16 Shower Plants That Thrive in a Low Light Bathroom

Shower plants are the perfect way to add some life and color to your otherwise dull bathroom. From easy-care spider plants to decorative arrowhead vines, these bathroom beauties require little maintenance beyond an occasional watering or wipe-down of their leaves.

Whether you’re looking to improve your shower’s air quality, bring a spa feeling into your space, or simply decorate with some colorful foliage, there are plenty of clever plant options to choose from. So grab your terra cotta pot and gardening gloves, and let’s grow some lush shower plants!

Shower Plants for a Lush Low Light Bathroom Garden

1. Snake Plant

Snake plants are one of the most popular “shower plants” due to their high humidity tolerance, low light requirements, and ability to purify air. With long, narrow sword-shaped leaves that emerge from a central crown, snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) add an exotic look to any bathroom.

We recommend watering your snake plant once every two weeks and using a pebble tray to boost bathroom humidity levels. The thick succulent-like blades are hardy and low maintenance. Snake plants thrive in high humidity between 50 and 70 percent, making bathrooms ideal. Their waxy leaves and slow growth rate allow them to tolerate long periods with little water.

Snake plants filter benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide from shower air, improving indoor air quality. While they are slow growers by nature, proper light and hydration can lead to new offsets that fill out your planter over time. Limit watering to when the top two inches of soil are dry and only water thoroughly.

2. ZZ Plant

The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is an ideal choice for low maintenance in bathrooms due to its thick waxy leaves, tolerance for low light, and ability to go long periods without water.       

Native to Eastern Africa, ZZ plants produce pairs of broad oval leaves that grow directly from the stems. The leaves have wavy edges that give the plant an attractive tropical appearance suited for minimalist bathroom aesthetics.    

ZZ plants grow quickly but are not very particular about their conditions. They thrive in the low light levels often found in bathrooms as long as they receive some indirect sunlight. Occasionally misting the leaves with water will increase humidity around the plant.   

These perennial plants have large underground storage rhizomes that enable them to go weeks or even months without watering. Water your ZZ plant thoroughly when the top layer of soil feels dry, then allow the top inch to dry out slightly before your next watering.      

Pruning off any leaves that turn yellow or brown will help maintain an attractive appearance. ZZ plants remove harmful VOCs from indoor air so they work hard to purify bathroom air besides looking beautiful.       

The low maintenance and forgiving nature of ZZ plants make them excellent choices for bathrooms and other areas with less-than-ideal growing conditions. Their ability to withstand long periods without water also means they are well-suited to the fluctuating humidity and intermittent use of bathrooms. With proper care, ZZ plants can bring lovely tropical flair and air-purifying benefits to any bathroom for many years.

3. Peace Lily

The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is a gorgeous flowering bathroom plant with dramatic arching foliage and fragrant white flowers. Peace lilies bloom all year in high-humidity environments like bathrooms, making them an attractive shower plant option.

Peace lilies need frequent watering and appreciate high humidity levels between 50 and 70 percent. Water your peace lily when the top inch of soil is dry, then mist the leaves and foliage occasionally. 

The lance-shaped pointed leaves and upright habit make peace lilies ideal for tabletops, countertops, and ledges in bathrooms. Keep growth compact by trimming any long or thin stems that develop. Use a pebble tray or humidifier to boost humidity levels for your peace lily during drier winter months.

4. Golden Pothos

Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a versatile “shower plant” choice with heart-shaped leaves in shades of variegated green and yellow. Also known as devil’s ivy and motley, pothos thrive in high-moisture environments like bathrooms.

Water golden pothos when the top one to two inches of soil are dry. The tolerance for infrequent watering makes them perfect for bathrooms where plant care is often overlooked. Golden pothos purifies the air by removing formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene from shower air.

Pothos vines readily grow long stems that can be trained up a hook and allowed to cascade down. This vining habit makes them an attractive choice for hanging planters in bathrooms. Golden pothos are easy to propagate from stem cuttings for an expanding bathroom garden.

5. Lucky Bamboo

Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is one of the most popular “shower plants” due to its ability to thrive in high-humidity bathrooms with little care. Commonly sold with multiple upright stems in vases of water, lucky bamboo does not actually have leaves or roots. The thick green stems store water to withstand infrequent water changes.

For best growth, change the water in your lucky bamboo vase once every two weeks and add liquid fertilizer every few months during the spring and summer. These bamboo plants appreciate high humidity levels between 50 and 70 percent, making them perfect for bathrooms. Prune off any brown or yellow stem tips to maintain an attractive appearance.

The cylindrical stems of lucky bamboo come in varying heights and colors like dark red and white striped. This strange but charming “pseudo-bamboo” plant adds an element of zen to any bathroom space. Display single stems or multiple stems in a vase for the full “lucky” effect!

6. Boston Fern

Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’) are classic bathroom plants known for their tapered triangular fronds and ability to thrive in high-humidity environments. With lacy green foliage, Boston ferns add a touch of jungle flair to any bathroom.

Keep the soil for your Boston fern consistently moist. The high moisture requirements make them a good match for bathrooms where humidity levels tend to be on the higher side. Boston ferns need medium to high light levels, so place them near a bathroom window or use a grow light.

In the fall and winter, Boston fern’s growth will slow and they may drop some leaves. Reduce watering during this dormant period and avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot. In the spring, Boston ferns will send up new delicate fronds and thrive with the increase in humidity from shower use.

7. Cast Iron Plant

Cast iron plants (Aspidistra elatior) are perfect for low-maintenance bathroom gardens. With their ability to tolerate low light, infrequent watering, and average humidity, cast iron plants are a trouble-free choice.

Cast iron plants get their name from their ability to withstand tough conditions and neglect. The long, thin lance-shaped leaves grow from a central crown and are dark green with a waxy texture. These foliage plants add an attractive architectural element to minimalist bathrooms.

Water your cast iron plant only when the top inch of soil is dry. They prefer to be on the dry side so infrequent watering once every two to three weeks is ideal. Occasionally misting the leaves will raise humidity levels around the plant. Prune off any yellow leaves to maintain a neat appearance. Place your cast iron plant in an area of your bathroom that receives very low indirect light.

8. Arrowhead Plants

Arrowhead plants (Syngonium podophyllum) are delightful and versatile houseplants that have gained popularity among indoor gardening enthusiasts. Native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, these plants are admired for their distinctive arrowhead-shaped leaves that display stunning variegation, featuring shades of green, cream, pink, or silver.

Arrowhead plants are known for their ease of care and adaptability to different environments. They are well-suited for both hanging baskets and as trailing plants. As they grow, they can be trained to climb or placed on trellises for added vertical interest.

Caring for Arrowhead plants typically involves providing them with bright, indirect light, as excessive sunlight can scorch their delicate leaves. They thrive in well-draining soil and prefer to be kept consistently moist, but not overly waterlogged.

These versatile plants make excellent additions to homes and offices, bringing a touch of natural beauty to any space. Furthermore, their air-purifying properties contribute to healthier indoor environments, making Arrowhead plants a popular and aesthetically pleasing choice for plant enthusiasts of all levels.

9. English Ivy

English ivy (Hedera helix) is perfect for bathrooms due to its ability to thrive in high-humidity environments. With its glossy oval leaves clustered along woody vines, English ivy is a classic shower plant choice for hanging baskets, which can also act as a groundcover.

English ivy needs high humidity levels between 50 and 70 percent, which makes the bathroom ideal. Water your English ivy when the top inch of the soil is dry and mist the leaves frequently to raise humidity levels around the plant. English ivy can tolerate low to medium light levels so it will grow in most areas of your bathroom.

The woody vines of English ivy will grow long and vine outward from their pots. Use training and pruning to keep the size manageable for your bathroom space. Snip off any brown or yellow leaves to maintain an attractive appearance. English ivy is easy to propagate from stem cuttings to expand your bathroom garden over time.

10. Chinese Evergreen

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) makes an excellent choice for bathrooms and other humid indoor areas due to its tolerance for low light and high humidity conditions. Chinese evergreen is a type of foliage houseplant native to tropical regions of Asia. The wide, ovate leaves come in variations of green with yellow or silver variegation, giving these plants an ornamental appeal that elevates any setting.   

Chinese evergreens thrive in humidity levels between 50 to 70 percent, which is ideal for bathrooms since regular showers and baths increase ambient moisture. Water the plant when the top one to two inches of evergreen soil are dry, usually once or twice per week. Mist the leaves frequently to further boost humidity around the plant.

These foliage plants grow well in the low light levels often found in bathrooms. They prefer medium to low indirect light and can tolerate being placed slightly out of direct sunlight. Chinese evergreen can be propagated by stem cuttings to fill out larger planters. Simply place healthy stem segments in water until roots appear, then pot up in well-draining soil.   

Prune off any leaves that turn yellow or brown to maintain an attractive appearance. Chinese evergreens remove formaldehyde from indoor air, which means they work hard to purify the air in your bathroom besides looking beautiful.   

With their colorful leaves, ability to thrive in low light and high humidity, and air purifying benefits, Chinese evergreen make outstanding “shower plants” for bathrooms. With proper care, these forgiving foliage plants can bring years of natural beauty and style to your indoor environments.

11. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a perfect “shower plant” choice due to its ability to withstand infrequent watering and average humidity levels. Well known for its gel used to soothe burns and skin irritations, aloe vera is a prolific succulent with thick fleshy leaves that taper to a point.

Water your aloe vera plant only when the top one to two inches of soil are dry, usually once every two weeks. They prefer to be on the drier side and overwatering can cause root rot. Aloe vera needs more light than many bathroom plants so place it near a window or use a grow light.

Allowing the soil to go mostly dry between waterings also helps aloe vera develop the anti-inflammatory gel inside its leaves. Simply snapping or cutting a leaf from the base will release this sticky clear fluid perfect for soothing minor burns and abrasions. 

The pointed succulent leaves give aloe vera a striking appearance that elevates any bathroom decor. Trim off any yellowing lower leaves to maintain a tidy appearance.

12. Spider Plant

Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are perfect “shower plants” due to their ability to withstand high humidity and infrequent watering. They produce offshoots called “babies” that can be separated and grown into new plants, making spider plants good for filling out bathroom gardens.

The long, flat green leaves with notches at the ends give spider plants their common name. Water your spider plant when the top one to two inches of soil are dry, especially during warmer months when plants use more water.

Spider plants thrive in humid environments like bathrooms where humidity levels tend to stay between 60 to 70 percent. They are effective at filtering formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from bathroom air so you breathe easier after that long, hot shower. Occasionally misting the leaves of spider plants will raise the ambient humidity around them. Place them in a spot in your bathroom with low, indirect light.

13. Bird’s Nest Fern

Bird’s nest ferns are unique, ornamental ferns prized for their delicate lacy fronds that resemble tiny bird nests. Their common name derives from the distinctive shape of their leaves. Bird’s nest ferns (Asplenium nidus) are epiphytic ferns native to tropical regions. They grow by attaching themselves to trees and other plants for physical support. As epiphytes, they obtain water and nutrients from the air, rain, and debris accumulation around their roots.   

These ferns thrive in humid environments with consistently moist soil. They require regular watering and prefer humidity levels between 60 to 80 percent, so areas like bathrooms provide the high humidity and moisture that bird’s nest ferns need to flourish. 

The fronds of bird’s nest ferns unfurl upwards from a central crown as the plant matures. New growth occurs at the center, so outer fronds may eventually yellow and die. Pruning off older, discolored fronds helps maintain an attractive appearance.

Bird’s nest ferns grow best in medium to low indirect light. Placing the plant near a diffused window provides sufficient light while shielding the fronds from direct sun exposure. Occasional misting of the foliage also helps boost humidity levels.

Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings, then thoroughly soak the root ball until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Never leave bird’s nest ferns sitting in water as their roots require good drainage. Consistently moist but well-draining soil is essential for healthy growth.

With proper care and suitable conditions, bird’s nest ferns make beautiful, low-maintenance additions to indoor environments — especially bathrooms and other humid areas. Their unique foliage offers an exotic, lacy texture that can enhance the decor of any space.

14. Burro’s Tail (Burro’s Tail Sedum)

Burro’s tail sedum (Sedum morganianum), also known as donkey tail, is a perfect succulent choice for bathrooms due to its ability to withstand long periods without water. The thick fleshy leaves grow in a cascading vine-like fashion that looks beautiful draping over the sides of bathroom planters.

Burro’s tail sedum prefers bright, indirect light and should be watered infrequently during its spring and summer growing season. The thick succulent leaves allow the burro’s tail to withstand dry periods of up to four weeks between waterings. Avoid getting water on the leaves, which can lead to rot.

In the winter months, the burro’s tail sedum’s growth will slow and it may shed some lower leaves. Continue to water infrequently and minimize exposure to cold drafts. Come spring, growth will resume and you can snip off terminal stems to propagate new plants or fill out larger planters. The thick substance stems and stems give the burro’s tail sedum an architectural appeal suitable for minimalist bathrooms.

15. Dumb Cane Plants

Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia) is a popular and visually appealing tropical plant known for its striking foliage and ease of care, making it a favorite choice for indoor gardening enthusiasts. Native to the rainforests of Central and South America, this ornamental plant belongs to the Araceae family.

Characterized by its large, broad leaves with vibrant patterns of green, cream, and white, Dumb Cane can grow up to several feet in height, adding a touch of green elegance to any interior space. However, despite its beauty, it earned its peculiar name due to its toxic sap, which can cause temporary speechlessness and swelling if ingested, hence, it’s cautioned to keep it out of reach of curious pets and small children.

When it comes to care, Dumb Cane is relatively low-maintenance, preferring bright, indirect light and regular watering, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist. It thrives in a warm, humid environment, making it an ideal choice for either bathrooms or kitchens.

Its appealing appearance and manageable care requirements, Dumb Cane continues to be a popular choice for plant enthusiasts and hobbyists looking to add a touch of the tropical to their indoor spaces. However, it’s essential to handle it with care and caution, respecting its potential toxicity.

16. Monstera Deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa, also known as Swiss cheese plant or split-leaf Philodendron, is a perfect tropical choice for high-humidity bathrooms. The large oval-shaped leaves feature natural splits and holes that give this plant its common name.

Monstera deliciosa does best in medium to bright indirect light, which makes bathroom windows ideal. Keep the soil consistently moist, watering whenever the top inch feels dry. The thick leaves and high moisture needs make this an ideal “shower plant.”

The natural holes and splits in monstera leaves allow excess water to drain, making this plant well-suited for high moisture environments. Place your monstera deliciosa near a north-facing bathroom window for optimal light conditions. These tropical plants appreciate average to high humidity levels.

Propagate new plants by placing an aerial root or leaf cutting in water. Over time, monstera deliciosa will climb and vine using aerial roots, making it perfect for training up a moss pole in larger planters. The unusual leaves and tropical vibe make Monsteras a showstopper in any bathroom.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many beautiful and practical plants that thrive in the high-humidity conditions of your bathroom. Here are the main highlights from this guide:

• Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are perfect “shower plants” due to their ability to withstand high humidity and infrequent watering.

• The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a low-maintenance bathroom plant with thick, waxy leaves that grow in pairs from the stems.

• Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’) are classic bathroom plants known for their tapered triangular fronds and ability to thrive in high-humidity environments.

• Burro’s tail sedum (Sedum morganianum), also known as donkey tail, is a perfect succulent choice for bathrooms due to its ability to withstand long periods without water.

Whether you want to improve indoor air quality, boost ambient humidity, or simply add a touch of green to your bathroom decor, there are plenty of “shower plants” that thrive despite your busy schedule. With the right care and patience, your low-light bathroom can become a lush tropical retreat, so get planting and see what plants work their “shower magic” for you!