Choosing the best succulent for a bathroom can be difficult. Bathrooms are tricky places for plants. They can be hot and humid or cold and damp and while some have bright sun, others have few windows and low light levels.
How To Choose Succulents For A Bathroom
When choosing the best succulent for your bathroom, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.
- amount of light your bathroom gets – if it’s a bright room, you’ll have more options to choose from. However, if your bathroom is on the darker side, you’ll want to select a plant that can tolerate low light conditions.
- level of humidity in your bathroom – for a particularly wet room, you’ll want to choose a plant that can handle high levels of moisture.
- how often the bathroom is used – a main bathroom will probably be used often and will, consequently, be warmer and more humid than a guest bathroom that might be used infrequently.
- size of your bathroom – if you have a small space, you’ll want to choose a plant that doesn’t grow too large. However, if you have a larger bathroom, you’ll have more room to work with and can select a plant that grows taller or wider.
We, personally, would suggest not choosing succulents with large spikes for a bathroom. Spikes are not something you want to encounter when you are unclothed!
So what are the best succulents for bathrooms?
With all these factors in mind, here are our suggestions for the best succulents for your bathroom.
- Dracaena Trifasciata – Snake Plant
- Aloe Barbadensis Miller – Aloe Vera
- Kalanchoe Tomentosa – Panda Plant
- Portulacaria Afra – Elephant Bush
- Pilea Peperomioides – Chinese Money Plant
- Gasteria Batesiana – Ox Tongue Succulent
- Cissus Discolor – Rex Begonia Vine
- Senecio Peregrinus – String of Dolphins
- Callisia Repens – Pink Lady Turtle Vine
Dracaena Trifasciata – Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata, commonly known as Snake plant or Mother in Law’s Tongue, can thrive in high humidity and low light and is the perfect choice for your bathroom.
It is a very hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of conditions and neglect. It is known as one of the easiest houseplants to keep and notoriously hard to kill.
They can grow up to 4 feet and are tall and slim in shape. It has long, stiff, flat, sword-shaped leaves, mainly green but variegated with yellow and white stripes. There is a variegated version with even more color on the leaves, the variegated Snake plant or Dracaena trifasciata laurentii.
These plants do not flower easily as houseplants.
Snake plant prefers bright, indirect sunlight but can also tolerate low-light conditions. It is drought-tolerant and does not require much watering.
Dracaena trifasciata is also known for its ability to purify the air and remove toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene from the atmosphere. The NASA Clean Air Study included the Snake Plant in its study. It was found to be effective a removing several toxins from the air. So not only will the Snake plant make your bathroom look more inviting, but it will also help to improve the quality of the air you breathe.
Dracaena Trifasciata and Sansevieria Trifasciata are different names for the same plant (some people use the species name sansevieria while others use dracaena). Other common names for this plant are Saint George’s Sword and Viper’s Bowstring Hemp (hemp fibers from the plant have been used in bowstrings).
The term Snake Plant is often used generically to refer to many different plants within the Dracaena / Sanseviera species, which can cause some confusion. Fortunately, most of the plants termed Snake Plant (for their long, slim leaves) are bathroom suitable. As are other types of the Dracaena / Sanseviera species, such as Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata) or Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans).
Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii or Variegated Snake Plant
Aloe Barbadensis Miller – Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a great option for a bathroom plant. This hardy plant is native to Africa and can tolerate low light and humid conditions.
The scientific name for Aloe vera is Aloe Barbadensis Miller. There are a large number of Aloe species, over 400, Aloe vera is the one most often used in aloe-based medicinal and beauty products.
An Aloe vera plant has thick, fleshy, and pointed leaves that grow in a rosette pattern from the base of the plant. The leaves are usually green or gray-green in color and triangular shaped. They can range in size from a few inches to over a foot long. When small, Aloe vera is quite a compact plant but as it ages, the leaves can grow long and, even topple over, to make a wider plant.
The edges of the leaves are often serrated or have small spines, and the surface of the leaves is covered in a bumpy, textured pattern.
At the center of the plant, a tall stalk may grow, producing small, tubular yellow or orange flowers.
Although Aloe vera is used by humans for health purposes, it is toxic to cats and dogs, so make sure you keep your Aloe vera plants out of reach of any furry friends at home.
Kalanchoe Tomentosa – Panda Plant
Kalanchoe tomentosa, or panda plant, is easy to care for and can tolerate low light and humid conditions – making it perfect for bathrooms.
The Panda Plant has thick, fuzzy leaves that are a pale silvery-green color with brown or rust-colored markings on the edges. The soft hairs on the leaves give the plant a velvety texture. The leaves are oval-shaped and grow in a rosette pattern from the base of the plant.
It can reach a height of about 1-2 feet when fully grown. Panda plants don’t usually flower when kept in indoor environments; their foliage is their main attraction.
Portulacaria Afra – Elephant Bush
Elephant Bush, Portulacaria afra is a hardy plant that can withstand both high and low humidity levels, making it the perfect choice for bathrooms with ever-changing conditions.
It is also known as dwarf jade, and is a popular succulent plant that originates from South Africa. It is prized for its small, round leaves and ability to thrive indoors and outdoors.
While it prefers bright, indirect sunlight, Portulacaria afra can also tolerate lower light levels, making it a versatile plant for any bathroom.
With its low-maintenance care requirements, Portulacaria afra is the ideal succulent for busy people or those new to growing plants.
So if you’re looking for a stylish and easy-to-care-for succulent for your bathroom, Elephant Bush, Portulacaria afra is the perfect option.
Pilea Peperomioides – Chinese Money Plant
The Chinese money plant, Pilea Peperomioides, is a hardy succulent perfect for bathrooms. It loves bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light.
Also known as the UFO plant, pancake plant or missionary plant, it has distinctive coin-shaped flat, glossy, green leaves that grow on long, thin, delicate stems.
Chinese money plant is another plant in our list that does not often flower when kept as a houseplant.
The Chinese money plant is a great choice if you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant to brighten up your bathroom.
Gasteria Batesiana – Ox Tongue Succulent
If you’re looking for a beautiful succulent to add to your bathroom, Gasteria Batesiana, known as Gasteria Little Warty, or the Ox Tongue Succulent, is a great option.
Gasteria Batesiana is called Ox tongue (and sometimes cow tongue or lawyer’s tongue) because of the long, rough textured leaves. The leaves are covered in small dots and bumps, giving them a rough, uneven texture. They are usually green with white markings.
It blooms with flowers shaped like a stomach. “Gasteria” comes from the Latin word “gaster,” meaning “stomach”. The flowers are pink, orange, red, green or cream.
This plant is easy to care for and can thrive in both bright and low-light conditions. Plus, it’s a great way to purify the air in your bathroom.
Cissus Discolor – Rex Begonia Vine
Cissus discolor plant, also known as Rex Begonia Vine, is a trailing plant with beautifully patterned leaves. It’s perfect for a hanging basket or trailing from a shelf or bench.
The leaves are large and heart-shaped, with a dark green color on top and a deep purple color on the underside. The edges of the leaves have a scalloped or serrated appearance, and the surface of the leaf is often marbled with silver or gray markings. The plant has long, slender stems that can grow up to several feet in length, allowing it to climb (if given support) or trail.
The Cissus discolor plant may also produce small, white or yellow flowers, although they are not particularly showy and the plant is primarily grown for its striking foliage.
Rex Begonia vines are relatively easy to care for. They prefer humid conditions and need bright, indirect light to thrive. If your bathroom does not get a lot of natural light, you may need to place the plant near a window or under a grow light.
Senecio Peregrinus – String of Dolphins
String of Dolphins, senecio peregrinus, is a unique plant native to South Africa that gets its name from the curved solid leaves that resemble dolphins leaping out of the water.
String of dolphins succulents are easy to care for and are perfect for the water theme of a bathroom! They thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. They can handle moderate humidity levels – making them ideal for bathrooms with good ventilation. If your bathroom doesn’t have good ventilation and stays steamy, consider a different plant.
Senecio peregrinus can flower, but the flowers are small and inconspicuous. Its main attraction is it’s quirky leaves.
Callisia Repens – Pink Lady Turtle Vine
This beautiful Turtle vine succulent, Callisia repens, is known as Pink Lady owing to the pink blush of its stems and leaves.
This vine will work well in a hanging basket, or on a bench top, where the foliage will trail beautifully. Callisia thrive in low-light, high-humidity environments. Perfect for a bathroom.
Can Succulents Live In A Bathroom Without Window?
Succulents are generally adapted to bright, sunny conditions and prefer a lot of natural light. However, there are succulents that can tolerate low levels of light. If your bathroom does not have a window, or has low levels of light, just be sure to choose species of plants that can tolerate low light for your bathroom.
To help your succulents thrive in a bathroom without a window, you may want to consider providing them with a grow light and placing them near a light-colored wall that can reflect light.
Special Care Tips For Succulents In A Bathroom
Succulents are a great choice for adding some color and living plants to your bathroom. They are easy to maintain and can thrive in a humid environment but there are a few care items to look out for.
Here are some tips on how to successfully grow succulents in your bathroom:
- Be careful with any sprays – cleaning products, deodorants, perfume, hair products, for example. Make sure you don’t get any spray on your plants, and, if you do, wipe the product off the leaves immediately.
- Don’t place succulents close to radiators or heated towel rails
- Be careful with overwatering – bathrooms usually have high humidity levels which means your succulents should need less water from you. Allow the soil to dry out between watering. Too much water can lead to root rot, so be sure not to overwater.
- Choose the right potting mix. A well-draining potting mix is essential for succulents, especially in a humid environment like a bathroom. Look for mixes that contain perlite or pumice to help with drainage.
- If you notice your succulents are starting to stretch, it means they are not getting enough light. Move them to a brighter location or try a grow light.
- When potting or repotting succulents, use a pot with drainage holes to prevent root rot.
- To avoid pests and diseases, keep your bathroom clean and free of clutter. Remove any dead leaves or flowers from your plants to help prevent the spread of disease. If you notice any pests on your plants, remove them immediately and treat the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- When watering your plants, water them at the base rather than overhead to avoid wetting the leaves, which can lead to fungal diseases.
Wrapping Up
So, we’ve run through some of our favorites and some of the best succulents for a bathroom. All of them are low maintenance and can survive in humid conditions. They look great, they can improve air quality and they add a little life and color to a room we all spend time in every day!
