7 Plants You Need In Your Bedroom If You Want The Best Sleep

Last Updated on December 31, 2022

Adding plants to your bedroom can help improve the overall aesthetic and feel of the environment. However, did you know that there are plants that help you sleep better? It’s true! Not only are they great for indoor decoration, they actually provide added benefits that promote healthier, more restful sleep like stress relief, better breathing, and allergy relief from mold and dust.

Our Top 7 Picks Picks that Will Actually Help you Sleep

There are many indoor plants that will thrive in a bedroom environment, but which ones will also help you thrive in the process?

In no particular order, here are seven air purifying plants for bedroom use that have proven to help aid with sleep:

Snake Plant or Mother-In-Law’s Tongue

The snake plant is great for a bedroom because it emits oxygen at night while also taking in carbon dioxide. This mirrors the human breathing cycle which takes in oxygen and emits carbon dioxide. As a result, the snake plant gives us better, purer air quality overnight which promotes a night of more restful sleep.

You will not have to worry about picking up leaves that drop because it is hardy and durable, a result of its West African origin. The snake plant is also a slow grower so don’t be surprised if you don’t see growth at first.

The snake plant is easy to care for and only requires watering every couple of weeks. Make sure you use a pot with drainage holes standing water will cause it to rot. It will thrive in varying light conditions from low to bright.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is one of the top-rated air purification plants according to the study done by NASA. It is very similar to a snake plant in the way it mirrors and compliments our respiratory cycle by emitting oxygen at night. However, it also emits oxygen during the day giving its priority status among plants for sleep.

The plant also purifies the air from toxins such as benzene and formaldehyde which can be found in plastics, detergents, adhesives, grout, varnishes, and floor finishes.

Aloe vera is very easy to care for. It only requires water every couple of weeks and is very resilient if you forget. It does not need a lot of direct sunlight either. Aloe reproduces easily and can be separated and repotted so you have a plant in every room.

Aloe vera is also a great plant for natural remedies that have been used for centuries. If you cut a leaf off and open it up, the gel from inside can be used to apply on dry skin, insect bites, burns, and cuts.

Spider Plant

A spider plant is an excellent air purifier. NASA tests show that it can remove approximately 90% of toxins in the air within just two days. Like aloe vera, it is exceptionally good at extracting formaldehyde from the air. People with dust allergies have found the spider plant helps alleviate their symptoms while cleaning the air.

This plant also excels at absorbing odors and fumes produced by other objects in the room. It allows a neutral, clean scent which helps you attain better rest all night long.

A spider plant will grow in all types of light and requires standard watering. If the tips of leaves start turning brown, you may want to water them with rainwater as they are hypersensitive to fluoride which is often found in tap water. They reproduce quickly and you can report the dangling stems as you please.

English Ivy

English Ivy grows well indoors and outdoors. In your bedroom, it is another one of NASA’s top plants for air purification. Studies show that the leaves help improve asthma and allergy symptoms for some individuals filtering allergens out of the air which improves the quality and quantity of the air in the room. This, in turn, leads to better sleep when placed in the bedroom.

English ivy is especially great at removing mold and feces particles in the air. This makes it a great plant for the bathroom as well as the bedroom.

This plant grows easily in a low to bright sunlight environment. It only needs minimal watering and can be groomed to grow in any direction you want simply by pinning the tendrils where you like.

This plant is toxic for kids and animals so use accordingly. You may want to use a hanging pot that can be placed out of reach.

Peace Lily

NASA highly recommends the peace lily for air purification as well. They help filter harmful toxins out of the air like benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde. They also absorb mold spores through their leaves and use them as food for their root system.

The peace lily also works as a natural humidifier by adding as much as 5% humidity to a room. This helps alleviate allergy symptoms by suppressing airborne microbes. It also provides relief for dry noses and throats which can interrupt your sleep.

Peace lilies grow in low or high light rooms and accept various watering cycles making them durable. When they are thirsty, a Peace Lily will wilt slightly to let you know and bounce back immediately after watering. If your plant is not blooming, try giving it a bit more sun if you want flowers. Otherwise, it will be fine in darker conditions.

Gerber Daisies

Gerber daisies are known not only for their vibrant colors but are also a great plant to have in your bedroom to help aid with sleep quality. They emit oxygen all day and night which you readily use while asleep. They can help alleviate allergies and sleep apnea for some people.

Indoor Gerber daisies require special care and attention. Their unique greenhouse care is hard, if not impossible, to reproduce in a home environment. The colorful daisy is not as resilient as the other plants listed here, but well worth purchasing for their beauty. The Gerber daisy comes in many bright colors that add cheer to any room, even if only for a short period of time. They require lots of light and frequent watering. Even with extra care, it is best to think of them as disposable after a period of time.

Areca Palm

According to NASA, the areca palm is the most efficient plant for cleaning up pollutants. It filters xylene and toluene specifically well which promotes healthier breathing and better sleep.

This plant is particularly effective at relieving sinus irritation and cold symptoms because it emits moisture into the air. It works as a natural humidifier and allows you to breathe and sleep easier. An areca palm that is around 6’ in height will release one liter of water per 24 hours.

The areca palm is also referred to as a golden cane palm, yellow palm, or butterfly palm. It is native to Madagascar and South India.

Not only does it promote relief, but it also brings life to your bedroom. Plus, it also looks good on your french style dressing tables.

What makes some plants better than others for the bedroom?

Several studies show that plants can benefit your sleep in multiple ways. The most prominent study comes from NASA and is highly regarded by sleep professionals.

Indoor plants for bedroom use have specific traits that make them particularly well suited for promoting healthier sleep.

Firstly, many indoor plants have air-purifying characteristics. They filter toxins out of the air like carbon dioxide and mold, absorb carbon dioxide, and emit oxygen-rich air. All of these characteristics facilitate easier breathing and lead to more restful sleep.

Secondly, the best bedroom plants also work as natural humidifiers by releasing moisture into the air through their leaves. If your bedroom is too dry it can create respiratory irritation, dry skin, and chapped lips, all of which have the potential to interrupt your sleep. By adding moisture emitting plants to your bedroom you can avoid any of these side effects which hinder peaceful sleep.

The best plants for bedroom air quality help reduce sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea. Additionally, they are known to reduce allergy symptoms, dry skin, and a dry respiratory tract.

Other plants to consider for use in your bedroom

The first four plants listed here are beneficial because of their soothing essential oils which release a calming scent and allow you to fall asleep faster. Many people find that mixing these plants with air purifying plants helps them fall asleep faster, and stay asleep.

• Jasmin: The scent has a gentle, soothing effect on your mind and body. It may also help with reducing anxiety. The scent it produces is sweet and calming.
• Lavender: Proven effective in the realm of sleep for centuries, lavender slows down the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and lowers stress. Its scent is earthy and sweet. Lavender is the most recommended essential oil scent, or plant, for helping people fall asleep quickly and remain asleep all night without interruption.
• Valerian: The scent helps promote falling asleep quickly and getting a more restful, better quality night of sleep. It has been used as a natural insomnia remedy for a very long time.
• Gardenia: Promotes sleep and reduces anxiety but is hard to care for. If you have insomnia it is worth giving it a try, regardless of the extra care and attention it requires.

To learn more about how essential oils can help you experience better sleep check out a more expansive exploration of the topic here.

Here is a list of some of the other plants that are among the best plants for bedroom use (mainly for air purifying characteristics):

• Bamboo Palm
• Golden pothos
• Parlor palm
• Corn plant
• Fiddle leaf fig
• Philodendron
• Boston fern
• Chinese evergreen
• Dwarf date palm Lady palm
• Weeping fig

Care and selection

A few tips to help you choose the right plants and maintain their health once in your home can go a long way. Keep this stuff in mind:

• Some find choosing a mixture of air purifying plants and scented sleep-inducing plants to get the best results.
• 15-18 air purifying plants per 1800 square feet is recommended by NASA to have in your home.
• Wipe the leaves of your plants with a damp paper towel every couple of weeks so they continue to filter air at their greatest potential. Think of it like changing an air filter in your car or an electronic air purifier.
• Make sure you check plants for toxicity if you have pets or small children. Some plants should be excluded from your home if you do, but most are more than ok for everyone.

Remember, you don’t have to choose just one

When it comes time for you to purchase plants for your bedroom, remember the best plants for bedroom use have strong air purifying capabilities. Also, mix and match different ones that are suited to your personal preferences and needs. Choose a selection that amplifies the key benefits you desire while still being aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Plants that help you sleep by improving air quality are easily available online and commonly found in many retailers. Achieving better sleep could be as easy as buying a new indoor plant or two, so what are you waiting for? Give it a try!

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