10+ Shower Plants For Decorating Your Bathroom

Last Updated on April 10, 2024 by Real Men Sow

Bathrooms are known to be humid and that means they’re the perfect place to grow humid-loving shower plants. These parts of the house can be brightened up with plants such as bromeliads, air plants, ferns, or orchids.

Air Plant (Tillandsia Spp.)

The first houseplants to be grown in bathrooms are air plants since they thrive in humid conditions. These exotic-looking “floating plants”, which are often referred to as “floating plants”, are great for showers. They also absorb nutrients from the air and water.

All of its varieties look very sculptural with pointed leaves. They can be either green, silver or blue. They can form unusual shapes like “quiffs” or nests.

Air humidity: air plants want high air humidity, above 65%.
Light exposure: bright indirect light, plenty but not straight in front of a window.

Blooming season: any time of the year, often in winter.
Size: depending on the variety, most are about 1 foot in spread and length (30 cm), some are only a few inches big, so you can even put them on a shelf.
Soil requirements: none; air plants live even without any soil at all!

Pansy Orchid (Miltonia Spp.)

Pansy orchids are an orchid that grows well in bathrooms. Its name derives from the shape of its labellum, the “lip” of an orchid. This is the large central and lower petals that distinguish orchids. It’s flat and wide, almost like a pansy. It often has a different center color, similar to violas.

These showy flowers often have two to three colors, usually in the pink, purple, and white ranges. Some flowers, such as Miltonia goodale “Moir” and Miltonia Castanea, have yellow parts. Because they are epiphytes, their roots absorb nutrients from the air. They are more individual and unique than moth orchids.

Air humidity: humidity of between 50 to 70%.

Light exposure: Bright indirect light. It can withstand two hours of direct Sun per day but not through a windowpane.
Blooming season: Any time, but especially in the cold season (from winter to spring).
Size: 1 to 2 ft tall (30-60 cm) and 1 ft wide (30 cm).

Soil requirements: No soil is required, but an epiphyte orchid-growing medium (like orchid bark)

Philodendron (Philodendron Spp.)

The classic houseplant, the philodendron can also be grown in your bathroom’s shower area. The beautiful, exotic leaves of the philodendron can be planted in your bathroom to make it a tropical forest. They won’t make your bathroom a tropical forest, but they can give you the feeling.

Although it does have roots, it is not an epiphyte like air plants and orchids. There are many varieties of Philodendron bipennifolium. Some have broad heart-shaped leaves while others have segmented leaves. You can pick any size or shape you like, as there are at least 452 varieties of philodendrons! You are sure to find the one that fits your bathroom.

Air humidity: humidity between 60-80%.
Light exposure: Bright indirect light, far from windows. Direct sunlight will cause the leaves to burn.
Blooming season: None

Size: Most varieties are about 3 feet tall. The spread of the leaves can reach 5.5 feet (165 cm )
Soil requirements: Tolerates a mixture of perlite and sphagnum moss. A good, loose, porous, and well-drained potting soil is fine. It prefers potting soil between 5.5 to 6.0 acidity.

Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)

This beautiful plant prefers constant temperatures and high humidity. If you have one that is shedding its leaves or turning a bit “bald”, you might move it from the dry corridor to keep it warm and humid in your shower. Then it will fill the bathroom with its beautiful, but delicate, green leaves.

Air humidity: Between 50 and 70%. Anything lower than 40% can actually harm it.
Light exposure: Medium brightness, filtered light. Direct light is not permitted through the window.
Blooming season: None

Size: Grows to 98 feet (30 m) in the wild. It can grow indoors to 7 to 8 feet (2.1-2.4 meters).
Soil requirements: Any well-drained, nutrient-rich potting soil is fine. The pH should be between 6.0 and 6.5.

Lady Slippers Orchid (Paphiopedilum Spp.)

Lady slippers are another orchid that thrives in a humid environment. Their slipper-shaped labellum and long, pointed lateral petals are what make them so popular. These short bloomers have very small plants with very long, waxy, long, and green leaves. There are only a few. The flower is then on a short stem and looks like it’s looking at you with its long nose for several weeks. Lady slipper orchids come in many colors and often include at least two contrasting ones.

Air humidity: between 50-60% during the day, and 40-50% at night.
Light exposure: Indirect and filtered light, medium brightness Avoid direct sunlight.
Blooming season: Winter

Size: About 1 foot high and spread 30 cm.
Soil requirements: For epiphytes and Lithophytes, orchid bark is the best growing medium. Mounting lithophytes on rocks (shells, etc.) is possible. For terrestrial orchids, mix an orchid potting mixture, perlite, bark, and conifer bark chips.

Dragon Plant (Dracaena Spp.)

This is an exotic looking plant has fleshy, waxy, glossy pointed leaves with stripes. There are 120 species of this plant, some larger than others. Some are monochrome while others have stripes in different shades of green or green and cream. Whatever your style and space, you will find the right one for you.

Air humidity: while it will survive even drier places, it likes air humidity very high, between 60 and 80%.
Light exposure: it does not need too much light; semi-shade or behind a curtain where life is filtered.
Blooming season: N/A.

Size: some species are small (even about 1 or 2 feet in height and spread, or 30 to 60 cm); others can reach 8 feet tall (2.4 meters).
Soil requirements: regular but chunky and well-drained potting mix, with some lava rocks or other drainage material in it. The ideal pH is between 6.0 and 6.5.
Air humidity: Survives even drier places, it likes air humidity very high, between 60 and 80%.

Light exposure: Semi shade or behind a curtain where life is filtered.
Blooming season: None
Size: Some species are small (even about 1 or 2 feet in height and spread, or 30 to 60 cm); others can reach 8 feet tall (2.4 meters).

Soil requirements: Regular but chunky and well-drained potting mix, with some lava rocks or other drainage material in it. The ideal pH is between 6.0 and 6.5.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis Exaltata)

This tiny little beauty can fit into small spaces. It also prefers that they be warm and humid. This makes it an ideal choice to grow on top of bathroom cabinets. The fronds are lush and glossy, with a light green color. They form beautiful tufts of greenery. These fronds are segmented which gives the plant’s texture a richness. As they grow, the fronds tend to arch and become part-trailing. It is also great for hanging baskets or top shelves.

Air humidity: more than 80%

Light exposure: indirect light but needs lots of sunlight. This plant is best if it has direct sunlight.
Blooming season: None
Size: 3 feet in height and spread (90cm), but most specimens are smaller (1ft or 30cm).

Soil requirements: Regular light, moist but not too dry potting mix. A peat-based potting mixture is acceptable. It prefers acidic potting mix, but it is best to keep it between 5.0-5.5.

Eternity Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)

It is a beautiful, sweet plant with a pleasant appearance. Its glossy, rounded leaves (actually segments) grow on the sides and ends of the stalks like steps. Beautiful tufts of stalks grow from the ground. The spathe around the plant (the modified leaf that looks similar to a petal) is green and shiny. If you want your bathroom’s appearance to be different from your neighbor’s, this is the plant for you.

Air humidity: above 40% humidity.

Light exposure: half-shade, behind curtains, and with indirect light from middle to low.
Blooming season: Midsummer and early fall
Size: 5 feet (1.5m) in the wild, but they are usually shorter indoors at 2 to 3 feet (60 cm to 60 cm).

Soil requirements: Mix 50% potting mix with 50% perlite for drainage. The pH range between 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria Spp.)

The snake plant likes humidity, unlike other succulents, and requires very little light. If you wish, you can place the famous “tongue-shaped” leaves next to your tub or beside your sink. Many of its varieties have beautiful colors, with light and dark greens, sometimes in stripes or in patches.

Air humidity: minimum of 40% humidity. As the temperature rises, it will also require more humidity.

Light exposure: Moderate to bright indirect light. If you move them during the summer, they can tolerate full Sun exposure on balconies or outdoors
Blooming season: It blooms in spring but not often indoors.
Size: The smaller species can be 8 inches high (20 cm), while the larger ones can reach 12 feet (3.6 meters).

Soil requirements: Light cactus soil with lots of sand. Avoid potting soil that is too rich. The pH should range from 4.5 to 8.5.

Staghorn Fern (Platycerium Spp.)

Staghorn Fern has very glossy and waved fronds, often of the brightest light emerald green, that look very sculptural and very elegant indeed. They look exotic too, as many of the plants on our list.

Air humidity: Humidity above 70%!

Light exposure: They don’t like strong light, a medium to the low light position is fine and never direct.
Blooming season: None
Size: The largest varieties can reach 3 feet in height and spread (90 cm); many are smaller though.

Soil requirements: They are epiphytes, so, no potting mix but growing medium. Something like sphagnum moss or a sustainable substitute. The pH should be slightly acidic.

Golden Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum)

Golden pothos is a beautiful vibe that has heart-shaped leaves of yellow, and bright green, and can trail down your bathroom cabinets or shower. It likes low light and high humidity. This plant is extremely low-maintenance if you’re familiar with it. Therefore, it will take care of itself, even if it is forgotten about for a week or two.

Air humidity: tolerate low humidity but thrives in high humidity levels, at least 50%.

Light exposure: Bright to moderate indirect light
Blooming season: None
Size: 10 feet (3 meters) in length, but it is very easy to trim.

Soil requirements: Any good quality potter mix with good drainage will work. Although pH should be slightly acidic (6.1 to 6.5), neutral is acceptable.

Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium Nidus)

It has very elegant leaves, and they are light green. They have a clear center rib, but the edges are waved and the fronds form a beautiful roset. They like to be in the water, so they are great as shower plants. Bird nest ferns require little maintenance and are slow to grow. They are great for small spaces.

Air humidity: Needs to be at least 40%.

Light exposure: Very little light, indirect sunlight indoors or in full shade is fine.
Blooming season: None
Size: 10 feet (3 meters) in the wild. It will be much smaller in a pot.

Soil requirements: Half peat, half perlite or a sustainable substitute for peat are the soil requirements. It prefers pH around 5.0, but it can tolerate very low pH.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum Spp.)

They have long, pointed, and richly colored leaves that are great for a bathroom. But the true star of this tropical houseplant is its bloom with its long, pointed, and white spathe. These are regular bloomers and the shiny, snowy white modified leaf is perfect for bathrooms. They will also purify the air as they go!

Air humidity: humidity to exceed 50%.

Light exposure: It likes indirect, but bright light. But it can adapt to low light
Blooming season: Spring
Size: 50 inches (1.2 m), but most plants can grow up to 40 inches (1 meter).

Soil requirements: Peat-based (or substitute for) potting mix that has perlite or sand to drain. The pH ranges from 5.8 to 6.5.

Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia Spp.)

The dumb cane prefers constant high humidity and its leaves can dry out at the edges in rooms that are drier. However, this won’t happen inside your bathroom. This is where you can enjoy the long, waxy, elliptical leaves this tropical plant has to offer at their best. They will stay glossy and retain their color thanks to the humidity. These broad, fleshy leaves can have stunning patterns of dark and lighter green which makes them more sculptural.

Air humidity: humidity above 40%.

Light exposure: Bright but indirect light.
Blooming season: None
Size: Up to 3 feet high and spread (90cm).

Soil requirements: 1/3 peat, 1/3 garden soil, 1/3 perlite, 1/3 sand, 1/3 humus and 1/3 sand. Add a pinch of lime. The ideal pH ranges from 6.1 to 6.5.

Prayer Plants (Calathea Spp.)

Calathea can be grown in low-light and high humidity conditions. The species of this family don’t like too much sun, which can cause damage to their glossy, colorful leaves. These plants are native to the tropical Americas and prefer shade. It has leaves that resemble the tail of a rattlesnake. Although they are tolerant of dark environments, prayer-plants can thrive in light conditions.

Air humidity: Between 50-60%

Light exposure: Prefer dark places and lots of shade but tolerates indirect and filtered light.
Blooming season: None
Size: Depending on the species, approximately 3 feet high and 90 cm spread.

Soil requirements: 50% potting dirt, 20% orchid bark and 20% charcoal. The pH should be between 6.5 and 6.5.

Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Spp.)

The maidenhair fern, a small, beautiful, and sturdy fern, can grow in dimly lit bathrooms. This fern will only grow in shaded areas than in brighter places.

Air humidity: humidity above 50%. Below this, it will suffer.

Light exposure: Can grow in complete darkness but can also thrive when it’s exposed to indirect light
Blooming season: None
Size: Maximum height 6 inches and maximum spread 15 cm

Soil requirements: A potting mix that is both fertile and well-drained, but generic in nature. pH should be between 7.0 to 8.0.

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra Spp.)

Cast iron plants have very dark, sharp leaves that feel “hard and tough” when touched. They can also grow well in dark areas of your bathrooms. These beautiful houseplant leaves are extremely sculptural and can add a touch to the bathroom’s dark and exotic elegance. This houseplant is very adaptable to low humidity levels and can be kept in a warm, dry environment.

Air humidity: It is indifferent to high or low air humidity.

Light exposure: It is best for dark places
Blooming season: None
Size: Up to 4 feet high (1.2 meters) with a spread of 5 feet (1.5 meters).

Soil requirements: Normal garden soil, 1/3 peat or Humus; pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5.

Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera Deliciosa)

The Swiss cheese plant is a unique and beautiful choice for dark bathrooms. Its leaves are unique because they have large holes, which is quite unusual. This plant is beautiful and exotic. It has deep green waxy leaves. It can grow in both full sun and humid areas.

Air humidity: humidity at 75%.

Light exposure: Partially shaded or full shade
Blooming season: None
Size: 10 feet (3 meters) in the wild; indoors, you can trim them down easily.

Soil requirements: Peat (or a substitute like coco fiber), mixed with well-drained compost, approximately 50:50. The ideal pH ranges from 5.5 to 6.0.