The Absolute Best Plants for the Bathroom

A bright modern bathroom filled with beautiful living plants

Published on October 14, 2025

Looking for the perfect houseplant for your bathroom? The bathroom is one of the most overlooked spaces when it comes to home decor, yet it offers the perfect environment for many tropical plants to thrive. Warm, humid, and often filled with indirect light, your bathroom can become a lush, spa-like oasis with the right greenery.

Adding plants to your bathroom doesn’t just elevate the space aesthetically; it can also enhance your mood, improve air quality, and even help regulate humidity. Studies show that indoor plants can boost feelings of calm and relaxation, making them the ideal complement to a hot bath or morning shower routine.

When selecting plants for your bathroom, focus on species that love humidity and can tolerate lower light conditions. Read on for our plant stylists’ top picks for the best plants for your bathroom!


1. Bird of Paradise

Bright, minimalist bathroom with a Bird of  Paradise in the window

Botanical name: Strelitzia nicolai
Care: Prefers bright, indirect light. Keep soil lightly moist during growing season and allow the top layer to dry before watering again.

If your bathroom gets plenty of natural light, the Bird of Paradise is a stunning choice. With its large, tropical leaves and dramatic height, it instantly transforms any bathroom into a resort-worthy retreat. Bonus: the humidity from showers helps keep its lush leaves vibrant and glossy.


2. Calathea Medallion

A Calathea Medallion shwoing off its colorful foliage

Botanical name: Calathea veitchiana ‘Medallion’
Care: Thrives in medium to low light. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Loves high humidity.

Known for its striking, painterly leaves with deep green tops and purple undersides, the Calathea Medallion adds a pop of color and elegance to bathrooms with lower light. It’s happiest in humid conditions, making your bathroom its natural habitat.


3. Parlor Palm

A small Parlor Palm adorning a bathroom sink.

Botanical name: Chamaedorea elegans
Care: Prefers low to medium indirect light. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

A classic favorite for good reason, the Parlor Palm is a low-maintenance tropical that thrives in humidity. Its feathery fronds bring a timeless, serene feel to any bathroom, and it’s also one of the best air-purifying plants around.


4. Kentia Palm

Sunlight hitting. thebright foliage of a beautiful Kentia plam.

Botanical name: Howea forsteriana
Care: Tolerates low light. Water every 1–2 weeks, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings.

Elegant and eye-catching, the Kentia Palm adds an instant touch of sophistication. It tolerates lower light and fluctuating humidity, making it a resilient choice for bathrooms of all kinds, from spacious master ensuites to smaller powder rooms.


5. Maidenhair Fern

The delicate foliage of a Miadenhair Fern

Botanical name: Botanical name: Adiantum raddianum
Care: Loves bright, indirect light and consistent moisture. Never allow soil to dry out completely.

Delicate and graceful, the Maidenhair Fern is one of the most beautiful plants you can grow indoors — and one of the happiest in a bathroom setting. The constant humidity keeps its fine, lacy fronds looking fresh and lush.


6. Boston Fern

A lush Boston Fern on a desktop

Botanical name: Nephrolepis exaltata
Care: Prefers bright, indirect light but can adapt to medium light. Keep soil evenly moist and mist frequently.

A true humidity lover, the Boston Fern is practically made for bathrooms. Its full, arching fronds create a soft, natural look that complements both classic and modern spaces. Try hanging it from a ceiling hook or placing it on a shelf to let its foliage cascade.


7. Cast Iron Plant

Colorful bathroom space with a Cast Iron plant

Botanical name: Aspidistra elatior
Care: Extremely low-maintenance. Tolerates low light and infrequent watering.

For bathrooms with little to no natural light, the Cast Iron Plant is your go-to. True to its name, it’s nearly indestructible and thrives even in the most challenging indoor conditions. Its deep green leaves add rich color and texture with minimal effort.


8. Braided Money Tree

Marble bathroom countertop with Money Tree

Botanical name: Pachira aquatica
Care: Prefers bright, indirect light. Water thoroughly when top inch of soil is dry.

Symbolizing good fortune and prosperity, the Braided Money Tree is a beautiful addition to your bathroom décor. The extra humidity helps prevent its leaves from browning, and its sculptural trunk brings a touch of artistry to the space.


Turn Your Bathroom Into a Lush Escape

Your bathroom is more than just a functional space: it can be a place to unwind, recharge, and reconnect. By introducing humidity-loving plants, you can turn it into a tranquil retreat that nourishes your body and mind. Whether you prefer the bold, tropical feel of a Bird of Paradise or the graceful charm of a Maidenhair Fern, there’s a perfect bathroom plant for every style and light condition.


This article was written by the expert plant stylists at Léon & George, a team dedicated to curating greenery that enhances everyday spaces. With years of experience in pairing premium plants with timeless planters, our stylists specialize in creating living pieces that bring beauty, meaning, and joy to any environment.