Moisture and mould go hand in hand, so it makes sense for the bathroom to be a problem zone. While exhaust fans and dehumidifiers go a long way towards reducing mould, you could also consider adding some bathroom plants to help absorb moisture. As an added bonus, having plants in your bathroom can also be a simple way to add style to the space.
Although plants won’t completely prevent mould growth, they certainly can help. So, let’s take a look at your options.
Top 3 bathroom plants that absorb moisture
Kevin Parker is a senior horticulturist at The Greenery Garden and Home. He says, “Any plant will help [absorb moisture] – but some will be better than others.”
Here are Kevin’s top three picks for bathroom plants.
1. Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Just because a plant absorbs moisture doesn’t mean it will enjoy being in the bathroom, but Boston ferns are an exception.
“They are really good in bathrooms. Not just at absorbing moisture but for their hardiness,” says Kevin.
“They like the bathroom environment; they’ll tolerate a change in temperature and lower light.”
2. Tillandsia
Tillandsia is a type of bromeliad and another great plant option for the bathroom.
“It naturally grows in trees like trunks or the branches, and it doesn’t have a root system. It attaches itself to the branch and absorbs moisture through the leaves,” Kevin says. This also makes them very easy to grow.
Keep in mind the Tillandsia, which is an air plant, does need some (not a lot) natural light to grow, though.
3. Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies are probably the easiest of the three to grow, and a household favourite.
Kevin says, “If you kill a Spathiphyllum (peace lily), you’re doing something wrong.”
He adds: “They will all suit bathroom situations because they are low-light tolerant, and will absorb moisture in the air. They love that humid environment, and wilt when they need watering. Still, that’s less likely to happen in a bathroom situation.”
Other plants you can put in the bathroom to reduce moisture
As well as Kevin’s top three bathroom plants, here are some others that are great for absorbing moisture and reducing humidity:
- Aloe vera
- Bamboo
- Bromeliads
- Monstera
- Orchids
- Philodendron
- Spider plants
- Small palms
When you’re shopping for bathroom plants, remember to check how much light they need and consider where you’ll put them in your bathroom so that they can thrive.
Can you keep plants in a bathroom without a window?
All plants need natural light to survive long term. That said, some plants can tolerate a windowless bathroom longer than others.
“But eventually, it’s going to run out of puff because it’s not getting any natural light,” says Kevin.
One solution is to rotate a couple of plants from a window in the house to the bathroom, which can keep them going longer.
“Some people keep them as a seasonal plant, and they might get 12-18 months out of it, throw them out and buy another one. But you can prolong their life if you have a bathroom with no natural light.”
Can plants really help reduce mould in the bathroom?
Plants alone aren’t a complete solution for mould growth in the bathroom, but they can help reduce the humidity levels. Other ways to reduce bathroom mould include: running the exhaust for at least 15 minutes after your shower and cleaning up or fixing any leaks asap.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
