Bringing greenery into the home has surged, extending naturally to the bedroom. This sparks the question of whether the practice is truly beneficial for health or merely decorative. The primary hesitation centers on the biological exchange of gases that occurs when the lights go out. The idea that plants might compete with a sleeping person for oxygen is a common concern.
Addressing the Nighttime Respiration Concern
The belief that plants are unhealthy in the bedroom stems from a misunderstanding of plant respiration, a process that continues when photosynthesis ceases at night. Like all living organisms, plants undergo cellular respiration, consuming small amounts of oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide in the dark. This leads some to worry about depleted oxygen levels in a closed sleeping environment.
The reality is that the amount of oxygen a typical houseplant consumes overnight is negligible, posing no threat to human health. A single sleeping human produces significantly more carbon dioxide and consumes vastly more oxygen than several average-sized potted plants combined. The respiration rate of a houseplant is dwarfed by the gas exchange of a sleeping pet or even the small drafts of air entering a modern bedroom. The small shift in atmospheric gas composition caused by plants is easily compensated for by normal air circulation.
Mechanisms for Improving Indoor Air Quality
The most significant physical benefit of indoor plants is their capacity to interact with and mitigate indoor air pollutants. Modern homes often contain elevated levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are gases off-gassed from common household materials like paint, furniture, carpets, and cleaning products. Compounds such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene are frequently present.
Plants actively absorb these airborne VOCs through their leaves and transfer the toxins down to the root system. The primary detoxification process, however, does not occur in the plant tissue itself, but within the soil. The roots of the plant support a rich community of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi.
These soil microbes break down the chemical compounds absorbed by the plant, metabolizing them into harmless substances. Research shows that the plant-soil-microbe system forms a highly efficient biofilter, effectively removing a variety of VOCs from the air. Incorporating several plants can contribute to a measurable, continuous reduction in these indoor air contaminants over time.
Psychological and Environmental Wellness Benefits
The advantages of having greenery nearby extend beyond air filtration to affect mental and physical well-being. The biophilia hypothesis suggests that humans possess an innate, deep-seated need to connect with nature and other living systems. Fulfilling this need leads to measurable psychological benefits, as the mere presence of plants is linked to reduced physiological markers of stress.
Studies demonstrate that being near indoor plants can lower diastolic blood pressure and reduce feelings of strain. This effect is thought to restore attentional capacity, helping the mind relax and recover from mental fatigue. The presence of nature’s visual complexity creates a more restorative environment for sleep and relaxation.
Plants also contribute to the local environment by regulating humidity. Through transpiration, plants release water vapor from their leaves, slightly increasing the relative humidity of the room. This subtle humidification can be beneficial in dry, heated environments, potentially easing symptoms associated with dry air, such as irritated sinuses, dry skin, and scratchy throats.
Selecting and Maintaining Bedroom Plants
To maximize the benefits of bedroom greenery, selecting the right species and maintaining them properly is important. Low-light tolerant plants are ideal for bedrooms, which often lack direct sun exposure. Species like the Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata), ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), and Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) are popular choices because they thrive in less bright conditions and are relatively low maintenance.
Non-toxic varieties are preferable, especially for households with children or pets, making plants like the Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) an excellent choice. Proper maintenance is necessary to prevent potential drawbacks that could negate health advantages. Overwatering is the primary cause of fungus gnats, small flies that breed in overly moist soil, and can also lead to mold growth on the soil surface, which is an allergen concern.
To mitigate these issues, allow the top layer of soil to dry out completely between waterings, disrupting the breeding cycle of pests and reducing conditions for mold growth. Regular cleaning of the leaves with a damp cloth ensures the stomata remain clear, allowing the plant to efficiently perform air-exchange functions.