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5 Plants for Indirect Light

Have a corner somewhere in your home that can see a window but isn’t getting any direct rays? Keep reading to learn what plants you can easily decorate it with.

Forest Cactus

Forest cacti (Epiphyllum sp., Hatiora sp., Rhipsalis sp., etc. ) make for beautiful houseplants. Forest cacti are a group of cacti that grow in rain forests. Unlike their desert relatives, these plants do not resemble one another and many do not have spines. Many species also bloom at night, producing large, showing flowers that smell amazing.

Forest cacti are actually true cacti that happen to live in tropical forests, rather than arid deserts. Thus they require more water and more humidity than what most of us might think of when thinking about a typical cactus, making a warm, steamy bathroom a perfect environment for them to grow.

Light

Filtered light is best for their growth. They will tolerate full morning sun, but be sure to protect them from direct sunlight after noon.

Watering

Forest cacti want to be watered about once a week. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Note that orchid cacti can be fussy about their water. We suggest using bottled or de-mineralized water to prevent unfavorable reactions to treated tap water.

Soil

Standard potting soil with added peat or sand (3:1 ratio) is best for forest cacti.

Prayer Plant

Prayer plants (Maranta sp.) are one of our favorite genus of plant because of their beautiful leaf patterns, color and versatility. Prayer plants grow well in hanging baskets or planters, making them an ideal plant to style a room with.

Humidity is very important for prayer plants, which is why a bathroom environment is perfect for them. And, it’s not like you needed another excuse for long, hot showers in the winter.

Light

Prayer plants thrive in bright indirect light.

Watering

Prayer plants like to have moist soil, but never ever like it to be soggy. If you notice yellowing on young leaves, back off on watering.

Soil

Standard potting soil is great for prayer plants.

Air Plants

Air plants (Tillandsia sp.) are strange, fascinating plants since they grow on top of surfaces rather than in the ground. One reason we love air plants so much is that they're so easy to care for - even if you have branded yourself with a black thumb! 

Air plants thrive in humid environments with indirect light, so they are perfect for a bathroom. You can even get creative and hang them in the shower - just make sure they don’t come in direct contact with the water. They prefer to pull moisture from the air, rather than water itself.

Light

Air plants thrive in bright indirect light, so they're perfect for hanging in your north or west facing windows in a bathroom.

Watering

We recommend misting them once or twice weekly. Keep an eye on them to make sure they dry off within a few hours, or you may have issues down the road due to overwatering. 

Soil

None.

Bird’s Nest Fern

The Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium sp.) comes in a few, stunning varieties. This tropical plant's leaves range from extremely curly and lace like to wavy or straight, and they typically grow up to two feet long. Regardless of the leaf type, all varieties of Bird's Nest Ferns prefer to be away from direct sunlight. They love humidity, so a bathroom can be a perfect home for them.

Light

Indirect sunlight is ideal. This plant will thrive in a north facing window.

Watering

Bird's Nest Ferns prefer to remain moist. Keep it from sitting in stagnating water to prevent rot. It enjoys a bit of humidity because it is a tropical plant, but it's less necessary for this type of fern.

Soil

Standard potting soil is great for the Bird's Nest Fern.

Silver Satin Pothos

Silver Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus) makes for a beautiful hanging basket plant.  With soft, velvety heart-shaped leaves, the cascading mix of light green and cream can add a level of polish to any room.  This plants hails from Southeast Asia and prefers indirect light and high humidity.

Light

Indirect sunlight is ideal. This plant will thrive in a north facing window.

Watering

Bird's Nest Ferns prefer to remain moist, but keep it from sitting in stagnating water to prevent rot. It enjoys a bit of humidity because it is a tropical plant.

Soil

Standard potting soil is great for the Silver Satin Pothos.