The best houseplants for your bathroom

Houseplants for your bathroom

Houseplants are a great addition to any bathroom. A small plant by the sink or a plant hanging over a shower window adds greenery and life to a starkly curved space. With typically warm temperatures and high humidity, bathrooms are ideal places for houseplants that respect those particular conditions.

When choosing bathroom plants, consider three factors: light exposure, high humidity and temperature changes. If your bathroom doesn't have a window with light streaming across the room, choose a low-light species that can survive on less than four hours of light daily. Plants that need indirect light thrive near windows. These include ferns, air plants and many other tropical and subtropical plants.

Here are suggestions for bathroom plants that do well in average bathroom conditions.

1. Asparagus fern

Airy, lacy asparagus fern likes the humidity of the bathroom. It works best in moderate or bright light, so a spot by a window is best. Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus) feels soft to the touch, but the stems have thorns, so beware. It can spread over six feet laterally with branches that can grow up to two feet tall. This plant is very poisonous - keep it away from small children and pets.

2. Bamboo

Growing bamboo (Bambusa spp.) in containers limits its size because it is well-known as an invasive spreader when planted in the garden. But even when kept in containers, bamboo plants can become large and require replanting every year or so. Clumping varieties require less repotting than propagation by runners. During the growing season, feed bamboo weekly with a diluted fertilizer high in nitrogen, and reduce monthly during the winter.

3. Begonia

Many types of begonias grow well in containers, and they enjoy the warmth and humidity of a bathroom closet. In particular, rex begonias (Begonia x rex), with their attractive leaves, grow well indoors. Begonias prefer a moist environment, but prefer well-drained soil, which can cause root rot. Begonias, prized for their flowers, need a bright spot in the bathroom with morning sunlight. Begonias grown for their foliage need a bright spot out of direct sunlight.

4. Bromeliads

Bromeliads are unusual specimens; They immediately produce long-lasting blooms where most houseplants won't. Bromeliads bloom in winter with yellow, pink, or red flowers, and the blooms last for several weeks. Bromeliads include many different plant species and dozens of species, many of which are epiphytic (drawing moisture from the air rather than the soil). These are ideal for showering in the humidity of the bathroom, but they provide good air circulation by running the bathroom exhaust fan or running a small hand-held fan for a few hours each day. Feed them with an orchid fertilizer. (Though they are not orchids, orchids need the same nutrients.)

5. Cast iron plant

Aspidistra elatior is an excellent low-maintenance houseplant; It gets its common name, cast iron plant, because it is so difficult to kill. A tropical plant that grows two to three feet tall, it is one of the rare houseplants that tolerates almost full shade. Variegated varieties need more light than solid-green specimens. It doesn't require a lot of humidity, making it good for guest bathrooms that aren't used often.

6. Chinese Evergreen

Few plants in the genus Aclonema, which includes about 20 species, are as forgiving and adaptable as Chinese evergreens. These large-leaved, tropical perennials will thrive even if you forget to water and feed them. Although they like moisture, they can also tolerate dry air, which can damage the leaves if you keep them away from cold drafts. They grow from ten inches to four feet tall, depending on the variety; Some cultivars (such as 'Silver Queen') have grey-green and pink variations.

7. Croton

You can find croton plants with brightly colored foliage, and the pictum variety has multi-colored leaves. These tropical broadleaf evergreens are slow-growing, but they can grow up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide, so make sure you give them enough room to spread.

Croton plants (Codiaeum variegatum) need bright, but indirect light, and plenty of humidity and moisture, although they don't like to sit in wet soil. Wait for the top two inches of soil to dry out before watering. Reduce watering in late fall and winter.

8. Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia does best with minimal care. Water them when the soil feels dry (a few inches below the surface). This plant needs high light during the short days of winter and dim light in summer. Rotate your Dieffenbachia plant every month so that it grows evenly on all sides. These plants can reach several feet in height.

Dieffenbachia is highly toxic to humans, dogs and cats, so keep these plants out of the reach of children and pets.

9. Ferns

Ferns are a unique family of shade-loving plants that reproduce by spores rather than flowers and seeds. Many ferns make excellent houseplants and can handle temperature fluctuations and humidity in a bathroom environment. Some can even be grown in a regular soaking shower stall. Some recommended ferns for the bathroom include Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), maidenhair fern (Adiantum spp.), bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus) and button fern (Pellaea rotundifolia).

10. Gardenia

Gardenias often grown as houseplants are G. Jasminoids, also known as Cape Jasmine. These tropical broadleaf evergreens are not very easy to grow indoors because they respond poorly to cold drafts or sudden bursts of heat. However, they can grow well in the humid conditions of the bathroom, provided they receive enough bright light. Gardenias are large plants, growing up to 6 feet tall, but they are often pruned to keep them small. Feed with an acidic fertilizer.

11. Orchids

Orchids have hundreds of species in many genera belonging to the family Orchidaceae. Many orchids are perfect for growing in a bathroom that doesn't get too cold. Some species grow in soil, while others are epiphytes (air plants) that absorb moisture from the air. Jasmine flowers bloom for weeks, and some varieties are small plants that can be grouped together to create a show. Some prefer moderate light; Others need bright light.