Did you know that adding plants to your bedroom can do more than just beautify your space? Research has shown that certain plants can improve air quality, reduce stress, and even enhance sleep quality.
A NASA study revealed that some houseplants are exceptionally effective at filtering indoor air pollutants, creating a healthier environment conducive to restful sleep.1 Here are the top 14 bedroom plants that can help you achieve a better night’s sleep.
1. Lavender: Nature’s Relaxation Remedy
Lavender is renowned for its ability to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. Research shows that the scent of lavender can slow down the heart rate and lower blood pressure, making it an effective natural remedy for anxiety and stress. This aromatic herb contains compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate, which have sedative effects that enhance sleep quality. (ref)
To make the most of lavender’s benefits, place it in a sunny spot in your bedroom where it can receive ample direct sun. Lavender is relatively low-maintenance but prefers well-drained soil and occasional watering.
Not only will lavender’s delicate purple flowers add a touch of elegance to your space, but they will also infuse your room with a calming aroma that helps you drift into a peaceful slumber.
2. Jasmine: Sweet Dreams in Bloom
Jasmine is celebrated for its sweet fragrance, which has been scientifically proven to improve sleep quality and boost alertness during the day. The scent of jasmine has been shown to reduce anxiety levels and promote a sense of well-being, making it a perfect addition to any bedroom, aiming for a tranquil atmosphere. (ref)
Jasmine plants thrive in bright, direct or indirect sunlight and require consistent moisture to flourish. Their enchanting white blossoms not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your bedroom but also fill the air with a soothing aroma that facilitates deeper and more restorative sleep.
3. Snake Plant: The Oxygen Booster
The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is a robust plant known for its air-purifying capabilities. Unlike most plants, the snake plant releases oxygen at night while absorbing carbon dioxide, improving indoor air quality and making it easier to breathe while you sleep. This process helps to keep the air in your bedroom fresh and clean, contributing to a healthier sleep environment.
Snake plants are extremely low-maintenance and can thrive in various lighting conditions, from low light to bright indirect light. They require minimal watering, making them ideal for those who may not have a lot of time for plant care.
4. Aloe Vera: The Nighttime Air Purifier
Aloe vera is not only a popular plant for its medicinal properties but also an excellent air purifier. It releases oxygen at night, which can help improve air quality in your bedroom and promote better sleep. Aloe vera’s ability to remove toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the air makes it a valuable addition to any sleep environment.
Caring for aloe vera is straightforward, as it requires infrequent watering and thrives in indirect sunlight. The plant’s succulent leaves can also be used to treat minor cuts, burns, and skin irritations, making it a versatile and practical choice for your bedroom.
Incorporating aloe vera into your sleep space can lead to cleaner air and a more restful night’s sleep.
5. Peace Lily: The Elegant Air Cleaner
The peace lily is not just a beautiful plant with its lush green leaves and elegant white blooms; it is also a powerful air purifier. This plant can remove a variety of toxins from the air, including formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene, which can significantly improve indoor air quality and create a healthier environment for sleep.
Peace lilies thrive in low to medium light and require regular watering to maintain their health. They are particularly effective at increasing humidity levels, which can help alleviate dry throats and noses, common issues that can disrupt sleep.
6. Valerian: The Ancient Sleep Aid
Valerian is an herb with a long history of use as a natural remedy for insomnia. The plant’s sweetly scented flowers have been shown to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and improve overall sleep quality.
The plant contains compounds like valerenic acid, which interact with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. (ref)
To get the best out of valerian, place it near a sunny window where it can receive full sunlight. This plant prefers well-drained soil and regular watering to thrive.
Incorporating valerian into your nightly routine can help you achieve more restful and uninterrupted sleep, making it an excellent choice for those struggling with insomnia.
7. English Ivy: The Allergy Reliever
English ivy is an excellent air-purifying plant that can help alleviate respiratory issues, making it easier to breathe and sleep at night. Studies have shown that English ivy can remove up to 94% of airborne mold and feces particles, which are common allergens that can disrupt sleep. This makes it particularly beneficial for individuals with allergies or asthma. (ref)
English ivy is versatile and can be grown in various lighting conditions, though it thrives best in moderate light. Regular watering is required to keep the soil moist. This trailing plant looks lovely in a hanging basket or as a climbing vine on a trellis, adding a touch of greenery to your bedroom.
8. Gardenia: Natural Sleep Inducer
Gardenia is another fragrant plant known for its sleep-enhancing properties. The scent of gardenia has been shown to improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety levels, making it a natural alternative to sleeping aids like Valium. Gardenia flowers can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer by reducing nighttime awakenings.
Gardenias require bright, indirect light and consistent watering to maintain their health. They are known for their glossy green leaves and creamy white flowers, which can add a touch of elegance to any bedroom.
While gardenias may require a bit more care compared to other plants, the effort is well worth it for the beautiful blooms and their sleep-promoting benefits.
9. Chamomile: The Gentle Calmer
Chamomile is well-known for its calming properties. It is often used in herbal teas to promote relaxation and sleep.
The plant itself can have similar effects when placed in the bedroom, helping to create a peaceful and soothing environment. Chamomile’s aroma has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Chamomile thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Incorporating chamomile into your bedtime routine, whether through a potted plant or dried flowers in a sachet, can enhance your sleep quality and overall well-being.
10. Gerbera Daisy: The Oxygen Enhancer
Gerbera daisies are not only vibrant and cheerful but also excellent at purifying the air. These colorful flowers are effective at removing toxins such as benzene and trichloroethylene, creating a healthier environment for sleep. Additionally, gerbera daisies release oxygen at night, which can improve the air quality in your bedroom and make it easier to breathe.
Gerbera daisies thrive in direct sun and consistent moisture. Their bright blooms come in various colors, including pink, orange, yellow, and white, adding a pop of color to your bedroom.
By improving air quality and increasing oxygen levels, gerbera daisies can help create a more restful and rejuvenating sleep environment.
11. Spider Plant: The Formaldehyde Fighter
The spider plant is a robust air purifier that can effectively remove pollutants such as formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air. These chemicals are commonly found in household products and can contribute to indoor air pollution, which affects sleep quality. By filtering out these toxins, the spider plant helps create a cleaner and healthier sleep environment.
Spider plants thrive in bright, indirect light but can also adapt to lower light conditions, making them versatile for various bedroom settings. They require regular watering but are relatively low-maintenance, making them an excellent choice for those who are new to gardening.
12. Rosemary: The Stress Reliever
Rosemary is well-known for its culinary uses, but its calming properties also significantly benefit sleep. The scent of rosemary has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels, which can help improve sleep quality. Inhaling rosemary’s aromatic compounds can promote relaxation and mental clarity, making it easier to unwind before bedtime.
This herb prefers full sun and well-drained soil, so place it near a sunny window to help it thrive. Rosemary is relatively easy to care for and requires regular watering. Additionally, having rosemary in your bedroom allows you to easily clip fresh sprigs for cooking or making soothing herbal teas.
13. Bamboo Palm: The Tropical Purifier
The bamboo palm, also known as the reed palm, is a lush, tropical plant that excels at purifying the air. It is particularly effective at removing toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene, which can accumulate in indoor environments and affect sleep quality.
By filtering out these harmful substances, the bamboo palm helps create a cleaner and healthier atmosphere conducive to restful sleep.
Bamboo palms thrive in low to medium light conditions and require regular watering to maintain their health. Their feathery fronds add a touch of tropical elegance to any bedroom, creating a serene and calming environment.
In addition to their air-purifying capabilities, bamboo palms can also increase humidity levels, which can alleviate respiratory issues and promote better sleep.
14. Golden Pothos: The Green Guardian
Golden pothos is a versatile and low-maintenance plant that is highly effective at purifying the air. It can remove a variety of indoor pollutants, including formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and benzene, which can impact sleep quality. This plant’s ability to filter out toxins and improve air quality makes it an excellent choice for creating a healthier sleep environment.
Golden pothos thrives in low to bright, indirect light and prefers to be kept slightly dry, making it easy to care for. Its trailing vines with heart-shaped leaves can be grown in hanging baskets or trained to climb a trellis, adding a touch of natural beauty to your bedroom.
By improving air quality and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your space, golden pothos helps create a more restful and inviting sleep environment.
Incorporating plants into your bedroom can significantly enhance your sleep quality by improving air purity, reducing stress, and creating a calming atmosphere. By carefully selecting and caring for these plants, you can transform your bedroom into a serene sleep sanctuary that promotes better health and well-being.
Sweet dreams await with these bedroom plants by your side.
Source:
- https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2019/cg_7.html
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.