Indoor Houseplants That Can Survive in Bathrooms Without Windows
If you have a bathroom without windows, it can feel like an impossible space for plants, but I promise it doesn’t have to stay bare and boring. Finding the best indoor houseplants for bathrooms without windows is totally doable, and it can completely transform how your bathroom looks and feels.
Bathrooms are actually a surprisingly great environment for certain houseplants. The humidity from showers creates a spa-like atmosphere that many plants love, even if natural light is limited or nonexistent.
If you’ve ever walked into a bathroom filled with lush green leaves and thought, “I wish mine looked like that,” you’re in the right place. In this post, I’m sharing my favorite low-light, bathroom-friendly plants that can handle artificial light and still look amazing.
These are realistic options for real homes, not just picture-perfect spaces. Whether you want to soften a sterile bathroom, improve indoor air quality, or simply bring a little life into a forgotten room, I’ll help you choose plants that actually work. Let’s turn that dark bathroom into a cozy, calming oasis together.
A Houseplant Care Planner That Makes Everything Easier
Before we get into the list of houseplants, I’d like this share this houseplant care planner, because it honestly makes caring for plants so much less overwhelming, especially if you’re adding plants to low-light spaces like bathrooms without windows.
If you’ve ever stood in front of a plant wondering, When did I last water this? or Does this one even like humidity? this planner was made for you.
The Printable Houseplant Care Planner is designed to help you keep track of your plants in a simple, realistic way. You can log each plant you own, where it lives in your home, its light needs, watering schedule, humidity preferences, and any little notes you want to remember, like rotating it to brighter light or watching for yellow leaves.
This is especially helpful for bathroom plants, since low light and humidity can change how often they need care.
What I love most about this planner is that it removes the guesswork. Instead of relying on memory or scrolling through your phone every time something looks off, you have everything written down in one place.
It’s perfect for beginners who are still learning and for experienced plant lovers who just want a more organized, low-stress system.
Plus, since it’s printable, you can customize it to fit your routine. Keep it in a binder, on a clipboard, or tucked into a home management planner. You can print extra pages as your plant collection grows, which tends to happen once you start having success.
Once you have a simple care system in place, choosing plants becomes so much more fun and way less intimidating. Now that you are set up to actually keep your plants thriving, let’s dive into the best indoor houseplants for bathrooms without windows and find the perfect ones for your space.
1. Snake Plant
If you’re new to houseplants or have a history of accidentally neglecting them, the snake plant is going to feel like a gift. This is hands down one of the best indoor houseplants for bathrooms without windows because it thrives on very little light and doesn’t need frequent watering.
What makes snake plants especially great for bathrooms is their ability to tolerate humidity without demanding it. They do just fine with steamy showers, but they’re also perfectly happy if your bathroom is only used occasionally.
In a windowless bathroom, place your snake plant where it can receive indirect artificial light. Overhead lighting or a vanity light that’s used daily is usually enough.
Related: The Best Houseplants That Clean Your Air and Are Safe for Pets!
You don’t need special grow lights unless your bathroom is almost never used. If it is, rotating the plant into a brighter room every few weeks can help keep it happy.
Watering is where most people go wrong, and with snake plants, less is always more. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
In a bathroom environment, that might mean watering only once every three to four weeks. Overwatering is the fastest way to kill this plant, so when in doubt, wait.
Snake plants are also known for helping improve indoor air quality, which is a nice bonus in a small enclosed space. If you want a plant that looks modern, survives low light, and doesn’t guilt you for forgetting about it, the snake plant is an easy yes.
2. ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant is another absolute MVP when it comes to bathrooms without windows. If your bathroom feels dark, forgotten, and a little sad, this plant can handle it better than almost anything else.
ZZ plants are famous for tolerating low light, inconsistent care, and dry spells, making them ideal for low-maintenance, real-life homes.
One of the reasons I love recommending ZZ plants for bathrooms is their glossy, deep green leaves. They instantly make a space feel cleaner and more polished, which is exactly what most bathrooms need.
ZZ plants actually prefer low light, which makes them perfect for spaces with only artificial lighting. Bright light can stress them out, so a windowless bathroom is not a drawback here. Just make sure the lights are turned on daily, even if only for a short time. If the bathroom is rarely used, you can rotate the plant into a brighter room every month or so.
Watering is minimal. ZZ plants store water in their thick rhizomes, so they don’t need frequent watering at all.
In a humid bathroom, you may only need to water once every three to five weeks. Always let the soil dry out completely before watering again. If you forget to water, the plant will forgive you. If you overwater, it will not.
Another perk is that ZZ plants are not fussy about humidity or temperature changes. Steamy showers, cooler nights, or occasional drafts are usually not an issue. If you want a plant that truly thrives on neglect and still looks beautiful, the ZZ plant is one of the best choices you can make.
3. Pothos
Pothos is one of those plants that feels almost magical once you realize how adaptable it is. If you want greenery in your bathroom without windows, pothos is a fantastic option. It tolerates low light, loves humidity, and looks amazing trailing from shelves, hanging baskets, or the top of cabinets.
What makes pothos so great for bathrooms is its flexibility. It can grow in bright spaces, but it also survives and grows slowly in low-light environments. In a windowless bathroom, it won’t explode with growth, but it will stay alive and continue to put out new leaves under artificial light.
Humidity is where pothos really shines. Bathrooms naturally provide the moisture this plant loves, which helps prevent crispy leaf edges and encourages healthy growth. If your bathroom is used daily, the steam alone can keep your pothos happy.
Water your pothos when the top inch or two of soil feels dry. In a bathroom, that may mean watering every one to two weeks, depending on how humid the space is. Pothos will droop slightly when it’s thirsty, which is actually helpful reminder if you sometimes forget to water it.
Plus, pothos is easy to propagate, so you can trim it back and grow new plants in water if it starts to get long and leggy.
If you want a plant that softens a bathroom, adds movement, and feels lush without needing a window, pothos is a classic for a reason.
4. Peace Lily
Peace lilies are often recommended for low-light spaces, and bathrooms without windows are no exception. These plants do well in indirect light, enjoy humidity, and add a softer, more calming feel to a bathroom.
Peace lilies are known for their dark green leaves and white blooms, although flowering may be limited in very low light. Even without blooms, the foliage alone is beautiful and lush. In a windowless bathroom, peace lilies tend to focus more on leaf growth, which still looks lovely.
Bathrooms are ideal for peace lilies because they appreciate consistent moisture and higher humidity. The steam from showers helps keep their leaves hydrated and reduces the chance of brown tips. Just be mindful not to let the soil stay soggy.
Water your peace lily when the top inch of soil feels dry. One helpful thing about peace lilies is that they’re dramatic. They’ll droop when they’re thirsty, and perk back up after watering. While it can look alarming at first, it actually makes caring for them very easy.
Place your peace lily where it can receive artificial light daily. Vanity lights or ceiling lights are usually enough. If your bathroom is rarely used, rotating the plant into brighter light occasionally can help keep it healthy.
Peace lilies are also often associated with air purification, which can be a bonus in small enclosed spaces. If you want a plant that feels calming, forgiving, and visually soothing, a peace lily can be a beautiful addition to a windowless bathroom.
5. Cast Iron Plant
The cast iron plant truly lives up to its name. If your bathroom has no windows, inconsistent light, and the occasional forgotten watering, this plant can handle it.
Cast iron plants have long, deep green leaves that add structure and texture to a space. They don’t grow quickly, which is actually a benefit in a small bathroom. You won’t need to constantly repot or prune it.
Low light isn’t a problem for this plant at all. In fact, bright light can damage the leaves.
Artificial lighting is usually plenty, especially if the bathroom is used regularly. This makes it one of the easiest plants to place in a truly windowless room.
Water sparingly and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Cast iron plants prefer being slightly dry rather than overly wet. In a humid bathroom, watering every two to three weeks is often enough.
This plant is also tolerant of temperature changes and humidity fluctuations, which is perfect for bathrooms. Hot showers, cool nights, and occasional drafts rarely bother it.
6. Chinese Evergreen
Chinese evergreen plants are well-loved for their ability to thrive in low light and their attractive patterned leaves. They’re especially well-suited for bathrooms without windows because they adapt well to artificial lighting and moderate humidity.
These plants come in a variety of colors and patterns, which can add interest to a neutral bathroom. Even in lower light, their leaves maintain their beauty, though growth may be slower.
Related: 10 Beginner-Friendly Houseplants That Are Practically Maintenance Free
Chinese evergreens prefer evenly moist soil but don’t like sitting in water. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. In a bathroom environment, this usually means watering every one to two weeks.
They enjoy humidity, so bathrooms are naturally a good fit. If your bathroom is used daily, the steam can help keep the leaves healthy and vibrant.
Place your plant somewhere with consistent artificial light. A shelf near the sink or toilet often works well. If lighting is very limited, rotating the plant occasionally can help maintain growth.
7. Boston Fern
Ferns are often thought of as finicky, but certain types do surprisingly well in bathrooms without windows. Boston ferns appreciate humidity and can tolerate lower light conditions when given consistent care.
Bathrooms are one of the few indoor environments that naturally meet a fern’s humidity needs. The moisture from showers helps prevent the dry, crispy edges that ferns are known for.
Low light is acceptable for these ferns, though they won’t grow as quickly. Artificial lighting is usually enough if it’s used daily. A shelf or hanging basket works well.
Boston ferns prefer consistently moist soil, but not soggy. Check the soil regularly and water when the top feels slightly dry. Since bathrooms are humid, you may not need to water as often as you would in other rooms.
8. Spider Plant
Spider plants are classic, easygoing houseplants that can adapt to a wide range of conditions. While they prefer brighter light, they can tolerate low light and do surprisingly well in bathrooms without windows when given artificial lighting.
Bathrooms are helpful for spider plants because of the humidity, which keeps their leaves from drying out. They can also handle temperature changes well.
Water when the top inch of soil dries out. Spider plants don’t like soggy soil, so good drainage is important.
They look especially nice on shelves or in hanging planters, where their arching leaves can spill over the sides. If your bathroom lighting is consistent, spider plants can thrive long term.
They also produce baby plants, which you can propagate easily. If you like plants that multiply and feel a little playful, spider plants are a fun option.
9. Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo is a great option if you want greenery without soil. It grows well in water and can tolerate low light, making it ideal for windowless bathrooms.
Place it in a container with clean water and change the water every one to two weeks. Bathrooms with consistent artificial lighting are usually sufficient.
Lucky bamboo enjoys humidity and stable temperatures, which bathrooms often provide. It also takes up very little space, making it great for counters or shelves.
If you want something simple, minimal, and different from traditional potted plants, lucky bamboo is worth considering.
10. Philodendron
Philodendrons are closely related to pothos and share many of the same easy-care qualities. They tolerate low light, love humidity, and grow well under artificial lighting.
In bathrooms without windows, philodendrons grow more slowly, but they remain healthy and attractive. Their heart-shaped leaves add warmth and softness to the space.
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Bathrooms help maintain humidity, which keeps leaves healthy.
Philodendrons can trail or climb, depending on the variety, making them versatile for different bathroom layouts.
If you want a plant that feels cozy, forgiving, and visually pleasing, philodendrons are an excellent choice for windowless bathrooms.
Spruce Up Your Home With Indoor Houseplants for Bathrooms Without Windows
If your bathroom doesn’t have a window, that doesn’t mean it has to stay dull, sterile, or lifeless. With the right plants, even the darkest bathrooms can become calming, cozy spaces that feel more like a spa and less like an afterthought.
The best indoor houseplants for bathrooms without windows are all about choosing varieties that tolerate low light, appreciate humidity, and don’t demand constant attention.
The beauty of these plants is that they work with your home, not against it. Artificial light, steamy showers, and everyday bathroom routines can actually support many of these options when you know what to look for.
If you’re just getting started, remember that you don’t need to add ten plants at once. Start with one, see how it responds to your bathroom’s lighting and humidity, and go from there.
You can always rotate plants, adjust watering, or experiment until you find what works best in your home. There’s no perfect formula, just what feels doable for you.
Adding plants to a windowless bathroom is a small change that can make a surprisingly big difference. A little greenery can soften hard surfaces, improve the overall feel of the room, and make everyday routines more enjoyable. With these plant options, you can confidently bring life into even the most light-challenged bathroom and enjoy a greener, more intentional home.
