Like a lot of people, I’ve spent years battling humidity and condensation in my bathroom. My fondness for very steamy showers left the windows dripping, the paint bubbling, and even little patches of mold forming in places I definitely didn’t want to see mold.
I tried extractor fans, dehumidifiers, and opening the window in the middle of winter (I wound up freezing myself half to death, and the problem only went away temporarily). Then, in a moment of desperation, I added something surprisingly simple and aesthetically pleasing to my bathroom: a pot of English ivy.
It wasn’t long before the space felt noticeably drier and fresher. And honestly? I haven’t shut up about this beginner-friendly houseplant ever since.
Why English Ivy Works So Well in Humid Bathrooms
English ivy has a bit of a bad reputation outdoors – it’s actually an invasive plant in many states – but indoors? It’s an absolute superstar. In fact, NASA’s Clean Air Study named it one of the best houseplants for absorbing mold spores and volatile organic compounds (and if there’s anyone I trust on all things science, it’s those guys!)
They’re also wonderfully cheap to pick up; you can get a pre-potted Live Green English Ivy Plant from Thorsen's Greenhouse on Amazon for around $16 at the moment.
In practice, here’s what I noticed once mine settled in...
1. It Absorbs Humidity Very Well
Bathrooms are naturally damp, but ivy thrives in moisture. I honestly think mine guzzles down the steam that gets released after my showers. The mirror clears faster, the walls dry quicker and the room doesn’t feel swampy anymore. Result!
2. It Helps Reduce Mold
I was skeptical, even as I added this easy houseplant to my bathroom, about how well it would handle mold – but the difference has been undeniable. English ivy absorbs airborne mold spores and helps prevent new growth.
Ever since it made its big bathroom debut, in fact, the tiny mold spots I used to constantly scrub have just…well, they’ve just stopped appearing. Although, sadly, I can't say the same for the 'potion splatters' that my four-year-old leaves all over the place.
3. It Doesn’t Need Lots of Light
My bathroom window is small and faces the wrong direction, but that English ivy? Utterly unfazed. This is one of those indoor plants that handles low light beautifully, and I’m very grateful for it.
4. It Can Grow Vertically
On the hunt for more vertical space, less countertop clutter? Originally, I had my English ivy hanging near the shower and it worked really well. Nowadays, though, it sits proudly at the top of my ladder shelf, and it adds a definite designer touch to things – even in spite of all the kids' bath toys and spare toilet rolls around it.
How I Care for My Bathroom Ivy
Here’s the real beauty of this plant: it’s incredibly low maintenance. I only really water it if the top inch of soil is dry (all that shower steam? Free moisture boost!) and that’s pretty much it.
Saying that. though, my husband is a professional gardener, and he can’t stop himself snipping back the fines every couple of months or so. He says it would swallow the room whole if he didn’t, and he’s probably right: this thing grows at a rate of knots.
My English ivy care essentials list:
Still, that tiny quibble aside, my English ivy has made my bathroom feel fresher, cleaner and so much easier to maintain. I didn’t have to repaint the ceiling, upgrade the fan or buy a bulky dehumidifier. I just added a plant… and it genuinely changed the space.
So, if you’re battling condensation, mildew, or just want a bathroom that feels more like a spa and less like a science experiment, English ivy is a ridiculously effective (and beautiful) solution.
Sometimes the best home upgrades really do come in a pot.
