The 6 Best Houseplants That Will Grow Better In Your Bathroom

Indoor plants are usually found in entryways, living rooms and kitchens. Keeping a small plant on your desk at work isn't unheard of either (and is actually recommended by health professionals) but why limit your green thumb to only these areas?

Storing plants in your shower has a surprising number of advantages. Not only do they help purify the air but they have the ability to eliminate bacteria and absorb excess moisture. They can turn your bathroom into a calming, spa-like space when you need to destress. If you're looking for bathroom decor that is simple and elegant, or if you're seeking ways to bring a little green to different areas of your home, try raising one (or several) of these indoor plants that are known to thrive in steamy bathroom conditions. 

Once an expensive and sought after flower, orchids have become more common and inexpensive in recent years. These delicate blooms can be found in the floral section of just about any grocery store for a reasonable price. Because orchids are native to tropical climates, they love humidity and will thrive in the steamy confines of a bathroom. Just be sure that they have minimal sunlight (a skylight or small bathroom window should be enough to keep them happy). 

There are different varieties (or "breeds") of orchids. For greatest ease of care, try to buy an orchid of the Phalaenopsis variety. These orchids do particularly well in bathrooms, as long as it's well ventilated. This will help protect your orchids from mold and rot due to too much moisture. 

Its' scientific name is Sansevieria trifasciata, but this common household plant is known by many names. Some call it snake plant, due to the scale-like patterns on its leaves. Others refer to it as ladyfingers plant because of the leaves' elegant shape. Some even call it mother-in-laws tongue, due to the fact that its leaves end in hard, sharp points. But no matter what you call it, this plant is one of the easiest houseplants to keep. 

Snake plants can be left alone for long periods of time without much care. They do not require much water, but humid conditions (such as those in a bathroom) will allow it to absorb almost all of the moisture they need. They can also live in low-light conditions. Just be sure to pay attention to how fast your snake plant is growing. If it begins to grow rapidly, it may require transferring to a larger pot. 

Ferns are popular houseplants, and for good reason. Their unfurling leaves are beautiful, and their versatility is impressive. Able to be potted on the floor or suspended from baskets, ferns come in a variety of breeds, shapes, and colors. Because all fern varieties live on forest floors, they thrive in shade and moist conditions.

Ferns do best in bathrooms with low light, such as those with south or east-facing windows. Place a potted fern in the corner of your bathroom or, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, hang your fern right over the shower itself. Just make sure that your fern isn't being directly hit with shower water, and that it is hung low enough that you are able to reach it, to monitor the dryness of its soil.

You should only water your fern once its soil has become dry. Ferns require mild to cool temperatures most of the time, so although they will be able to stand the occasional warm shower, you should try to make sure that your shower stays around 70 degrees Fahrenheit the majority of the time. If you're wondering which variety of fern to purchase, the common Boston fern may be a good choice, as this variety thrives in bathrooms. 

The pretty, green and white spider plant has been a popular indoor plant for years, due to how easy it is to care for. It's also long lasting and reproduces quickly. This plant famously grows "shoots" (smaller versions of itself) from tendrils which hang from the original plant. These shoots can either be pruned or replanted to grow even more spider plants. 

Spider plants are great at cleaning the air around them. In fact, NASA tested their ability to remove formaldehyde from a sealed plexiglass chamber, and found that spider plants were able to remove 95% of the substance within 24 hours. To grow one of these clean air champs in your bathroom, simply hang your spider plant near your shower or tub.

Spider plants love moisture, and can thrive in either direct sunlight or shady conditions. If your plant's leaves begin to droop, it may require more light. Take it to a bright place for at least 24 hour once a week, and it should recover quickly.

Even people without much knowledge of plants have likely heard of aloe vera, and the healing qualities it possesses. The juice of this plant can be used to soothe cuts, rashes and burns, including common sunburns. It can even be made into a beverage with many health benefits. Best of all, aloe vera is a extremely hardy plant, known for being next to impossible to kill. 

Aloe Vera is quite attractive, whether hanging or placed on the floor. It can survive in high or low light conditions, and is good at absorbing moisture. This makes it ideal for growing in the bathroom. It is worth noting, however, that one of the few things that will kill this plant is over-watering.

Allow the top two inches of your aloe vera plant's soil to dry before watering deeply once a week. During winter, even less watering is required. Like the spider plant, aloe vera produces "shoots" or smaller plants, which can be transplanted to create new aloe veras. 

If you have a penchant for killing any houseplants left in your care, you may be hesitating to bring growing things into your bathroom. But fear not. There is one plant that even those cursed with so called "black thumbs" should be able to raise without issue: the air plant.

These spiky little delights have become a very popular decor trend in recent years. There are all sorts of beautiful plants specifically made to house them. It's easy to understand their appeal: as their name implies, air plants thrive without the need for soil. However, they do require watering. In fact, air plants love humidity! This is great news for anyone hoping to keep their air plant in the bathroom.

Depending on how warm your home is and how much sunlight your air plant receives, it will need to be watered up to three times per week, even with ample moisture. To water an air plant, simply submerge it in water for around 20-30 minutes, then shake its leaves dry. The brighter and warmer your bathroom, the more watering will be required.