Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:24 pm
Plants for the bathroom must cope with high humidity and high temperatures. However, some, especially tropical plants, are also made for the location conditions in the bathroom. Those who are also blessed with a bright bathroom have a particularly wide choice. We present five plants that transform the bathroom into a real oasis of well-being.
Plants for the bathroom: how to realize the full potential?
With the right plants for the bathroom, the room will be transformed into an oasis of relaxation in no time. So there is more to your bathroom than you might think. There is a particularly large selection for bright bathrooms. You can read our recommendations here.
- lucky feather (Zamioculcas)
Fortunately, there are plants for the bathroom that are suitable even for the inexperienced. It may be light to semi-shady for the easy-care lucky feather. Depending on the amount of sunlight at the respective location, its robust leaves are sometimes lighter, sometimes darker in color. This striking green plant is particularly frugal when it comes to water supply. It can store water for a long time in its rhizomes, as it is originally native to East Africa. Choose a pot where the water can drain away well and no waterlogging occurs.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is the only species of its genus that belongs to the family of Arum (Araceae). Nevertheless, due to the different varieties, there are several variants to discover. The variety ‘Raven’ captivates with its very dark, almost black foliage. ‘Super Nova’, on the other hand, grows quickly and becomes particularly tall.
In the pot it likes it rather dry, but the lucky feather has nothing against high humidity and cozy warmth on the shoots – on the contrary! In the bathroom, the evergreen plant is therefore perfect.
- the sword fern (Nephrolepis)
Part of the Nephrolepidaceae family is the elegant sword fern. It fits perfectly in bathrooms with consistently high humidity, which is ideally about 60%. The forest dweller from the tropics feels most comfortable at a constant temperature around 20 degrees Celsius as well as sufficient brightness. Its feathery leaves shine in fresh green and hang slightly over at the tips. Direct sunlight, however, is less kind to the sensitive fronds and can lead to burns. Care should also be taken with radiators, from which the fern should have sufficient distance.
Although the sword fern likes warm and humid climate, but also the temperature should be as constant as possible. During bathing or showering, this usually rises quickly. A short airing cushions the strong fluctuation and spares the fern.
Nephrolepis cordifolia and exaltata are among the most popular species of sword fern. They are also known as indoor ferns, among other names. While the former is a bit more ornamental, the latter grows a bit more overhanging.
- the flamingo flower (Anthurium)
Another tropical plant among the plants for the bathroom is the charming flamingo flower. It is a distant relative of the lucky feather and also part of the arum family (Araceae). Derived from its botanical name, Anthurium, the evergreen plant is also known as an anthurium. In addition to lush green foliage, it also scores points with its red to pink bracts, which are often mistaken for flowers, depending on the variety.
The thing with humidity
Bathrooms usually have a high level of humidity throughout. Directly after bathing or showering, however, it rises again significantly, so that even tropical plants can get a bit too much for a short time. Therefore, do not forget to ventilate briefly if the air in the bathroom is particularly humid.
Similar to many tropical plants, the flamingo flower needs a bright location, but does not like direct sunlight. In the bathroom, therefore, you should rather not allocate it a direct window place. A large number of colored bracts indicates that the location is sufficiently bright. However, it is perfectly suitable for the moist warmth in the bathroom. Your pot should be filled with a permeable, rather nutrient-poor substrate. With watering you may be rather restrained. Too much water in the pot indicates the flamingo flower with yellowish leaves and possible pest infestation.
- the palm lily (yucca)
The popular palm lily belongs to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). This plant, often referred to as the yucca palm, is perfect for light-flooded bathrooms. This is because it has three main requirements for its location: sufficient sunlight, warmth and high humidity. It must be watered regularly so that the root ball never dries out. However, drainage should be provided to prevent waterlogging.
If mold appears on the substrate of the bathroom plants, it usually means that too much watering. Then remove the top layer of soil as soon as possible.
In a suitable location, the palm lily is quite easy to care for. The crux lies especially in the correct watering. A lack of water will cause the palm’s foliage to dry out, whereas too much water will promote root rot.
5 The basket palm (Calathea)
Among the plants for the bathroom for some time now the basket marante enjoys increasing popularity. These beauties with their characteristically large leaves exist in a variety of forms, colors and leaf shapes. The genus from the arrowroot family (Marantaceae) unites over 300 species, some of which are suitable for indoor cultivation.
Popular Calathea species:
C. crocata (colorful flowers and leaves).
C. zebrina (lanceolate leaves with a zebra look)
C. orbifolia (large, roundish leaves in green and white)
C. rufibarba (striking leaf underside in rich red)
C. warscewiczii (multicolored leaves and elegant white flowers with good care)
Due to its origin in the South American rainforest, the basket marante thrives best in warm, humid site conditions. It also prefers a bright to semi-shady spot. Direct sunlight or cold drafts, on the other hand, can quickly harm it. Even though it is colloquially called arrowroot and may sound like it – the basket marante is not poisonous. Therefore, it is also ideal for households with small children or pets.