Having plants in your bedroom does more than just add a pop of color to your shelves—they can significantly impact your well-being. These green companions not only enhance the aesthetics but also have the power to uplift your mood, boost creativity, reduce stress, and increase productivity. Additionally, they act as natural air purifiers, filtering out pollutants and offering various health benefits.
Air quality often goes unnoticed, but elements like insulation, paint, and furniture in our homes can release toxins like formaldehyde and benzene, affecting indoor air. To counter this, incorporating plants into your living space can make a significant difference. Plants in the bedroom, in particular, absorb harmful gases through their leaves’ pores, contributing to a cleaner and healthier air environment.
Beyond their health benefits, bedroom plants also serve as decorative elements, bringing a vibrant and positive energy to any indoor setting. If you’re considering adding a touch of green to your room, here are 10 of the best plants to consider for your bedroom.”
How do Air Purifying plants work?
Indoor plants offer a natural solution for removing toxins like benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde from the air in any room, including the bedroom. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, the best air-purifying plants for bedrooms are generally low-maintenance.
Air-purifying plants are known to absorb and trap toxins while releasing oxygen, creating a cleaner and healthier sleeping environment. Most indoor plants are easy to care for and can adapt to common indoor conditions such as low light and indoor temperatures.
Whether your bedroom is well-lit or you prefer a darker ambiance for sleep, we’ve identified the top 10 air-purifying plants suited to different conditions, all of which require minimal care.
Discover our recommendations for the best air-purifying plants to enhance your bedroom’s air quality.
Best Bedroom Plants
Peace Lily:
This easy-to-care-for plant is an excellent choice for the bedroom, thriving even if you forget to water it. The humble Peace Lily not only adds a touch of beauty with its shiny leaves and large white bracts but also contributes to filtering indoor air.
Additionally, it increases humidity levels, promoting better breathing and improved sleep. Perfect for bedrooms, it can survive without direct sunlight.
Snake Plant:
Also known as Mother In-Law’s Tongue, the Snake Plant is ideal for nighttime as it produces oxygen. This sleek indoor plant not only enhances oxygen levels but also purifies household air by removing toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene.
Aloe Vera:
NASA recognizes Aloe Vera as a top pick for air-purifying plants in bedrooms. This succulent helps eliminate formaldehyde and benzene commonly found in varnishes, floor finishes, and detergents.
Known for its healing properties, Aloe Vera’s sap can be applied to burns. While it thrives in sunny spots, it doesn’t require excessive watering. Just be cautious with placement, especially if you want to avoid getting pricked by its leaves.
Rubber Plant:
The Ficus robusta, or Rubber Plant, is a popular and low-maintenance house plant, thriving with minimal care. NASA’s study identifies it as an excellent addition to the bedroom. Its large, shiny leaves absorb airborne chemicals, including carbon dioxide, converting it into breathable oxygen.
Moreover, it helps eliminate bacteria and mold spores in the air. Keep in mind that this plant can grow up to 2.4m, so ensure you have enough space for it in your bedroom.
Boston Fern:
Introduce a touch of soft elegance to your bedroom with a Boston Fern. Whether cascading over shelves or in hanging baskets, these plants not only look beautiful but also purify the air, known for removing more harmful formaldehyde than any other plant.
Be cautious around cats, as they may be tempted to nibble the ends. To keep Boston Ferns thriving, ensure regular watering, keep them in a cool place with high humidity, and away from direct sunlight.
Areca Palm:
Enhance your bedroom decor with the stunning Areca Palm, which not only adds aesthetic appeal but also plays a vital role in purifying the air.
Biologically engineered to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, this palm removes dangerous chemicals such as formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from your sleeping environment.
Gerbera Daisy:
For a burst of beauty in your bedroom, consider the Gerbera Daisy. Beyond its vibrant flowers, this plant is a multitasker. Placing one by your bed allows it to produce high oxygen levels at night while effectively removing harmful chemicals like trichloroethylene and benzene.
Spider Plant:
A common sight in Kiwi homes, the Spider Plant is perfect for those new to greenery. Easy to care for, it serves as a simple yet impactful bedroom decoration with significant toxin-fighting capabilities.
Non-toxic to animals, it helps eliminate toxins such as carbon monoxide and xylene—a solvent used in printing and rubber industries.
Chinese Evergreen:
Surprisingly common in households, the Chinese Evergreen is among the best at purifying indoor air by removing harmful toxins like formaldehyde and benzene while releasing high levels of oxygen.
Popular in China for years, it thrives in full shade and requires only occasional watering, making it an easy-care choice for your home.
English Ivy:
A well-liked plant in New Zealand, both indoors and outdoors, English Ivy has been proven by US research to remove 78% of airborne mold in just 12 hours, particularly beneficial in bedrooms.
This is excellent news for those dealing with allergies, as it contributes to creating a healthier and cleaner indoor environment.
Gardenia:
While a bit more high maintenance, the Gardenia is worth the extra care for its beautiful, scented blossoms—a popular choice for bedrooms.
Studies suggest that these plants may help alleviate anxiety and improve sleep quality. Place them in bright indirect sunlight and ensure the soil remains consistently moist for optimal growth.
Should You Have Plants in Your Bedroom?
The debate about whether it’s beneficial or harmful to keep plants in the bedroom has led to varied opinions. Some worry that plants may emit carbon dioxide at night, similar to humans, but in reality, the amount is relatively harmless.
The real concern lies with carbon monoxide, a dangerous gas, but houseplants don’t produce significant amounts. In essence, the answer is a definite yes—having plants in the bedroom is a positive choice.
What Is the Best Plant for Your Bedroom?
The ideal bedroom plant depends on your preferences. For a tropical plant that filters indoor air, even at night, consider the snake plant or aloe vera.
If you’re seeking an indoor plant that not only purifies the air but also eliminates odors, the golden pothos is a great choice. Evaluate the health benefits and care requirements of each plant to find the best fit for your bedroom.
Benefits of Bedroom Plants
One of the primary advantages of having plants in the bedroom is their ability to enhance indoor air quality. Indoor plants help maintain or increase humidity levels by releasing water vapor during transpiration. They also produce negative ions, similar to air-purifying machines, which attach to and remove particles such as dust, mold spores, bacteria, and allergens.
Moreover, the presence of negative ions has been linked to improved psychological health, productivity, and overall well-being. Certain houseplants go a step further by naturally filtering indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, toluene, and benzene.
Another underappreciated benefit of houseplants is their calming effect, making them a perfect addition to your sleep space. While there’s no scientific evidence that houseplants can increase sleep duration, they can transform your bedroom into a serene environment, helping you fall asleep faster and enjoy a more restful sleep. If you’re considering new bedroom plants, matching them to your bedding can enhance the overall aesthetics of your sleep space.
