Did you know that certain indoor plants can help you sleep better?
Studies have found that plants like specific potted varieties, green walls, and bio-filtration systems can clean the air inside your home.1 By removing toxins and improving air quality, these plants create a healthier environment that makes breathing easier.
From calming greenery to air-purifying wonders, here are plants that not only look beautiful but can also turn your bedroom into a peaceful, restful space.
1. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata, formerly Sansevieria trifasciata)
This plant is great because it produces oxygen even at night, unlike most plants that only do this during the day. It also helps clean the air by removing harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene, which are common in household products.
Cleaner air can improve your breathing while you sleep, helping you rest better.
2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos is excellent at filtering toxins from the air, including formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene. It doesn’t need much light, so it can thrive in dim bedrooms. By purifying the air, it creates a healthier environment for better sleep.
3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
The Peace Lily helps increase humidity, which is helpful if you struggle with dry eyes or throat while sleeping. It also absorbs toxins like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde, making the air cleaner and easier to breathe and promoting restful sleep.
4. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is well-known for its calming scent, which has been scientifically shown to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. Its fragrance can help lower your heart rate and blood pressure, putting your body in a more relaxed state to drift off to sleep. (ref)
5. Aglaonema (Aglaonema commutatum)
This hardy plant is also a good air purifier, removing pollutants and toxins from the air. It’s low-maintenance and can tolerate low light, making it perfect for a bedroom environment where it can help you sleep better by providing cleaner air.
6. Monstera (Monstera deliciosa)
Research by NASA suggests that the Monstera plant has the ability to purify air by absorbing toxins. (ref) By removing pollutants from the air, it helps create a cleaner environment for restful sleep.
With its large, striking split-leaves, the plant thrives in low to medium light, making it ideal for bedrooms.
7. Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
According to feng shui, this plant is said to bring good luck and positive energy. It can also improve indoor air quality, which contributes to a healthier sleeping atmosphere.
The Money Tree doesn’t require much light and helps maintain humidity, creating a calm, moist environment that’s good for your respiratory health while you sleep.
8. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
This trailing plant is perfect for bedrooms because it’s low-maintenance and helps purify the air by removing toxins like formaldehyde. Cleaner air can lead to a better quality of sleep, and its adaptable nature makes it an easy addition to any space.
9. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
NASA found that spider plants are highly effective at removing formaldehyde from the air. In preliminary tests, they removed 95% of this toxic substance from a sealed chamber within 24 hours, making them one of the best houseplants for air purification. (ref)
10. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Known for its thick, succulent leaves, the Jade plant stores water, making it low-maintenance. It also helps to filter indoor air, contributing to a healthy environment for sleep.
Feng shui experts also associate it with good energy and prosperity.
11. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
ZZ plants are popular for bedrooms because they require minimal care and thrive in low light. They help purify the air by removing toxins like xylene, which can lead to better overall air quality, promoting deeper sleep
12. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
This plant thrives in low light and high humidity, making it a great bedroom companion. It purifies the air by absorbing toxins and removing indoor carbon dioxide, which helps you breathe easier while sleeping.
Its broad, vibrant fronds create a calming, natural feel, which can help reduce stress.
13. Ric Rac Cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger)
While not your typical cactus, the Ric Rac cactus comes from humid rainforests and needs high humidity to thrive. Higher humidity in the bedroom can help prevent dry skin and throat irritation, which can disturb sleep.
Plus, it doesn’t require much maintenance and can survive in lower light conditions.
14. Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Gerbera daisies are listed in NASA’s study as effective at filtering indoor air. They can remove harmful substances like formaldehyde and benzene, which are found in common household items.
Cleaner air means better breathing, making it easier for you to relax and sleep well. These flowers release oxygen at night, unlike most plants, which only do so during the day.
15. Air Plant (Tillandsia spp.)
Air plants are unique because they don’t need soil to grow. They are excellent for increasing oxygen levels in your bedroom since they photosynthesize during the day and release oxygen at night.
They are small, easy to care for, and can absorb toxins from the air.
16. Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)
Known for its ability to thrive in low light, Lucky Bamboo adds a calming, Zen-like atmosphere to your space. It purifies the air by removing pollutants, which can improve indoor air quality and help you sleep better.
17. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
With its water-storing leaves, this trailing succulent adds beauty and texture to your room. It releases oxygen at night, contributing to better air quality.
Its ability to reduce carbon dioxide levels can help promote better breathing and a more peaceful sleep environment.
18. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
This plant is not just visually striking with its tropical look; it also improves air quality. By removing toxins from the air, it can create a healthier, more breathable environment in your bedroom, which is key for good sleep.
It thrives in bright, indirect light and can handle humidity well. However, it needs some care with watering to avoid root rot.
19. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
The Parlor Palm is a low-maintenance plant that purifies the air by removing toxins like formaldehyde. It also increases humidity, which can prevent dry skin and respiratory issues while you sleep.
It thrives in low light and doesn’t need much attention, making it perfect for a calming bedroom environment.
20. Scindapsus (Scindapsus pictus)
Also known as Satin Pothos, the Scindapsus ranked in the top 10 of NASA’s Clean Air Study for its ability to filter air.
It effectively removes harmful substances found in homes, offices, and schools, including formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethane, xylene, and toluene from items like furniture, clothing, and paint.
21. Peperomia (Peperomia spp.)
Peperomia plants are compact and have fleshy leaves that retain moisture, so they don’t need frequent watering. They purify the air and are known to release oxygen, improving room air quality.
They are also safe for pets, adding to their appeal for indoor spaces.
22. Haworthia (Haworthia spp.)
Haworthia is a small succulent that releases oxygen at nightand filters toxins from the air, making it perfect for the bedroom. It is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in bright, indirect light and doesn’t need frequent watering.
23. Rex Begonia (Begonia rex-cultorum)
This colorful, decorative plant helps increase humidity, which can improve respiratory comfort while you sleep. You can use curtains to shade them from strong direct sunlight.
Also, LED plant grow lights can help provide the necessary light for these plants. This combination ensures they thrive in your home.
24. Warneckei (Dracaena deremensis ‘Warneckei’)
Warneckei, a variety of the Dracaena plant, is one of NASA’s top indoor purifying plants. It removes harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air, creating a cleaner environment that makes it easier to breathe and sleep.
It’s also easy to care for, thriving in low light and needing little water, making it ideal for busy people who want the benefits of indoor plants.
25. Staghorn Fern (Platycerium spp.)
As they add moisture to the air, staghorn ferns can improve humidity levels in your bedroom. This can be especially helpful if you have dry air, which can irritate your skin and throat while sleeping.
They thrive in humid environments, mimicking their natural rainforest habitat, which makes them perfect for adding moisture to the air at night.
26. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston ferns purify the air by absorbing harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from household items such as paints and furniture. (ref) This creates a healthier environment, making it easier to breathe.
They also reduce noise by absorbing sound waves, which is ideal for light sleepers or noisy areas.
27. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Famous for its ability to fold its leaves up at night, the Prayer Plant’s movement mimics the natural rhythm of night and day, creating a calming effect that can help your mind relax before bed.
It’s also an air-purifying plant that improves air quality, which is essential for restful sleep.
28. Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
The Weeping Fig is also recognized by NASA for its ability to filter indoor air. It removes common toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene, helping to enhance air quality and promote better sleep.
This plant also helps maintain humidity levels in your room. Proper humidity can prevent dry air, which can lead to discomfort and disrupt sleep.
29. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
This palm is excellent for removing toxins from the air, like formaldehyde and benzene, and it also releases moisture. (ref) Improved air quality and increased humidity can help you breathe better and sleep more soundly.
It’s also a visually soothing plant, making your bedroom feel more peaceful.
30. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
Aloe vera absorbs harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene, which are common in household products, creating cleaner air that’s easier on your lungs. This helps reduce irritants that might disturb your sleep.
Unlike most plants, aloe vera also releases oxygen at night, improving air quality and making it easier to breathe, which promotes better rest. (ref)
All these plants create a calming environment by improving air quality and moisture levels, which are both key factors in promoting restful sleep.
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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.