Anyone who loves the idea of a plant but can’t commit to caring for one needs one that requires little to no TLC. That, in our opinion, is a houseplant that thrives in a high-humidity environment, and there is nowhere more humid than a bathroom.
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 powder room ASAP. There are more than 30, so be sure to take into account the level of care, size, and, of course, beauty, to make an educated decision about which plants you’ll lovingly care for for years to come. The best part? You can order these online and start enjoying them the moment you get them.
If you're looking for a bathroom plant that loves humid environments but doesn't need bright sunlight, ferns are the way to go. This rabbit foot fern is a great introductory option for novice plant parents. Just be sure to mist this plant every few days to keep moisture levels high.
For those with ample bathroom floor space, why not invest in a rubber tree? The only extra maintenance this plant needs, outside of the traditional low to medium light and weekly watering, is a dusting. These leaves collect dust rather easily, which can prevent them from soaking in enough sun rays. Wipe down the leaves with a damp cloth for the best results.
This plant has tropical origins, which means it prefers warm and humid spaces. In order to flower, the Anthurium requires 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.
Unlike other ferns, the blue star prefers less humidity and more consistent watering. You can expect the dramatic leaves to fill in for a lush and tropical look. Place yours in bright indirect sunlight—perhaps on a windowsill—for the best results. This plant can crisp up quite quickly; consider using a self-watering planter or watering stake to ensure it gets enough moisture.
A classic fern, the Boston fern appreciates a lot of mist and humidity, like in your bathroom after a lengthy shower. It’s ideal for filling sparse corners, so hang this plant up high to make the most of its spreading and draping leaves. It needs occasional sunlight, so if your bathroom doesn't have a window, move it into a brighter spot for a bit or set it under a grow light.
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 self-propagating pilea, aka pancake plant, UFO plant or Chinese money plant, thrives in tropical environments, making it the perfect bathroom plant candidate. However, it does best in bathrooms that get bright indirect light. It has flat, round leaves that make it look cute and playful, and you can pull off the "pups" it produces to give to friends and family.
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 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.
Watermelon peperomia loves humidity, warm temperatures, plenty of moisture, and medium to bright indirect light. Mist it regularly, and it’ll be quite the happy camper in your bathroom.
This purple trailing plant isn't just a stunner; it's a plant guaranteed to live happily in your bathroom. Higher humidity levels will keep it thriving. You'll know if it's too dry if the leaves start to turn brown.
Like snake plants, spider plants prefer bright light but will happily live in low light. They can withstand less humidity but prefer a moderately humid environment. Keep yours on a shelf or hang it from the ceiling, and wait for it to produce baby spider plants that you can add to your own collection or share with friends.
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.
The calathea musaica is sure to catch your eye with its stunning patterned foliage, but know that this will not be the easiest plant to take care of. It needs high humidity paired with bright, indirect sunlight to really thrive, and it can’t handle having dry soil. However, the soil still needs to be well-draining. It’s a finicky plant, but so interesting.
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 Mediterranean tree may seem like an odd choice for a bathroom plant, but the olive tree is secretly low-maintenance. It loves humidity and warmth but is low-light tolerant. This tree is ideal for filling that empty corner and providing some vertical interest. Keep watering to a minimum, only adding more when the soil is completely dried out.
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.
For a pop of color, we recommend this bright pink tropical plant. Arriving in a 2-inch planter, this bathroom plant is ideal for small spaces. This variety is also air-purifying, helping to rid your bathroom of mold, mildew, and other airborne toxins.
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 waterlog the plants.