Adding plants to a bedroom provides aesthetic appeal and functional benefits that contribute to a more restful environment. Integrating natural elements into personal spaces reduces stress and improves general well-being, which is conducive to better sleep. The right plant selection can filter the air and slightly increase humidity, enhancing the overall quality of the immediate environment. Choosing plants well-suited for the typically low-light conditions of a bedroom ensures they thrive and provide consistent benefits.
Top Plant Recommendations for Bedroom Environments
The Snake Plant, or Sansevieria trifasciata, is an excellent choice for a bedroom due to its resilience and unique gas exchange process. Unlike many plants that only convert carbon dioxide to oxygen during the day, the Snake Plant utilizes Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) to perform this exchange primarily at night, making it a constant source of oxygen in a closed space. This hardy succulent tolerates neglect and low-light corners, requiring infrequent watering.
The Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) is another popular option, known for its ability to increase ambient humidity through transpiration. Higher humidity levels can help alleviate dry air conditions, which may reduce irritation of the throat and nasal passages during sleep. The Peace Lily is also recognized for its air-filtering capabilities and thrives in typical low-light conditions, signaling its need for water with a dramatic droop.
For a beneficial aromatic element, the Lavender plant (Lavandula) is valued for its soothing scent. The aroma is often associated with reduced anxiety and helps promote relaxation, which is a prerequisite for falling asleep. While it requires more light than the Peace Lily or Snake Plant, a Lavender plant placed near a sunny bedroom window can provide the calming fragrance that aids sleep.
The Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is highly adaptable and requires minimal care, making it an easy addition to any bedroom space. This trailing plant is a prolific grower that tolerates a wide range of light levels, from bright, indirect to lower light conditions. The Pothos provides a lush, cascading texture and is effective at removing airborne pollutants, contributing to a cleaner atmosphere.
The Science of Air Quality and Sleep
The functional benefits of indoor plants in the bedroom largely relate to their ability to interact with the surrounding air. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis. More significantly, certain indoor plants have been shown to remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from the air, which are common pollutants released by household items like furniture, paints, and cleaning products.
The 1989 NASA Clean Air Study demonstrated that plants can absorb VOCs like formaldehyde and benzene within sealed laboratory environments. The mechanism involves the plant’s leaves absorbing the compounds, which are then metabolized, and the soil microbes playing a role in breaking down these toxic substances. While the concentration of plants needed to purify the air in a typical, non-sealed home is much higher than in the study, the presence of these plants contributes to a more balanced and natural environment.
A common concern is that plants release dangerous amounts of carbon dioxide at night. All plants perform cellular respiration, releasing a small amount of carbon dioxide as a byproduct both day and night. The amount of carbon dioxide released by a few houseplants through respiration is extremely small and poses no threat to human health. The carbon dioxide produced by a person sleeping in the room is far greater than the negligible amount released by the plants.
Practical Care and Placement
Proper placement requires understanding the light conditions of the space. Most bedrooms are considered low-light environments, especially corners or areas far from a window. Plants chosen for this setting, such as the Peace Lily or Snake Plant, will perform best with bright, indirect light, but they can tolerate less light by adapting their growth rate. Rotating the pot every few weeks ensures that all sides of the plant receive adequate light, promoting even growth and preventing the plant from stretching toward the light source.
Watering frequency should be significantly reduced for plants kept in low-light conditions because their metabolism slows down. Overwatering is a leading cause of houseplant failure, especially in low-light areas where the soil takes longer to dry. Check the soil moisture by inserting a finger a couple of inches deep and only water when the soil feels dry. Proper drainage is also important, so ensuring the pot has a drainage hole and that no water is left standing in the saucer prevents root rot.
Safety is a necessary consideration for plant placement, particularly in homes with pets or small children. Many common houseplants contain compounds that can be toxic if ingested, causing symptoms ranging from mild irritation to more serious issues. Plants like the Peace Lily and Pothos contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause oral irritation and vomiting if chewed. It is advisable to place potentially toxic plants, such as the Pothos, on high shelves or in hanging baskets out of reach of curious pets.