Bathrooms are often very clinical, white, angular, bare spaces that need some warming up, softening and colour injected into them. Sure, a jazzy shower curtain may give a bathroom something of what it needs, but you cannot make do without a tropical, living and breathing plant. There are some species that are superbly suited to this room and we have compiled our top 10.
At number 1, Calathea
Calathea are a fantastically varied family of plants with many different coloured varieties. They require indirect light and do not like to dry out too much. They have the nickname the “Living Plant” as they move around in their pot in almost real time, depending on the light situation.
Number 2, Philodendron Brazil
Speaking of Jungles, this beautiful climber loves a bit of humidity and will give your bathroom a lovely splash of colour (like Brazil’s flag) with its green and yellow leaves. Grow them up a moss pole, which will absorb the steam from your shower, or hang them from the ceiling and/or a shelf, up to you. ”!
Number 3, The Boston Fern
Fern’s hate drying out! This chap does not like to sit in dry soil. Native to the tropics it is used to damp and warm conditions with persistent rain. Shower with yours and it will reward you with luscious, soft, green foliage.
Number 4, Ficus Pumila
As with our friendly fern, the Pumila will punish you with crispy brown leaves if you let her dry out. So, don’t! This Ficus makes a nice subtle touch in a smaller space. Perfect in a cute hanger or on the windowsill with your toothbrush.
Number 5, Monstera (Swiss Cheese Plant).
A plant that needs no intro. This beautiful, climbing specimen has tropical impact. The leaves, with their cut out, holey design feature on almost all the shower curtains, beach towels and bed linen out there…or at least they do in my home. The Cheese Plant also grows fantastic aerial roots that hold onto a support, like a moss pole, or dive down into the soil below. A wonderful choice for that instant space transformation.
Number 6, The Kentia Palm.
No palms like to dry out for long, so by placing yours in the bathroom there is more chance of it getting the nice tropical humidity that it deserves. If the Kentia Palm is in too dry a climate it will get brown tips to its leaves and will not like you very much for it. Show yours some respect and close the window when you run the bath!
Number 7, Rhapis Palm.
As with the Kentia, brown tips are a feature of a plant in need of some moist air. The Rhapis Palm is relatively uncommon in the home but there is no reason why. This wonderful looking palm has interesting stems and fantastic shaped, ribbed leaves, always crimped off by the growers. Get yours before everyone else does and start setting the new trend!
Number 8, Scindapsus Trebie.
The Trebie, otherwise known as the Satin Pothos or Scindapsus Pictus, is another climbing plant that is best suited to a moss pole or a hanger. Very much at home with warm, slightly moist environments, he will add shimmering silver and luscious green to your room.
Number 9, Devil’s Ivy.
Another secret agent, Devil’s Ivy has a few different alias’, sometimes Epipremnum Aureum, occasionally Pothos or Golden Pothos, this guy has very similar requirements to the Trebie and loves a moist atmosphere. The main difference between these plants is the leaf. Devil’s Ivy has green and green and yellow variegated leaves that are thinner and more delicate. He is also one of the easiest plants to care for that I know of.
Number 10, The Maranta (Prayer Plant).
The Prayer Plant has striking designs on its leaves in shades of green, red, and yellow. The geometric patterns are a real treat for the eyes. Maranta gets its other name from the way it closes its leaves at night, as if in spiritual prayer. If you are looking for colour in your space, you have found the plant. Happy in a hanger left to do its own thing and equally happy to chill out in a bowl. “Cosmic”.