16 Best Plants for Bathroom with No Sunlight | Low-Light Bathroom Decor
Bathrooms can be tricky spots for plants. Often windowless and filled with steamy showers, they create a unique environment that not all flora can handle.
So, what are the best low-light plants for a bathroom? Well, in my opinion, there are a couple of plants you can take. Here’s my list of plants that are beautifully suited in a bathroom. Here are my picks.
Without any further ado, let’s get to the main discussion. Keep on reading the article about 16 Plants in the Bathroom.
In this segment, I’ll try to emphasize the point – why are these plants in the bathroom? I hope you’ll have one after reading this. Let’s go!
1. Asparagus Fern
This graceful fern adds a touch of elegance with its feathery foliage. Unlike many ferns, it thrives in indirect sunlight, making it ideal for windowless bathrooms. The increased humidity from showers mimics its natural rainforest habitat, promoting healthy growth.
- Scientific Name: Asparagus setaceus
- Sun Exposure: Indirect light, low light
- Soil Needs: Well-draining soil, keep slightly moist
- Varieties: Sprengeri, Plumosus, Meyeri
- Availability: Widely available in nurseries and online
2. Bamboo
Opt for the natural beauty of live bamboo over artificial alternatives. Bamboo flourishes in low-light environments and appreciates the elevated air moisture levels in bathrooms. Its lush green stalks contribute to a serene and spa-inspired ambiance.
- Scientific Name: Bambusoideae (various species)
- Sun Exposure: Low to bright indirect light
- Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining soil
- Varieties: Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana), Dwarf Bamboo, Fargesia
- Availability: Commonly available in garden centers and online
3. Cast Iron Plant
As its name suggests, the Cast Iron Plant is remarkably resilient.
It tolerates low light with ease and welcomes the high humidity of a steamy bathroom. This low-maintenance option is ideal for busy individuals. Its deep green, architectural foliage adds a touch of sophistication to the bathroom aesthetic.
- Scientific Name: Aspidistra elatior
- Sun Exposure: Low light to medium indirect light
- Soil Needs: Well-draining soil, tolerates neglect
- Varieties: Variegata, Milky Way, Asahi
- Availability: Widely available in nurseries and online
4. Chinese Evergreen
Eliminate concerns about insufficient sunlight. The Chinese Evergreen thrives in shaded areas and relishes the elevated humidity found in bathrooms.
Its vibrant foliage boasts a variety of patterns and colors, allowing you to select the perfect complement to your bathroom décor.
- Scientific Name: Aglaonema spp.
- Sun Exposure: Low to medium indirect light
- Soil Needs: Well-draining soil, likes to dry out slightly between waterings
- Varieties: Silver Bay, Emerald Beauty, Red Siam
- Availability: Easily found in garden centers and online
5. Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)
This stunning plant adapts well to low-light conditions. While it appreciates occasional brighter, indirect light, it won’t suffer in a windowless bathroom.
The increased moisture from showers keeps its large, decorative leaves happy and healthy.
- Scientific Name: Dieffenbachia spp.
- Sun Exposure: Low to medium indirect light
- Soil Needs: Well-draining soil, keep evenly moist but not soggy
- Varieties: Camille, Compacta, Tropic Snow
- Availability: Widely available in nurseries and online
Remember: Keep this plant out of reach of pets and children due to its mildly toxic properties.
6. Ferns (e.g., Boston Fern)
Indulge your love for ferns with low-light tolerant varieties like the Boston Fern. These graceful plants prefer dappled sunlight and will flourish in the indirect light filtering through a bathroom window.
The steamy atmosphere created by showers mimics their natural rainforest habitat, promoting lush growth.
- Scientific Name: Nephrolepis exaltata
- Sun Exposure: Indirect light, low light
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, consistently moist soil
- Varieties: Boston Fern, Kimberly Queen, Macho Fern
- Availability: Commonly available in garden centers and online
7. Orchids
Bring a touch of elegance to your bathroom with an orchid. They usually prefer indirect light. But some varieties, like Phalaenopsis orchids, tolerate lower light levels.
The high humidity in bathrooms mirrors their tropical origins, making them surprisingly well-suited for this environment.
- Scientific Name: Orchidaceae (various species)
- Sun Exposure: Indirect light, low to medium light
- Soil Needs: Special orchid mix, well-draining
- Varieties: Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Dendrobium
- Availability: Widely available in nurseries, garden centers, and online
8. Peace Lily
This easy-going plant thrives in low-light bathrooms.
However, one thing, look for drooping leaves as a sign it needs watering, but otherwise, it’s quite forgiving. The high humidity from showers keeps its white, spathe-like flowers blooming beautifully.
- Scientific Name: Spathiphyllum spp.
- Sun Exposure: Low to medium indirect light
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, consistently moist soil
- Varieties: Mauna Loa, Domino, Sensation
- Availability: Easily found in garden centers and online
9. Philodendron
A versatile climber, the Philodendron comes in various shapes and sizes. Most varieties tolerate low-light conditions and appreciate the increased humidity in bathrooms.
Train it to climb a trellis or let its trailing vines cascade down a shelf, adding a touch of greenery to your space.
- Scientific Name: Philodendron spp.
- Sun Exposure: Low to medium indirect light
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, keep slightly moist
- Varieties: Heartleaf, Brasil, Moonlight
- Availability: Widely available in nurseries and online
10. Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)
This nearly indestructible vine is a popular choice for low-light environments.
Pothos tolerates a wide range of lighting conditions and thrives in the high humidity of bathrooms. Easy to propagate and care for, it’s a perfect choice for busy plant parents.
- Scientific Name: Epipremnum aureum
- Sun Exposure: Low to medium indirect light
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, allow the soil to dry out between waterings
- Varieties: Golden Pothos, Marble Queen, Neon Pothos
- Availability: Commonly available in garden centers and online
11. Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue)
This architectural wonder is a champion of low-light tolerance. Nearly indestructible, it handles dry spells and bathroom humidity with ease. Its upright, sword-like leaves add a touch of modern style to your space.
- Scientific Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
- Sun Exposure: Low to bright indirect light
- Soil Needs: Well-draining soil, let soil dry out between waterings
- Varieties: Laurentii, Moonshine, Black Coral
- Availability: Widely available in nurseries and online
12. Spider Plant
This easy-to-grow plant thrives in indirect light, making it perfect for bathrooms with windows or skylights. It appreciates the extra moisture in the air and produces adorable spiderettes you can propagate for a touch of whimsy.
- Scientific Name: Chlorophytum comosum
- Sun Exposure: Indirect light, low light
- Soil Needs: Well-draining soil, keep slightly moist
- Varieties: Variegatum, Vittatum, Bonnie
- Availability: Commonly available in garden centers and online
13. Parlor Palm
For a touch of tropical elegance, look no further than the Parlor Palm. It’s perfectly content in low-light conditions and flourishes in the high humidity of bathrooms. While slow-growing, its lush green fronds add a touch of the tropics to your spa-like retreat.
- Scientific Name: Chamaedorea elegans
- Sun Exposure: Low to medium indirect light
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, keep slightly moist
- Varieties: Standard Parlor Palm
- Availability: Widely available in nurseries and online
14. Kentia Palm
This graceful palm brings a touch of sophistication to your bathroom. Although it tolerates low light, brighter indirect light can help it thrive. The increased humidity from showers keeps its feathery fronds healthy and adds to its overall elegance.
- Scientific Name: Howea forsteriana
- Sun Exposure: Low to bright indirect light
- Soil Needs: Well-draining soil, keep slightly moist
- Varieties: Standard Kentia Palm
- Availability: Available in specialized nurseries and online
15. Air Plants
These unique plants defy convention! They require no soil and absorb moisture and nutrients from the air, making them perfect for humid bathrooms. Place them on a decorative rock or hang them in a terrarium for a touch of the unexpected.
- Scientific Name: Tillandsia spp.
- Sun Exposure: Indirect light
- Soil Needs: No soil needed, mist regularly or soak in water
- Varieties: Ionantha, Xerographica, Bulbosa
- Availability: Widely available in nurseries, garden centers, and online
16. Calathea (Prayer Plant)
Known for their beautiful, patterned foliage, Calatheas prefer low, indirect light. The high humidity in bathrooms mimics their natural rainforest habitat, making them a great choice for adding a touch of the exotic.
- Scientific Name: Calathea spp.
- Sun Exposure: Low to medium indirect light
- Soil Needs: Well-draining, keep soil evenly moist
- Varieties: Medallion, Orbifolia, Rattlesnake
- Availability: Commonly available in garden centers and online
For more extended plant ideas for the bathroom, this video will help you.
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Conclusion
With a little planning, you can transform your bathroom into a thriving indoor jungle, even without abundant natural light. The wide variety of low-light tolerant plants we explored offers something for everyone, from the architectural wonder of the Snake Plant to the cascading elegance of the Pothos.
Remember, these bathroom-friendly plants don’t just add beauty, they help purify the air and create a spa-like atmosphere. So, why not give it a try? Your bathroom (and you) will thank you for it!
