9 Best Plants for Bathroom Without Windows
If you’ve got a bathroom with no windows, you probably think you’re stuck with boring walls forever. But here’s the thing – you’re not!
I used to stare at my windowless guest bathroom, thinking it was destined to stay plain and lifeless. Like most people, I figured plants needed bright, sunny spots to survive. Turns out, I was completely wrong about that.
Adding plants to your bathroom is actually one of the easiest ways to transform the space. They make everything feel more relaxing and spa-like, help clean the air (which is pretty nice in a bathroom), and look good against all those hard surfaces.
The 9 plants for the bathroom that I am going to share in this post will actually thrive in there. Many plants love the extra humidity from your showers and don’t mind lower light at all. Some even prefer it! Your windowless bathroom might just be the perfect plant sanctuary you never knew you had.
9 Best Plants for Bathroom Without Windows
1. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
If you’ve killed plants before, you’re going to love the ZZ plant. This plant can go weeks without water and still look good.
Why Does it Work So Well?
ZZ plants don’t require light. Those thick, shiny leaves store water, so the plant can take care of itself when you’re not paying attention.
How to Care for it?
Water it twice a month or maybe less. When the soil feels dry, give it some water and then leave it alone. The main way people kill these is by overwatering them.
Where to Put It?
Put it on a shelf or in a corner. It doesn’t need to be front and center – it’s happy just sitting there making your bathroom look better without needing anything from you.
2. Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)
Pothos is that friend who’s always doing well, no matter what’s going on. You can literally grow this plant in a jar of water on your counter – no soil needed. The long, trailing vines look really pretty hanging down from shelves or baskets, and they grow fast enough that you’ll actually see progress.
Why Does it Work So Well?
This plant is incredibly flexible. It grows in water, it grows in soil, it handles low light, and it likes humidity. The heart-shaped leaves look good in any bathroom, and those long trailing vines soften up all the hard surfaces you’ve got in there.
How to Care for it?
If you’re growing it in soil, water it when the top feels dry. That’s usually about once a week, but don’t stress about being exact. Want more plants? Just cut off a piece with a few leaves and stick it in water. In a couple of weeks, you’ll have roots, and then you’ll have a new plant.
Where to Put It?
Hang it up so the vines can trail down, or put it on a high shelf and let it cascade. It also looks good trained around a mirror if you want to get fancy.
3. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Snake plants are for people who want their bathroom to look good but don’t want to think about plant care. These tall, sturdy plants with their striped leaves actually get upset if you pay too much attention to them. They love being left alone, and they’re really good at cleaning the air while they sit there looking impressive.
Why Does It Work So Well?
This plant thrives on neglect. The thicker the leaves, the less it needs from you. Snake plants store water in those tough leaves, so they can go a long time between waterings. They also pull toxins out of the air, which is nice to have in any room, but especially the bathroom.
How to Care for it?
Water it once a month. In winter, you can probably go even longer. The soil should be completely dry before you water it again. These plants hate wet feet more than anything else.
Where to Put It?
Get a few different heights and group them together in a corner – it looks really striking. Or just put one big one somewhere it can stand tall and look architectural. They work as living sculptures.
4. Peace Lily
Peace lilies are perfect for people who want a plant that actually tells them what it needs. When this plant gets thirsty, it droops its leaves in a very obvious “hey, I need water” way. Give it a drink, and within hours it perks right back up. Plus, you get those beautiful white flowers that make your bathroom look like a fancy spa.
Why Does It Work So Well?
The peace lily loves humidity, so all that steam from your shower makes it happy. Those white blooms aren’t just pretty – they show up regularly when the plant is content. The dark green leaves look good against white bathroom fixtures, and the whole plant has this elegant look that works in any style bathroom.
How to Care for it?
Keep the soil slightly damp but not soaking wet. The plant will literally show you when it’s thirsty by drooping, so you don’t have to guess. It loves the extra moisture in the air from your showers, which means less work for you with a spray bottle.
Where to Put It?
Put it on a plant stand or stool where you can see those flowers. It looks really good sitting next to the tub or on a counter where it gets some of that bathroom light.
5. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
If you want something prettier than plain green leaves, Chinese evergreens are your answer. These plants come with leaves that have pink, red, or silver patterns mixed in with the green. They’re tough plants that don’t ask for much, but they look way more interesting than most low-maintenance options.
Why Does It Work So Well?
Chinese evergreens handle low light better than almost any other colorful plant. Most plants with fancy colors need bright light to keep those patterns, but these keep their pink and silver markings even in dim bathrooms. They’re also pretty forgiving if you mess up the watering schedule.
How to Care for it?
Water it when the top inch of soil feels dry. That’s usually once a week or so. If you want to make it extra happy, spray the leaves with water- it likes the extra humidity but doesn’t need it to survive.
Where to Put It?
The pink and green varieties look incredible in white bathrooms. Put it on a counter or shelf where you can actually see those colorful leaves. It adds just the right amount of color without being overwhelming.
6. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
The cast iron plant got its name for a reason – it’s tough as metal. It has simple, dark green leaves that arch gracefully, and it can handle conditions that would kill most other plants.
Why Does It Work So Well?
This plant earned its reputation during the Victorian era, when people heated their homes with coal, and gas fumes filled the air. If it could survive that, your windowless bathroom is nothing. It actually prefers low light and doesn’t mind being forgotten for weeks at a time.
How to Care for it?
Water it maybe twice a month, and even that might be too much. Let the soil get completely dry between waterings. The biggest mistake people make is trying to take too good care of it. This plant thrives on neglect.
Where to Put It?
If your bathroom has a vintage or traditional style, this plant fits right in. Those long, arching leaves look great in a corner or next to an old-fashioned clawfoot tub. It has that timeless look that works with classic bathroom fixtures.
7. Philodendron Brasil
Philodendron Brasil has these perfect little heart-shaped leaves with yellow and green stripes that look like someone painted them by hand. This plant grows fast enough that you’ll actually see new leaves appearing regularly, and it’s very forgiving if you forget about it for a while or water it too much by accident.
Why Does It Work So Well?
The heart-shaped leaves are pretty enough on their own, but the yellow variegation makes this plant really stand out. It loves humidity, so your shower steam keeps it happy without you having to do anything extra. Plus, it grows quickly, which means you get that satisfying feeling of successfully keeping something alive pretty fast.
How to Care for it?
Water it about once a week when the soil feels dry on top. It likes that bathroom humidity, so it’s usually pretty content just sitting there soaking up the steam from your showers. If a leaf turns yellow, just pull it off – no big deal.
Where to Put It?
Let those trailing vines hang down from a shelf or basket. You can also train it around your bathroom mirror if you want something different – the vines are flexible and easy to guide where you want them.
8. Monstera Adansonii (Swiss Cheese Vine)
Monstera Adansonii is the plant you see all over social media with those natural holes in the leaves. The holes don’t mean the plant is damaged – that’s just how the leaves grow, and they make this plant instantly recognizable. It trails beautifully and loves the humid air in bathrooms.
Why Does It Work So Well?
Those holes in the leaves aren’t just for looks – they help the plant handle wind and rain in its natural habitat. In your bathroom, they just look really cool. The plant loves humidity, so your shower steam keeps it happy. The trailing vines can get pretty long, which gives you lots of options for how to display it.
How to Care for it?
Keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy. Water it when the top inch feels dry, which is usually once a week or so. If you want it to climb instead of trail, give it a moss pole or trellis to grab onto. Otherwise, just let it hang down and do its thing.
Where to Put It?
This is perfect if you want that jungle bathroom look. Put it on a high shelf and let those holey vines cascade down, or hang it in a basket. The unusual leaf shape adds visual interest without being overwhelming.
9. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are the ultimate starter plant, and there’s a reason they’ve been popular for decades. These plants grow baby plants (called plantlets) on long stems that dangle down like spiders on a web. It’s one of the most reliable plants for bathroom spaces.
Why Does It Work So Well?
Spider plants have been around forever because they’re nearly foolproof. The long, skinny leaves with white stripes look good in any bathroom, and they handle humidity really well. Plus, watching those baby plants develop is actually pretty entertaining – it’s like getting free plants just for keeping the original one alive.
How to Care for it?
Water it regularly – about once a week when the soil feels dry on top. It loves the extra humidity from your shower, so it’s usually pretty happy just sitting in the bathroom doing its thing. The leaves will tell you if something’s wrong by turning brown at the tips, but that’s usually just from tap water with too many chemicals.
Where to Put It?
Hang it up in a basket so you can see all those baby plants dangling down. That’s really the best way to show off what makes this plant special. You can also put it on a high shelf and let the babies cascade over the edge.
What You’ll Need to Get Started?
You don’t need much to get started with bathroom plants. Here are the basics:
- Pots with drainage holes – This is important because water needs somewhere to go
- Regular potting soil – Nothing fancy required
- Basic plant food – For occasional feeding
Where to Shop for Plants and Supplies?
- Local Garden Centers: These usually have the best plant selection and staff who can answer questions. You can see exactly what you’re getting before you buy it.
- Grocery Stores: Many carry basic plants and supplies. The selection is smaller, but it’s convenient and often cheaper.
- Online: Good for finding specific plants or hard-to-find varieties. Just know that shipping live plants can be unpredictable – sometimes they arrive perfect, sometimes they look rough.
Budget-Friendly Approach
The whole setup doesn’t have to cost much. Start with one plant and a decent pot, see how it goes, then add more if you want. No need to turn your bathroom into a jungle right away – though once you see how good even one plant looks, you might want to.
Wrapping Up
No windows doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a boring bathroom forever. These plants prove that windowless spaces can be just as green and beautiful as any sunny space.
Start small – pick one or two plants for bathroom spaces and see how it goes.
Your bathroom is probably more plant-friendly than you think. The humidity, steady temperature, and gentle lighting create a good environment for the right plants.
So which one are you going to try first?
