I don't know about you, but my houseplants are struggling right now. Not only are the days getting darker and the air colder, but I just bought a dehumidifier to tackle a damp issue in my home, and the plants are not happy.
For popular varieties, many of which are tropical in origin, the lower temperatures and changes in humidity can damage your plants' growth. But fortunately, according to experts from indoor planter brand Lechuza, moving these popular houseplants to the bathroom could be just what they need to thrive right now.
"Believe it or not, the bathroom can actually provide the perfect conditions to keep an array of greenery happy and healthy," says an expert at Lechuza. Your bathroom "creates the ideal environment for anything tropical," and that includes popular houseplants such as monstera, philodendron, and peperomia.
Plants that thrive in the bathroom
According to experts at Lechuza, the natural humidity in your bathroom "creates the ideal environment for anything tropical, particularly Monasteras (Swiss Cheese Plant), peperomia, philodendron, and peace lilies."
I have a number of these plants in my own home, and while they're known to be some of the easiest houseplants to keep alive, my peace lily has been looking particularly miserable since I bought a dehumidifier.
One thing to keep in mind is your bathroom's level of natural light. Tropical plants like humidity, but some varieties need more sunlight than others.
"Consider light levels and whether it is a steamy wet room or a draughty downstairs toilet," says Lechuza, "so that you can choose plants you know are suited to those particular conditions."
How houseplants can reduce humidity
The humidity in my bathroom actually creates a lot of problems. High humidity creates the ideal conditions for mold, which in turn can lead to allergic reactions and even health conditions in the long term.
Not only do these houseplants enjoy humidity levels, but they can also reduce it by absorbing moisture from the air.
"One of the best things about plants in a steamy space like the bathroom is that they can help reduce humidity," says Lechuza, "which is ideal for preventing mould and mildew, whilst helping to prolong the life of painted or wooden surfaces."
"The process is called foliar uptake, whereby plants literally absorb moisture from the air via their leaves."
While I'd urge you to not depend on these houseplants to reduce humidity — if you see mold or mildew, you should turn to stronger solutions — a houseplant can help keep the levels in your bathroom stable.
"Just think of these luscious leaves as a natural dehumidifier," says Lechuza, "only much more attractive than your average appliance."
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