Keeping indoor plants has been popular in interior design for years, but this nature-inspired decor has gone to a whole new level in recent years. From green paint being a top color choice to design styles adopting a “friluftsliv” appeal, designers and homeowners alike are finding new and interesting ways to incorporate nature into the modern home. What’s one of our favorite green design trends right now? The shower plant.
Whether you have a bathroom with a green palette or a super luxurious, modern bathroom design, keeping a plant inside your shower is a unique and fun design approach. Did you know that it’s also incredibly beneficial for your health? These are the benefits of a shower plant — and the best ones you can get.
What are the benefits of shower plants?
There are many reasons shower plants are a great addition to your bathroom, including the fact that they:
Absorb unwanted moisture
The bathroom tends to be a hot spot for mold growth. This is because the perpetual moisture in the air creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. While a shower plant can’t get rid of existing mold, it can help prevent it. Plants absorb water in the air around them, so there will be less moisture present when a plant is housed in your shower. Less moisture, of course, means less opportunity for mold to flourish.
Purify the air
You might be shocked at the number of toxins that regularly float around the air in your home. Even if you’re a clean freak, those toxins still remain. Many studies show that indoor air actually contains up to five times the amount of pollutants than outside air. This is especially the case since most heating and cooling systems recycle the air in your home and don’t expel toxins. Between your beauty products, cleaning products, and human waste in the bathroom, it’s hard to escape those harmful molecules.
The good news is that having a shower plant can actually reduce the number of toxins in the air. While plants pull carbon dioxide out of the air and replace it with oxygen, they also filter the air and rid it of harmful toxins. With a shower plant, you can breathe a bit easier (and cleaner).
Increase aesthetic appeal
An obvious but important benefit of having plants in your bathroom is that they look amazing. Indoor plants add immense aesthetic appeal to any area and create an extra dimension of style to the design of the room. Best of all, you can find a plant that matches any decorating scheme you can imagine. From a cozy farmhouse theme to chic and modern decor, a plant can only add to the feel you want for your bathroom.
Provide mental and emotional health benefits
It’s a common belief that having a living thing in every area of your home is good for the soul. In fact, studies show that indoor plants are actually incredibly beneficial to your mental and emotional health. Plants are therapeutic and help to reduce stress, increase productivity, and even boost your energy. People who spend extended amounts of time caring for plants tend to have higher levels of joy, healthier relationships, as well as better memory and concentration.
Benefit the plant itself
If you are among the many poor souls who can’t seem to keep indoor plants alive for very long, having a shower plant may be your ticket to success. Since plants need a lot of water, and many of them also love humidity, the bathroom is actually the perfect place to house them. You’ll find that your new indoor plants will love the moist, steamy air, and they’ll drink up the excess water around them. This environment will make your plant thrive, even when you forget to water it for an embarrassing amount of time.
Considerations for your shower plant
Ideal shower plants possess specific characteristics to thrive in the unique environment of your bathroom. Here are some tips when considering shower plants.
- Opt for species that love moisture — your plant will be exposed to plenty of it.
- Your plants should also tolerate low light conditions since bathrooms typically have limited natural light.
- A compact plant size is beneficial, as it allows it to fit snugly on a shelf or hang from a hook without overwhelming the space.
- Choose plants with minimal shedding to avoid clogging drains.
- Select varieties with non-toxic properties, especially if you have pets or children.
By considering these factors, you can ensure a lush and harmonious shower oasis.
The best plants for your bathroom
For some ideas on which plants are best for purifying the air in your bathroom, here are a few that do well in moist, humid environments.
Eucalyptus plant
A eucalyptus plant for shower environments is both gorgeous and easy to maintain. The moisture-loving eucalyptus has delicate, round leaves that thrive in the moist humidity of a shower and invigorate your bathroom’s aesthetic. If you’re in doubt about greenery for your shower, a eucalyptus shower plant is a great ‘starter’ plant that can be easily transported to another spot in the home if needed.
Snake plant
The popularity of snake plants is on the rise due to their low maintenance. Snake plants don’t need a lot of watering or sunlight to flourish, and they’re thought to be among the best at removing toxins from the air.
Boston fern
Boston ferns require a slightly cool room temperature with high levels of humidity. They also don’t prefer direct sunlight, so a dim bathroom is an ideal location. An added benefit to Boston ferns that makes them a natural choice for a shower plant is that they neutralize foul odors.
English ivy
Not only is English ivy incredibly effective at removing airborne toxins, but it’s also ideal for smaller spaces with limited surface areas. The ideal placement for visual appeal is in a hanging basket or on a ledge that allows the vines to droop and hang beautifully.
Air plant
An air plant is perfect for adding to your shower because it thrives in a humid environment. It requires no soil, only regular misting or a quick soak, making it incredibly low maintenance. With this adorable tiny plant’s unique and eye-catching appearance, an air plant adds a touch of natural beauty and brings a calming and spa-like vibe to your shower space. Just remember, these guys need a lot of bright, indirect sunlight to flourish.
While it’s certainly aesthetically pleasing to have plants in your bathroom, shower plants aren’t just for show — they’re on the job. Having plants in the shower is a growing trend and for good reason. Not only will a shower plant up your decorating game and make you feel like you’re showering in the tropics, but you can also reap the many health benefits of a shower plant. From increasing your emotional well-being to helping you breathe cleaner air, a shower plant will work wonders for your wellness overall.
