bathroom.
Get a cool houseplant and take care of your pest problem at the same time. Venus flytraps need a ton of light, but if your bathroom is bright, they’ll love it. Just don’t put them directly in the shower. Though they love high humidity, they don’t respond well to the minerals in tap water. Use distilled water to keep these moisture-happy plants thriving.
The polka dot begonia is a rare houseplant, but it’s prized for its silvery spots and lush red undersides that have a unique, striking appearance. This specific species thrives in cool, tropical environments, so the high humidity of a bathroom is a great fit.
A flowering hibiscus plant brings some major color into your home and will remind you of island life no matter the season. High humidity, frequent watering, and the brightest indoor light possible are all you need. Each flower only lasts for up to two days, so enjoy these brief but brilliant blooms while they last.
Anthuriums are prized for their waxy, broad flowers that bloom in a variety of colors. In order to flower, the Anthurium requires plenty of bright, indirect light; place it on your bathroom windowsill for best results. If you have a low-light environment, you won't get blooms, but the glossy leaves are beautiful on their own.
The Bird of Paradise is native to coastal South Africa, so it’s no stranger to a little extra moisture. It can take a few years of maturity for its crane-like flower to appear indoors, but its broad leaves are quite the sight in the meantime. It’s a great fit for a guest bathroom, as it can handle average humidity levels rather than high ones.
You don’t have to wait until spring to enjoy these vibrant African violets—they bloom year-round indoors! The flowers can last up to six weeks, but they do need very specific light levels: 10 to 16 hours of sunlight and eight hours of darkness per day. These gorgeous flowers need to be watered a few times a week, whenever the surface of the soil is dry, but be careful not to wet their sensitive leaves.
Low-light cutie-pie pothos plants are great for windowless or basement bathrooms. They’re incredibly easy to care for and need water only when the soil is completely dry. Their low-maintenance care requirements make them ideal for beginner plant parents.
Mimicking praying hands, this plant curls up at night and then reopens with the sunrise. That means it's happy, we promise! Its unique striped leaves love low to bright indirect light and filtered water, which helps them avoid developing scorched-looking edges. Normal tap water is completely fine for a prayer plant, but the color may become more vibrant when distilled water is used.
The aloe plant is a low-key succulent that's perfect for a first-time plant owner or anyone with a busy lifestyle. Just place it in a sunny spot; all it really needs is access to bright light (indirect light is fine, though direct sunlight will be better and might even make your plant yield coral-hued flowers). Its leaves are filled with gel that's great for soothing sunburns and skin irritations.
With its iconic tropical leaves, the Monstera plant (aka Swiss cheese plant) is always a stunner. A great houseplant, it can live in a lot of different environments, including your bathroom. It's able to handle low light, though it will do better in brighter, indirect light, and any level of humidity suits it.
Alocasias are accustomed to damp rainforest floors, priming them for placement in a bathroom. Humid air and a consistent watering schedule will keep these moody plants happy. But be warned: the many nooks and crannies of an alocasia’s leaves are a common hiding spot for microscopic pests like spider mites. Maintain a regular leaf-cleaning routine to keep the critters at bay.
The silvery green foliage of this watermelon peperomia is too elegant to ignore. They enjoy a warm and humid environment, so feel free to luxuriate in a hot shower. It’s native to the Caribbean and will feel right at home.
The aluminum plant, or pilea cadierei, is a wonderful addition to your bathroom garden because it thrives in moderate to high humidity and needs bright, indirect sunlight to grow. The name of this plant comes from the silver splatters on the green leaves, making it even more of a decor piece than other houseplants.
In the wild, bird’s nest ferns (Asplenium nidus) grow on other plants, meaning they’re epiphytes. Because they naturally don’t derive nutrients from soil, they do so through other means, such as water, making them ideal houseplants to put in your warm, humid bathroom. The long, bright green leaves give this plant a very tropical feel, and they grow best in medium to bright indirect sunlight and well-draining soil.
A popular, humidity-loving variety, the peace lily boasts beautiful white blooms that grow with enough natural light. Peace lily plants also help to purify the air, which is great for bathrooms after a deep clean. Just beware that, if ingested, this plant is toxic to both humans and pets—keep it out of reach of curious critters.
As long as you take care of this Arabica coffee plant, you may be able to harvest some coffee beans. The ruffled leaves make for a beautiful bathroom shelf companion, and it can thrive in both full sun and partially sunny conditions. Just make sure not to water-log the plants.
Size: Medium
Majesty palms love humidity, so your bathroom is the perfect spot for them—so long as you have space for a bigger plant. They love the occasional misting, and while they can handle lower light, they do best in sunny locations—a south- or east-facing window is best. If you notice the leaves crisping up or turning brown, give your plant less sun and more water.
Keep the stunning calathea in medium indirect light with a moderate to more humid environment, and it's sure to do well. Think of it as a symbiotic relationship: Your bathroom's environment will help it live a healthy life, and its beautiful foliage will give your bathroom new life too. It's a great choice for your bedroom too.
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