Bathroom Décor: A botanical bathroom

6 Jan

Martin Ogden, Head of Horticulture at Peterhsam Nurseries, imparts his expert knowledge on creating a thriving botanical bathroom.

Fern

Ferns are at the top of our list for plants that enjoy the humidity and light conditions many bathrooms offer, and they come in a bewildering and beautiful range of forms. My favourite is the Maidenhair fern, Adiantum. It has very delicate leaves and will enjoy the humidity briefly created by a shower, and the more prolonged steam from a leisurely bath. A regular mist will also keep them happy!

Begonias

A large family of tropical and subtropical plants hailing from South and Central America, Africa and Asia, requiring bright shade - they grow typically in the understory of warm forests. They boast dramatic, exotic and rather brilliant leaves that come in silvers, reds, and rusts. Many also have puckered and ruffled qualities; the variety is endless. These are perfect for north and east-facing windows that receive little or no sun.

Calathea and Marantas

A family of dramatic, leafy, tropical plants that love low light levels and lots of humidity, making them perfect bathroom plants. They display graphic leaves in silvers and whites with chevrons, stripes, and splashes. Many leaves will have a dark purple reverse, an adaptation to help absorb light at a low level, these are a must-have.

Did you know?

At night, they close up their leaves, like they are saying a goodnight prayer and letting us know it is time for bed.

Monstera deliciosa

The archetypal 70s houseguest, the Swiss Cheese Plant. With large, lobed glossy green leaves and holes resembling Gruyere cheese, this can be a substantial and very architectural addition to the home, though it is native to the tropical rainforests of Mexico and Panama. It likes to climb, so is perfect for loft ensuites with skylights!

Ficus lyrata aka The Fiddle Leaf Fig

Hailing from tropical West Africa, this plant has huge, paddle-shaped leaves. It enjoys bright light but not direct sunshine. Pinch out the growing tips to encourage branching and enjoy this superstar plant in your home. If you are looking for a statement plant, this one never fails to deliver - it can grow to six feet or taller!

Pilea peperomioides

Instagrammers will love this one! Succulent, round, glossy green leaves held on long stalks. Place these somewhere bright but out of full sun; water sparingly, allowing the compost to almost dry out between watering.

Orchids

Orchids are a huge family, one of the most prolific and extensive of all plant families in the world. These make perfect houseguests with an often dazzling display of flowers over many months. The Moth Orchid, Phalaenopsis, is perhaps the best known, with big sprays of elegant, showy flowers in a huge variety of colour, pattern, and shading. Their aerial roots soak up moisture in the air, and many enjoy lower light levels, which is ideal for the bathroom.