Yes, a bathroom is a necessity, but it can also be a place for relaxation, comfort, and pleasure (bubble bath!). Plants are wonderful enhancements in this space—and luckily, bathrooms are welcoming places for greenery. They tend to have decent heat and humidity, which some plants require, and, like the kitchen, bathrooms typically offer water- and stain-resistant surfaces. Plus, it’s the easiest room in your home in which to water your plants. Use the showerhead to mimic rainfall to clean leaves and soak the soil—but place a screen over the drain to catch dirt, gravel, and whatnot so that it doesn’t clog the pipes.
Bathroom Must-Haves
Ferns
Known as pteridomania or fern fever, fern collecting became a craze during the Victorian era, when collectors began growing hundreds of these humidity-loving specimens in their greenhouses or conservatories. You can imagine your bathroom as a mini greenhouse of sorts, with plenty of hot water creating the humid atmosphere ferns need. Here are a few favorites that work well as houseplants.
Maidenhair Fern
Often thought of as tricky to grow because of its love for humidity and moisture, the maidenhair fern (Adiantum raddianum) is the perfect match for a steamy shower room. Place it in an area of moderate to bright light and ensure that the soil remains moist. Try to keep it away from vents or dry air sources and avoid repotting. If you’re not one to create steamy conditions while showering, see tips on constructing a more humid environment.
Lemon Button Fern
This compact cultivar, Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii’, offers up sprightly thin fronds of delicate light green leaves. Small in size (reaching about 1 foot/30 cm), it is one of the easiest ferns to grow. Simply keep it in a bright yet indirectly lit spot—the sill of a frosted bathroom window is ideal.
Curly Bird’s Nest Fern
Bring a tropical feel to your bathroom with the vivid, upright rosette of the aptly named curly bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus). Happiest in a place with moderate to bright light and moderate moisture, it is tolerant of periods of lower light and drier conditions. New foliage spirals out from a furry central crown, thought to resemble a bird’s nest (older fronds gradually turn brown and can be snipped off). Keep its broad leaves shiny by occasionally wiping them with a damp cloth.
East Indian Holly Fern
A favorite of many gardeners due to its striking striped foliage and easy attitude, the East Indian holly fern (Arachniodes simplicior ‘Variegata’) brings its woodland charm indoors, too. It is best suited to moderate to low light and consistently moist soil. Its arching, fan-like fronds can extend up to 2 feet (61 cm). Try cutting a few and tucking them into floral arrangements to add earthiness and volume.
A Fern-Filled Vanity
If you picture ferns as old-fashioned, think again! Add some flair by pairing these timeless stunners with unique vessels. On the countertop, a vintage pedestal shows off the fullness of a lemon button fern (right), while a halved coconut shell holds a staghorn fern (left). The oversize mother fern on the floor lives in a handmade ceramic pot set on a lazy Susan to allow for weekly rotation to promote all-around even growth. Prune the outer dangling fronds for a more upright look (see the unpruned Boston fern for the contrast). Ferns do best with humidity, so keep the soil evenly moist (not soggy), and increase ambient humidity levels by placing plants on gravel trays (see humidity). Allow ferns to bathe in bright to moderate light, but steer away from scorching direct sun, and protect the more delicate lacy varieties like mother fern from cold drafts.
Give the ‘Old Spice’ pelargonium leaves a squeeze to release their nutty scent.
Soak Up the Sun
A sunny corner of the bathroom is freshened by a palette of minty green. This arrangement is a lesson in the importance of layering for scale and interest. If all of these plants were at the same height as the tub, it would make for a one-note display, and the tub would overpower the space. Instead, each plant is on its own level. The hanging succulent string of bananas draws the eye upward, but its slim, tidy silhouette keeps it from dominating the view. The naked feltleaf kalanchoe was placed in a footed planter and further elevated on a stool, and the wheeled planter features a tall pencil cactus and the lower, denser foliage of silver plectranthus. Even the tiny nutmeg-scented ‘Old Spice’ pelargonium is given a boost by an overturned woven basket. Thanks to this layered approach, the tub doesn’t feel outsize, and the whole vignette is visually appealing. This eclectic collection likes bright light, so open the window and let the sun shine in.
The language of Leaves
By looking at specific characteristics of a plant’s leaf, you gather clues as to what light it needs to survive. Darker shades of green and larger leaf structures suggest that a plant has adapted to low-light conditions (because large surface areas and dark colors maximize light absorption). Plants with hints of teal and gray-green hues, as well as leaves that are smaller, narrower, or more complex in shape, have evolved to tolerate bright and direct light—keep them in those sunny window spots. Fuzzy and waxy surfaces contain protective layers that help screen out sun; such plants can often take a lot of light, too.
A Low-Light “Tubscape”
When filling a space with loads of plants, think of your room as an indoor jungle. In the wild, some plants reach to the light of the sky, while midsize specimens thrive under the shade of a tree. Still other plants grow low to the ground, drinking up the dappled light. So when you approach your room design, consider these three planes: the space overhead, at eye level, and on the ground. If you include plants on all three levels, the space will feel more like a natural environment—you’ll have to look up, down, and around to catch it all! Here’s the breakdown in this space.
Overhead: Hanging plants like the spider plant (upper right) and tall floor plants like the Madagascar dragon tree (far left) not only envelop the scene in a canopy of green but also provide dramatic scale.
Eye Level: Eye level is our most common vantage point, and plants in this zone will deliver instant impact whenever we walk into a room. The snake plant (center) and monstera (right) work particularly well at this level because their bold-shaped leaves provide interest when viewed from the side.
Ground Level: Plants placed on the ground or at lower levels will frequently be seen from above. The bird’s nest sansevieria shown in the gold vase here is fairly plain when viewed from the side, but glance down while entering the bathtub and you’ll appreciate its charming rosette.
Click for a complete list of plants featured in this room.
Small Space, Big Impact
Repurposed Accessories
Use tiny utilitarian containers in unexpected ways to turn pint-size spaces into impressive plant displays.
At the Sink
Kokedama, a Japanese art form that translates as “moss balls,” comes in many forms. (Learn how to make one.) This ‘Jeanette’ dwarf English ivy kokedama is perfectly suited to the bathroom sink—set on a soap dish, it’s a snap to care for: simply soak in the filled sink for twenty minutes, remove, gently squeeze out excess water, and return the ball to the soap dish to finish draining. Regular misting will keep the moss looking vibrant, too.
In a Soap Dish
The corner soap dishes that come with suction-cup backs make perfect niches for air plants like these Tillandsia stricta ‘Houston Dark Pink’ and Spanish moss. After a shower, be sure to shake off excess water so that it doesn’t pool in the dish and rot the moss.
On the Mirror
This tiny suction-cup holder meant to corral shaving razors (a hardware store find!) works perfectly for plant cuttings. Tropical vine-like plants such as philodendrons and pothos take well to rooting in water—just change the water occasionally and watch these babies grow. When the roots get too long, plant the cuttings in soil and replace with some fresh cuts. See Sharing You Plant for more on propagating plants. On the counter below, a small cup (part of a vanity accessories set) was repurposed as a pot for a little succulent.
From the Towel Rack
This window box is meant to hang on an outdoor railing, but why not hang it on your towel rack instead? Here it is filled with four types of bromeliads (from left to right): earth star, guzmania, vriesea, and ‘Hallelujah’. Bromeliads drink from their rosettes, so water from above, allowing a tiny pool to gather in each cup. Be sure your towel rack is mounted securely and can take the weight of the plants, then set the grow pots inside (eliminating the extra weight of soil packed between plants).
A green Apothecary
Medicinal herbs have been used for centuries, by ancient Egyptians and Babylonians, medieval monks, and even modern-day physicians. Many of the findings from early herbalists became milestones in Western medicine as we’re familiar with it today. There’s something particularly rewarding about growing plants with a practical use, especially when they provide you with not only a stylish medicine cabinet but also the comfort of knowing a homegrown first-aid kit is always on hand. Whether you’re going to use the scent to relax or the gel to soothe, all of these plants are helpful additions to a sunny bathroom.
1. Aloe: This succulent (Aloe vera) is durable, easy to grow, and quick to multiply. When the leaves are cut, they release a gel that soothes burns and promotes healing—and can be added to homemade beauty products like face washes and hydrating masks.
2. Rosemary: This herb has uses that extend far beyond culinary creations. Cut off a piece or two, put in hot water, and breathe in the scent for a quick pick-me-up and to help open up a stuffed nose during allergy or cold season. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) comes in both upright and draping varieties. To re-create this bonsai-style form, pick out a draping variety in a 4-inch (10 cm) grow pot and prune to shape.
3. Coconut Palm: If planted in the ground outside in a warm climate, this palm (Cocos nucifera) will grant you coconuts in about five years (it will also grow up to 50 feet/15 m tall). You can bring it indoors and plant it in a small pot to keep it manageably small, but then you’re not likely to see fruit. Even if you can’t drink the milk and reap the medicinal benefits, it should soothe the soul with its tropical innuendoes.
4. Lavender: This workhorse (Lavandula spp.) acts as an air purifier, and its aroma reduces anxiety. Release its fragrance by simply rubbing the flowers or leaves. Lavender dries extremely well, too—collect the petals into a small sachet to tuck under your pillow or place in your drawers to subtly scent your clothes or sheets.
A Natural Cold Remedy
Homes can become warm, dry, and stuffy in winter. Plants release oxygen and raise the humidity level, which can reduce the chance of contracting a cold. Don’t worry; your plant-filled bath won’t turn into a steam room, even if you’ve created your own private jungle.
A Potted Pair: Below the mounted dendrobium orchid and air plant is a handmade wall-hanging orchid pot. This one has a flat back and a carved design that allow for easy hanging, air circulation, and drainage, perfect for an upright miniature orchid and dangling pink lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus ‘Thai Pink’).
A Wall of Epiphytes
A sunlit shower is the perfect host to a collection of mounted epiphytes—each plant gets sprinkled with water and can enjoy high humidity and bright light. Ready-made mounted plants are available from garden centers and online crafters, but they’re easy to make on your own. Simply follow the steps below.
What You’ll Need:
• 1 epiphytic plant (a plant that grows on other plants, rather than in soil); pictured here are a Jenkins’s dendrobium orchid (top) and a Tillandsia brachycaulos × concolor air plant (center)
• Cork bark
• Fishing wire
• Moss or colored twine (optional)
• Waterproof, heavy-weight-bearing adhesive hooks
1. Rest the plant horizontally on a piece of cork and wrap fishing line around the two to secure.
2. Add moss or colored twine if you wish, for further decoration.
3. Attach to a bathroom wall with adhesive hooks.
Cleaning Your Plants
Too much dust on a plant’s leaves will clog its respiration “pores,” so clean leaves periodically with a duster, small paintbrush, damp soft cloth, or mister, or take your plant for a quick dip under the showerhead or the spray nozzle of the sink (support the leaves with your hand as you clean). A paintbrush or cloth is best for cleaning furry or prickly plants.