Project list
Sign in to your account
With project lists you can...
Please sign in or create an account to use Project Lists
Renovating a bathroom can be more expensive than you may think, but there’s a quick and easy way to give it an instant style refresh without having to splash the cash. All you need to do is bring the right plants into the space. Start with a few humidity-loving heroes to fit your budget and you’ll be on your way to a thriving oasis of feel-good greenery. Follow this guide to the best bathroom plants.
Think of your bathroom as a mini greenhouse – the light and humidity levels probably have a lot in common with a plant’s natural environment. In drier rooms, you may need to regularly mist leaves or use a humidifier, while here you’ll be helping them out whenever you turn on the taps. The key is not to overwater them. Some, like ZZ plants, have fleshy roots or leaves that can store water for long periods and need the top layer of soil to dry between waterings, so test it with your finger first.
Bathrooms give you easy access to perk up a thirsty plant with a dip in the sink or a soak in the shower, allowing the excess water to drain off. Showering can also rinse off dusty leaves for better absorption of oxygen and light – use a mesh strainer to avoid clogging your drain with stray soil or debris.
Most indoor plants prefer indirect bright light, but many can tolerate lower light. If your bathroom only has a small window – or no window at all – even low-maintenance plants can struggle. To let in more natural light, keep windows clean and add a skylight if possible. White walls and mirrors can also help reflect light. You can also add grow lights or invest in a battery-powered smart sensor to help you keep track of light, moisture, heat and humidity levels.
Use quality potting mix and follow the individual care guidelines for seasonal feeding to promote good growth – convenient options include premixed liquid fertiliser, plant food spray and slow-release tablets.
Space can be a premium in bathrooms, so make the most of all your options. Hang plants from the ceiling or shower curtain rail, arrange them on shelves and vanities, and add a stool or small table so you can arrange pots at various heights. Look for textured pots that can contrast or complement the colours and textures in the plants.
Plan ahead if you’re after a statement floor plant – choosing a smaller plant that’s quick to grow may suit your budget better than buying a large one. If space is tight, look for something more compact.
Let’s take a look at some popular plants that could work in your bathroom.
From one of the oldest plant groups on earth – older than dinosaurs, even – ferns are truly timeless in style terms. If the idea of connecting with ancient nature doesn’t sway you, maybe the ease of maintenance will. Ferns need consistent moisture and humidity, so your bathroom routine can help keep this fast-growing, feathery favourite happy and healthy.
A little mess is inevitable when you bring potted plants into pristine bathrooms, but there’s a wildcard solution – air plants. Soil-free, sculptural and good for small spaces, they can be suspended in mid-air, attached to bark to hang on walls, or displayed on shelves, windowsills and decorative dishes. These clever plants draw moisture and nutrients directly from the air, so keeping them somewhere humid means you can water them less often.
It may already be in the creams, gels, lotions, masks and wipes stocked in your bathroom shelves and cabinets, but an aloe vera plant gives you the real deal. This pointed succulent does well in a bright bathroom with minimal watering. Then, next time you need a soothing, moisturising gel, just harvest a leaf.
You probably wouldn’t be filled with calm at the thought of finding a spider in your bathroom, but a spider plant is a different story. Adorably retro, it’s loved for its strappy, stripy leaves and undemanding nature. Let it happily hang in baskets or perch in a pot on the windowsill and soak up the humidity.
Artificial plants make for fuss-free bathroom foliage but despite its sturdy looks the rubber plant is no fake – its name comes from the latex sap inside (watch out, it can irritate skin). Growing up to 3 metres tall, it’s a great floor plant for a spacious bathroom as well as being one of best plants for a bedroom.
Add variety with calatheas in vivid patterns and colours – you may need to raise them up on a stool or table to reveal the magic underneath the leaves. If flowers are your thing, break up the greenery with the eye-catching spathes of the anthurium – also known as flamingo flower – and peace lily.
Feng shui believers avoid placing a pilea (Chinese money plant) in a bathroom for fear of washing all the luck and riches down the drain. If that doesn’t bother you, give it pride of place in your powder room and admire its slim stems and pancake-like leaves. Or get your good fortune from a lucky bamboo instead.
Fancy a tropical fruit salad as part of your D.I.Y. home spa package? As a petite shelf specimen or a statuesque floor model, the fruit salad plant – also known as monstera – brings arty, retro, jungle vibes to bathrooms.
Your steamy indoor jungle definitely needs devil's ivy, a versatile vine for styling in hanging baskets, pinned along walls or trained up a screen or trellis. Also known as Golden Pothos, its sinister nickname comes from being notoriously hard to kill. If you like the look of its heart-shaped leaves, the heart leaf philodendron is another easy pick.
The sharp upright lines of a snake plant (unkindly nicknamed mother-in-law's tongue) provide the perfect contrast to delicate, draping bathroom plants.
Check out our wide range of indoor plants, you’re sure to find one that is just right for your space.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
