Bringing the outdoors indoors with house plants is a “growing” trend! In this article, we’ll be getting all green-fingered, with some blooming marvellous bathroom plant ideas.
If the latest sales figures are anything to go by, as a nation we’re now spending more on houseplants than ever. With more and more of us heading to the city and living in flats without garden space, it’s our homes which need a bit of greenery to cheer us up.
Another good reason why houseplants, especially in the bathroom, are so popular, is that the benefits of plants are well-known, helping to filter and purify the air around us. Plants promote a more relaxing and calming environment, keeping us at one with nature and making us feel more organic.
In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the urban jungle and looking at which plants are best for bathrooms and why, plus we’ll be discovering some creative ways in which you can add plantlife to your bathroom space.
Which plants are best for bathrooms?
The great thing about bathrooms is that the often damp and humid atmosphere can work in your favour when picking plants. There is a wide and often bewildering array of plants you could choose from, so, to help you grow your ambitions, here is our own, personal selection.
Aloe Vera
A plant you’ve probably heard of due to its medicinal properties (it can be used to help heal cuts and soothe dry skin), Aloe Vera doesn’t need much in the way of water—the humidity in your bathroom may simply be enough. This plant likes sunlight, so keep near a window.
Bamboo
One of the most sustainable natural resources on the planet and a material from which we make many of our bathroom accessories, bamboo is a great choice of plant for bathrooms. It doesn’t need much light or water, nor does it require soil, thriving on water and pebbles alone. It grows very quickly, so it will need to be pruned on a regular basis and it can be easily reshaped if you wish.
Boston Fern
A very popular plant, which you’ll find in most garden centres or large supermarkets. It’s great for hanging as it has frilly leaves that can grow quite long and drape. Keep the soil moist, but don’t over water. It needs a good amount of sunlight, making it ideal for hanging on a window frame. Why not find out how to create your own macramé hanging planter?
Cast Iron Plant
Known for its low maintenance, the Cast Iron Plant can survive in low light and with infrequent watering—it’s also great in extreme heat! Allow this plant to dry out before watering.
Chinese Evergreen
Growing in popularity, due to its attractive streaked leaves, this house plant does prefer warmer temperatures but is suitable for general bathroom conditions. A real all-rounder, the Chinese Evergreen can tolerate other environments if necessary.
Ivy
Everyone knows and recognises classic English Ivy, usually spotted trailing down the side of a picturesque country cottage. One of the top air purifying plants, it is great for use indoors as well as out. Ideal for hanging or sitting on a ledge, the leaves will grow and trail down. This plant does need moderate sunlight and enjoys high humidity levels. If it’s not getting enough sunlight in your bathroom, move it around the house on sunny days, to give it that much-needed light boost.
Orchid
This flowering plant is very well known and can help give the feel of a home spa. It needs indirect sunlight, so as not to burn the leaves.
Bathroom plant ideas
From the grandest design to the smallest cloakroom, every bathroom has the potential for plant life. So, to help you get all green-fingered, we’ve come up with the following bathroom plant ideas.
Make it hot, hot, hot with a tropical spot
Tropically-themed interiors have certainly thrived in recent times. In fact, they’ve been so popular, we’ve dedicated not one, but 2 articles to this style over the past 12 months.
In our first article, we introduced the trend and showed you how to “get the Tropical look”, even in a small space.
Our latest article is an update on the look, containing 8 tropical bathroom ideas for the urban jungle. With a slightly more industrial feel to it, the look is fresh and contemporary.
If you’re toying with the idea of a full tropical bathroom makeover, these blog posts are the best places to begin.
Use ladder shelving for trailing plants
With ladder shelving, you really can let your creativity run wild when choosing plants for your bathroom (see above). Discover how to organise your bathroom ladder shelving to make the most of your greenery.
Make your walls come alive
A simple yet striking way to add lush greenery to your bathroom or any other room in your home, why not create your own living wall? It’s easy to do, as you’ll see in this short, step-by-step video.
Be creative with a plant hanger
If there really isn’t room on your shelves for another pot plant, there is a fun and inventive way to create more space. With just some string and a few accessories, you can create your own macramé plant hanger, allowing you to enjoy greenery anywhere you like.
Where there isn't enough surface space, why not hang plants from your ceiling?
Your own garden in a bowl
Usually containing a select number of decorative plants within an enclosed and transparent container, a terrarium is a quick, easy and low maintenance way to introduce greenery to your bathroom. Discover how to make a terrarium for your bathroom today.
Even the smallest cloakroom can be brought to life with the right plants
More green bathroom ideas
If you’re looking for more green-fingered inspiration, why not read our some of our latest style guides, where we show you how to create your very own Organic Oasis or lose yourself in a Tropical bathroom. For further inspiration, check out our bathroom ideas blog.
