If you’re wondering do Snake plants do well in bathrooms, the short answer is yes they can do quite well and grow just fine in bathrooms.
Snake plants also known as mother-in-laws-tongue or sansevieria are some of the most resilient houseplants currently out there, so it’s no surprise they can grow in a variety of conditions.
With that said, there are some things you need to keep in mind before placing your Snake plant in your bathroom so it can continue growing well and looking great.
Can Snake plants grow in bathrooms?
Snake plants can grow in different kinds of humidity levels and bathrooms are going to be on average, the most humid place in your house.
This is because you have sinks, a toilet and a shower (hopefully regularly used) which all evaporate water and provide local humidity. Plus bathrooms are some of the smallest rooms in a house or living space which makes them able to retain humidity all that much easier.
Bathrooms can get up to 60% relative humidity whereas a living room for example will hover somewhere between 30% and 50% relative humidity.
This means that you don’t have to worry about the sansevieria drying out from lack of humidity anytime soon since there are plenty of water sources nearby.
Snake plants can also grow in low light conditions although it’s better if the bathroom has a window for the best growth possible.
What is needed to grow a Snake plant in a bathroom?
Although now you know Snake plants can do well in bathrooms, there are some things you will need to know to make sure your Sansevieria thrives in this type of growing environment.
Well draining soil
Snake plants require well draining soil as is to grow and survive and since you’re planning to grow in a pretty high humidity location, you’re going to need to make sure the soil can drain super well.
This is because as the humidity levels increase, it has the tendency for the plant to retain more moisture in the soil for longer than it would otherwise.
This makes having well draining soil imperative since Snake plants are prone to root rot which is often caused by overwatering or poor drainage.
If you want good drainage, consider using a succulent and cactus soil mix with some added materials for extra drainage such as perlite or pebbles under the soil with drainage holes in the container.
Check out this article to see why you should use drainage holes when growing a Snake plant in a container.
Good watering habits
Although it may seem like a good idea to water on a set schedule, this is not really the case when watering Snake plants and a lot of plants in general that are prone to overwatering.
When watering a Snake plant, you should wait until the soil is basically completely dry or when the top 2 inches have fully dried out.
The time table for this can vary, but it’s going to take a bit longer when growing in bathrooms due to the increased humidity level as I’m sure you know by now.
The last thing you want to deal with is an overwatered snake plant which is a very common reason for dying Snake plants and generally root rot is a pain to resolve and when it happens it’s not always possible to save the plant.
So be extra mindful when watering and if the soil is moist to the touch, hold off on watering until it’s dry.
For an in depth guide on watering, check out my article on how to water a Snake plant so you can do it properly every time.
Ideally a natural light source
Although Snake plants can technically grow in low light conditions, it’s definitely better for them to get a good amount of bright indirect light.
It’s always going to be better if the bathroom has at least one window to provide some light for your Snake plant, ideally an east or west facing window as well that you can prop it up on.
If you have a south facing window for the bathroom then you should keep your Sansevieria somewhere a few feet away from the window if possible since the light exposure can be quite strong from that direction.
In any case, as long as your giving the plant some light, it’s certainly better than nothing at all!
Keep in mind, especially in low light conditions you should turn your Snake plant a quarter turn once a week to prevent it from stretching or leaning towards one side or becoming leggy. This is because if not enough light is being provided, it will etiolate or stretch towards the nearest light it can find.
Although that is largely a cosmetic or aesthetic issue, you want the best for your plants so why not give it what it wants?
Afterall, your Snake plant will thank you by growing healthy and happy while looking it’s best!
If you’re still new to growing Snake plants, have a look at my comprehensive guide on Snake plant care so you can give the plant the very best care possible and grow for many years to come.