12 Best Dehumidifying Plants for Bedroom Spaces

Quick Answer

The best dehumidifying plants for bedroom spaces are xerographica air plant, spider plant, parlor palm, moth orchid, bird’s nest fern, Boston fern, peace lily, lady palm, baby rubber plant, round-leaved calathea, golden pothos, and English ivy. More accurately, these plants tolerate or prefer humid air, while air plants and some epiphytes can take up moisture through their leaves. No houseplant should be expected to replace a dehumidifier.

Here’s the short version before you scroll further:

• Xerographica Air Plant — absorbs water through leaf trichomes
• Spider Plant — forgiving and easy to propagate
• Parlor Palm — handles lower bedroom light well
• Moth Orchid — beautiful flowers without a large footprint
• Bird’s Nest Fern — epiphytic fern that loves humid air
• Boston Fern — lush choice for consistently humid rooms
• Peace Lily — shade tolerant with dramatic thirst signals
• Lady Palm — floor plant that tolerates lower light
• Baby Rubber Plant — compact option for small bedrooms
• Round-Leaved Calathea — thrives where air stays comfortably humid
• Golden Pothos — adaptable trailing plant for shelves
• English Ivy — compact climber that tolerates cooler rooms

Choose by light, watering habits, available space, and pet safety first. If your bedroom is genuinely damp enough for condensation or mold, measure its humidity and use ventilation or a real dehumidifier rather than relying on plants.

Our Top Picks at a Glance

Most Direct Foliar Moisture Uptake — Xerographica Air Plant

Easiest to Care For — Spider Plant

Best for Low Light — Parlor Palm

Most Beautiful Bloom — Moth Orchid

#1. Xerographica Air Plant — “The True Air Drinker”

Tillandsia xerographica is an epiphytic bromeliad native to parts of Mexico and Central America. Specialized scales called trichomes cover its silvery leaves and take up water directly through the foliage.

That makes it the most literal fit on this list, although one plant still won’t noticeably dry an entire bedroom. Its curling leaves become a dramatic sculptural accent without taking up floor space.

After soaking, shake out trapped water and let the plant dry upside down to reduce crown rot. An open air plant holder allows better circulation than a sealed glass globe.

#2. Spider Plant — “The Forgiving One”

Chlorophytum comosum comes from southern Africa and has arching leaves that work especially well on a bedroom shelf or hanging planter. It tolerates a wider range of indoor conditions than fussier tropicals.

Healthy mature plants send out long stems carrying small plantlets. Those babies can be rooted in water or compost to make new plants.

Keep the compost moist but never permanently soggy. A hanging planter with drainage helps prevent water collecting around the roots.

#3. Parlor Palm — “The Bedroom Classic”

Chamaedorea elegans is a slow-growing palm native to Mexico and Guatemala. It became a classic indoor plant because it copes with dimmer interiors better than many palms.

Its fine-textured fronds soften empty bedroom corners without becoming visually heavy. Moderate indoor humidity is usually enough.

Allow the soil surface to dry slightly between drinks because overwatering is a bigger risk than brief dryness. The ASPCA lists parlor palm as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

#4. Moth Orchid — “The Flowering Minimalist”

Phalaenopsis orchids are mainly epiphytic plants with thick leaves and aerial roots adapted to humid tropical environments. Their long-lasting blooms give you far more color than most foliage plants.

The roots need oxygen as much as moisture. Silvery roots usually signal that watering is approaching, while green roots are still hydrated.

Keep the plant in airy orchid bark potting mix rather than dense regular soil. Moth orchids are also listed by the ASPCA as pet friendly.

#5. Bird’s Nest Fern — “The Humidity Lover”

Asplenium nidus is an epiphytic fern from tropical Asia and Australia. In nature its rosette catches organic debris while the plant grows above the ground on trees.

Its broad, rippled fronds appreciate humid air much more than dry heat. A bedroom that already stays moderately humid can suit it beautifully.

Water the compost around the plant rather than repeatedly pouring water into the central crown. Remove damaged fronds at their base with clean scissors.

#6. Boston Fern — “The Lush Classic”

Boston fern is a form of Nephrolepis exaltata, valued for long arching fronds and a full fountain-like shape. It performs best with moderate to high humidity and good ventilation.

Crispy frond edges often appear when the plant becomes too dry. That makes it more informative than many plants when bedroom conditions aren’t suiting it.

Keep the root zone moist without soaking the entire plant continuously. Boston fern is also included among the ASPCA’s pet-friendly houseplant choices.

#7. Peace Lily — “The Dramatic Communicator”

Spathiphyllum species belong to the Araceae family and originate from tropical regions. They prefer warmth, indirect light, and moderate humidity.

The leaves often droop noticeably when the root zone becomes dry, giving beginners a useful visual cue. They usually recover quickly after appropriate watering.

Don’t keep the compost permanently saturated just because the plant enjoys humid air. Peace lilies contain irritating calcium oxalate crystals, so keep them away from pets and young children.

#8. Lady Palm — “The Quiet Floor Plant”

Rhapis excelsa is a clumping fan palm with sturdy stems and broad divided leaves. Unlike sun-hungry palms, Rhapis can cope with lower indoor light.

It benefits from moderate to high humidity but can adapt to average household conditions. That flexibility makes it practical for bedrooms rather than just steamy bathrooms.

Water after the upper compost begins to dry and remove fully brown fronds cleanly. Lady palm is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

#9. Baby Rubber Plant — “The Compact Survivor”

Peperomia obtusifolia is a compact tropical from the Piperaceae family. Its thick glossy leaves give it a tidier, more succulent-like look than the ferns on this list.

Peperomias generally enjoy humid air but adapt well to normal household humidity. Their compact size is useful when a bedroom already feels crowded.

Let the upper compost dry before watering because persistently wet soil can cause root rot. Baby rubber plant is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

#10. Round-Leaved Calathea — “The Humidity Specialist”

Round-leaved calathea is now commonly classified as Goeppertia orbifolia. Its broad striped foliage comes from a plant group adapted to warm, shaded, humid conditions.

It is less forgiving of dry air than pothos or palms. Brown edges can appear quickly when humidity drops or watering becomes inconsistent.

Keep it away from hot vents and harsh sunlight, and divide established clumps when propagation is needed. Calatheas are included on the ASPCA’s non-toxic plant list.

#11. Golden Pothos — “The Adaptable Trailer”

Epipremnum aureum is a tropical climbing aroid with glossy heart-shaped leaves. It adapts to common indoor conditions and can trail from shelves or climb a support.

Humidity encourages lush growth, but pothos doesn’t need a steamy bedroom to survive. That makes it more forgiving than a Boston fern or calathea.

Trim long vines above a node to control its size, then root the cuttings if you want another plant. Keep pothos away from pets because ingestion can cause irritation.

#12. English Ivy — “The Cool-Room Climber”

Hedera helix is a vigorous evergreen climber that can be kept compact indoors with regular pruning. It tolerates cooler, lower-light interiors better than many tropical foliage plants.

Its trailing habit works well on a high shelf where the vines can hang freely. Good airflow is especially useful when the room is already humid.

Trim leggy stems to keep the plant dense and inspect the foliage regularly for pests. English ivy is toxic to pets if eaten, so placement matters.

Find Out Whether Your Bedroom Is Actually Too Humid

A small digital hygrometer tells you the room’s relative humidity instead of forcing you to guess. That makes it easier to separate a real moisture problem from normal plant-care issues.

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