Most bathrooms lack light and have high humidity. This makes people wonder if succulents can grow there. This article explores this question “Can succulents survive in bathrooms?”. It gives insight into how succulents manage in bathroom conditions. It also suggests which varieties are best for this unique environment.
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Can Succulents Survive in Bathrooms? The actual answer
Succulents can survive in bathrooms, but ultimately, the makeup of the bathroom will be the fate deciding factor for the plant. For example, if the bathroom is smaller and doesn’t have any windows that can allow some sunlight in, the plant has almost no chance.
Smaller, windowless rooms tend to trap excess moisture, which can cause the plant to suffer from root rot. The lack of light won’t allow the succulent to gain the energy it requires to use the excess water for growth fast enough.
A bathroom with these characteristics could survive if some form of grow light was added or if the plant was moved around. A plant could be predominantly based in a bathroom of this nature but moved around, say during the daytime, to allow it some sunlight.
On the other hand, a larger bathroom with a window sill could be a great spot to place a succulent. They would thrive on the sunlight, which would help them make use of the moisture.
As a result, there would be sufficient drainage and little chance of root rot settling in. All boxes ticked would allow a plant like this to flourish under the mentioned conditions.
Which Weather Condition is Suitable for Succulent?
The thing about succulents is that they can go for long periods without water. That’s not to say that they only thrive better in warm and dry conditions. Optimal growing settings for a succulent are when they grow in a healthy balance of sunshine and moisture.
They don’t ‘need’ the water all the time because they can store it for later usage when they do receive some. The lack of water at times helps them produce a stronger root system.
Generally speaking, succulents thrive in temperatures between 40-80°F (5-27°C). A couple of degrees plus and minus are ok, but anything more than a 5° difference, either way, can cause chaos for the plant.
What is the best plant to keep in the bathroom?
Looking for a green touch in your bathroom? Consider these plants.
- The first pick is the Snake Plant. It, too, survives in low light and high humidity. It’s also sturdy and easy to care for.
- Second is the Aloe Vera plant. It likes the bathroom’s moist environment. Plus, it gives a fresh look to your space.
- The Golden Pothos is another good option. It thrives in lower light. It also loves the water from your hot showers.
- The ZZ Plant is also a winner. It needs little light and cares for.
- Lastly, consider the Peace Lily. It flourishes in humidity and needs little light.
These options are all solid. They bring life to your bathroom without much effort. Choose the one that you like best.
Some Caring Tips To help Succulents Survive in Bathroom
If you are interested in how it is possible to grow succulents in your bathroom, then here are some pretty handy tips that you can use to assist in their survival.
Maintaining The Humidity
Depending on the species of succulent, humidity can be a big problem. Succulents with larger, more plump leaves survive better in these conditions as they can take in more moisture. Regardless of the species, though, too much moisture makes it difficult for the succulent to make use of it.
Therefore, the roots will rot out as they will already have enough water due to their regular watering schedule. You can’t just underwater a succulent to counterbalance moisture either.
It is possible to mitigate the humidity levels to make the bathroom more suitable for these plants. First and foremost, if you have an exhaust fan, turn it on a few minutes before using water in your bathroom. This will allow the fan to begin to suck up all the moisture as soon as the water is used.
Another tip is to reduce the heat of your water. Warmer water produces more moisture from steam. Lastly, you can also use some damp towels around your bathroom to help soak in some moisture. It isn’t the best of the 3 choices, but it can help as a last resort.
Keep them Dry
If you notice that your succulents are reeving too much water, then you can try to uproot them and dry them out. It’s as simple as:
- removing them from their pot.
- cleaning away any excess soil or dead roots from the root system.
- Leaving the plant to dry on some mesh or paper towel for 2-3 days.
- Replanting them as they were.
Alternatively, you can take some paper towels and dab gently at the leaves to remove any excess moisture.
Avoid Overwatering
If you notice that your plant is either going brown and mushy around the stem or that the lower leaves start turning black, that’s a sure sign that they have received way too much water. That’s one of the last visual signs you will see before your plant meets its untimely fate.
As we know, succulents don’t require too much water. So when keeping a normal water schedule and mixing in some extra moisture from a bathroom, there will always be issues keeping them alive. Some other visible signs of overwatering to watch out for are:
- Clumpy wet soil. The soil should look the same form the moment you add it in the beginning. If there is too much water, the soil will clog up.
- The leaves will start discoloring (yellow/pale) from the bottom up. They will also become a lot softer and squishy than their normal plump form.
- The leaves will start to drop off just by simple touch or brushing.
Choose Proper Planters and soil for Bathroom Succulents
Ensuring planters and soil that offer extremely effective drainage is a must. This is general practice for a succulent but even more so when planning to have them growing in your bathroom. If the soil is too dense, it is a risk of it clumping around the root system.
As a result, excessive moisture will almost stick to the roots, which will cause root rot. The same goes for the pot you choose to grow in. If the drainage holes are not efficient enough, the same issue will occur.
In conclusion, the best growing medium for succulents should be porous and airy, whether that’s a good quality soil designed specifically for succulents or some gravel/grit mix that offers the same drainage ability.
The pots should have multiple holes and sit on a plate that can be removed and drained, keeping the plant in its original container.
Best succulents suitable for bathrooms
There are some really good choices of succulents that can suit a range of bathroom types. Some can almost live through anything, and others require more sunlight and space. The most common species are:
Aloe Vera
These plants are aesthetically pleasing, but they also help purify the air. They are an effective topical remedy for sunburn and dry skin, and Aloe Vera requires little water, light, or fertilizer to thrive.
Or Even This Assortment Of 7 Different Easy To Grow/Hard Kill Aloe Plants In 2” Pots https://amzn.to/3FVNueq
Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)
The Panda plant has fuzzy, silvery leaves.
This succulent needs a little light to thrive, so a bathroom with windows is optimal.
Snake Plant – (Dracaena trifasciata)
The Snake Plant requires minimal water as it receives most of its moisture from the humidity.
It doesn’t need a well-lit bathroom to survive. It’s fair to say that this plant is great for beginners. Set and ‘almost’ forget!
Fishbone Cactus (Epiphyllum angular)
Fishbone looks exactly like its name, a fishbone. These plants need around 4-6 hours of light a day.
Being a tropical rainforest plant, a bathroom’s warmth and humid conditions are welcomed with open leaves.
Ox Tongue Succulent (Gasteria oblique)
Ox tongue looks a little like Aloe Vera except for its prominent striped pattern instead of the plain green that the Aloe has.
It doesn’t need any sunlight at all. It’s a hearty, robust type of plant that is perfect for pretty much any room and skill level.
Aside from the succulents mentioned above, some air-purifying plants are perfect for growing indoors.
Benefits Of Having Succulents In Bathrooms
Besides being aesthetically pleasing and extremely low maintenance, succulents can be beneficial when grown in a bathroom. Let’s have a look at the perks that they can add:
Humidifiers
Some species of succulents can absorb excess humidity from the air, and they store this moisture in their stems and leaves and use it when they can’t get access to water later on. The bathroom characteristics will play a role in the amount that a succulent can absorb.
For example, if the bathroom is small and windowless, then humidity may be too much for a small plant to absorb. Larger bathrooms, on the other, can have a bit better ventilation which gives the succulents greater room to do their magic!
Air Quality Managers
Succulents also can show just how good or bad the air quality of your bathrooms is. For example, if your plant requires more frequent watering, this could mean that the air in there is far too dry, which can cause health issues in the long run. On the other hand, if you find yourself watering your plant at consistent intervals, your bathroom is most likely well ventilated.
Decorators
This was mentioned earlier, but bathrooms can be bland, boring, and lifeless. A couple of nicely placed, pretty colored succulent plants could be what you need to get the mood up after a long day at your 9 to 5. There’s something extremely satisfying with seeing a living organism amongst some stale mold and scum-filled bathroom walls.
You may also find useful: Can Succulents Grow in Rocks? | Can Succulents Grow in Sand?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it bad to get succulents wet?
Succulents are considered ‘smart plants’ and for a good reason. They can store water within their stems, leaves, and tissue membrane; They store their water for sustainability purposes. Despite this method of moisture collection, succulents shouldn’t be given water directly on their leaves or stems, which can cause them to swell and burst as a result.
The only place to water a succulent is at the base of its stem in the soil. Even then, it’s only ideal for them to receive water once the soil becomes bone dry.
Can succulents live inside the Bathroom without sunlight?
Some species of succulents can live in a bathroom without sunlight. It is also possible to add a grow light or something reminiscent of one to ensure that the succulent in question gets the right light to sustain its growth.
Another method that could help is if the plant is moved to somewhere that allows it to bathe in the sun’s glory for 3-4 hours per day. After that time, it could be replaced to where it is homed in the bathroom.
How long do potted succulents last?
Some species of succulents can last longer in pots than others. If grown in the optimal conditions possible, 70-100 years isn’t out of the question. Giving them access to direct sunlight for 3-4 hours per day and adequate watering once the soil dries out are great tips for starters.
Can succulents grow in artificial light?
Artificial lights are designed to emulate natural sunlight. Succulents grow and thrive under these conditions even better than they could use the natural sun’s rays. Artificial lights can be adjusted and manipulated for optimal conditions that the real sun often can’t compete with.
Something about that real sun is hard to beat, though. If only it would stay up there shining consistently; there would be no need for lights to grow!
Final Thought:
while not all succulents are ideal for the humid, low-light bathroom environment, many species can indeed adapt and even thrive. With the right selection, such as aloe vera or snake plants, you can enjoy a touch of nature’s resilience in the comfort of your bathroom.
Remember to assess your bathroom’s specific conditions and choose a succulent that matches its environment to ensure your green companion’s thrive.
