Picture this, you’re lying in bed ready to fall asleep, but no matter how hard you try you just toss and turn; the sweet realm of dreams is just out of reach. I’m sure we’ve all had our fair share of sleepless nights, and know how frustrating it can be. There are many ways to encourage better sleep from exercising, to taking supplements, to meditating. In our case, we’ve found that having some plants in the bedroom has helped us get better quality sleep.
Bring Nature Inside for Some Rest and Relaxation
Maybe it’s the nurturing perception of being near plants during sleep or their ability to produce oxygen, but our journey to the dreamworld has become easier since plants became our bedroom companions. If you haven’t tried getting plants for sleep, then here are some you might want to check out for a restful night.
Snake Plant
This is one of the most popular plants, whether indoors or outdoors. With its long, upright leaves, the snake plant is known for its varied foliage size and pattern. But the primary reason for its enduring popularity is its ease of care while removing air toxins and producing oxygen.
This low-maintenance plant tolerates low light although it prefers bright, indirect lighting. It can go for several weeks without water, making it ideal for those who are still new to caring for plants, as well as for homeowners who travel frequently.
Spider Plant
Another low-maintenance indoor resident, the spider plant has long thin leaves that eventually produce plantlets at the end when it matures. These plantlets look like tiny versions of the parent plant and give off the impression of a mother spider with her green spiderlings. Plus, you can always propagate the plantlets by cutting and replanting them.
The spider plant produces oxygen, which may help improve air quality that can help in reducing stress and anxiety. While it can grow in low light conditions, it’s better off when placed near windows that provide bright indirect light.
Peace Lily
With its glossy green leaves, the peace lily is one of the easiest and most beloved indoor plants to grow. Most varieties have dark green foliage, but you can also get ones that are variegated. Mature plants quickly produce spoon-shaped white flowers with a spathe, making the room feel even more serene.
Peace lily plants produce a lot of oxygen and improve air quality by removing toxins. It prefers low to medium levels of light, so placing it near a curtained window in your bedroom will work wonders. It will tell you when it’s thirsty by wilting, but not to worry — it perks right back when you water it!
Golden Pothos
The heart-shaped leaves flowing from the trailing vines make the golden pothos plant a popular choice for many homeowners. Plus, you can easily choose from solid-colored leaves to foliage in variegated patterns of lime green, yellow, and even white!
Low-maintenance and easily propagated, the golden pothos plant is often grown in bright indirect sunlight. Even if you don’t have the brightest room, it can still tolerate low-light conditions. As it gives off a lot of oxygen, you just might get a good night’s sleep by having one growing in your bedroom.
Philodendron
If you love the golden pothos, then you might also want to grow this one. Both have similar appearances and growing requirements. To top it all off, philodendron plants also improve air quality by absorbing toxins and producing oxygen.
Philodendron plants tolerate low-light conditions, although they prefer bright indirect lighting. Keep the soil moist, avoid overwatering, and your plant will thank you by producing more vines and leaves! Keep this plant looking its best by wiping its heart-shaped foliage occasionally to keep away dust.
English Ivy
One of the most traditional indoor plants, the English ivy has been grown in homes for decades, if not centuries. Its vine-like growth habit with small pointed leaves makes this ivy a charming plant for bedrooms looking for a bit of old-fashioned charm.
It has the unique characteristic of reducing airborne mold while producing lots of oxygen, making it ideal for bedrooms that may be a bit humid or musky. Place it in bright indirect sunlight, such as on a windowsill, although it does tolerate low-light conditions. Just don’t overwater it though as it can be quite susceptible to root rot.
Rubber Plant
Tall and tropical, the rubber plant has become a popular houseplant over the last few years. Boasting thick glossy leaves in various shades of green, yellow, and purple, this house plant is majestic but surprisingly low-maintenance.
The rubber plant is known to remove toxins in the air while improving air quality through strong oxygen production. Place this in areas that receive bright indirect sunlight, although it can tolerate low-light conditions. You might want to wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them looking attractive and free of dust.
Areca Palm
With its feather-like fronds, the areca palm takes us to memories of warm summers and cold fruity drinks. This tropical houseplant has a tall growth habit and is known for improving air quality by removing toxins and increasing oxygen content in its immediate area.
Keep the areca palm in a spot that receives bright indirect sunlight because it does not always tolerate low light. Make sure that its soil is well-draining but moist. You should also feed it once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.
Bamboo Palm
Another palm on our list is this hothouse beauty. With a tall growth habit and foliage reminiscent of bamboo leaves, this palm is popular for being low-maintenance while improving air quality through oxygen production and toxin absorption.
Like most tropical plants, the bamboo palm requires bright, indirect light when kept indoors. It doesn’t tolerate waterlogged soils, so keep the soil loose and well-draining yet moist. You can help accelerate its growth by feeding it once a month, especially during the warmer seasons.
Dracaena
There are several species of this popular houseplant, and most of them have strikingly attractive leaves that are long and thin. Named after the ancient Greek word for a female dragon, some species can grow up to over eight feet tall. Like most of the plants on our list, Dracaena plants remove air impurities and produce lots of oxygen.
Place the plant in a bright indirect spot. Make sure that the soil is loose and drains well while keeping it regularly moist. You can encourage your plant to grow even healthier by feeding it once a month with a balanced fertilizer.
Bedroom Plants
Getting a good night’s rest is important because it allows us to think and function better. With nature nearby as we go to sleep, we tend to calm down quicker while taking in more oxygen.
But if you still want more plants to consider, here are some that nearly made it on our list: ZZ plants sound perfect for those zzz’s since they produce oxygen from their thick waxy leaves while being low-maintenance.
Schefflera brings in a tropical touch with its umbrella-shaped leaves in various colors of green, yellow, and cream.
Aloe vera are extremely low-maintenance plants that produce oxygen, remove toxins, and can help heal minor cuts and wounds.
Finally, if you want some natural fragrance in your bedroom, try growing lavender or jasmine.
If you think you’re in the mood to bring nature inside while getting better air and improved sleep, then one or more of our recommended plants might just do it for you. After all, indoor gardening is one of the best ways to stay grounded and mindful during times of stress and anxiety!
