White with hints of timber and verdant greenery is right on trend. Here’s your complete guide to using indoor plants in the bathroom
How to use indoor plants to freshen up your bathroom
What’s fresher than the combination of white and green? Especially when the green is living! Homes+ stylist Fiona Michelon shows us how to recreate this lush and inviting bathroom with simple and affordable styling tips and we find out the best indoor plants to keep in a bathroom.
What to consider when choosing plants for your bathroom
Lighting
Depending on the position and design of your bathroom, as well as privacy reasons, it may not receive as much natural light as the rest of your home. Choose plants that can survive on minimal light, open up windows and blinds when the bathrooms not in use and take plants outside every now and then for a bit of sunshine.
Humidity and temperature
Even with adequate ventilation, bathrooms are wet and humid and, at times, hot! This kind of environment is not suited to all plants so it pays to do a bit of research. Plants like ferns, orchids, succulents and other tropical varieties don’t mind the heat and humidity.
Space
Size can be a challenging factor when decorating a bathroom as they are usually designed to fit the necessities – vanity, shower, bath and toilet. If you don’t have a lot of room, get your plants up off the floor and try hanging them or displaying them on top of the vanity or windowsills.
Plants that thrive in bathrooms
Aloe vera
Because of its low water requirements, an Aloe may be able to survive off the humidity alone. This healing plant is also great to have on hand for sunburn, cuts and insect bites.
Boston fern
The Boston Fern is native to sub-tropical and tropical environments so they thrive off the humidity! Place or hang near the window as they require as much indirect light as possible. Spritz with a water spray if it appears to be drying out.
Devil’s ivy
The hearty Devil’s Ivy thrives indoors with little light and little water and they don’t mind the heat! Perfect for a hanging pot – let the vibrant green leaves cascade for a lush display.
Orchid
Given that orchid’s are native to rainforests, the bathroom seems like the perfect place. Try and duplicate an orchid’s natural environment, by giving them only 2-3 tbsp of water every two weeks, less if your bathroom is quite humid, and as much natural light and airflow as possible.
Peach lily
This easy-to-care-for indoor plant, thrives without too much watering and little sunlight and also works to naturally to cleanse the air of nasty pollutants like acetone. They also love the humidity!
Top style tips
- Style your plants in planter stands if you want them up off the floor.
- Trolleys are great functional pieces that can be moved around next to the bath or basin.
- Treat your bathroom like another room and bring in accessories you love.
- Pick out your colours with a striped towel and continue the theme through the décor.
DIY painted concrete pot
You will need: Acrylic paints; paintbrush; concrete pot (buy from a selection at Bunnings); painter’s tape.
- Mix the paint colours together to achieve your desired colour.
- Test on the inside or bottom of the pot first to see the colour when dry.
- Apply pattern to the outside of the planter. Use painter’s tape to achieve straight lines, then peel it off after painting.
This article originally appeared on Homes to Love Australia
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