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When it comes to buying a plant for your bathroom, it’s important to find a low-maintenance species that favors low light and high humidity levels. Fortunately, the popular snake plant ticks off all the boxes—and then some. Native to warmer climates like Africa and southern Asia, snake plants are essentially elevated succulents that require minimal upkeep. Bonus: They’re also known to purify the air, releasing oxygen at night.
Air Purifier | Yes, removes toxins from the air. |
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Light | Can tolerate a wide range of lighting conditions |
Size | Small to medium |
Pet Friendly | No |
Nicknamed the Swiss cheese plant, Monsteras have uniquely shaped leaves that will immediately transport you to a bountiful rainforest far away. Fortunately, this plant’s ideal growing conditions don’t stray too far from its tropical roots. Though Monsteras are compatible with many types of environments, they particularly love warmer climates and high levels of humidity.
Air Purifier | Yes, absorbs pollutants and releases fresh oxygen. |
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Light | Bright, indirect light |
Size | Medium to large |
Pet friendly | No |
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If you’re fortunate enough to have a bathroom with plenty of windows, consider adding an aloe vera plant to your setup. While aloe can survive in lower light levels, it really thrives in bright natural sunlight. Plus, some plant experts say this varietal is well-suited for a humid environment. Best of all? The gel in each aloe leaf has been proven to alleviate burns, wounds, and even wrinkles, making it a must-have for your medicine cabinet.
Air Purifier | Yes, it filters out chemicals |
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Light | Low to bright sunlight |
Size | Small to medium |
Pet Friendly | No |
The easy-to-grow Aglaonema is a small investment, but it pays off in big ways. In fact, this species is known to purify the air. And because this tropical option thrives in low light and high humidity levels, it’s a great choice for your steamy bathroom.
Air Purifier | Yes, it removes toxins from the air |
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Light | Low to medium light |
Size | Small to medium |
Pet Friendly | No |
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Orchids might be known for their finicky watering schedules, but they’re a surprisingly sound choice for your bathroom. The reason? Orchids are technically tropical plants, so heat and humidity are their friends. Though they can grow in low-light environments, they prefer bright but indirect sun. So if you can, place this flower right next to your bathroom window.
Air Purifieer | Yes, they purify the air |
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Light | At least six hours of sunlight daily |
Size | Small to medium |
Pet friendly | Yes |
If you’re looking for a plant that will be a permanent fixture in your bathroom, opt for lucky bamboo. Not only does bamboo thrive in low-light environments, but it’s also very hard to kill, so this species can live for years. Another perk? Bamboo is known for bringing luck and good fortune, which will lay the groundwork for a beautiful and serene bathroom.
Air Purifier | Yes, it removes chemicals and releases oxygen |
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Light | Bright indirect light |
Size | Medium to large |
Pet friendly | No |
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Spider plants, which hail from tropical and southern Africa, are known for being virtually impossible to kill. So if you’re adding plants to your bathroom for the very first time, this can be a great place to start. Plus, its ideal growing conditions are compatible with your bathroom. While spider plants can fare well in lower humidity levels, they definitely prefer some extra moisture. Bright, indirect sunlight is preferred, but this species will do just fine in lower light conditions. As for temperature? Spider plants prefer warmer climates during the day and slightly cooler temperatures at night, making them perfectly in sync with your routine.
Air Purifier | Yes, they absorb chemicals like carbon monoxide and cigarette smoke |
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Light | Low to medium indirect light |
Size | Small to medium |
Pet Friendly | Yes |
Known for its stunning silvery-green foliage, this plant is perfect for sun-drenched bathroom windows. Not only does it purify the air by filtering out harmful pollutants, but it also produces oxygen, enhancing your indoor air quality. With its rich symbolism of peace and prosperity, having an olive tree in your bathroom can elevate your space both aesthetically and spiritually. Just remember to water it sparingly and provide well-draining soil to keep it happy!
Related: The 12 Best Faux Olive Trees
Air Purifier | Yes, they absorb pollutants and release oxygen |
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Light | Six hours of direct sunlight daily |
Size | Large |
Pet friendly | Yes |
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Meet your bathroom’s new BFF. As a natural air purifier, English ivy excels at removing airborne mold commonly found in bathrooms and promotes better respiratory health for your steamy sanctuary. The bathroom’s humid environment is actually perfect for this plant, as it thrives in moist air while preferring its soil on the slightly drier side.
Air Purifier | Yes, they cleanse the air and reduce airborne fecal matter and mold |
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Light | Low to medium indirect light |
Size | Medium to large |
Pet friendly | No |
This lush, trailing beauty is versatile, hardy, and oh-so-forgiving. Its heart-shaped leaves not only add a pop of green glamour but also work overtime as natural air purifiers, filtering out common household toxins. Whether you’re blessed with a sun-soaked bathroom or dealing with a dim water closet, this adaptable plant will flourish. Hang it from the ceiling for a cascade of greenery, or let it trail elegantly from a high shelf. And for those of us who occasionally forget to water (we’ve all been there), the Pothos is surprisingly drought-tolerant.
Related: The Ultimate Pothos Plant Guide
Air Purifier | Yes, they effectively remove toxins from the air |
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Light | Can tolerate any lighting conditions |
Size | Medium to large |
Pet friendly | No |
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This powerhouse plant actively filters out common bathroom nasties like mold spores, formaldehyde, and benzene, making your space healthier with every breath. The bathroom’s steamy environment is its perfect habitat, as it thrives in humid conditions while helping to prevent mildew formation on your tiles and shower curtains. Don’t stress about dim lighting— this tropical beauty is adapted to forest floor conditions and can flourish even in low-light bathrooms. Best of all, it’s incredibly low-maintenance, needing just weekly watering and occasional misting during summer months.
Air Purifier | Yes, they help reduce many airborne toxins |
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Light | Low to medium indirect light |
Size | Small to medium |
Pet friendly | No |
Add a dash of café chic to your bathroom with a Coffee Plant (Coffea arabica)! This sophisticated tropical beauty brings a touch of exotic flair with its glossy, dark green leaves and occasional fragrant white blooms that smell just like jasmine. While you won’t be harvesting enough beans for your morning brew, this plant absolutely adores the humid, warm environment of your bathroom, mimicking its natural rainforest habitat. The bathroom’s steamy atmosphere helps prevent the dreaded brown leaf tips that often plague coffee plants in drier spaces. Place it near a bright window where it can soak up indirect sunlight, and watch as it adds an upscale, boutique hotel vibe to your space.
Air Purifier | Yes, they can remove toxins from the air |
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Light | Bright, indirect light |
Size | Small to medium |
Pet friendly | No |
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This plant gets its charming name from its unique nighttime ritual of folding its leaves upward in a prayer-like position, adding a touch of spiritual tranquility to your space. The steamy atmosphere perfectly mimics its preferred 50 to 60 percent humidity levels. Perfect for busy plant parents, it’s surprisingly low-maintenance and pet-friendly, making it a worry-free addition to your bathroom oasis.
Air Purifier | Yes, they remove toxins from the air |
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Light | Bright indirect light |
Size | Small to medium |
Pet friendly | Yes |
This glossy-leaved beauty is practically indestructible, making it perfect for plant parents who want sophistication without the stress. Its thick, waxy leaves not only add a touch of modern elegance but also serve as natural water storage, meaning it won’t throw a fit if you forget to water it for a few weeks. The ZZ thrives in bathrooms thanks to its remarkable adaptability to both low light conditions and varying humidity levels. It’s even happy under just fluorescent lighting. As an added bonus, this air-purifying champion helps remove common toxins like benzene and toluene from your space. Place it anywhere from that dim corner to a bright windowsill (just avoid direct sunlight), and watch it thrive with minimal attention.
Air Purifier | Yes, it removes toxins from the air |
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Light | Low to medium indirect light |
Size | Medium |
Pet friendly | No |
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This stunning palm transforms any bathroom into a luxurious oasis with its elegant, feathery fronds and impressive stature. Perfect for bathrooms with ample space and bright windows, this natural air purifier thrives in the steamy environment, helping to filter out common bathroom pollutants while acting as a natural humidifier. For the ultimate spa-like sanctuary, consider placing it in a corner where its dramatic fronds can make a statement. Just be sure your bathroom has enough space, as this beauty needs room to spread its wings.
Air Purifier | Yes, they purify the air |
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Light | Medium to bright indirect light |
Size | Large |
Pet friendly | Yes |
This charming miniature fern, with its delicate round leaflets and subtle lemony fragrance, brings both style and function to your space. Standing at just 12 to 18-inches tall, it’s the ideal compact companion for small bathrooms, where it thrives in the naturally humid environment. The bathroom’s steamy atmosphere perfectly matches its high humidity needs, and it’s adaptable enough to handle various light conditions—though it prefers bright, indirect light.
Air Purifier | Yes, they remove common airborne pollutants. |
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Light | Medium to bright indirect light |
Size | Small |
Pet friendly | Yes |
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Meet the ultimate minimalist’s dream—air plants! These quirky little wonders thrive without soil and get everything they need from the air around them. Your steamy bathroom is their idea of paradise, as they absorb moisture and nutrients through their specialized leaves during your daily shower routine. Display them in a sleek glass terrarium, perch them on a windowsill, or create an eye-catching wall arrangement— their sculptural forms add instant artistic flair to any bathroom space.
While they’re incredibly low-maintenance, air plants do appreciate a weekly misting and bright, indirect light. The best part? Their unique ability to grow without soil means you can get creative with placement—mount them on driftwood, suspend them in macramé hangers, or cluster them in contemporary air plant holders. Just remember to give them a good shake after your shower to prevent water from pooling in their leaves, and these otherworldly beauties will thrive in your bathroom for years to come!
Air Purifier | Yes, they can purify indoor air |
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Light | Low to medium indirect light |
Size | Small |
Pet friendly | Yes |
This compact charmer thrives in the humid bathroom environment, making it an ideal addition to your personal spa sanctuary. Its silvery-green striped foliage adds an artistic touch while helping to purify the air. The steamy atmosphere from your daily showers provides the perfect humidity levels this tropical plant craves, though it’s surprisingly adaptable to average indoor conditions.
Air Purifier | Yes, they help improve indoor air quality |
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Light | Medium to bright indirect light |
Size | Small |
Pet friendly | Yes |
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This vining beauty, with its heart-shaped, glossy leaves, is basically the plant equivalent of that friend who makes everything look effortless. Perfect for your bathroom’s humid environment, it thrives in the steamy atmosphere while adding a touch of tropical sophistication to your space. Whether you let it cascade from a high shelf or train it up a moss pole, this adaptable plant knows how to make an entrance. It’s surprisingly forgiving in lower light conditions, though it’ll grow faster with bright, indirect light. The best part? It’s practically impossible to mess up—even if you forget to water it occasionally, this resilient plant bounces back like a champ.
Air Purifier | Yes, it’s particularly good at filtering formaldehyde from the air |
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Light | Low to medium indirect light |
Size | Small to medium |
Pet friendly | No |
This Madagascar native adds an architectural element that transforms any bathroom. The steamy bathroom environment is ideal for this tropical plant, which thrives in warm, humid conditions while purifying the air of common household toxins. One of its best qualities is its low-maintenance nature— it actually prefers to be left alone rather than overwatered, making it perfect for busy plant parents.
Air Purifier | Yes, it absorbs chemicals released from cigarettes, paints, and car exhaust. |
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Light | Low to medium indirect sunlight |
Size | Medium to large |
Pet friendly | No |

Julia Cancilla is the engagement editor (and resident witch) at ELLE DECOR, where she manages the brand’s social media presence and covers trends, lifestyle, and culture in the design world. Her eye for emerging styles helps bring the latest in interior design to ELLE Decor’s audience across platforms. Julia built her background at Inked magazine, where she grew their social media audiences by two million, conducted interviews with A-list celebrities, and penned feature articles focusing on pop culture, design, and lifestyle. Over her five years of digital media experience, Julia has written about numerous topics, from fashion to astrology.
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