The Best Plants for Your Bathroom

Lush green foliage is an excellent way to soften the hard, straight lines that so often proliferate in a bathroom – think tiles, vanities, mirrors, windows, shower recesses etc

Just a single plant, from a fern to a succulent, will introduce a pleasing, relaxing ambience to the bathing space – but there are other benefits to including living greenery in the bathroom. Clean air and health!

Indoor air can be more polluted than the air outside, as bathrooms, by their very nature, contain many chemicals – from those emitted by surface materials to shampoos, soaps and chemical cleaners.

Plants are the perfect ‘green’ way of improving the quality of the air – they require little effort and negate the need for an expensive air purifier.

Experts at NASA have spent time identifying the best indoor plants for removing toxins – but make sure the plant you choose is also the best suited to your bathroom’s light conditions, temperatures and any draughts.

Here are six plants, recommended by NASA for removing air-borne toxins, that could be grown in the bathroom:

SNAKE PLANT

(Sansevieria trifasciata)

Keep them fairly dry and grow in indirect light. Fertilise during growing season. One of the easiest indoor plants to grow.

GOLDEN CANE PALM

(Dypsis lutescens)

Requires plenty of light and a good balance of moisture, fertiliser and warmth. Brings a tropical lushness to the bathroom.


ALOE VERA

(Aloe barbadensis mill)

Grow in indirect sunlight in a dry soil (like a cactus potting mix). Water during growing period but never allow to stand in wet soil (ensure pot has plenty of drainage holes). The leaves contain a gel that can be used on skin conditions and superficial cuts for its soothing, antimicrobial properties.

ENGLISH IVY

(Hedera helix)

An easy plant to grow indoors and can be planted in hanging baskets to allow the leaves to cascade or can be trained to climb a stick or pole. Can tolerate lower light and requires a cool environment and a reasonable amount of water.

PEACE LILY

(Spathiphyllum mauna loa)

Grow in a warm spot away from direct sunlight – it will tolerate low levels of light. Water regularly so that the potting mix is moist at all times. Yellow leaves mean it is receiving too much light.

SPIDER PLANT

(Chlorophytum comosum)

Will tolerate low to bright light conditions but keep away from direct sunlight. Requires minimal watering. Very hardy plants that even enjoy being pot bound!

Just one plant will make a difference to both the ambience and the air purity in your bathroom – but think about groups of plants, perhaps in a corner of the floor, or suspended from the ceiling in baskets.

Be prepared for a little trial and error initially, while you work out the plants that are happiest in the conditions that prevail in your bathing space.

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