You might think that the bathroom is an odd place to keep plants, but you’d be surprised how well these hardy green gems can grow in the shaded, humid conditions.

Not only does adding a little greenery help to transform and uplift the look of your bathroom, creating your own personal oasis, but the steamy atmosphere created by the shower mimics their tropical environment, helping them to thrive and bloom.

Above, @victorian_reno_project featuring Mayfair Graphite Grey Freestanding Roll Top Slipper Bath

We’ve put together a few of our favourite plants from the Best Bathroom Plants section on Patch Plants to help you choose the best ones for your home.

Aloe Vera

One of the best-known houseplants, Aloe Vera’s leaves are well known for soothing burns, and they hold a lot of water, so the plant doesn’t need watering frequently. It doesn’t cope well with cold and enjoys a spot with lots of bright light, though not too much direct sun.

“All the water in those big leaves mean he’s a pretty heavy plant, so he’ll need a sturdy pot to avoid tipping over”
– Patchplants.com

Devil’s Ivy

Devil’s Ivy is a tropical vine plant that has adapted to become a hardy houseplant that thrives in moist and low light environments. Check the plant weekly and water it if the top two inches of soil are dry.

“If you notice any stems are looking a bit sad, she’s really easy to prune. Just use clean scissors to cut her back and you’ll encourage healthy new growth”
– Patchplants.com

Corn Plant

In ancient times, in Africa, corn plants were a symbol of reason and good fortune. Happy in anything from light shade to bright, soft light, it is low maintenance on watering and it likes to be kept out of harsh, direct sunlight.

“If he’s growing well and you want him to keep getting bigger, consider repotting him every couple of years”
– Patchplants.com

Swiss Cheese Plant

A classic choice with lots of personality, the swiss cheese plant is easy to look after and makes a style statement wherever you put it. It will be okay in a semi-shaded spot, but he’ll grow much better somewhere that gets lots of light but not direct sun.

“Those majestic leaves can get dusty. Dust makes it harder for him to absorb light, so give his leaves a gentle wipe if they look grubby”
– Patchplants.com

Anthurium

Typically found underneath rainforest trees in the wild, the Anthurium likes a good amount of light to thrive, loving a bright room, but preferring to be kept out of direct sunlight.

“To encourage flowering, dilute a liquid fertiliser to half-strength and feed her once in spring and again in summer”
– Patchplants.com

Calathea Makoyana

Also known as the peacock plant, the Calathea Makoyana likes humid conditions and lots of light. It’s best kept in a bright spot away from direct sun, but it will manage in light shade.

“If any of his leaves turn dry or yellow, just snip them off at the base. He’ll soon grow new ones”
– Patchplants.com

Curly Spider Plant

Most commonly found in the tropical parts of Africa and Australia, the curly spider plant is a popular houseplant as it is easy to take care of. It’s okay with most light conditions, except direct light, and it likes to be fed once a month in spring and summer.

“A healthy plant will develop little plantlets on long stems. You can pinch these off and put them in compost to easily create new plants”
– Patchplants.com

Alocasia Portodora

The giant leaves of alocasia portodora point magnificently towards the sky, and they love lots of light, so make sure to place it in a sunny spot. To keep it healthy, keep its soil consistently moist (but not soggy).

“If you notice her ‘sweating’, it might be that you’re over-watering. She sometimes gets rid of excess from her leaves”
– Patchplants.com

Schefflera on Lava

The Schefflera on Lava enjoys a moist atmosphere, so it loves being in the bathroom. Keep the tray topped up with water and it’ll absorb what she needs from the lava, and if any roots touch the tray, gently trim them.

“She prefers filtered water, please (you can use tap water that’s been boiled, then cooled). Hard tap water can cause marks on the lava”
– Patchplants.com

Calathea Whitestar

The calathea whitestar’s leaves have white and green stripes and a hint of pink, making it a standout in any room. It loves a bright spot away from direct sunlight, which can burn its leaves.

“If their leaves get dusty, give them a wipe with a soft cloth. Clean leaves absorb more light, making your plant healthier”
– Patchplants.com

Doryopteris Cordata

Commonly known as an Antenna Fern, the Doryopteris Cordata is a small tropical, tender fern that loves moist environments. We love the tall fronds that reach up from the plant! Try to keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy, and water it whenever the top two inches of soil feel dry.

“She loves a humid environment so pop her in the bathroom, or you could even try creating a terrarium”
– Patchplants.com

Hemionitis Arifolia

Typically known as a heart fern, the hemionitis arifolia will be fine in medium light but prefers a shady spot. Water it when the top two inches of soil feel dry and don’t let it dry out completely.

“She’ll do best if she’s regularly misted to create a humid environment”
– Patchplants.com

Dracaena Marginata

While it might grow as high as six metres in the wild, indoor dracaena marginata’s are more about character than size. A humid bathroom is the best place for it, and it likes the top two inches of her soil to dry out between waterings, so check it every week or so.

“You can give her a growth boost with a dose of fertiliser (diluted to half strength) once every month in spring/summer”
– Patchplants.com