In this article, we will discuss if orchids like bathrooms. One of the commonly used decorations in a bathroom is plants and among them are orchids. Blossoming orchids provide a relaxing and spa-like ambiance to your bathroom. However, can orchids grow in a place that is humid and moist like the bathroom? We will find out in this article.
Do orchids like bathrooms? Orchids love humidity and will thrive in the steamy area of the bathroom. These plants are native to tropical climates so you need to make sure that they have minimal sunlight. Orchids can grow in bathrooms. However, you need to constantly check three factors that affect its growth which are lighting, humidity level, and toxic gasses that come from products like hairspray which are commonly used in bathrooms.
Do orchids need sunlight? Why grow orchids in the bathroom? What types of orchids are best for bathrooms? These are some of the questions that we will discuss in this article. Growing plants like orchids in your bathroom have many benefits. They help purify the air and also make a relaxing decoration. Check out the rest of the article below for more tips and information when it comes to growing orchids in your bathroom.
Why Grow Orchids in Your Bathroom?
Growing orchids in your bathroom create a spa-like ambiance that will help you relax. It can breathe life into your bathroom and make you feel more at peace. Certain varieties of orchids can also improve air quality and release a natural scent that will make your bathroom smell like a garden. The color and beauty of orchids will boost your mood as you prepare for your day. Moreover, it can also help relieve stress and anxiety as you take off your make-up and prepare for bed.
Is a Bathroom a Good Place for an Orchid?
A bathroom is a good place for an orchid. It provides a naturally warm and humid ambiance that is ideal for orchids. Moreover, the bathroom window will prevent exposure to much direct sunlight. A bathroom is an ideal place for certain varieties of orchids as they provide the perfect growing environment. The room is warm, damp, and is close to the faucet when you need to water or irrigate your orchids.
Do Orchids Like to Be Wet or Dry?
Most variety of orchids likes to be dry between watering. As compared to houseplants, orchids do not prefer to be wet all the time. They also do not like water to be poured directly over the center or the crown. Take note that water accumulates in the crown; remove excess water by dabbing with the use of toilet paper or any absorbent material.
Do Orchids Need Sunlight?
How much sunlight is needed for orchids to grow will have to depend on their variety. Some varieties need a lot of sun to thrive while others require a moderate to a low amount of sunlight. Without enough light, the orchid may grow but will not bloom. While they thrive in sunlight, direct exposure to it can also burn orchids. Bright and indirect light is required for orchids to thrive.
✅ Video – How to Properly Care for Orchids
Ohmybloom shared the video below on YouTube. It talks about how to properly care for orchids. In the video, Molly shared useful tips on how to grow orchids. She also explains how to properly water and prunes them. Check out the video for tips and information.
Orchids Bathroom Décor
When decorating your bathroom with orchids, make sure that you choose varieties that prefer high humidity because they will thrive in a steamy and damp environment. If your bathroom has low-light, choose low-light varieties of orchids as well. Orchid varieties that are ideal for bathrooms include Miltonia, Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Dendrobium, and Paphiopedilum.
Miltonia
Also called Pansy Orchid, this variety has bold patterns and bright colors. The blooms are open and look like faces that resembled pansies. Miltonia thrives best in highly moist environments and in temperatures that are not too hot. Moreover, they prefer adequate lighting. If your bathroom does not have enough light, you can place them under a grow light so that they will bloom. Water them once a week and mist them daily. Make sure that you do not let them get too wet or too dry. Mist the root of the orchids and not the leave because it can cause fungal or bacterial spotting. We have also shared this article that discusses how to keep bath mats from getting moldy. Read the article for helpful tips and ideas.
Phalaenopsis
This orchid is also known as the Moth Orchid. This variety grows well in shaded areas and is considered one of the easiest to care for orchids. If you are a beginner in orchid cultivation, this is your best choice because aside from being easily grown, they are also accessible. You can find them sold at supermarkets. You can grow the moth orchid in your bathroom and it stays in bloom for a long time. A mature moth orchid can produce flowers throughout the year. You can place them in the bathroom window with indirect and moderately bright light.
Paphiopedilum
Also known as the Lady Slippers, this variety is also easy to grow and care for. They have long-lasting blooms and make a good décor in the bathroom. They have a flower’s pouch-like petal and are shaped like a slipper to attract pollinators. Most of these species are semi-terrestrial and can grow in a finer potting mix as compared to other varieties. They should be watered once a week or when the soil is dry. When watering, make sure that the potting mix is just barely damp. You can also try the fingertip or toothpick test to determine if the top layers of the potting mix have dried out completely and that the roots have fully drained.
Dendrobium
This is among the most popular and common orchids. It is a large genus of orchids that consists of over a thousand species. You can find many varieties that can easily grow in your bathroom. It will thrive in a south-facing window or well-lit and bright bathroom. If it is not getting enough sunlight, it will not bloom.
Oncidium
Also referred to as the Dancing Ladies or Dancing Doll Orchids, they prefer cooler temperatures during the night. They have a distinctive floral design and feature a spike with blooms that resembles fluttering butterflies. These orchids require only a few hours of sunlight daily. One of the ways to know if they are getting the right amount of sunlight is by feeling their leaves. If they have thick and fleshy leaves, it means that they need more sunlight. On the other hand, if they have thinner leaves, it means that they require less sunlight. You can also check out this article that discusses if you can use bamboo toilet paper in an RV toilet. We have shared tips and information that you can refer to.
Things to Consider When Growing Orchids in the Bathroom
To make sure that your orchids will thrive and bloom, there are a few things that you need to consider like proper humidity, enough sunlight, and toxic gasses. Let us take a closer look at each of these factors below.
Humidity
One of the things that you need to consider when taking care of orchids in your bathroom is the humidity level. Most orchids like a more humid environment. You might need to have a humidifier to keep the air humid. Anywhere from 40% to 80% of humidity level is ideal depending on the variety of orchids that you have.
Lighting
You also need to consider the lighting that you have in your bathroom. Most orchids need around 14 to 16 hours of natural light every day. Make sure that you provide proper lighting according to the variety of orchids that you have. If you have huge bathroom windows that only allow filtered sunlight inside, you might want to move the orchid to another window with direct sunlight.
Toxic Gasses
Lastly, you should also consider the toxic gasses that come from many products that you use in the bathroom. For instance, hair dye, hairspray, and polish remover contain ammonia and other chemicals that have a strong smell. The chemicals in the products can cause bud blasts. This is when the orchid drops its buds and they start to die. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, can you put shower doors on a tub? We have written an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Orchids in Bathroom Feng Shui
Orchids are used to enhance fertility and family luck according to feng shui. Their stunning colors play an important role when it comes to determining their potency. For instance, violet orchids are considered the luckiest among the many varieties. White orchids are said to cultivate harmony by bringing peace, clarity, and innocence. Pink orchids can help maintain and mend harmonious relationships.
Orchids are considered lucky in feng shui because they are a symbol of beauty, prosperity, virility, and fertility. Not only are these plants good for the bathroom, but they can also improve the lives of those who surround themselves with these lucky plants. Orchids occupy little space and some varieties are also easy to care for.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed if orchids like bathrooms. We have learned that the moist and humid environment of the bathroom makes it ideal for orchids to thrive. They are also used as decorations and can be placed on the bathroom sink counter, at the top of the toilet bowl, and on flower shelves. Orchids come in many varieties so you can make sure to find the one that will grow well according to the environment in your bathroom. Aside from providing aesthetic beauty, they also create a relaxing mood and help purify the air. Thank you for reading!