Bathrooms are often the dampest rooms in our homes. All that steamy shower water, splashing sinks, and damp towels can lead to a serious moisture problem. But did you know that certain plants can actually help soak up that excess humidity? Maintaining the right moisture levels in your bathroom is crucial.
Too much humidity can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can be harmful to your health. Thankfully, there are some amazing plants that thrive in humid environments and can naturally regulate the moisture in your bathroom. These plants don’t just absorb water – they also help purify the air by removing pollutants. So not only will they keep your bathroom dry, but they’ll also make the air you breathe cleaner and fresher.
In this article, we’ll explore 14 fantastic bathroom plants that absorb moisture. We’ll dive into the unique benefits of each one and give you tips on how to care for them. Whether you have a small powder room or a luxurious master bath, there’s a moisture-loving plant perfect for your space.
Table of Contents
The Role of Plants in Absorbing Moisture
Plants are amazing natural air purifiers, and their moisture-absorbing abilities make them perfect for bathrooms. Through a process called transpiration, plants draw water up from their roots and release it into the air as water vapor.
This helps to reduce overall humidity levels in the room. But that’s not all – plants also filter out harmful airborne pollutants, including mold spores, bacteria, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). By removing these contaminants, they can significantly improve the air quality in your bathroom.
The best part? Many plants that thrive in humid environments are also low-maintenance and easy to care for. This makes them an ideal solution for busy homeowners who want to create a healthier, more relaxing bathroom environment.
Bathroom Plants That Absorb Moisture
1. Azalea
Azaleas are not only beautiful with their radiant, colorful blooms, but they are also remarkably efficient at removing excess moisture. Their dense foliage and prolific root systems allow them to thrive in the high-humidity environment of a bathroom, keeping the damp at bay. A steamy bathroom with morning sun is an excellent choice for keeping their colorful blossoms happy and healthy.
Care Tips
Azaleas prefer bright, indirect light and consistently moist soil. We recommend occasional misting to mimic their natural environment. Their lively flowers serve a dual purpose: as decorative and as a well-being feature.
2. Orchids
Orchids are synonymous with elegance and luxury, but did you know they are also great at absorbing moisture? Their airy roots can absorb water vapor efficiently, and the moisture evaporates quickly enough to stave off mildew.
Care Tips
Orchids love the humid conditions of a bathroom, so placing them on your bathroom windowsill where they can receive bright, indirect sunlight is a fantastic idea. This environment mimics their natural habitat, encouraging them to flower and grow beautifully. Just remember to water them properly and provide adequate airflow to prevent any issues with mold or rot.
3. Tillandsia
Air plants, or Tillandsia, are the epitome of low-maintenance houseplants. They absorb moisture and nutrients through their leaves, making them a unique, water-efficient choice for a moisture-prone space like a bathroom.
Care Tips
These plants don’t need soil; soak them in water once a week for about 30 minutes, and they’ll be content. For the ultimate modern minimalist feel, mount them on decorative holders.
4. Begonias
Begonias are a classic, well-loved houseplant with over 1800 species, many of which work wonderfully in a bathroom setting. Their waxy leaves give them just the right amount of water retention to balance out the room’s humidity.
Care Tips
Place your Begonia in indirect light and water when the top inch of soil is dry. With a vast range of leaf and flower shapes, they’re sure to fit any bathroom aesthetic.
5. Lucky Bamboo
Lucky Bamboo isn’t bamboo at all — it’s a member of the dracaena family and thrives when its roots are submerged in water. These plants thrive in warm, humid environments and have the added benefit of reducing ambient humidity.
Their highly structural form makes them perfect for contemporary bathrooms, adding a touch of natural elegance. Interestingly, lucky bamboo can be grown in soil and water, offering flexibility in care and placement.
Care Tips
- Keep Lucky Bamboo in low to moderate light conditions.
- Change the water it sits in every two to four weeks, ensuring it’s clean and free from moss or algae.
6. Pothos
Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a virtually indestructible vine plant. It will trail beautifully from a hanging pot, climb up a trellis, or rest on a shelf or even the bathtub’s edge, improving the air quality and soaking up extra moisture.
Pothos are resilient and can adapt to occasional neglect, a common occurrence in many bathroom environments. The vine can be trained to climb along the walls, providing an aesthetically pleasing backdrop.
Care Tips
- Pothos thrive in various light conditions, from low to bright, indirect light.
- Water when the top inch of soil is dry, and trim back any leggy growth to maintain fullness.
7. Calatheas
The Calathea genus is filled with stunning foliage plants in various leaf shapes and patterns. Its ‘praying’ leaves add a unique and beautiful dynamic to your bathroom décor. These humidity-loving beauties thrive in a bathroom’s warm, moist conditions and are known for their pet-friendly reputation.
Care Tips
- Provide bright, indirect light and keep away from drafts.
- Maintain evenly moist soil while avoiding water stagnation in the pot’s saucer.
8. Spider Plant
The Spider Plant is a classic houseplant known for its trailing arches and ability to combat pollutants. It’s also a champion at purifying the air and eliminating airborne toxins, which can be especially beneficial in a high-use space like the bathroom.
It’s incredibly adaptable and can thrive almost anywhere. The Spider Plant’s cascading ‘babies’ can add a playful, decorative touch to your bathroom shelves or ledges.
Care Tips
- Prefers bright, indirect light but can adapt to low-light conditions.
- Water when the top inch of soil is dry and cut off spider plant babies (re-pot or give them away!) to encourage a bushier main plant.
9.Cyclamen
Cyclamen belong in cozy drawing rooms, nestled beside worn leather armchairs and dusty book collections, not in bathrooms. But you’d be underestimating them. Cyclamen have a talent for tackling bathroom moisture that’s practically unparalleled.
They’re not merely houseplants but specialized thespians in moisture combat, with their broad, heart-shaped leaves absorbing humidity effortlessly. Their beautiful, upturned flowers are the pièce de résistance in any bathroom design, and their low light requirements mean even the most window-deficient bathrooms can host these moisture-busting maestros.
Care Tips
- Indirect sunlight is their sweet spot.
- Infrequent watering at ground level keeps the tubers happy.
- A cool bathroom will keep Cyclamen smiling.
- They are pest-resistant, but you might spot a spider mite.
10.Bird’s Nest Fern
Are you looking for an unassuming yet potent addition to your bathroom greenery? The Bird’s Nest Fern might be your answer. Its curly, jester hat fronds are like nature’s dehumidifiers, quietly taking care of those steamy post-shower environs.
Care Tips
- Low to medium light is what this fern covets.
- It prefers a good misting to a direct soak.
- It’s chill with a wide pot base for its rhizomatous roots.
- Look for mealybugs in the nooks of its ‘nest.’
11.Philodendron
The Philodendron is fine. You call a fine, easy-going friend when you need a sounding board and a steady plant presence. Its heart-shaped leaves, verdant and vast, don’t just add color to your bathroom; they’re also fantastic at vapor absorption.
Care Tips
- Can survive low light, but it won’t thrive. Please give it some.
- Keep the soil moist, not drenched.
- Get those scissors out occasionally; they appreciate a trim.
- Snip, stick, and watch a new plant grow.
12.Trailing Green Ivy
Ivy in the bathroom might remind you of Victorian novels and clawfoot tubs, but there’s a reason it stood the test of time. Its long, flowing limbs make for excellent hanging plants, giving your bathroom a touch of romantic nostalgia while the leaves gracefully mop up the excess moisture.
Care Tips
- Give it bright filtered light, if possible.
- Keep the soil moist but never waterlogged.
- Curling tendrils are a fun aesthetic to play with.
- Grey mold might be drawn to the damp conditions; maintain airflow.
13.Peace Lily
The peace lily, Spathiphyllum wallisii, is a graceful, low-maintenance plant that blossoms with lovely white flowers amid deep green leaves. It’s an excellent choice for the bathroom for several reasons. The peace lily thrives in low-light and high-humidity conditions, making it an ideal bathroom companion.
This plant is renowned for its ability to absorb excess water. NASA’s Clean Air Study often uses it for its air-purifying properties. As a bonus, peace lilies are safe for households with pets, so you needn’t worry about bathroom safety for your furry friends.
14. Bromeliads
Bromeliads are a diverse group of plants native to the American tropics. They are known for their bold rosettes of leaves and striking, long-lasting blooms. They are a bit showier than the peace lily but equally practical in the bathroom. Bromeliads come in various colors and require very little maintenance, which is always a plus in the sometimes-forgotten bathroom.
Their preferred environment mirrors a typical bathroom, so they’re happy to help you keep moisture levels in check. Unlike some houseplants, bromeliads don’t have invasive root systems, so you won’t find them causing plumbing problems later.
Care and Maintenance Tips
Moisture-absorbing plants require a little extra love in return for their air-purifying benefits. Here are a few general tips to keep them happy and your bathroom healthy:
- Light: Ensure your plants receive adequate light for at least a few hours daily. Bathrooms with windows are excellent, as plants benefit from natural sunlight and moisture when you shower.
- Water: It’s vital not to overwater, especially in a humid environment. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. With air plants like Tillandsia, soaking once a week is plenty.
- Temperature: Most of these plants prefer tropical temperatures, making them perfect for a bathroom. Protect them from drafts and sudden temperature changes.
- Fertilizer: During the growing season, you can provide a diluted houseplant fertilizer once a month to nourish them.
Integration into Bathroom Design
Now that you’re committed to harnessing the natural prowess of plants in moisture management, consider the following points for seamless integration into your bathroom design:
- Choice of Pots: Opt for planters that don’t retain water—ceramic is a good choice—or consider potting your plants in decorative containers within the main planter for easy removal after watering.
- Shelf and Wall Space: For premium floor space, use shelves or wall-mounted planters to display your greenery.
- Grouping: Clustering multiple plants together can create a microclimate that effectively increases moisture absorption and adds a dynamic visual element to the room.
- Greenery as Accents: Use plants strategically to complement your bathroom’s color scheme and decor. A pop of green against white tiles or dark cabinetry can be quite striking.
Incorporating these moisture-absorbing plants into your bathroom is a simple yet effective way to enhance your space. It contributes to a more visually pleasing atmosphere and assists in regulating humidity, improving the function of your bathroom.
Indoor plants, in general, have a remarkable way of bringing life and vibrancy to any space. With the bonus of moisture control, selecting the right plants for your bathroom allows you to create a functional and beautiful oasis.
Start with just one, or combine these plants to reap the benefits year-round. By being mindful of the plants you choose for your bathroom, you can transform a once-neglected space into one that’s both luxurious and beneficial to your well-being. Happy planting!
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