8

I would like to have a plant in my bathroom, that can absorb the humidity when I shower, so that no attention to irrigation would be required. The bathroom however doesn't have direct sunlight.

Improve this question
3
  • 1
    Bromeliads come to mind, although no plant will do all the dehumidifying for you. You should have a vent for most of the humidity.
    – J. Musser
    Oct 10, 2014 at 10:16
  • No direct sunlight is a good thing for many plants, but I just want to check that you don't mean there's no daylight, in other words, no window at all.
    – Bamboo
    Oct 10, 2014 at 10:59
  • No daylight - there are no windows at all. and i don't need it to dehumidify all, I meant the plant would have all it needs from the humidity.
    – Sparkler
    Oct 10, 2014 at 14:32

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
7

The only plants that can live and grow without being directly watered are called epiphytes. Some common ones grown as houseplants include:

All of these plants, however, require light, preferably right filtered light out of direct sun. This means that they will suffer and decline in even a normally bright bathroom, when all the other conditions are met. You need supplemental lighting, especially as you don't have windows. A 150-300 watt led grow light at a 3-4' range should work. These plants are all equatorial, so daylength (how long you need to leave the light on) will be about 12 hours per day.

Watering shouldn't be necessary, but they require high humidity at all times, and a daily/twice daily misting of the stems, root area, and leaves is beneficial. The temperature should stay over 65 degrees F. at all times, but if it goes over 80, the high humidity is even more important.

About pothos. It is a very resilient plant, and can take a lot, but it needs to be watered regularly, as it grows in soil as other plants do. Unfortunately, there is no plant that will be entirely independent with watering, so if you really can't pay attention to your plant, then do as Bamboo suggests, and get a fake plant.

Improve this answer
1
  • spanish moss is very interesting, especially as a shower curtain, but it would be difficult to supply lighting in an efficient way for it.
    – Sparkler
    Oct 10, 2014 at 21:06
3

If there is no natural light of any description in your bathroom, I'm afraid that means a plastic plant - all living plants need light, even shade loving plants, so unless you substitute a growlight in your bathroom and leave it on for the required number of hours, fake plant it is. Which also, of course, won't need watering...

Improve this answer
0
3

(merging @Bamboo's, @J-Musser's and @treeNinja's answers to a community wiki)

With growlight

Plants suitable for high humidity:

  • Pothos
  • Orchids
  • Bromeliads

Lighting:

Placing suggestions: The plants should be placed within close proximity to the UV source, to avoid using high power lighting.

  • On top of a cupboard.
  • A small shelf hanging from the ceiling.
  • Between the sink and the mirror.
  • On the edge of the bath next to the wall are interesting locations.

Without growlight

  • Plastic plant
  • Wallpaper
Improve this answer
2

Would there be indirect light from a window or would the only light be from a bathroom light fixture? Some light is important.

Pothos come to mind because they can handle higher humidity and do not require a lot of light. The an survive in a small pot with some dirt but grow quite long and large. Look for dark rich green leaves.

Orchids also love humidity and warmer temperatures.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.