Sansevieria, also known as "mother-in-law’s tongue" is one of the most low-maintenance plants you can grow, which makes it the perfect choice for a bathroom. This low-light plant filters out formaldehyde, common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissues—and even some cosmetics. Available at Home Depot; $16.98.
The 10 Best Plants for Your Bathroom
If replacing your tile or installing a new vanity lie outside your budget, you can afford one truly luxurious upgrade: transforming your bathroom into a tropical paradise. Low light bathrooms with small or frosted windows pose no problems for many of these houseplants. And the high humidity in an average bathroom makes it the perfect environment for many tropical varieties. Not only that, but houseplants are nature's air purifiers—so this is one upgrade that pays dividends and looks great at the same time.
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Snake Plant
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Spider Plant
This hardworking houseplant prefers medium light to work its magic—that is, removing impurities like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide from the air. Water it once or twice a week, and you'll be rewarded with new buds that you can repot or gift to friends. Available at Etsy; $6.99.
Related: 10 Plants for Where the Sun Don't Shine
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Bamboo
This most Zen-like plant can grow in almost any light—even without any soil! Just place your bamboo to root in a container filled with a few inches of pebbles, then fill halfway with water, re-watering occasionally. If you're feeling fancy, spend a few more bucks for the variety with twisted stalks. Available at Home Depot; $19.98.
Related: 6 Secrets to a Successful Container Garden
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Cast Iron Plant
Popularized in the Victorian era, there's still a lot to love about the so-called cast iron plant, or aspidistra. For one, it's super hardy and can tolerate neglect, over-watering, and extreme temperatures. For best results, let the soil of this shade-loving plant dry between waterings. Available on Etsy; $24.
Related: How to Help Your Houseplants Survive the Winter
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Dracaena
Dragon plants come in a few varieties, but all of them are at risk of brown and dry leaf tips in low-humidity households. That's just one reason to consider this tropical plant for your bath. The natural humidity of the bathroom will keep it—and your space—looking fresh and flawless. Available at Home Depot; $5.99.
Related: 11 Signs of an Unhappy Houseplant (and How You Can Help)
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Orchid
Some gardeners find orchids a bit finicky but in the right environment, they can flourish. Set yours on a bathroom windowsill. The indirect sunlight will nourish the plant while the high humidity mirrors the environment where orchids naturally bloom. Available at Home Depot; $26.98.
Related: 10 Houseplants to Improve Indoor Air Quality
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Ferns
Ferns naturally grow in the filtered light and high humidity conditions of tropical forests. Luckily, the average bathroom can simulate this environment perfectly. Situate a low-maintenance fern in a corner of your bathroom and enjoy! Available at Home Depot; $16.99.
Related: 6 Common Houseplant Pests—and How to Get Rid of Them
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Ivy
If given the opportunity, ivy can climb and scale walls, trellises, or, in this case, the metal pipes framing a tub. Hang it high by the window to save space and let sunlight filter through the leaves. Available at Home Depot; $9.98.
Related: 10 Great Ways to Grow Your Walls Green
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Peace Lily
Peace lilies are wonderfully low-maintenance and filter household impurities from the air. Want to make sure it flowers? Keep sunlight minimal and the soil moist. Available at Home Depot; $15.98.
Related: 10 Common Garden Problems—and How to Fix Them
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Aloe Vera
This succulent is a perfect choice for a sunny bathroom window. Not only does it bring life to the room, it also doubles as a medicine cabinet unto itself. After washing a cut or burn at the sink, split open an aloe leaf and apply the gel to your skin; it helps heal abrasions naturally. Available at Home Depot; $9.99.
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