Updated: Mar 14, 2023
The Top 10 Plants to Have in Your Bedroom
You spend a lot of time in your bedroom, so it’s important to make this space as comfortable and peaceful as possible. One of the ways to do that is to add houseplants.
Houseplants improve your bedroom’s overall appearance, which can boost your mood, reduce stress levels, bring tranquility, and enhance creativity. In addition, plants affect indoor air quality by controlling humidity levels, eliminating air pollutants, and producing oxygen.
However, not all houseplants are great for the bedroom; so don’t head to the nursery and randomly pile pretty stuff into your basket. If you choose the right plants for your bedroom, you’ll improve the vibe of your bedroom, your sleeping environment, and your overall health. Here are the top 10 plants to have in the bedroom for better sleep:
Snake Plant
Snake plant or Dracaena trifasciata in Latin is also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or Saint George’s sword. It is very low maintenance as the plant is used to the harsh conditions of West Africa, where it’s native. It requires bright indirect light and occasional watering, so stick it next to a window.
The snake plant has the great advantage of producing oxygen in the day and at night. Most plants only do it during the day. In addition, the snake plant can eliminate air pollutants such as benzene and formaldehyde, improving the air quality in your bedroom.
English Ivy
English ivy or Hedera helix is an outdoor plant that spreads quickly via small vines. You can keep it indoors with moderate light and regular watering, but you need to keep it out of reach of your pets and children, as the leaves are mildly toxic.
English ivy is super effective at absorbing air pollutants like formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and toluene. It can also clear mold and animal feces from the air, which can greatly benefit people with allergies.
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum or spider plant, was one of the most popular houseplants during the '70s. The striped leaves arch from the center, resembling the legs of the spider, hence the name. This plant is an excellent option for your bedroom as it can purify your air by filtering formaldehyde. Spider plants require little light but regular watering.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is one of the most popular plants on the planet. It grows in bright light conditions, and like all succulents, it requires little water. Not to mention all that good medicinal goo in the leaves!
Aloe vera releases oxygen day and night, which can be beneficial for the quality of your sleep. In addition, aloe is known for its healing properties. So you can always remove a few leaves to get a gel that can help heal your cuts or sunburn.
Peace Lily
Peace lily can lift the interior of any bedroom, but it’s not just a pretty plant. It can filter formaldehyde and benzene from the air and increase humidity, setting the perfect environment for a more peaceful sleep.
Peace lilies grow in the bright indirect sunlight, but they can tolerate low to medium sunlight. They are low maintenance, so you only need to water them once the soil is nearly dry. Just make sure to keep your peace lily away from pets and children as the leaves are toxic if consumed.
Areca Palm
This tropical palm can add a nice touch to your bedroom decor. It has excellent air-purifying abilities as it can filter trichloroethylene, formaldehyde, and benzene from the air. It is also excellent at removing excess carbon dioxide. Areca palms should be kept in a spot with bright indirect light and watered regularly.
Gerbera Daisy
Gerbera daisies are grown for their colorful and bright flowers that can bring a pleasant atmosphere to your bedroom. These plants are harder to maintain as they require regular watering and moderate to bright sunlight. Besides being pretty, Gerbera daisies can also release oxygen at night and remove some trace organic pollutants from the air.
Heartleaf Philodendron
Like most other plants on our list, Philodendron was selected as one of the best indoor plants by NASA because of its ability to absorb air pollutants. In addition, the heart-shaped leaves are visually appealing for any space, including your bedroom.
Heartleaf philodendron is a popular houseplant because it requires little maintenance and is almost impossible to kill. Put it in a spot with moderate to bright light and water occasionally. Like English ivy and peace lily, keep it out of the reach of pets and children, as the leaves are toxic.
Pothos
Pothos is one of the easiest houseplants to grow as you only need to place it in a moderate to bright spot. As far as the watering goes, it actually prefers a little dry soil, so even if you forget to water it from time to time, you won’t harm the plant. Pothos can purify indoor air by eliminating carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, benzene, and other toxins from the air. It can also remove odors, which is why it is perfect for your bedroom.
Lavender
If you love lavender-scented candles, soaps, and essential oils, then you can go ahead and buy the plant for your bedroom. Its fragrant essential oils can help ease your mind, relax, and put you in a sleepy mood. However, lavender is a little hard to maintain indoors, and you won’t be able to grow it during the winter months. It requires bright light and prefers slightly dry soil, so you’ll need to water it occasionally.
Whether you’ve got a green thumb or have the opposite of a Midas touch on plants, there are options for everyone on this list. Making your sleep environment better and healthier leads to better sleep. And getting good sleep is vital to… well, your vitality!
While you’re in the midst of your plant core bedroom project, take a look at your mattress and consider switching it out for something just as restful and natural as your new décor. You’d be surprised what a customized bed and tailored bamboo sheets can do.