Indoor plants are a popular way to freshen – even oxygenate – your bathroom. They can bring natural colour and fragrance to a restroom, improving its wellbeing and calming properties. One bathroom expert, however, is cautioning against certain species of indoor plant.
“Thriving in damp environments, these six indoor plants can get mouldy and attract insects, driving spore-inhalation allergies and spreading germs,” says Henry Maia, vice president of Mineral Tiles . “While many of the following indoor plants can look great and even smell good, don’t be tempted to include them in your bathroom décor. They’re bad for your health.
Find other indoor plants to use that look just as amazing, but which don’t suffer from mould build-up, attract insects, or cause allergies.” These are some of the indoor plants Henry suggests you might want to avoid keeping in your bathroom due to potential health issues: English Ivy (Hedera helix) - While it’s a beautiful plant, English Ivy can attract mould and mildew if not properly ventilated. “It also has been known to be an allergen for some people,” says Henry.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) - This plant loves humidity but can attract mould and dust mites. In a poorly ventilated bathroom, this could be an issue. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.
) - Peace Lilies can attract insects like aphids and mealybugs. “They also need proper drainage to avoid root rot, which can contribute to mould growth,” advises Henry. Spider.