10 Plants to Grow in Your Toilet

Growing plants actually INSIDE your toilet is not what this post is all about – although there are some charming ways to accomplish this. Instead, this post will attempt to unveil 10 plants for toilets that will offer some benefit to the smallest room in the house. 

Either they will help purify the air, mask any unwanted odours, or just simply make your toilet a welcome pit-stop for your family and guests.

The first thing to consider in selecting plants for your toilet is that unless you have an outdoor bathroom garden your choices are limited to plants that grow indoors. Obviously this rules out a heap of plant options but it still allows some diversity in your selection making process.

Different Types of Plants for Toilets

Air-Purifying Plants

We all know how heavy the air can become around the toilet so rather than reach for a can of so-called “air-freshener” here are some options that can ease the situation more environmentally. Some of these featured on NASA’s list of plants that they use in the International Space Station. 

1. Dracaena marginata

Native to the Canary Islands, Dracaena marginata is becoming a very popular plant. Not only does it have striking looks but its ability to purify the air of carbon monoxide has given it pride of place in this list. It filters the air through its long foliage saving your lungs from the burden.

2. Sansevieria laurentii

“Mother-in-law tongues” as they are so eloquently nicknamed are one of those plants that are seeing a fashionable comeback amongst gardeners. Sansevieria have a lot to offer a small room such as the toilet as they are a great upright growing plant and can take up very little space.

Caution may need to be taken that the plant isn’t positioned too close to the bowl just in case someone accidentally sits upon them. Ouch!

3. Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily)

One of the most beautiful monocotyledons, Spathiphyllum are a very common houseplant. However, the benefits of growing these indoors hasn’t been widely known and they’ve been selected for their foliage and flower well above their purpose as a natural air-purifying system.

4. Chrysanthemum x morifolium

And who wouldn’t have Chrysanthemums growing indoors? Not only is the foliage a power plant for refreshing the air quality but you have something beautiful to gaze at when you’re visiting the “john”. Chrysanthemum x morifolium is a great specimen that will do really well indoors.

Odour-Eating Plants

With heavy air usually comes some fairly ordinary odours and while the plants above are on continual duty filtering the air quality you may want to employ the uses of some of these plants when they flower to remove any unwanted smells – and I’m guessing they’re all unwanted.

5. Hoya bilobata (Wax plant)

Hoyas are more commonly classed as tropical plants as most of them originate from Asia, and in particular the Philippines. When they flower their blooms give such a fragrant aroma that they can easily mask the smell of almost anything and in a small room such as the toilet should have no problems performing at all.

6. Senecio rowleyanus (String of beads)

String of beads is a slightly aromatic plant by itself but when it flowers this patio stalwart offers a very subtle smell deodoriser. This is a great option for those who suffer from sinus problems and can’t handle strong fragrances.

7. Jasminum polyanthum (Star Jasmine)

Speaking of strong fragrances, here’s one that could mask any smell. Jasmine is a climbing plant so will need some support if you’re going to grow it indoors and in a container. It only flowers for about three months of the year but for that limited time this plant will certainly pack a serious punch in the toilet. Not advisable for sinus sufferers.

8. Dendrobium 

Another VERY strongly fragrant plant is this orchid, Dendrobium. When flowering you may find that it completely overpowers any odour emanating from the toilet, but it may also consume the whole house as well. As a temporary odour-masker this will work fine.

Plants for the Toilet that Just Look Good

So, you’ve now positioned an air-purifying plant, an odour-eating masker but the toilet’s lacking in some colour and beauty. Here’s where these plants come in.

9. Gerbera Daisies

These are just beautiful and should be grown in every room and in every garden bed. But if you want to just settle for growing them in the toilet then this will still be a good use of these flowering plants.

10. Parlour palm

A Parlour palm has some benefits as an air-purifier, but its primary purpose is just to look good in a small room and what better room to grow it in? These little palms offer a softening effect and will make your “little room” far more welcoming than if it were devoid of plants altogether.