Create your own bathroom tropical paradise

Charlotte owns a beautiful plant shop in Cheltenham and knows exactly what kind of houseplants love to live in your bathroom.

Transform your bathroom into a tropical paradise

Charlotte’s been gardening since she was a toddler, and in 2018 she decided to follow her dream of opening her very own plant shop, The Aroid Attic. She gives expert advice to all her customers, particularly about which plants are best suited to each room in the house.

Why plants?

Plants and greenery are known for their uplifting qualities. Many people find tending to plants helps them switch off from the stresses of everyday life and enjoy focusing on nature. They’re good for your physical health too – many houseplants help us breathe cleaner air by removing pollutants from the air around us. The more you learn, the more wonderful plants become!

Which plants work best in the bathroom?

The bathroom is the perfect place for most houseplants as they’re usually native to tropical parts of the world so love the hot and humid air. The only plants I’d avoid in the bathroom are succulents, as they prefer a drier atmosphere. Here are some of the plants that work best:

Monstera monkey mask
(Monstera adansonii)
Bright light but no direct sun, can also be in semi-shade.
Water once a week in summer months when the top layer feels drier.

Mistletoe cactus
(Rhipsalis baccifera)
Bright light, ideally with a little direct sun.
Allow the plant to dry out quite a bit as it’s semi-succulent. Water it every 2 weeks maximum.

Moon valley
(Pilea mollis)
Bright light, ideally with no direct sun.
Water when the top layer of soil feels drier – about once a week.

Rattlesnake prayer plant
(Calathea insigne)
Bright light but no direct sun, can also be in semi-shade.
Water when the first inch of soil feels drier – about every 1.5 weeks.

Begonia ‘Tiger’
Bright light with no direct sun is best.
Water this one from the base about every 2 weeks, or it may need more in the summer months.

My top tips for keeping your houseplants alive

  1. It’s better to underwater your plant than overwater it. It just means it’s easier to judge how much water it needs. 
  2. Most plants love an extra misting, but never do this to your cacti or succulents.
  3. Water your houseplants less in the winter as they go dormant for a few months.
  4. If the room has a temperature that’s comfortable for you, it’ll be comfortable for your plants too. 
  5. Dust prevents photosynthesis and slows your plant down, so make sure you clean your plants regularly.

Congratulations to Charlotte for winning a Silver Medal at the RHS 2022 Chelsea Flower Show!