The Worst Plants For Your Bathroom

These are the plants you should NEVER place in your bathroom

A humid and moist environment means that bathrooms can be the ideal place for a plant as conditions resemble those of a rainforest, but many are making the mistake of choosing plants that can’t survive in this setting.

With more time spent in our homes, house plants are becoming increasingly popular with a 79% increase in interest compared to the same time last year, according to Google trends.

Because of this, we looked at the plants that you should never place in a bathroom, and found that those needing sunlight to survive and regular attention are no-goes.

Bathroom view with a lot of plants

Working with specialists at online marketplace HeyPlants for independent plant sellers, we have named 10 of the worst plants you can have in your bathroom.

Plant expert at Bloom and Wild, Kiera Kay recommends, “when choosing plants for your bathroom, look for the type that like to tolerate shade or low/medium light, higher humidity and warm temperatures. Take care to keep the soil on the slightly drier side to counter the humid environment and avoid over-watering.”

“Stay away from succulents, fruiting plants, Jade and Hibiscus as plants like these don’t thrive in the typically warmer and less sunlit bathroom environment.”

“Fluctuations in temperature and humidity means the bathroom can be a no-go zone for certain plants. The question to ask yourself is, ‘what region is this plant originally from?’.”

“If it’s not native to a tropical region it may not survive well in humid conditions. If you’re thinking about plants for the bathroom – cacti and succulents should be toward the bottom of your list.”

Strelitzia Nicolai

white bird of paradise plant

Otherwise known as the white bird of paradise, this tall tree-like plant can grow up to six feet indoors making it an ideal plant to liven up empty spaces, best placed in large living areas such as entrance halls and sitting rooms. It has expansive leaves that take up much needed space in a bathroom so it is not worthwhile here.

Jade Plant

Jade Plant

The Jade plant is an extremely popular housewarming gift in Asia as it brings positive financial energy into the home. This plant thrives and brings good energy when located at the front of a house but avoid placing in the bathroom as this is too closed off for it to survive.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus

Hibiscus need a lot of sunshine to do well. During the winter, it needs to be placed in the sunniest place you have, which is unlikely to be the bathroom as it will always need bright light to bloom well all year round. The only time it should come near your bathroom is when washing it. Pop the hibiscus in a sink or bathtub and rinse it with warm water.

Ponytail Palm

Ponytail Palm

Ponytail palms prefer full sun or bright indirect light. They can tolerate lower light, growing slower but should not be kept in a bathroom as they are native to the desert which means they don’t need much humidity. Also avoid placing them near an open window or breezy area of the house as it may dry out their foliage.

Gardenia

Gardenia plant

Gardenia’s are hard to maintain but look fabulous. They grow best from morning sun and then an afternoon in the shade so unless you have a sun-lit window, they are best left out of a bathroom.

Euphorbia Candelabrum

Euphorbia Candelabrum

The Euphorbia Candelabrum needs moderate amounts of water in summer but needs to be kept dry during winter.

When grown in conditions that are too humid, cactus corky scab is a common problem due to being over watered.

This will leave yellow and brown spots on the plant and therefore is not best places in a bathroom.

Monkey Mask Monstera

Monkey Mask Monstera

This plant does like humidity which would make you think it is perfect for the bathroom. However, the soil should be allowed to dry out following being watered, especially during the winter which means it might only need watering every few weeks, something a bathroom won’t allow as it would keep the soil moist.

Arboreum Zwartkop

Arboreum Zwartkop

Arboreum’s don’t require much attention which makes them popular. Finding the brightest window in the house is the best place for them. As with most succulents, it is best to under water them rather than over water, so the bathroom isn’t somewhere they should be kept. Low light and constantly wet soil will be harmful to this plant, sending it to an early grave.

Howea Forsteriana

Howea Forsteriana

A tropical looking plant that requires little maintenance, the Howea Forsteriana is often labelled as being able to survive anywhere. Despite requiring little light and thriving in chilly rooms, during winter this plant needs watering less and doesn’t enjoy humid conditions as much as other plants. Therefore, it is best kept out of the bathroom.

Haworthia Truncata

Haworthia Truncata

The Haworthia Truncate is a popular house plant that looks different to any other Haworthia plant. The leaves look like large green teeth and have translucent ends that let sunlight in.

A bathroom won’t provide the ideal conditions needed for this to prosper as they only need to be watered when their soil is completely dried out and when their leaves start to curl which happens around every three weeks or even longer during winter.

Never Place These Plants In A Bathroom

Placing plants in your bathroom can provide multiple benefits, both for the air quality and interior style of the room.

It is vital to work out the conditions you have in the bathroom though and how well you will be able to look after a plant before deciding what to place here – get it wrong and you risk creating a plant graveyard!

Humidity and low light can be very damaging so double check your plant’s preferences before choosing its spot.

Let us know which plants you have found to be big bathroom losers, in the comments below!

And happy bathroom gardening!

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