Bedroom Plants: Good Or Bad For Sleep?

Houseplants are a great way to bring nature into your bedroom and create a calming, relaxing environment. They can improve your mental health and wellbeing, reduce stress, and enhance your sleep. Not only do they function as decor, but certain plants can also purify the air of toxins and produce nighttime oxygen, making for a healthier and fresher sleeping environment.

Air purification and toxin removal

Placing indoor plants in your bedroom can be a great way to improve air quality and remove toxins. Houseplants can absorb and trap toxins while releasing oxygen, creating a healthier and fresher sleeping environment.

The peace lily, for example, is a popular bedroom plant that can filter out many harmful toxins. It is also low-maintenance, only needing to be watered weekly. Spider plants are another excellent option, as they remove 90% of cancer-causing chemical formaldehyde from the air and absorb odors and fumes to promote better sleep.

If you're looking for a hanging plant, consider the English ivy. It grows well in hanging baskets or draped over a side table and thrives in all light situations. Just be aware that it is toxic to pets.

The snake plant is another popular choice, known for its dramatic, sword-like leaves. This plant is very tolerant and only needs to be watered every couple of weeks. However, it is also toxic to pets, so beware if you have furry friends.

For a bold statement, try the flamingo plant, which helps eliminate carbon dioxide and provides abundant oxygen. It grows well in acidic, well-drained soil and doesn't like direct sunlight.

If you're looking for a low-maintenance option, the ZZ plant is a great choice. It can tolerate low light conditions and doesn't need to be watered frequently. However, it is also toxic to pets, so choose something else if that's a concern.

Other good options for air purification and toxin removal include the lady palm, pothos, Swiss cheese plant, and Echeveria succulents.

Aesthetics and decor

Indoor plants are a great way to add natural beauty to your bedroom and improve your mental health and wellbeing. They can help you sleep better and elevate a drab corner of your room.

When it comes to aesthetics and decor, the right indoor plants can enhance the look of your bedroom and tie the room together. Here are some tips and plant suggestions to consider:

• Ficus lyrata (Fiddle-Leaf Fig): Commonly known as the fiddle-leaf fig, this variety of ficus is an excellent choice for a statement piece in your bedroom. Its large and sculptural leaves give a tropical and relaxed vibe. However, it can be challenging to care for, so it may be better suited for gardeners with a green thumb.
• Hoya (Wax Plant): The hoya plant offers a range of leaf shapes and flowers, and its hanging vine growth makes it a versatile addition to your decor. You can use small hoya plants as corner potted plants or let them trail in hanging pots. They are also very hardy and challenging to kill.
• Lavender (Lavandula): Lavender is known for its calming and relaxing fragrance, making it an ideal plant to keep near your bed. Its refreshing scent has been valued for centuries for its ability to calm nerves and create a soothing atmosphere.
• Hedera helix (English Ivy): English ivy is a trailing evergreen perennial that is easy to grow and low-maintenance, making it perfect for amateur plant growers or busy individuals. It grows quickly and looks stunning when draped over a plant stand, placed on a high shelf, or trailing from a hanging pot.
• Pachira aquatica (Money Tree): Money trees are known to symbolize good fortune, and their long, coin-like leaves add a touch of stately beauty to your bedroom. They are easy to care for and thrive in indirect, bright light. Additionally, they are believed to help lower anxiety and promote healthier sleep.
• Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ Plant): The ZZ plant thrives in low- to moderate-light environments and grows quickly with little maintenance, making it an excellent decorative piece for your bedroom. Its bold, upright form and shiny leaves make it a striking addition to a nightstand or dresser.
• Aglaonema modestum (Chinese Evergreen): The Chinese evergreen is a stunning houseplant with oval-shaped leaves available in various colours, from silver to pinkish-red. It is an ideal choice for the bedroom due to its tolerance for low-light conditions.
• Gardenia: Gardenias are known for their exquisite fragrance, transforming your bedroom into a luxury resort-like space. They require evenly warm temperatures and moisture in their soil, making them well-suited to the extra attention a bedroom can provide.
• Monstera (Swiss-Cheese Plant): The Swiss-cheese plant is a popular houseplant with large, showy leaves that can grow up to 15 feet tall, making it a true statement piece. It prefers bright, indirect sunlight, perfect for a window with a sheer curtain to filter the light gently.
• Dracaena trifasciata (Snake Plant): Snake plants are one of the most easy-to-care-for houseplants, with interesting varieties and long, structural leaves. They can grow up to 12 feet tall and are perfect for blocking out bright afternoon sun.
• Epipremnum spp. (Pothos): Pothos is a versatile and easy-care houseplant that can be grown as a potted plant or in a hanging basket as a trailing vine. Its leaves can range from solid green to variegated with cream stripes, depending on the light conditions.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera is a soothing plant commonly used in lotions and soaps, and it also makes a great houseplant. It has minimal watering requirements, making it a low-maintenance addition to your bedroom.

When choosing bedroom plants, consider the size of your space, the amount of light the room receives, and your level of gardening skill. Select plants that complement your decor, fit your space constraints, and align with your lighting and temperature conditions.

Health benefits and improved sleep

Indoor plants in the bedroom can improve your sleep and benefit your health in several ways. Firstly, they can help to purify the air by removing toxic agents such as benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde. This promotes a healthier and fresher sleeping environment. In addition, indoor plants can increase the oxygen levels in your bedroom, which is beneficial for your overall health and can contribute to better sleep quality.

Bringing nature indoors and adding greenery to your bedroom can also have a positive impact on your mental health and wellbeing. Research suggests that indoor plants can make you feel less stressed and improve your cognition and physiology. They provide a sense of calm and a connection to nature, which is relaxing and can aid in winding down before sleep.

Certain types of indoor plants are particularly well-suited for the bedroom due to their air-purifying and oxygen-producing capabilities. For example, the peace lily, spider plant, and snake plant are all effective at removing indoor air pollutants and improving air quality. The money tree is another popular choice, known for its ability to reduce stress and promote positive energy.

When choosing bedroom plants, it's important to consider the light conditions in your space. Most houseplants need at least some sunlight, with some requiring direct light and others preferring indirect light. South and east-facing windows provide the most light, so consider the orientation of your windows and the amount of natural light your bedroom receives.

In addition to light, proper watering is crucial for the health of your bedroom plants. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings and adjust your watering frequency based on the light conditions and the specific needs of each plant.

Low-maintenance and beginner-friendly options

If you're looking for a bedroom plant but don't have a green thumb, there are plenty of low-maintenance and beginner-friendly options to choose from. Here are some suggestions:

• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): This popular houseplant is known for its glossy leaves and ability to thrive in both high and low-light conditions. It's also quite forgiving when it comes to watering, as it will wilt when thirsty and quickly perk up with a drink of water.
• Snake Plant (Sansevieria/Sanseveria trifasciata): With its bold, sword-like foliage, the snake plant is an attractive and easy-to-care-for option. It requires very little water and can tolerate low light conditions, making it a great choice for beginners.
• Pothos (Epipremnum spp.): Pothos is a trailing vine with solid green or variegated leaves. It is one of the easiest indoor plants to grow, as it can tolerate a wide range of light conditions and doesn't need frequent watering.
• ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): The ZZ plant, also known as the eternity plant, is a hardy plant that can tolerate low light and irregular watering. Its dark green, shiny leaves add a touch of beauty to any bedroom.
• English Ivy (Hedera helix): English ivy is a trailing plant that is easy to care for and can be trained to grow on a trellis or in a hanging basket. It thrives in low to bright light conditions and prefers well-drained soil.
• Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis): Aloe vera is a succulent with fleshy, spiky leaves that can go weeks without water. It prefers bright light, making it a good choice for a bedroom windowsill.
• Wax Plant (Hoya): The wax plant is a beginner-friendly option that offers a variety of leaf shapes and flowers. It can be grown in a pot or allowed to vine and is very hard to kill.
• Money Tree (Pachira aquatica): The money tree is a low-maintenance plant that is said to bring good fortune and promote better sleep. It thrives in indirect, bright light and prefers well-drained soil.
• Cast-Iron Plant: True to its name, the cast-iron plant thrives on neglect and is drought-tolerant. It has broad, deep green leaves and is an ideal size for a bedroom dresser or pedestal.
• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): The spider plant is a grassy, fuss-free option that thrives in medium to light shade. It helps to purify the air and produces "baby spider plants" that can be cut off and gifted.

Pet-friendly considerations

If you have pets, it's important to ensure that any indoor plants are non-toxic and safe for your furry friends. Many common houseplants can be harmful or even toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Here are some pet-friendly considerations to keep in mind when choosing indoor plants for your bedroom:

• Avoid plants that are known to be toxic to pets, such as lilies, sago palms, and calla lilies. These plants can cause digestive issues or other health problems in cats and dogs.
• Opt for non-toxic, pet-safe plants. Some examples include the Boston fern, spider plant, money tree, Chinese money plant, orchids, and certain succulents like haworthia and echeveria. These plants are generally safe for both cats and dogs.
• Place your plants out of reach: Keep plants out of your pet's reach by placing them on high shelves or in hanging pots. This will prevent curious pets from nibbling on or playing with your plants.
• Choose pet-friendly succulents: Succulents like haworthia and echeveria are safe for cats and dogs and are low-maintenance, making them a great choice for busy pet owners.
• Check the ASPCA list of toxic plants: If you're unsure about a particular plant, refer to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) list of toxic plants to avoid bringing harmful plants into your home.
• Consider your pet's behaviour: Some pets may be more inclined to chew on plants or dig in the soil. Choose plants that are less tempting for curious pets, and provide alternative options like cat grass to satisfy their natural instincts.
• Create a safe space: Use stable, heavy planters that are less likely to be knocked over by playful pets. Placing pebbles on top of the soil can also help discourage digging.
• Regular care and maintenance: Provide regular attention and care to your pet-friendly plants by meeting their specific light, watering, and humidity needs. This will ensure that your plants stay healthy and vibrant.
• Choose low-light tolerant plants: If your bedroom has low light conditions, opt for plants like the ZZ plant, Chinese evergreen, or peace lily, which can thrive in lower lighting.

Frequently asked questions