Plants for the bathroom

Lighting conditions in bathrooms often vary greatly. Depending on the amount of light and whether it falls directly or indirectly into the room, different plants are recommended for the bathroom. Incidentally, light is essential. Even if certain plants are suitable for dark bathrooms, without any natural light – or special lamps – there is no possibility of photosynthesis, which is vital for plants to survive. Artificial alternatives are therefore recommended as plants for bathrooms without windows.

It goes without saying that plants in the bathroom should be able to cope with humidity. In contrast to the average humidity of 40-60% in most rooms, this can often reach 80% in bathrooms. This means that desert plants such as cacti are generally less suitable. Even tropical plants need regular fresh air to reduce humidity after showering, for example, and prevent mold from forming in the soil.

However, caution is advised when ventilating. Tropical bathroom plants in particular do not tolerate cold drafts very well. Plants in the bathroom should therefore be placed in such a way that they are exposed to as little draft as possible. Larger plants should be placed on rollable stands. Small plants can simply be moved quickly.

Of course, plants in the bathroom also need to be watered. High humidity alone is not enough, especially since not all plants are able to utilize it equally effectively. However, it does have a noticeable effect. Accordingly, plants in the bathroom often need to be watered a little less than you may be used to in other rooms. Regularly checking with your finger and/or using a watering indicator can help you find the right balance.

Tip: Only a few plants like waterlogged soil. To avoid this, it is advisable to use smaller amounts of water and water more frequently.

As mentioned, high humidity promotes mold growth in potting soil. Therefore, loose, well-drained soil or even substrate for plants should be used in bathrooms whenever possible. This makes it much more difficult for mold to grow.

Artificial plants for the bathroom are the most obvious and least time-consuming solution. They don't require any extra work, and you don't have to worry about watering or humidity.

Like artificial plants, dried plants require neither soil, water, nor light. However, these are real plants that have been preserved through gentle drying. Although this gives them a different aesthetic appeal, they offer excellent combination possibilities, especially in more minimalist bathrooms.

Flowers for the bathroom are also an option, of course. Cut flowers have a limited lifespan anyway, so the lack of light is not a decisive factor for them. However, they need to be replaced regularly and are therefore not a particularly sustainable alternative to other plants in the bathroom.

Moss pictures can give your bathroom an authentic, natural look. One of the advantages is that moss does not need light or watering. What's more, moss pictures can simply be hung on the wall, saving space. This makes them the perfect solution for adding plants and a fresh, green touch to even a small, windowless bathroom.

You can also try out small experiments with plants in a bathroom without windows. Some plants, such as succulents, can be left without light for a few days—afterwards, they can be swapped for plants in rooms with light. However, the plants should not be moved directly from the dark bathroom into bright sunlight. A shady spot is best at first. Some plants can potentially even survive without any direct light at all, for example if enough light enters a windowless bathroom through an open door. With both approaches, you should check regularly to see if the plant is doing well. Even if individual specimens can cope with this, it is never true for all of them. If in doubt, plants should always be rescued from the dark if they are not thriving.