As we discussed in our previous article, “Do Indoor Plants REALLY Clean Your Air? Let’s See What The Research Including The NASA Study Actually Shows Us,” having indoor plants can help clean the air, but a significant number of them would be required to have a substantial impact.
However, even with a smaller impact, incorporating air-purifying plants into your home can still make a difference in promoting a healthier indoor environment and improving air quality. Every little bit counts!
By incorporating certain plants in your bathroom, you can naturally clean the air, absorb extra moisture and create a healthier bathroom that also creates the perfect atmosphere for self-care!
We know bathrooms are filled with germs, bacteria, and toxic self-care products. That all means more toxic air – so by intentionally adding some air-purifying plants to the space along with taking other actions like opening the windows etc. it can become a safer and healthier space!
What is really cool is that it was found that certain plants can eliminate the toxins in the air as well as absorb any excess dampness that can lead to things like mildew and mold – which can cause a plethora of other health issues (both temporary and chronic). These types of plants are perfect for an environment like the bathroom that tends to house a lot of toxic products and also a lot of steam, mildew and water.
Another added benefit of adding plants to the bathroom is that it can give off the feeling of being in a spa and will thus induce a calm, de-stressing feeling. This is great for mental health – and as we know, mental health is vital to overall health!
While all this sounds great! It’s not as simple as it sounds.
The bathroom environment is different from every other space in the house in that it is much more humid, has much less natural light, and can have a varying temperature. You’ll want to make sure to pick plants that can survive in this kind of space. Otherwise, your plants won’t do what you want them to, and, well – they will have a higher likelihood of dying.
You’ll want to look for plants that can grow with a low amount of light, that thrive in high humidity, and can survive unregulated temperature changes. Finding plants that fit this criteria and are also air purifiers can be tricky, but don’t worry! We’ve pulled together a list of the top 5 plants we would recommend for your bathroom space.
By choosing these bathroom plants wisely, you are not only investing in a beautiful environment, but also in your physical, emotional and mental health – and we are ALL about that!
So here are 5 of the best plants for your bathroom that you can go out and get today!
1. Peace Lily
The Peace Lily is a low-light indoor plant that is great for removing pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, xylene and toluene (toxic household pollutants known for causing cancer, cognitive dysfunction, brain lesions, toxic polyneuropathy and more) from the indoor environment. This plant is great for the bathroom because it doesn’t need much light and it absorbs extra moisture in the air, which is great to have in the bathroom so as to prevent things like mold as well as to manage humidity.
Light Needed: Indoor filtered light, Poor Light, Artificial Light
Humidity Needed: Moderate
Removes:
- Benzene
- Formaldehyde
- Xylene
- Toluene
2. Golden Pothos
The Golden Pothos would make a great addition to your bathroom! It is known for being one of the easiest plants to take care of, because it’s low maintenance (only needing watering every 7-10 days) and it can grow in all types of light spaces (low, medium and high). It’s extremely versatile. It’s recommended for the bathroom (though it can really go in any room in the house) because it does well in low light. The Golden Pothos plant is one of the highest rated on NASA’s low light indoor plant that is great for removing pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde and toluene (toxic household pollutants known for causing cancer, cognitive dysfunction, brain lesions, toxic polyneuropathy and more) from the indoor environment.
Light Needed: Low, medium, or high natural light spaces
Humidity Needed: Grow best in 50-70% humidity environments (making great bathroom plants!)
Removes:
- Benzene
- Formaldehyde
- Toluene
3. Phalaenopsis Orchids
The Phalaenopsis Orchids are a colorful option when looking for an air purifying plant! The Phalaenopsis Orchid grows best in medium or bright light, but can also do fine in low light! They are fairly low maintenance, only needing watering when they are totally dried out which roughly just once a week. This plant type removes xylene and toluene from indoor air. The Phalaenopsis Orchid does great in the bathroom because of the high humidity it typically needs to survive.
Light Needed: Medium to low light – does not do well in direct light
Humidity Needed: Grows best in an environment with a humidity 50% or higher (to give you an idea, most homes have a humidity of 30 to 40% with the exception of the bathroom with a shower/bath)
Removes:
- Xylene
- Toluene
4. Spider Plant
The Spider Plant is easy to take care of, needing only to be watered once a week. It is a very durable beginner plant that is a powerhouse when it comes to removing toxins. It does best in high-humidity environments, making it a perfect plant for the bathroom.
Light Needed: Best in bright light (maybe near bathroom window), but can grow in partially shaded to partial direct sun and everything in between
Humidity Needed: Does best in high humidity environments (can survive in low-moderate humidity too though)
Removes:
- Formaldehyde
- Xylene
- Toluene
- Can Absorb Mold & other allergens
5. Kimberley Queen Fern
The Kimberley Queen Fern is very similar to the famous Boston Fern, but it grows more upright. It is excellent at removing toxins from the air environment as well as germs, bacterias and molds which are all commonly found in bathroom spaces! This plant does best in high humidity making it a great addition to any bathroom!
Light Needed: Indirect light is best, but can survive in low light spaces as well
Humidity Needed: Best in high humidity
Removes:
- Formaldehyde
- Xylene
- Toluene
- other germs, molds & bacteria
References
BC Wolverton; WL Douglas; K Bounds (September 1989). Interior landscape plants for indoor air pollution abatement(Report). NASA. NASA-TM-101766.
“Costa Farms.” Kimberly Queen Fern | Costa Farms, www.costafarms.com/plants/kimberly-queen-fern.
Daniels, Erica. “Peace Lily Care Guide: Growing Information and Tips: ProFlowers.” ProFlowers Blog, 16 Jan. 2019, www.proflowers.com/blog/peace-lily-care.
Iannotti, Marie. “How to Grow Pothos.” The Spruce, www.thespruce.com/pothos-an-easy-to-grow-houseplant-1403154.
Old Farmer’s Almanac. “Spider Plants.” Old Farmer’s Almanac, www.almanac.com/plant/spider-plants.
VanZile, Jon. “Phalaenopsis: Orchids for a Beginning Gardener.” The Spruce, www.thespruce.com/phalaenopsis-orchids-definition-1902866.
