Mandy PhillipsTired of battling stubborn bathroom odors with chemical air fresheners that never seem to work?
Traditional air fresheners are temporary fixes and often contain harmful chemicals.
Instead of masking the problem with synthetic air fresheners, why not try a more natural, effective solution?
This article unveils the best plants for bathroom smells, scientifically proven to absorb bad odors as well as dust and some of the excess moisture to create a fresh, spa-like atmosphere.
What Can Plants Do for the Bathroom?
Adding the right plants to the bathroom will not only make it look alive and tropical, but they will do a lot for the air in the room as well.
- Plants fight against ammonia.
Bathroom cleaning products can contain toxic ammonia, which can cause serious respiratory issues.
But plants like Plant trees and Peace Lily can fight against ammonia in the bathroom.
- Plants fight against formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is a toxic gas present in a surprising number of common household and bathroom items.
It’s everywhere, even in your facial tissues, soaps, and body washes, and overexposure to this harmful vapor can pose negative effects on your health.
But plants like the Ficus Trees and English Ivy can capture this pollutant in your bathroom.
- Plants fight against odors.
Bad odor is a common problem in bathrooms, and it can come from all sorts of things, like your newly painted walls, tobacco, cleaning products, etc.
Adding depolluting plants can help purify the bathroom’s air.
Ivy, for example, can capture benzene present in most detergents, dyes, paints, and rubber.
Best Air-Purifying Plants for Bathroom Smells
The next time you find yourself in the garden section of your local store, pick up one or two of these air-purifying plants that can absorb the unpleasant odors in the bathroom.
1. Spider Plant
One of the most beautiful plants you can add to your bathroom’s décor is the spider plant.
They have gorgeous, sprawling greens that are a showstopper, but they are also great for the bathroom air too.
Per NASA’s study, spider plants can remove up to 95% of chemicals and toxins polluting the air in a 24-hour period.
Spider plants are an excellent addition to keep your bathroom odor-free and free from other air toxins.
Spider plants filter out air toxins such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene.
2. Golden Pothos
According to NASA’s study, hanging Golden Pothos near the bathroom window and bathtub or putting a pot on the countertop can filter out more than 73% of pollutants in the bathroom.
Its air-purifying capabilities make Golden Pothos one of the best plants for bathroom smells.
Golden Pothos filters out air toxins such as benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, and xylene.
3. Rubber Tree
Rubber trees come in regular green and burgundy colors.
Whichever you prefer, rubber trees in the bathroom are always a great idea.
They are well-known for producing lots of oxygen and eliminating air toxins such as formaldehyde.
But most of all, rubber trees can effectively eliminate mold spores in the air.
So, if your bathroom is starting to have that musty odor that’s often a symptom of growing mold, take advantage of the rubber tree’s defense mechanism against mold and bacteria.
4. Peace Lily
This stunningly beautiful plant, that’s especially striking when it’s blooming, will not only make a tropical display in the bathroom but eliminate air pollutants as well.
Adding a pot of thriving Peace Lilies inside your bathroom is one sure fire way to make your bathroom smell nicer.
Peace Lilies filter out air toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, and ammonia.
5. Snake Plant
If you’re looking for an indoor plant that’s easy to grow and care for and can also help purify the air in the bathroom, a snake plant or the mother-in-law’s tongue is another great choice.
This robust plant is beginner-friendly and won’t take up much space, perfect for smaller bathroom settings.
Snake Plants filter out air toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene, and trichloroethylene.
6. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has been a top ingredient for many cosmetics and skincare products for its skin-healing properties, but that’s not all you can get from this plant.
You can also benefit from Aloe Vera’s air purification abilities.
Aloe Vera filters out air toxins such as carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde.
7. Boston Fern
Ferns like Boston Fern are often at the center of many home décor setups for their aesthetic properties.
But this rainforest plant can also improve the bathroom by eliminating unpleasant odors and toxic substances in the air.
Boston Fern filters out air toxins such as formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene.
8. Palm Trees
There are plenty of palm tree varieties, and some of the best plants to fight against bathroom odor include the Bamboo Palm, Parlor Palm, Date Palm, and Lady Palm.
These plants will add gorgeous greenery to any bathroom, and you can also reap the benefits of cleaner, odor-free air.
These palm trees do very well in all temperatures, so growing them inside the bathroom is perfectly fine.
Palm trees filter out air toxins such as benzene, trichloroethylene, ammonia, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene.
9. English Ivy
English Ivy can deal with a lot of air pollutants, making it one of the best plants against bathroom odors.
If you have pets at home, English Ivy can also help eliminate fecal-matter particles in the air.
Not to mention, a pot of this climbing evergreen perennial could beautify your counter or your shower.
English Ivy filters out toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and trichloroethylene.
More Aromatic Plants for the Bathroom
Stinky bathrooms can also benefit from these heavenly-scented plants that can turn your bathroom into a spa-like haven.
If you want to add a pot of aromatic greenery that can get rid of bathroom odors, here are some great choices.
- Eucalyptus
It’s a wonderfully fragrant plant used in many beauty and skincare products. But a pot of Eucalyptus can also turn your bathroom into a calming oasis, especially with the steam from your hot shower.
- Mint
The refreshing and clean scent of mint is a must-have for bathrooms that sometimes get a little musty. Although they are notorious for taking over gardens, you can grow any kind of mint in a pot and bring it inside the bathroom.
- Tea Rose Begonia
This Begonia hybrid is known for its beautiful light pink petals that can add a pop of color to bathrooms. But the blooms of this plant are also refreshingly fragrant, especially from the steam during your hot baths and showers.
- Orchids
Orchids are not only beautiful, but they emit such a good smell which makes them perfect for bathroom settings. Different orchids can have different fragrances. For example, get a Cattleya Walkeriana if you like cinnamon and vanilla scents and Rhynchostylis Gigantea for something citrusy.
- Arabian Jasmine
The stunning white flowers aren’t the only advantage of this plant. Arabian Jasmine is incredibly fragrant and can turn your smelly bathroom into a heavenly, tropical oasis.
Final Thoughts
Plants can purify indoor air by absorbing pollutants from the air through their leaves and by adding an air-purifying plant, you have an instant bathroom décor piece that can also make the bathroom air fresh and odor-free.
So, the next time you shop for bathroom essentials, don’t forget to get a pot or two of these excellent plants that absorb bathroom odor.
