The bathroom is a quiet place – it’s where we go to wash away the day and, hopefully, relax. And with the help of some leafy and aromatic plants that make a home smell good, we can transform our bathroom into a more relaxing space. One we want to stay longer.
Tropical plants will do best in humid bathroom conditions, so when shopping for the best bathroom plants, look for ones you can find in a jungle. In addition to making your bathroom more warm and welcoming, some of these indoor plants have flowers that release a mild fragrance when they bloom.
Aroma can often help us relax better, so we’ve rounded up seven of the best bath plants that can help us do the work for us.
(Image credit: Helen Loik Thomson/Getty Images)
7 aromatic houseplants that are perfect for the bathroom
Be careful not to overwater plants in the bathroom, as there is often less air movement and light than in other rooms of the house, and this means the plants will water less.
1. Peace lily
(Image credit: Getty Images / Olha Romaniuk)
With its glossy leaves and pretty white flowers, this classic houseplant is known for purifying the air, so it’s a good option to help keep your bathroom fresh. In my experience, they have an amazing ability to bounce back after being dehydrated, too
Peace lilies are a very easy houseplant to grow and are perfect for a bathroom, giving off a subtle clove-like scent when in flower. They thrive in high humidity and low light.
Peace lilies are also known as one of the best air purifying plants, as they are not only effective at purifying the air, but can also help remove mold spores – useful in bathrooms where condensation and mold can build up. be a problem in the colder months.
2. Fern with lemon buttons
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Ferns are great in the bathroom and bring lots of dramatic leafy texture. Houses and gardensHead of gardens, Rachel Bull, is particularly fond of her lemon button fern, which she keeps in her bathroom window.
“It gives off a lovely sweet, lemony scent when I brush or rub the leaves, which I’ll often do as part of my morning routine,” says Rachel. ‘It can be a bit tricky to care for, as with similar types of ferns. I have to be careful that it doesn’t sit in direct sunlight as its leaves will turn brown and red, so I sometimes move it around the bathroom if I know it’s going to be a hot day.’
Rachel says the lemon fern also needs watering most days, especially in the warmer months of the year, so she recommends keeping an eye on it and touching the soil regularly to make sure it’s sufficiently hydrated.
Rachel is head of gardens at Homes & Gardens, with an editorial career that began 15 years ago at Country Living magazine. Rachel grows an abundance of vegetables and cut flowers in her sprawling Yorkshire plot as she renovates her Edwardian home. She is particularly interested in sustainable gardening methods and growing flowers and plants for well-being.
3. Orchids
(Image credit: Breegan Jane)
An orchid sitting next to the sink or on a windowsill is one of our favorite ways to make a bathroom look more luxurious, and plant expert Anna Waterfield from the Plant Pet Club says orchids are a good option to keep your bathroom with fresh air.
“There aren’t many traditional houseplants that can mask the smell of the bathroom – but they are able to remove excess moisture from the air, which causes damp smells and mould,” says Anna.
“I would recommend focusing on plants like orchids, various ferns and calatheas for darker bathrooms with north and east/west facing windows. The humidity in the bathroom will make the foliage of those plants even more delicious,” she shares. she.
For advice on indoor orchid care, you can refer to our guide.
4. Jasmine
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Jasmine is known for its sweet and fruity scent when in flower. As long as your bathroom gets enough light, it’s possible to grow potted jasmine indoors and enjoy the intoxicating aroma while you take your morning shower.
Some types of jasmine plants can work well in your bathroom if it gets enough light from a bright window. They are one of the few indoor plants that require much more light than others to thrive.
There are many ways to increase natural light in your bathroom, such as removing any clutter on window sills and adding more reflective surfaces. If the conditions in your bathroom can provide good light for jasmine, for example, if you have a large window or a glass roof, they can provide abundant flowers, which will provide an amazing aroma.
Checkered stoneware planter
$20 at Target | This round stone planter has a checkered pattern for a nice, contemporary look. Designed with a single drainage hole, this decorative planter pot is perfect for housing your green leaves. Place it on a plant stand, table or on the ground for a welcoming display.
$40 at Wayfair | This brown and cream textured stoneware planter is strong, durable and stylish. We love the curved line design that gives it a modern, artistic look. It doesn’t have a drainage hole, so it might be best to put a plastic pot inside it to avoid root rot.
Embossed terracotta planter
$35 at Target | This planter is made from classic terracotta, but with a unique architectural design to add visual intrigue and shape to bathroom shelves. It has a drain hole and a drain plate, making it perfect for indoor and outdoor use.
5. Hoya
(Image credit: Getty Images / Ricardo Bayerlein)
“Sure, orchids and jasmine are popular, but there are more options,” says Zeba Parkar, founder and CEO of Treleaf, a plant accessories store. ‘Hoyas, with their heavenly scented blooms, thrive in the humidity of the bath. Stephanotis floribunda offers a stronger jasmine scent and also loves humidity.’
As a plant enthusiast with over 100 house plants, Zeba understands the challenges of bathroom plants. She says it’s important to match light needs (Hoyas like bright, indirect light) and consider additional misting for some plants. You can choose a stylish plant master on Amazon to help you keep your moisture-loving plants happy.
Zeba Parkar is the founder of Treleaf trellises. Zeba loves all kinds of plants and first made nature-inspired cages for her personal houseplant collection. With the support and encouragement of the plant community, Zeba started selling them online and received a warm response. She prides herself on bringing unique designs, durable materials and fine finishes to her work.
6. Gardenia
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Gardenias are very beautiful, tropical plants that have a beautiful white flower that emits a pleasant sweet fragrance. Speaking as someone who has tried and failed to care for a gardenia, it’s worth being aware that they are among the most difficult houseplants to keep alive, (although you can read expert advice in our guide for indoor garden care).
Plants are living things and will express what they need, so if you see the branches of your gardenia reaching towards the window, rotate it so the other side gets some sun. A good rule of thumb for houseplant care is to research the conditions the plant is naturally found in and try to replicate them at home, as there is a big difference between a plant that thrives and one that just survives.
Standard bath conditions are ideal for a gardenia, so if you’re up for the challenge, they’re an extremely rewarding option. By giving them bright, indirect light, moist conditions and lots of gentle care.
Master of the glass plant Offidix
This plant lord would look great next to your bathroom plants and help keep them happy on the hottest days.
Gardenias have one of the most powerful and memorable floral scents of all, and August Beauty Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides ‘August Beauty’) brings that heady floral scent into your home. Its aroma is reminiscent of starry summer evenings and luxurious French perfume, and its glossy dark green leaves look lovely all year round.
Keep plants looking their best by feeding them about once a month – shake some of the Joyful Dirt plant food into the soil on each side of the plant and water or mix directly into your watering can. It can also be used to help unhappy plants, just use it every time you water them to help bring them back to life.
7. Cut the eucalyptus
(Image credit: Getty Images / Anastasiia Krivenok)
Not only does it have dramatic curved branches and beautiful spherical leaves, cut eucalyptus is a wonderful indoor plant to add subtle fragrance to your home. You can make your bath feel like a bath with cut eucalyptus stems, which release essential oils when placed in a steam bath.
Eucalyptus can help with nasal congestion and the almost medicinal aroma is relaxing and uplifting. You can also use cut eucalyptus in the shower by tying it to the shower head, or simply display a large bunch in a vase.
Be aware that eucalyptus is toxic if consumed, so be careful if you have four-legged friends or small children around.
Frequently asked questions
What plants will not survive in the bathroom?
Cacti and succulents do not do well in high humidity environments and therefore would not be happy in a bathroom. Plants that are prone to fungal diseases and pests may not grow happily in the bathroom and would be better kept near an open window in another part of your home.
Air plants are also a great option for keeping over the smell of humidity. These lightweight plants will be even more trouble-free when placed in the bathroom, as they will draw their moisture from the air, reducing their watering requirement.
Plants can only do so much, so you might want to try some other fun ways to make your bathroom smell nice.