The Surprising Spot You Should Always Keep Your Plants, According to Home Stagers

As a plant lover, it’s hard not to put a plant in every room in my apartment. But I know this wouldn’t be responsible — there are spots in my home that just aren’t hospitable to my sun-loving philodendron.

There is, however, an unexpected place that home stagers say plants thrive in: the bathroom.

For starters, the moisture in the bathroom can actually help certain plants achieve longevity, says Brian Ferrick, design director at Meridith Baer Home. “In a bathroom, orchids are really low maintenance because you don’t need to water them really,” he says. “You have a little bit of the humidity in there, which they thrive on.”

Succulents are another low-maintenance plant to furnish the bathroom with, since they flourish in moisture-rich settings, according to Betsy Konaxis of BK Classic Collections Home Stagers.

And when it comes to plant placement, the bathroom is chock full of perfect spots. If you have a large vanity with counter space, for example, an orchid on the countertop can make the small room feel more elegant.

But if counter space is at a premium in your tiny apartment bathroom, there are other options, like placing orchid petals — even fake ones — in a dish for a crisp slice of nature. 

Konaxis also says not to shy away from using the shower as a place to display plants. Varieties of air plants can simply rest on a ledge or hang from a suction cup on the wall.

“Sometimes you need height around the tub, so you can also add a pretty vase [to the ledge] filled with just pretty rocks and water and a branch,” she says. You could also hop on the eucalyptus trend and hang some leaves over your shower head for stress relief and a soothing scent.

Perhaps one of the most space-saving spots to raise plants is on floating shelves, Ferrick says. “Especially something like a succulent that doesn’t shed really, you can mix them in with stacked towels.” For a classic look, add potted succulents or dried flowers in a vase above the toilet.

If you can’t seem to keep any plants alive — even the hands-off ones — don’t fear using faux plants. Fake ferns or artificial palm leaves are starting options that give some oomph to any powder room or master bathroom. 

“The bathroom is all hard surfaces,” Ferrick says. “So plants bring in a certain softness and a little bit of warmth to an otherwise cold environment.”