Best Houseplants for Brightening Up Your Low Light Bathroom
If you’re seeking to add some green accents to your bathroom but struggle with lack of natural light, you’ve come to the right place. Many people overlook bathrooms as a spot for plants since they assume low light levels preclude greenery. However, with the right plant picks, even the dimmest bath can be brightened up botanically.
Understanding Your Light Conditions
Before selecting plants, assess your bathroom’s light. Is there a window, and if so, how large and what direction does it face? North-facing windows admit the least light. Light levels also vary depending on how much time is spent in the bathroom daily. Bathrooms used occasionally may suffice for low-light tolerant plants versus primary bathrooms needing ultra-low light varieties.
From my experience helping clients plant low-light spaces, starting with accurate light evaluation is key. Low indirect light spanning a couple hours daily can support more options than bathrooms solely lit with artificial light. Analyzing the space helps match expectations with the right low-maintenance choices.
Top Low-Light Bathroom Plant Picks
- Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) – A true champion of low-light tolerance. Its upright spears can thrive on weekly watering and zero direct sunlight. Their air-purifying abilities make them perfect for small bathrooms.
- Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) – With heart-shaped leaves in variegated or solid shades of green, pothos spreads across surfaces beautifully. It thrives on yearly haircuts and neglect.
- Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum) – Available in red, white, or green leaf colors, Chinese evergreen handles very low light well. Keep soil moist in warmer months.
- Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) – Its white blooms add brightness. Peace lilies wilt when thirsty, making underwatering hard. Perfect for bathrooms used daily.
- ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) – With its low-maintenance reputation, the ZZ plant barely needs water and tolerates very low light. Its waxy green leaves persist wonderfully.
From my experience planting in many types of conditions, these five varieties almost always thrive with minimum care. While brighter spots may coax more blooms or quicker growth, they remain bushy and beautiful even in the lowest light bathrooms.
Additional Options for marginal Light
For bathrooms receiving only an hour or less of daily indirect light, these choices suit ultra-shade tolerant needs:
- Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) – Ideal for very low light, it purifies air through its thick grass-like foliage and produces small white flowers.
- Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) – An antique favorite, its arched green leaves persist tirelessly in very low light and damp soils.
- Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) – Its circular coin-shaped leaves bring charm to low-light areas. It tolerates humidity and infrequent watering well.
While growth may slacken without supplemental light, these plants can look lush for months. Their robust constitutions shine in the most neglected of spaces.
Low-Maintenance Care Tips
To keep bathroom plants content in low light, moisture is key. The humid atmosphere retains moisture, so allow top soil layers to dry between waterings. For minimal fuss, consider pebble trays that boost humidity without soggy soil issues. Further care essentially entails an annual haircut or repot. Fertilize during active growing periods if growth seems sluggish. Overall, low-light plants are practically foolproof as long as their needs are met.
But is low-light tanking truly worth it? For me, the payoff comes from adding life to an otherwise sterile room. Greenery lifts spirits and enhances well-being, even without blazing sun. Whether used daily or occasionally, a bathroom benefits from a spritz of nature’s relaxing vibes. Best of all, the selected varieties thrive on neglect, so one can feel good about gifting an easy-care plant a home.
In my bathroom, a row of snake plants lines the windowsill, flanked by a pothos trailing across. It’s basically the maximal plant scenario within the low light levels. If the odd leaf yellows, I know it’s time to water more consistently kind of like a friendly plant reminder! Over the years, my collection has expanded little by little as cuttings were propped. Now friends ask where to find “those awesome low-light plants” whenever they spy my jungle-like lavatory!
So in short, don’t cancel your plant plans just because it’s a low-light space. With a bit of research and the right varieties, any bathroom can become a botanical oasis that soothes the eyes as well as the soul. The minimal care required allows one to truly relax and reap the rewards of indoor greenery everywhere, even in the most dimly lit abodes.
Top Houseplants for Low Light Bathrooms
| Houseplant | Light Needs | Water Needs | Care Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | Low | Allow soil to dry out between waterings | Trails well; tolerant of lack of humidity |
| Snake Plant | Very low | Let soil dry out completely | Thrives with neglect; toxoc to pets |
| Chinese Evergreen | Low to medium | Water when top inch of soil is dry | Varieties tolerate low light; keep humid |
| Peace Lily | Low to medium | Water when soil is dry; alert for wilting | Very toxoc if eaten; grows well in low light areas |
| Spider Plant | Low | Let soil dry between waterings | Tolerates neglect; propagates new plants |
FAQ
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What kinds of plants can grow in a low light bathroom?
Plants that basically don’t need a ton of sunlight are perfect for bathrooms. Pothos, snake plant, zz plant, and plecosploides are some of the easiest plants to look after in low light conditions. They sort of just chill out even if they don’t get much natural light.
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How often should I water bathroom plants?
It depends on the specific plant but as a general rule, plants in low light bathrooms only need water around once every 1-2 weeks. The soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. But you can kind of check the soil with your finger to see if it’s still moist before watering. Overwatering is easy to do in bathrooms so less is more with watering.
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What kind of lighting do bathroom plants need?
Bathroom windows often have low, diffused lighting so plants need to be pretty tough to survive in there. Anything above a window is best but even indirect light from a sconce light or under-cabinet lighting works okay. A grow light on a timer could boost plants if the bathroom gets no natural light. The key is just providing enough light so they don’t get leggy.
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Do bathroom plants need fertilizer?
With the low light levels, bathroom plants probably won’t need fertilizer very often, if at all. You can go without it and the plants should do fine. But if you do use it, only fertilize during the spring and summer. And stick to a diluted, liquid houseplant formula rather than something packed with nitrogen like Miracle-Gro which could potentially burn roots. Fertilizer is more like an optional extra for bathroom plants.
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Can mold grow on bathroom plants?
Mold is definitely possible, especially on plants located near shower areas that get hit with warm, humid air on a regular basis. To avoid mold, make sure bathroom plant pots have drainage holes and are elevated above any tub or shower surfaces that may wick up water over time. It also helps to use a well-draining potting mix. You may need to occasionally wipe down leaves of plants like pothos that trail near humid zones. But with some precautions, mold shouldn’t necessarily be a problem.
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Is it okay to display bathroom plants in the shower?
Plants in the shower area need to be super tough since it’s like a mini rainforest in there! Snake plants, pothos and peace lilies can potentially survive the high humidity. You’d have to make double sure the pot has holes and good drainage. Frankly, it seems kind of risky but maybe the plants would think it’s kind of awesome, I don’t know. Personally I’d display shower plants as more of a stunning design experiment rather than expecting them to live a long, healthy life.
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Do bathroom plants help improve air quality?
Some studies show that certain plants can help absorb chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene from the air indoors. While their effect in a bathroom may be small, it’s seen as a bonus. Low maintenance options like pothos and snake plants rank among “NASA clean air plants” so they could lend a helping hand in freshening the air. At the very least, displaying plants makes a bathroom feel more welcoming! Their presence isn’t a bad thing even if the air cleaning impact might be slight.
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What’s the best way to display bathroom plants?
Think about light levels first. Near a window is best but you could also use a plant stand or shelf. Make sure bathroom plants are up high enough to avoid splash zones around tubs and sinks. Consider using a tray under pots without drainage to catch water. Looks-wise, try mixing tall and short plants for visual interest. Try staging them alone or in a cluster. Ask family which design they prefer – a single statement plant or a more filled-out arrangement? Variety is nice!