10 Houseplants That Thrive in Humid Environments

Most common houseplants come from tropical regions — meaning they love humidity. If your home tends to be on the steamy side (especially in rooms like the kitchen or bathroom), you’re in luck. These humidity-loving houseplants thrive in moist air and often struggle in dry indoor environments.

The plants on this list not only handle humidity well — they crave it. They reward you with vibrant growth, glossy leaves, and lush textures that turn your home into a miniature rainforest.

Here are 10 of the best tropical indoor plants for high-humidity rooms — alphabetized for easy reference, and including style and care tips to help you place each one like a pro.

1. Baby’s Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii)

💡 Light: Bright, indirect
💧 Water: Keep soil consistently moist
🌫️ Humidity: High
🐾 Pet-Friendly: Yes

Looks: Dense mats of tiny round leaves. Cascading and delicate.
Why It Works: This soft, moss-like plant adds a magical feel to bathroom shelves or terrariums. It softens hard edges and looks gorgeous spilling over hanging planters.

Care: Avoid letting it dry out. Needs consistent moisture and high humidity to stay lush and green.

For a more detailed care guide see Baby’s Tears Care: How To Grow This Soft Groundcover Indoors or Out.

2. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)

💡 Light: Medium to bright, indirect
💧 Water: Keep soil moist but not soggy
🌫️ Humidity: High
🐾 Pet-Friendly: Yes

Looks: Wavy, upright fronds forming a rosette shape. Lush and full-bodied.
Why It Works: Looks striking on bathroom counters or in kitchen corners. Its wide leaves and soft textures contrast beautifully with tile and metal finishes.

Care: Keep in a stable spot with warm, humid air. Avoid direct sun and mist often.

For a more detailed care guide see Bird’s Nest Fern Care: A Sculptural Fern That Thrives in Humid Homes.

3. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

💡 Light: Medium, indirect
💧 Water: Keep soil consistently moist
🌫️ Humidity: Very high
🐾 Pet-Friendly: Yes

Looks: Feathery, arching fronds in vibrant green. Classic and abundant.
Why It Works: Excellent for hanging baskets in bathrooms or steamy kitchens. Adds texture and movement to ceiling-level displays.

Care: Mist daily or place on a humidity tray. Never let the soil dry out fully.

For a more detailed care guide see Boston Fern Care: How to Keep This Classic Houseplant Lush and Thriving.

4. Calathea (Calathea spp.)

💡 Light: Low to medium, indirect
💧 Water: Keep soil evenly moist
🌫️ Humidity: High
🐾 Pet-Friendly: Yes

Looks: Striking leaves with purples, greens, and bold patterns.
Why It Works: Great for statement spots like coffee tables or plant stands in kitchens. Calathea brings energy and artistry to humid areas that need visual flair.

Care: Sensitive to dry air and tap water. Use distilled or filtered water and maintain high humidity.

For a more detailed care guide see Calathea Care: How To Keep Your Prayer Plant Thriving Indoors.

5. Fittonia (Nerve Plant)

💡 Light: Low to medium, indirect
💧 Water: Keep soil moist
🌫️ Humidity: Very high
🐾 Pet-Friendly: Yes

Looks: Small leaves with vivid veining in red, pink, or white.
Why It Works: Best suited for terrariums or grouped pot displays. Fittonia adds pop and pattern to small spaces like bathroom shelves or window trays.

Care: Water regularly and mist often. It wilts dramatically when dry but recovers quickly.

For a more detailed care guide see Nerve Plant Propagation: How to Multiply Your Fittonia the Easy Way.

6. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

💡 Light: Bright, indirect to partial sun
💧 Water: Keep soil evenly moist
🌫️ Humidity: Moderate to high
🐾 Pet-Friendly: Yes

Looks: Soft, fragrant leaves with a zesty lemon scent. Upright and bushy.
Why It Works: A fresh-smelling addition to kitchen counters. Great for herb gardens near sinks or stoves.

Care: Keep moist and harvest regularly to prevent legginess. Loves warmth and humidity.

For a more detailed care guide see Lemon Balm Care: How To Grow This Calming Herb Indoors or Out.

7. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum spp.)

💡 Light: Soft, indirect
💧 Water: Keep soil consistently moist
🌫️ Humidity: Very high
🐾 Pet-Friendly: Yes

Looks: Dainty fan-shaped leaves on black wiry stems. Elegant and airy.
Why It Works: Adds softness and a vintage feel to bathrooms or laundry rooms. Beautiful in ceramic pots or pedestal planters.

Care: Requires daily misting and high humidity. Best grown near a humidifier or in a terrarium-like setup.

For a more detailed care guide see Maidenhair Fern Care: How To Keep This Delicate Beauty Thriving.

8. Mint (Mentha spp.)

💡 Light: Bright, indirect to partial sun
💧 Water: Keep soil moist
🌫️ Humidity: Moderate to high
🐾 Pet-Friendly: Yes

Looks: Upright green leaves with a refreshing scent. Fast-growing.
Why It Works: A kitchen favorite. Mint grows fast and offers scent, function, and greenery — ideal for sunny kitchen sills or herb walls.

Care: Use a dedicated pot to contain spread. Keep well-watered and trim often.

For a more detailed care guide see Mint Plant Care: How to Grow This Refreshing Herb Indoors and Out.

9. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)

💡 Light: Low to medium, indirect
💧 Water: Keep soil moist
🌫️ Humidity: High
🐾 Pet-Friendly: No

Looks: Dark leaves and graceful white blooms. Calm and refined.
Why It Works: Beautiful in bathrooms, bedrooms, or meditation corners. Its air-purifying qualities make it great for stuffy or enclosed humid rooms.

Care: Mist regularly and avoid full sunlight. Use filtered water to prevent leaf browning.

For a more detailed care guide see Peace Lily Care: How to Grow a Lush, Flowering Plant That Cleans the Air.

10. Rex Begonia

💡 Light: Bright, indirect
💧 Water: Keep soil lightly moist
🌫️ Humidity: High
🐾 Pet-Friendly: No

Looks: Bold, textured leaves in vibrant shades like purple, silver, and green.
Why It Works: A showpiece for well-lit bathrooms or kitchens. Rex Begonias bring serious drama to humid corners that need a splash of color.

Care: Avoid letting leaves get wet during watering. Loves humidity but dislikes cold drafts.

For a more detailed care guide see Rex Begonia Care: A Bold Beauty That Thrives With the Right Touch.

Final Word

If you’ve got humidity, these plants will thank you for it. From lush ferns to vibrant nerve plants, these steamy room greenery options are designed to thrive where others wither.

They love the same moist air your shower or kettle creates — and they use it to grow faster, fuller, and more beautiful.

Whether you’re decorating a bathroom, enhancing your kitchen, or building a tropical corner in your home, these humidity-loving houseplants are ready to turn the heat into health.