Did you know that you likely spend about one-third of your lifetime in a bedroom? And during this time, do you know what kind of air you are breathing? You breathe the same air as your bedroom for 6-8 hours straight. What's really scary is that the air inside most bedrooms is 900% more polluted than the air outside!
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Check PriceYour neighbor's bedroom plants may seem nice, but they could be ruining you sleep. In the Clean Air Study, NASA discovered that some plants clean the air as well as improve it for sleep. These plants release oxygen and remove toxins that lead to restless sleep and brain fog in the morning.
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Let us look at 12 bedroom plants that are scientifically proven to help with better sleep.
Nighttime Plants That Can Help You Sleep
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Most plants only make oxygen during the day, but snake plants don't stop and continue to produce oxygen at night. In fact, they're one of the only plants that do this! In their studies, NASA found that snake plants were able to filter out the toxins formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene which can all cause headaches and irritate your lungs.
Aloe Vera
This succulent releases oxygen all day! Plus, it releases moisture which helps with dry throats and stuffy sinuses. An Aloe Vera plant is great to have near your bed for fresh air and to soothe burns in a pinch!
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is ranked number one in formaldehyde removal by NASA. These plants are nearly indestructible, and they produce \"babies\" that you can use to start new plants (propagating) for every room in your home.
Aromatherapy Sleep-Inducing Champions
Lavender
Studies show that lavender scent can reduce heart rate and blood pressure. In a study published by the Journal of Sleep Research, heart rates were shown to slow by 14% and blood pressure lowered by 10%. The best way to reap the full benefits of this heart rate reducing herb is by placing potted lavender 3 feet away from your pillow.
Jasmine
Research from Wheeling Jesuit University shows that jasmine fragrance helps improve sleep and lowers anxiety. For bedrooms with east-facing windows, night-blooming jasmine is the best option.
Gardenia’s compounds are said to promote deeper sleep phases just like Valium, but without the chemical side effects and with all of the calming effects. This research was done in Germany.
The team of Heavy-Duty Air Purification
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
According to NASA, Peace lilies are one of the best ten air purifying houseplants. They can remove ammonia, benzene, and formaldehyde from the air. They also increase the room humidity by about 5%, which helps to prevent sleep disruptions from dry air.
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Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston ferns help humidify the air which can help reduce snoring and soothe throat irritation. They also help with removing formaldehyde from your mattress and carpets.
The Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) is great for bedrooms that don’t get much light since they have a high capacity for removing formaldehyde and don’t need bright light.
The Mood and Energy Boosters
Golden Pothos
An easy-care plant, Golden Pothos, helps remove carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. It is also tolerant of low light and irregular watering. You can hang them from the edges of your bedroom, and enjoy clean air without taking up any space.
Philodendron
Not only do heart-shaped leaves on Philodendron plants look good, but they also help improve the air quality in your home. This type of plant cleans the air of formaldehyde and other toxins.
English ivy (Hedera helix)
According to studies done by NASA, within 12 hours, English ivy can eliminate airborne mold by 94%. For people who are sensitive to mold, this plant is the ideal choice for a humid bedroom or one that tends to get mold.
Placing Bedroom Plants Strategically
The location of your plants affect your sleep quality. Here’s how to position them:
Nightstand level: Snake plants and aloe vera are great for being close to your head as they give off oxygen.
Window sills: Lavender and jasmine need to be exposed to sunlight each day in order for them to create nighttime smell therapy.
Floor corners: Big plants such as peace lilies and rubber trees, help with air circulation and make the most of the space Provided.
Hanging plants like pothos and English ivy purify the air at the ceiling level where toxins build up.
Mistakes Made when Getting Bedroom Plants
Don't make these mistakes that can ruin helpful plants and turn them into sleep sabotaging plants.
Overwatering develops mold: Mold spores that begin to grow in damp soil can create poor air quality. Most bedroom plants only need water once you can feel the top soil is dry.
Incorrect plant placement: Plants that need lots of light, like certain types of spider plants, will become stressed in darker rooms and will produce fewer of the positive chemicals we want them to produce.
Having lots of plants can increase the humidity in a room, encouraging dust mites. It's recommended to have 3 to 4 plants per bedroom.
Start Small to Practice Better Sleep Starting Tonight
You don't have to turn your bedroom into a jungle to see the benefits. Start by placing one snake plant on your nightstand and a peace lily in a corner of the room. You should notice an improvement to your breathing and sleep quality within about two weeks.
To enhance your sleep quality, select 2-3 plants from different categories. Pick one night-oxygen producer, one heavy-duty air purifier, and one plant that offers aromatherapy. This mixture will address several sleep quality issues.
Your bedroom needs to be a place for recovery, not a place where you just put a bed in an overly cluttered room. While you sleep, these 12 NASA-Tested plants work to create a clean air environment to help your body recuperate.
