Bringing nature into your shower space can transform it into a tranquil, rejuvenating oasis. Incorporating plants into your shower area not only adds beauty but also improves air quality, making the environment feel fresh and clean. If you’re looking for shower plants ideas to elevate your bathroom, you’re in the right place! Here’s a collection of 19 fantastic plants that thrive in the humid, steamy conditions of a shower.
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1. Ferns: The Classic Shower Plant
Ferns are one of the most popular plants for the shower due to their ability to thrive in the humidity. Their lush, green fronds are perfect for adding a touch of nature to your bathroom. Popular types include Boston Fern, Maidenhair Fern, and Birds Nest Fern. Ferns naturally thrive in moist, shaded environments, making them ideal for shower spaces that receive indirect light.
When caring for ferns in the shower, make sure they’re placed where they can benefit from the moisture without becoming waterlogged. For best results, choose a hanging basket or a corner shelf to let them cascade beautifully. Ferns also act as natural air purifiers, absorbing toxins and improving the quality of the air around them. Plus, the soft, feathery fronds create a calming and soothing atmosphere that complements the serene nature of a bathroom.
2. Spider Plants: A Hardy and Graceful Choice
Spider plants are another fantastic option for shower environments. Known for their resilience and fast growth, spider plants can handle the steamy conditions while looking effortlessly elegant. They produce long, arching leaves that feature green and white stripes, which can soften the hard edges of modern shower fixtures.
Spider plants thrive in indirect light, making them suitable for nearly any bathroom that has a window or even artificial lighting. In addition to their beauty, these plants are also known for their ability to purify the air, absorbing carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. They also produce “pups” or small offshoots, which can be propagated and placed in other parts of your home.
3. English Ivy: Climbing Elegance
English Ivy is perfect for adding a touch of vertical greenery to your shower. It’s a hardy, fast-growing vine that thrives in moist environments, making it well-suited to the humid conditions of a bathroom. Ivy’s ability to climb and trail down creates a beautiful cascading effect, adding layers of natural beauty to your shower space.
One of the key benefits of English Ivy is its air-purifying properties. It’s known for filtering out airborne toxins, which makes it an ideal addition to a bathroom. Keep the ivy in a hanging planter or allow it to climb up a trellis or shower rod. Just be sure to regularly trim it back to keep the growth in check, as it can become unruly if left unchecked.
4. Orchids: A Touch of Exotic Elegance
If you’re looking to add a touch of luxury to your shower, consider incorporating orchids. Known for their elegant, colorful blooms, orchids can thrive in high humidity, which makes them perfect for bathrooms. The classic Phalaenopsis orchid is particularly well-suited for shower spaces because it enjoys the constant moisture and indirect light.
Orchids require a bit more attention than some of the hardier plants, but their stunning flowers are well worth the care. They need to be placed in a spot with indirect light, and their roots should be kept moist but not soggy. To ensure their longevity, consider using a shower caddy or hanging basket with good drainage.
5. Bromeliads: Bright, Bold, and Beautiful
Bromeliads are known for their striking, colorful flowers and vibrant foliage. These tropical plants are perfect for creating a bold statement in your shower space. Unlike many other plants, bromeliads can thrive in low-light conditions and don’t require soil to grow. Instead, they absorb moisture and nutrients from the air and water around them, making them ideal for a shower environment.
To care for bromeliads, place them in a well-drained container or mount them directly on a shower wall. They thrive in humidity, so the steamy atmosphere of the shower will help them flourish. Their colorful flowers will add a pop of color, and their unique appearance will give your shower a fresh, tropical vibe.
6. Tillandsia (Air Plants): Minimalist Greenery
If you’re looking for a plant that doesn’t require soil, Tillandsia—commonly known as air plants—could be the perfect option. These unique plants absorb moisture and nutrients directly from the air, making them ideal for a humid shower environment. Air plants have an interesting, sculptural shape that can create a minimalist and modern aesthetic in your bathroom.
You can display air plants by hanging them in small glass terrariums or attaching them to wall-mounted holders or suction cups. Simply give them a misting of water once a week and allow them to dry completely. Air plants come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can easily find one that fits the space and style of your shower.
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7. Pothos: The Low-Maintenance Greenery
Pothos is a favorite among plant enthusiasts for its low-maintenance nature and versatile appearance. This trailing vine grows quickly and can thrive in a variety of lighting conditions, making it perfect for the humid, low-light conditions of a shower. Pothos plants are available in several varieties, including golden pothos and marble queen pothos, each with its unique leaf patterns and colors.
Place the pothos in a hanging planter, and let it trail elegantly down. Its long vines will add visual interest and texture to your shower area. Pothos is also an excellent air purifier, removing toxins from the air, which is especially beneficial in a humid environment like the bathroom.
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8. Peperomia: Small, Stylish, and Thriving in Humidity
Peperomia is a great option for those looking for a compact and stylish plant that thrives in a shower. This plant features thick, waxy leaves in a variety of shapes and colors, including green, red, and silver varieties. Peperomia enjoys high humidity and indirect light, making it ideal for placement in a shower with a window or artificial lighting.
Peperomia is also low-maintenance and doesn’t require frequent watering, making it perfect for beginners or those with a busy lifestyle. This plant is perfect for adding a touch of greenery to smaller shower spaces without taking up too much room.
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9. Calatheas: Vibrant Foliage for Your Shower
Calatheas are known for their striking, decorative leaves, which feature intricate patterns and bold colors. The leaves fold up at night, giving them the name “prayer plants.” They thrive in humid environments, making them ideal for the shower. Calatheas come in various varieties, such as the beautiful Calathea Orbifolia or the purple-hued Calathea Makoyana.
Place your calathea on a bathroom shelf or in a hanging planter where it can enjoy the moisture in the air. These plants require moderate light and consistent moisture, so it’s important to keep their soil damp but not soggy. Calatheas are perfect for adding a touch of luxury and elegance to your shower area.
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10. Aloe Vera: Practical and Healing
Aloe Vera is a popular plant known for its soothing gel, which is often used to treat burns and cuts. In addition to its healing properties, aloe vera thrives in the humid conditions of a bathroom. This plant is an excellent addition to your shower space because it’s low-maintenance and can tolerate the steamy atmosphere.
Aloe vera requires bright, indirect light and minimal watering. Place it in a pot with good drainage to avoid waterlogging. Not only does aloe vera look great in your shower, but you can also harvest the gel for its therapeutic properties, making it a functional and decorative addition to your bathroom.
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11. ZZ Plant: The Tough, Low-Maintenance Option
If you’re looking for a plant that thrives on neglect, the ZZ plant is your best bet. This tough, hardy plant can withstand low light, dry air, and infrequent watering, making it perfect for the humid conditions of a shower. The ZZ plant’s glossy, dark green leaves provide an elegant and modern touch to any bathroom space.
ZZ plants grow slowly, but their unique appearance and resilience make them an excellent choice for busy individuals or beginners. They require very little attention, but be sure to avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.
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12. Bamboo: A Symbol of Tranquility
Bamboo is an elegant and symbolic plant, often associated with peace, prosperity, and calm. This plant thrives in humid environments, making it an excellent choice for your shower space. Bamboo’s tall, slender stalks create a tranquil, zen-like atmosphere that enhances the bathroom’s aesthetic. Additionally, bamboo is incredibly versatile, as it can be placed in decorative pots or used in a vertical garden setup.
Bamboo needs to be kept in a moist environment, so placing it near a shower or in a container that retains moisture is ideal. However, it’s essential to ensure proper drainage to prevent waterlogging. Bamboo grows quickly, so if you’re aiming for a bold and lush look, it will reward you with rapid growth. As a bonus, bamboo is low-maintenance, requiring only occasional trimming to maintain its height and shape.
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13. Creeping Jenny: A Hardy, Trailing Delight
Creeping Jenny is an easy-to-grow, fast-spreading plant that thrives in humid conditions, making it a perfect addition to your shower. Known for its vibrant green, round leaves, this low-growing plant can cascade over shower shelves, creating a charming, natural curtain. Creeping Jenny works well in both traditional and modern bathroom spaces, adding a pop of color and life.
This plant thrives in moist, well-drained soil, and it flourishes with indirect light. It’s an excellent choice for those who want a plant that requires minimal care but still delivers beautiful, cascading growth. To keep it healthy, simply water it regularly and prune it back if it becomes too long.
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14. Peace Lilies: Elegant and Air-Purifying
Peace lilies are well-known for their stunning white blooms and lush, green foliage. These plants not only add elegance to your shower but also purify the air, removing toxins like ammonia and benzene. Peace lilies thrive in high humidity, which makes your bathroom the perfect environment for them. Their broad, glossy leaves can grow in the low-light conditions often found in bathrooms.
To keep your peace lily healthy, place it in an area where it receives moderate light and water it regularly, ensuring the soil stays damp but not soaked. The peace lily is also very forgiving and can bounce back even if you occasionally forget to water it, making it a low-maintenance yet elegant addition to your shower.
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15. Philodendron: An Attractive, Low-Maintenance Option
Philodendron plants are well-known for their beautiful heart-shaped leaves and their ease of care. They thrive in warm, humid environments, making them an excellent choice for the shower. The trailing vines of a philodendron can create a lovely, cascading effect when hung from a shower rod or placed on a high shelf.
These plants do well in indirect light, and their resilient nature makes them perfect for beginners. They don’t need a lot of attention but will flourish with regular watering and occasional trimming. The heart-shaped leaves can vary in color, from vibrant green to more variegated varieties, giving you plenty of options to suit your shower’s style.
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16. Staghorn Fern: A Unique and Striking Addition
The staghorn fern is a fascinating plant that adds a touch of the exotic to your shower. With its unique, antler-like fronds, it offers a striking contrast to the typical greenery found in other plants. Staghorn ferns thrive in high humidity and indirect light, making them a great choice for the bathroom. They grow as epiphytes, which means they don’t require soil—just moisture from the air and occasional watering.
Staghorn ferns can be mounted on wooden boards or displayed in decorative planters. They are also easy to care for, requiring just a bit of attention when it comes to watering. Place them in a location that gets indirect light and maintain their humidity, and they’ll flourish, adding a dramatic touch to your shower area.
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17. Lavender: A Soothing and Fragrant Touch
Lavender isn’t the first plant people think of when designing a shower garden, but it can make a beautiful and soothing addition to the space. Known for its calming fragrance, lavender thrives in the humid environment of a bathroom, provided it gets enough light. The lovely purple blooms of lavender not only create visual appeal but also fill the room with a relaxing scent, making your shower feel like a spa.
To grow lavender in the shower, place it in a spot that receives plenty of indirect light. Lavender does best with slightly drier conditions, so ensure that the plant isn’t overwatered. It’s an excellent plant for those who want a fragrant, calming atmosphere while they shower.
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18. African Violets: Small Yet Stunning Blooms
African violets are small, compact plants that produce vibrant, colorful flowers throughout the year. These plants can thrive in the humid conditions of a shower and are well-suited to bathrooms with limited light. The delicate, velvety leaves and colorful blooms add a touch of elegance and charm to your space.
African violets prefer indirect light and slightly moist conditions, making them perfect for a bathroom. They’re easy to care for, but it’s important to avoid getting water on their leaves, as this can cause spots. With proper care, African violets can bloom beautifully, adding bursts of color to your shower area.
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19. Lemon Balm: Fresh and Aromatic
Lemon balm, known for its fresh, lemony scent, is a wonderful plant to add to your shower space. It thrives in humidity and indirect light, making it an ideal candidate for a bathroom garden. Not only does it add greenery, but the citrus fragrance can also invigorate your senses during your shower, helping to wake you up and refresh your mind.
Lemon balm is easy to grow and care for, requiring regular watering and occasional pruning to keep it from becoming too leggy. It also has a unique ability to grow quickly, filling your shower space with vibrant green foliage. Plus, you can use the leaves for teas or infusions, making it a practical plant for your shower garden.
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Conclusion
Incorporating plants into your shower can transform your bathroom into a serene and refreshing sanctuary. Whether you choose cascading vines, bold foliage, or delicate blooms, each plant offers unique benefits, from purifying the air to adding beauty and tranquility. The 19 plants listed above are well-suited to thrive in the humid conditions of a shower, and with the right care, they’ll flourish and enhance the overall ambiance of your bathroom.
Shower plants can also improve your well-being, offering a calming escape and connecting you with nature every time you step into your bathroom. Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or a beginner, these plants are perfect for creating your own lush, green shower oasis. So, start exploring these options, and let your bathroom bloom into a peaceful, nature-filled retreat!
